Top Shoes for Kids 2025 - Recommended by Pediatric Physical Therapists

Aimee Brueck • September 18, 2025

Choosing the right pair of shoes for your child isn’t just about style, it’s about supporting their growing feet with the stability, comfort, and structure they need. Whether your child has orthotic needs, sensory sensitivities, or simply needs reliable footwear for school and play, finding pediatric therapist-recommended shoes can make all the difference.

To help, we asked pediatric physical therapists to share their top shoe recommendations for kids. From adaptive closures to orthopedic designs, these shoes are not only functional but also kid-friendly and stylish.

Here’s a curated list of the top 10 best shoes for kids approved by experts and loved by parents.

Top Picks from Pediatric Physical Therapists

All of the following shoes are recommended by pediatric professionals and selected for comfort, support, and ease of use.

1. Stride Rite Adaptive Footwear

Perfect for kids who wear orthotics or AFOs, these adaptive shoes feature extra-wide openings and removable insoles for maximum adjustability and comfort.

2. Billy Footwear

Designed with universal access in mind, Billy shoes open completely around the top and side, making them ideal for kids with mobility or sensory challenges.

3. Memo Orthopedic Shoes

These orthopedic shoes are medically designed for foot correction and monitoring. They’re often recommended for children with developmental delays or gait concerns.

4. Mt. Emey Kids Orthopedic Shoes

These orthopedic shoes are built for children who need additional depth, width, and therapeutic support. Perfect for braces and orthotics.

5. Friendly Shoes

Combining style with accessibility, Friendly Shoes are lightweight, easy to zip, and comfortable for kids with sensory sensitivities or motor challenges.

6. See Kai Run Ryder Adapt

Flexible and supportive, these shoes are ideal for active kids. The Adapt line features extra room for orthotics while maintaining a sporty look.

7. Keen Targhee Adaptive Shoes

Durable and rugged, these adaptive shoes are made for outdoor play. They feature a boundless alternative closure for easy on/off access.

8. Kids Ortho Tennis Shoes (Amazon)

Affordable and functional, these orthopedic tennis shoes offer shock-absorbing soles and are great for everyday use.

9. SureStep Shoes

Created for children with mobility and alignment issues, SureStep shoes are specially designed to work with orthotic devices and help stabilize walking patterns.

10. Amazon Adaptive Shoes – Lightweight Option

Breathable, flexible, and budget-friendly — this option is a great choice for families needing a supportive shoe that’s easy to slip on.

What is ARFID?

By Aimee Brueck • August 25, 2025
This is a lesser-known eating disorder compared to anorexia or bulimia. It is known by its English acronym ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). ARFID is characterized by very limited eating, either due to avoidance of certain tastes, textures, colors, smells, or an intense fear of the consequences of eating (such as choking or vomiting). ARFID is not related to body image or a desire to lose weight. ARFID affects the child’s social life—it’s not simply a phase of being a “picky eater.”

¿Qué es el ARFID?

By Aimee Brueck • August 25, 2025
Esto es un trastorno menos conocido como la anorexia o la bulimia. Esto es conocido por sus siglas en inglés como ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). El ARFID es caracterizado por una alimentación muy limitada, ya sea por la evitación de ciertos sabores, texturas, colores, olores o por un miedo intenso a las consecuencias de comer (como atragantarse o vomitar). ARFID no está relacionado con la imagen corporal ni el deseo de adelgazar. EL ARFID afecta la vida social del niño, no es simplemente una etapa de "comer selectivo"

Supporting Growth with Turtle Bracing: Custom Orthotic Care for Kids

By Aimee Brueck • August 7, 2025
Children grow quickly, and with that growth come unique physical needs. Whether it’s posture, mobility, or muscle support, some children benefit from an extra layer of help to move, play, and thrive confidently. At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, we offer Turtle Bracing : a lightweight, flexible orthotic solution designed to support growing bodies in motion
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Crayons, Confidence & Kindergarten: Handwriting Without Tears Tips to Get Your Child Ready for School

July 31, 2025
July brings warm days, end-of-summer excitement, and for many families, the first signs of back-to-school prep. If your child is heading to kindergarten this fall, now is the perfect time to start building their confidence with handwriting. At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, we use the Handwriting Without Tears program to support early writers in a fun, low-pressure way that’s grounded in child development and occupational therapy expertise.

Handwriting Readiness: Helping Kids Start the School Year Strong

By Aimee Brueck • July 18, 2025
A new school year means fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils and a renewed focus on writing. But for many kids, handwriting isn’t just a subject, it’s a foundational skill that impacts how they learn, express ideas, and feel about school.
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Simple Backyard Games That Support Gross Motor Development

July 3, 2025
July brings long sunny days, school-free schedules, and endless opportunities for play, but for many families, it’s also a chance to focus on something essential: physical development through movement. Summer play isn’t just fun; it’s foundational. It helps children build strength, coordination, and confidence especially when it supports gross motor development .
A family is laying on a blanket in the grass reading a book.

Screen-Free Summer: Activities that Build Language, Strength, and Coordination

June 19, 2025
As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, summer invites children to explore, play, and grow. But with screens so easily accessible, it can be tempting to turn to tablets or TVs for entertainment. At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, we believe summer is a golden opportunity to engage kids in meaningful, screen-free activities that support their development —in both body and mind.
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How to Prepare Your Child with Sensory Challenges for Summer Travel

June 5, 2025
Summer is a season of sunshine, adventures, and unforgettable memories. But for families of children with sensory challenges, the thought of travel can also bring anxiety and overwhelm. At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, we believe every child deserves the chance to enjoy summer experiences, comfortably and confidently. With a little planning and the right support, travel can be not just manageable but truly enjoyable!
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Staying Safe and Making Waves: Water Safety & Aquatic Therapy for Kids

May 22, 2025
As temperatures rise and summer approaches, families across South Florida flock to the water for fun, relaxation, and play. But alongside the excitement comes an important responsibility, water safety . At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, we use this time of year not only to promote safe swimming habits but also to spotlight one of our most exciting specialty services: Aquatic Therapy .
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Celebrating Better Hearing and Speech Month: How Speech-Language Pathologists Help Children Thrive

May 8, 2025
May is a month of blooming possibilities and brighter days, and for those of us at Progressive Pediatric Therapy, it also marks Better Hearing and Speech Month . A time to shine a spotlight on communication and the professionals who make a lifelong difference: Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) .