Saving with Style

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Summer is in full swing, and if you look at the calendar, for better or worse, there are 8 full weeks of school vacation left.  That means lots of day camp, pool time, and trips to the beach.  With all that running around, it's important that kids' feet are fully protected, regardless of what their day brings.  I decided that now might be a great time to share my top picks for kids' summer sandals in every age range.

Robeez are great first shoes and sandals for pre-walkers.  With soft soles, slip-on styling, and an elasticized backing, they are easy to put on, and they stay on!  Totally adorable and available in a wide variety of styles, these are one of the most recommended shoes by medical professionals; they also carry the American Pediatric Medical Association's "Seal of Approval."  Their sandal line keeps infant and baby toes cool, while adequately shading sensitive foot tops from the sun.

For those kids that are headed to camp, sandals that are going to withstand lots of abuse are in order. One of my favorites that seems to stand the test of time is the Superball Sandal by Stride Rite, available in both begonia and cream, and a much more masculine green/navy/orange combo.  Great treads provide fantastic traction for all those days hiking, while mesh uppers let their feet breath.  A slip-on shoe with a velcro closure means there is no worry about tripping over untied laces.  Highly recommended.    

Merrell also makes a great camp- and kid-friendly shoe called the Chameleon.  Same general idea, but with the Merrell version, there is no mesh upper, and the back velcro closure is completely removable, making for an easy conversion to a slide sandal.

Up for a summer of lounging around the pool?  Rocket Dog is known for their off-beat, fun styling, and their summer flip-flops are no exception.  My daughter's personal favorite is the Jelly Fish Sandal, but  I find the Whipper Sandal to be equally nice for the young men out there.

If you live with a bunch of beach bums, then you know that beach combing expeditions require a whole different type of shoe.  You want adequate protection in case your children are climbing on rocks, or in a particularly rocky area of the water, but your kids want to feel the softness of sand in on their soles.  And so I give you the perfect compromise: the Teva Proton 3. This is definitely the more fashionable version of the "water shoe."  

And that wraps up my list! Are you wondering where Crocs are?  Sorry, they didn't make the cut.  Not because I don't like them, at least for kids, but in terms of practicality, I feel that their rubber soles get a little slick when wet; not necessarily the best situation for kids.  So go ahead, buy the Crocs, but reserve them for other activities not involving water.