Kids' Water Shoes & Beach Sandals

For a waterplay day, I would choose the pair your child can put on and take off without a big production. A light, easy-on style is useful when they are moving between the classroom, splash area and toilet, and it is sensible to pack a dry pair of socks and underwear in the bag as well. If the school has a specific rule on footwear, check that first.

Yes, especially for children who want to run straight from the sand to the water and back again. A pair with a secure fit helps protect little feet from hot sand and rougher ground. Rinse the shoes with fresh water after the beach so salt and sand do not sit in the straps or soles.

They should feel secure enough not to slip when your child is running or climbing, with a little room at the toes but not so much that the foot slides around. Try them with the kind of socks, if any, they will actually wear. A shoe that feels fine standing still can become irritating after twenty minutes of wet playground running.

For a beach, splash pad or holiday day, yes, as long as the fit is comfortable and the shoes are rinsed and dried afterwards. For regular all-day wear, rotate with a dry everyday pair so feet and shoes have time to air out. That small habit saves you from the inevitable damp-shoe smell.

Give them a rinse in fresh water as soon as you can, especially after salt water or a chlorinated pool. Shake out sand, wipe away any mud and let them dry naturally in a well-ventilated spot. Avoid leaving them in a sealed bag or a hot car, where they can stay damp and start to smell.

I would pack the water shoes, a hooded swim robe, sunscreen, a hat, a dry change of clothes and a plastic bag for anything wet. If your child is the type to keep playing until the last minute, having a dry pair of shoes for the trip home is a small kindness to everyone.