Summer has arrived, which means it's time to say 'goodbye' to winter footwear and 'hello' to the best summer sandals for kids.
With summer comes the promise of beach days, family holidays, and hours of playing with outdoor toys. As the weather warms up, it's essential to equip your little ones with the right footwear to keep them comfortable and protected on outdoor adventures.
Choosing the right pair of sandals for your child can be daunting with so many options to choose from. Factors such as comfort, durability and style should all be considered. Whether you're looking for something rugged enough for the beach or smart enough for a summer family gathering, we've found the perfect pair of kids' sandals for every occasion.
In this article, we share 15 of the best kids' sandals to buy now, based on hours of research where we considered design appeal, functionality and comfort. We've also got tips from our Shopping Editor on how to choose the best sandals for kids. Read on to discover the perfect pair of kids' sandals to keep your child stepping out in style all summer.
The best kids sandals to buy in 2024
Toddler sandals
While sandals are brilliant for keeping toddler feet cool when the mercury rises, it's important to choose ones with plenty of protection since toddlers tend not to be totally confident on their feet.
Delivery: Free over £60 or £3.99 | Sizes: 4 -2
These playful sandals are a brilliant blend of style and practicality, perfect for trips to the park or days at the beach. Kids will adore the embroidered sharks on the straps, while parents will value the secure rip-tape fastenings, contoured footbed, and textured sole designed to keep little feet comfortable all day.
Standard delivery: Free over £60 or £3.99 | Sizes: 4 - 12
These Peppa Pig™ sandals are perfect for little fans of the popular TV show. They're designed with adjustable riptape fastenings that make it easy for kids to put them on and take them off. The comfy moulded footbeds are decorated with colourful character motifs, and the soles are textured for extra grip.
Delivery: UK Standard Free or £4.50 | Sizes: 6-13
With a durable rubber outsole, cushioned insole and adjustable heel strap, these sandals will keep your child's feet comfortable and protected outdoors during summer. The rubber outsole is flexible and lightweight and the touchstrap fastening makes them easy for little ones to put on by themselves.
Waterproof sandals
One of the best things about wearing sandals as a kid is surely getting to dip your toes into water. With so many waterproof options when it comes to kids' sandals, these are some of the best.
Standard delivery: £4.50 | Sizes: 3-12
The iconic jelly shoe never goes out of fashion and these feature a cushioned, removable insole for lasting comfort and quick drying. There's also a stylish buckle with Velcro fastenings for easy on-and-off, while full toe protection and a textured sole make them ideal for seaside adventures.
Standard delivery: Free | Sizes: 13-2.5
Salt-Water sandals are the OG when it comes to stylish waterproof shoes and their range for kids can take your little ones from wedding-ready to beach mode without requiring a change of shoes. These have an adjustable buckled front with elegant cut-out vents on the toe strap.
Delivery: From £3.75 Sizes: 5Jr - 12Jr
With a chunky gripped sole and an open-toe design, these cute mint green 'under the sea' print sandals are perfect for popping in your change bag in anticipation of some splashing about. The double strap buckle fastening is a trendy feature while the sling-back style offers more stability than slip-on sandals.
Pool sliders
As any parent with kids of a certain age will know, there is no cooler summer sandal for kids than a pair of pool sliders. These are some of our faves to suit kids of all ages.
Standard delivery: Free over £30 for members | Sizes: 9-1
With moulded insoles and chunky patterned soles, these pool sliders have a wide foot strap and round toes for stylish practicality. And for younger kids who need a bit more stability than a standard pool slider provides, sizes 7–9.5 also have an elastic heel strap to help the sliders stay on busy feet.
Standard delivery: Free for members | Sizes: 10.5-5.5
There's only one pool slider to choose if you're shopping for summer footwear for teens. Popular with Premiership footballers for their easy slip-on style, these have a soft, flexible design to help tired feet recover, whether it's been a tough training session or a busy beach day.
Standard delivery: £3 or free over £50 | Sizes: 1-6
You could be forgiven for thinking that Crocs aren't cool anymore but they're having something of a revival with teens and these are a cracking price. The lightweight slip-on design is waterproof and the bold pink colourway with a series of matching charms is as sweet as can be.
Formalwear sandals
Whether you're kitting the kids out for a summer wedding or just want a kid's sandal that can look smart on holiday, formalwear sandals for kids are the perfect choice. Dress them down for the beach with shorts or swimwear or pair them with a smart, summery outfit for more formal occasions.
Standard delivery: Free over £60 or £3.99 | Sizes: 1-6
The chunky sole and fisherman-style design of these sandals make them both practical and pretty. The shimmery, metallic finish adds a cute pop of colour to any summer outfit, while a buckle fastening at the ankle adds stability to this on-trend summer shoe for kids.
Standard delivery: £3.99 | Sizes: E20 - E26
Made from the softest navy leather and featuring embossed dino scales and embroidered eyes, these summer kids' sandals have padded collars and cushioned insoles for all-day comfort. The adjustable T-bar rip-tape fastening adds stability while leather linings ensure feet stay cool and dry. We love the green version too.
Standard delivery: Free | Sizes: 7-4
Little mermaids will love these pretty sandals embellished with iridescent sequins for a smart summer look. The bouncy foam footbed and rip-tape strap at the back of the ankle add maximum comfort and stability for summer adventures.
Beach sandals
Whether you're prepping for beach days on holiday or getting the garden ready for time in the paddling pool, these beach shoes will protect little feet wherever they choose to splash.
Standard delivery: Free over £60 or £3.99 / Nominated Day £5.99 | Sizes: TBC
These lightweight kids' sandals are designed for easy on-and-off convenience and have a high-rebound foam inlay to absorb impact with every step. Crafted from soft, breathable fabrics, they are an excellent choice for young children who are still developing their walking skills. We love how quickly these kids' sandals dry, too.
Standard delivery: £4.99 | Sizes: C4 - C9
With a little more stability than a standard pair of Crocs plus a bit more breathability for little toes, these Crocs sandals are a great choice of sandals for kids who plan to have a splashing time playing in the garden, at the beach, or by the pool. And they're so easy to clean - just run them under a tap and let them dry in the sun!
Standard delivery: Free or £4.50 below £50 | Sizes: 6-13
The perfect companion for your little one's summer water adventures. Made from soft neoprene, which dries quickly, these lightweight shoes are designed for use in water, protecting tiny feet from sharp objects and sea creatures. With easy slip-on functionality and breathable mesh panels, they offer both comfort and convenience.
How to choose the best kids' sandals
Choosing the right sandals for your child is essential for their comfort and safety. Here's a quick guide to help you find the perfect pair:
- Comfort and fit: Measure growing feet to ensure sandals fit well, and look for sandals with good arch support to promote healthy foot development. To prevent blisters and discomfort, choose sandals with soft padding around ankles and straps.
- Breathability and durability: Choose breathable materials like leather or mesh to help keep little feet cool and dry, and go for sandals made from durable materials that can withstand active play. Consider closed-toe sandals for younger children to protect against stubs and scrapes.
- Functionality: Choose sandals with non-slip soles for good traction to prevent slips and falls, and look for sandals made from quick-drying material like neoprene if your child will wear them near water. Secure fastenings with Velcro or buckles and adjustable straps help to keep sandals securely on the feet.
- Budget: If your child's feet are still growing, it's worth looking for sales and deals to get a high-quality sandal at a more economical price. We've included some cracking deals in the roundup above. Alternatively, factor in that investing a bit more often means better durability and comfort.
- Design appeal: Wearing new shoes can be daunting for some children so make sure you pick a style and colour your child loves to maximise the chances of them being excited to wear their new sandals.
Looking forward to summer and need more inspiration? Discover 5 reasons to book a road trip for your family summer holiday and don't forget to pack one of the 15 best sun creams for you and your family, tried and tested.
