Summer footwear for children sounds simple — until you start looking for the “right” sandals.

Some models look sturdy and supportive, others lightweight and flexible. Some work well for playgrounds and everyday city wear, while others are better left for short walks near the pool. And when it comes to barefoot sandals, many parents are choosing them for the very first time.

At bebarefoot.eu, we usually look at children’s summer footwear from a practical point of view first. Not only how sandals look, but how they actually work during real everyday movement. And honestly? One of the most common questions we hear is about “sandals for hiking” or forest walks. For smaller children, we would usually choose lightweight sneakers for longer walks or rougher terrain. At most, more protected sandal-sneaker hybrids with closed toes. Fully open sandals are generally better suited for summer in the city, playgrounds, holidays and normal daily wear than for demanding outdoor terrain.

So what is actually worth paying attention to when choosing kids’ barefoot sandals?

1. Thin and flexible soles matter more in summer than many parents realise

Summer naturally gives children’s feet much more freedom: 

• different surfaces,

• more outdoor movement,

• more barefoot time,

• more sensory stimulation.

That is exactly why sole flexibility becomes even more important during warmer months. Children naturally react to the ground they walk on. A thinner and more flexible sole allows the feet to feel surfaces better, engage muscles more naturally and move more freely with every step.

Many traditional children’s sandals may look durable and “supportive”, but in reality they are often:

• too stiff,

• unnecessarily heavy,

• difficult to bend,

• and restrictive for natural movement.

When choosing barefoot sandals, we usually recommend focusing on:

• flexibility,

• lightweight construction,

• zero drop soles,

• enough toe space.

2. Flip-flops are not the same as sandals

Flip-flops may seem practical during summer, but they work very differently from properly secured sandals. Because there is no heel fixation, children instinctively grip them with their toes while walking to keep them on their feet.

Over time, this may lead to:

• toe gripping,

• less natural walking patterns,

• tripping,

• lower stability,

• tired feet more quickly.

For short moments near water, flip-flops are completely fine. But for active all-day movement, playgrounds or longer walks, properly fitted sandals tend to work much better.

The most practical sandals usually offer:

• heel fixation,

• adjustable fastening over the instep,

• secure fit without unnecessary pressure.

3. Extra space works differently in sandals

One detail many parents are unsure about is sizing. With sneakers, larger extra space is often fine. Sandals work a little differently.

Open sandals

For fully open sandals, a smaller extra allowance usually works better — around 0.5 cm.

If sandals are too long:

• children trip more often,

• feet slide inside the sandals,

• movement feels less stable.

Closed-toe sandals

 Closed-toe sandals can usually handle slightly more extra space, similarly to sneakers — around 1 cm. These models also protect the toes better during more active movement.

4. Why we usually prefer protected toes for small children

 Many parents ask why we rarely recommend fully open sandals for toddlers and very small children. The reason is simple: everyday movement. 

Small children:

• trip frequently,

• climb,

• run on uneven surfaces,

• move unpredictably most of the time.

Closed or partially protected toes simply work better in real life and help avoid many small everyday injuries. That is why more protected summer sandals often make more sense for younger children than completely open styles.

5. “But sand gets inside sandals…”

Yes. It does. But honestly? Sand and small stones also get inside sneakers — just usually a little less visibly. With sandals, this is simply part of wearing more open footwear. After a playground session, they often need to be emptied out. The same happens with many summer sneakers too.

On the other hand, sandals also bring important advantages during hot weather:

• much better breathability,

• less overheating,

• faster drying,

• lighter feel overall.

For many children, summer footwear is simply about balancing: 

• comfort,

• protection,

• breathability,

• and freedom of movement.

What we usually look for in good kids’ barefoot sandals

 When choosing summer barefoot sandals, we generally focus on:

• thin and flexible soles,

• proper heel fixation,

• enough toe space,

• reasonable extra allowance,

• lightweight construction,

• comfortable adjustment over the instep.

Because in summer especially, children’s feet usually benefit most from lightness, flexibility and movement that feels as natural as possible.

And for more active summer days? Lightweight textile barefoot sneakers are often a surprisingly practical alternative too.