Is it okay to let your kids play barefoot?

When my kids were small, they played barefoot in the woods and at the playground. They were just as likely to kick off their shoes at the beach as they were to kick them off for a game of kickball at the park. Did I get raised eyebrows or tsk-tsks from other adults? Sure did.

What did I know that the other adults might not have been aware of? I knew that my barefoot kids were developing an important relationship between body and ground. I knew that climbing and running barefoot improves foot and leg strength and also gave them better control of their own bodies. Going barefoot allows for more natural body movements and it also provides invaluable sensory stimulation.

(scroll down for our favorite ‘barefoot shoes’)

Science shows that allowing children to go barefoot can contribute to their overall well-being by improving their balance, coordination, and sensory perception, which in turn promotes healthy physical and cognitive development.

5 Reasons to Let Your Kids Be Barefoot

Being barefoot is the most natural way for our feet to be. Shoes can sometimes limit our foot's movement and make it harder for our muscles to develop properly. When we're barefoot, our feet can move and grow freely, just like they're designed to!
Going barefoot helps to make our feet strong and healthy. When we walk or run without shoes, our foot muscles have to work harder to support our body weight. This strengthens our arches, ankles, and toes, making them more resilient.
Balance and Coordination: Being barefoot can improve our balance and coordination skills. Without shoes, our feet have more contact with the ground, allowing us to feel its texture and adjust our movements accordingly. This helps us develop better balance and become more coordinated in our activities.
Our feet have lots of nerves that can feel different sensations. When we're barefoot, we can feel the textures of various surfaces like grass, sand, or even a wooden floor. This sensory exploration is not only fun but also helps our brain to understand the world better.
Going barefoot gives us a chance to connect with nature. When we walk on the grass, feel the cool sand at the beach, or splash in puddles, it's a direct connection with the Earth.

When people assumed my kids were wild because they weren’t wearing shoes, I just smiled … The sensory benefits alone outweighed the amount of stink eye we received.

And, yes, sometimes they stepped on something sharp. They’ve gotten splinters.

When necessary, we looked around where we were playing and decided that it was not worth the risk and kept our shoes on. In stores or restaurants, there is a rule about shoes, and we happily put them on.

Of course, you have to do what’s best for your child and your own comfort level. These are just suggestions.

Do you want the benefits of being barefoot, but you still want your kids to wear shoes? Here is a list of some of our favorite brands of “barefoot” shoes.