How to Size Your Child's Foot
Children grow so fast that keeping them in shoes that fit properly is difficult. Yet, a proper shoe fit is extremely important to protect the health of your child's growing feet, not to mention that a proper-fitting shoe is less likely to cause your child to trip and fall or, even worse, cause your child's feet to hurt too much to run and play. Read on to learn how you can size your child's foot at home, which makes ordering shoes online a snap.
First: First things first
Always measure your child at the end of the day, standing, wearing socks that he or she is going to wear with the shoes you are planning to buy. These precautions ensure that you are measuring the feet at their greatest expansion. Always measure both feet, as no one is perfectly symmetrical, and the left and right feet sometimes grow at different rates. You should buy the shoe size that fits the larger foot.
Second: Buy a shoe sizer
The easiest way to measure your child's foot for shoe size is to purchase a children's home shoe sizer. These are simple plastic versions of the shoe sizers that are used in shoe stores, and they online. Simply place the shoe sizer under each foot while your child is standing, and read the measurements indicated to find out the correct shoe size.
Third: Measure length and width
If you do not care to buy a shoe sizer, you can still measure your child's feet for shoes. Put a piece of paper under your child's foot, and mark behind the heel and the longest point of the toes. Measure the distance between the marks in inches or centimeters. Most children have regular width feet, but if your child is an exception, you may want to measure the width of the foot at its widest point. Use the same method you used to measure the length
Fourth: Consult a shoe size chart
Now you are ready to consult a shoe size chart. Many shoe stores and online retailers have such charts available, or you can readily find one with an internet search engine and the search phrase "children's shoe size conversion chart." You should have no trouble converting your measurements to your child's shoe size in US or European sizes.