The 6 Best Ballet Shoes for Toddlers
It is exciting as a parent to enrol your toddler in their first ballet class. You start to imagine them as the next Natalia Osipova or Ivan Vasiliev.
But before you get ahead of yourself, you want to create a checklist to make sure that you have the best dance apparel for your child.
It is important to find ballet shoes with the best fit. A bad pair of shoes will close the door on dancing forever.
Here is a comprehensive guide to finding the best ballet shoes for toddlers.
Can My Child Practice Ballet in Socks or Barefoot?
Ballet is best practiced in ballet shoes.
Socks do not provide the right grip for your little dancer's feet and they might slip and fall easily. On the contrary, dancing barefoot would produce too much friction. Their feet might get stuck as they turn or run, which would lead to an ankle injury.
The right ballet slipper provides enough friction and grip on the soles while allowing your toddler to pirouette safely. Therefore, it is important to buy the right pair of shoes for ballet. Besides, the dress code at your dance studio might require dancers to wear ballet shoes whenever classes are in session.
Materials
The most common material for a ballet slipper is leather, canvas, and satin.
Leather
Features
A pair of leather ballet slippers will last longer because it is made out of durable material.
The sturdy design gives more resistance to your tiny dancer's feet. It would benefit them in the long run because the resistance builds up their metatarsals and strengthens their arch.
Compared to canvas ballet slippers, a leather ballet shoe would stretch and expand over time. Therefore it should be a tighter fit at the start.
Care
Leather ballet slippers are generally harder to clean too. You should spot clean your leather shoes with a cloth, detergent, and a minimal amount of water. Don't use too much water or it may dry out and crack.
Type of Dance Floor
Most importantly, consider the type of dance floor used at your dance studio. Leather is best suited for wooden floors because it creates friction on the slippery surface.
Canvas
Features
Canvas ballet shoes are softer than leather. They feel light and breathe better. However, it does not stretch out as much as leather, therefore make sure that they fit well the first time your child tries it on.
Canvas shoes cost less than leather shoes; the trade-off is they wear out quickly. They may wear out in a couple of months, depending on the frequency of your child's dance classes.
Canvas shoes are more malleable and make your child's feet look better. It has more pleats in them, which accommodates wider feet.
Care
When it comes to the convenience of cleaning your ballet shoe, canvas ballet slippers take the prize. Cleaning them is as easy as throwing them into the washing machine with a laundry bag on a delicate cycle. However, if you're worried about compromising the structural integrity of your shoes, simply hand wash them and leave them out to air dry.
Type of Dance Floor
Canvas shoes are the best choice for Marley flooring. This type of surface has in built-friction, so you want to balance out the friction with your shoes.
Satin
Features
Satin shoes have a shinier surface which makes them a popular choice for performances, exams, and competitions. They are a common material in pointe shoes. Satin makes it easier to dye your shoes but that is only if your dance teacher asks you to do so.
Overall Pick
Leather shoes are more expensive as they last longer. The durable design helps to build muscle for your little dancer's feet and improve technique. After they have built up muscles in their feet, they could graduate to a pair of canvas shoes and subsequently satin pointe shoes for a girl.
Split Sole vs Full Sole
Ballet slippers come with a full sole or split sole. A full sole features a continuous leather sole whereas a split sole features two soles strategically placed on the toes and heels.
It is best for a 4 to 7-year-old to wear full sole ballet shoes because they offer more resistance in the arch. That way, your child can build up muscles in the metatarsals and get beautiful feet.
Split sole ballet shoes offer an aesthetically pleasing silhouette. It lifts the arch of the feet and enhances the arch.
If your dance studio doesn't have a strict dress code, it is up to personal preference.
Sizing Guide for Ballet Shoes for Toddlers
Size and fitting would differ from one brand to another. A 3-year-old may fit into a size 10 Capezio or a size 5 Bloch.
Some brands refer to the width of the feet with alphabets.
For example: Size 5A: The width runs from A to D, with A as the narrowest fit and D as the widest fit.
or
Size 5N: N refers to narrow while W refers to wide.
How Should Ballet Shoes Fit on a Toddler?
For adult dancers, a pair of ballet shoes should fit like a second skin to show a clear view of the articulation of the feet.
However, if you choose ballet shoes that fit like a second skin for the growing dancer, they may outwear their shoes faster than you can say 'Misty Copeland'. Especially if your child takes classes only once or twice a week, it makes sense financially and environmentally to buy ballet slippers that are half a size or one size bigger.
That way, they don't outgrow their new ballet slipper in 6 months or under.
Take note that ballet shoes do not fit the same as regular street shoes. For that reason, you should always refer to the sizing guide if you're purchasing them online, or head to a ballet supply store to have a fitting expert help you.
Things to Consider
- Your child should always try on ballet shoes with ballet socks or tights on.
- Make sure your child's toes are flat on the floor as they try it on. Your child should be comfortable in their ballet shoe. If you are at a dance store, ask your little dancer to move around i.e. run, point and rise.
- If the toes curl up inside the shoe or if it digs into the back your child's Achilles tendon, it's a hint to get the next size up. Conversely, extra fabric hanging off the toes is a tripping hazard.
- You can use your thumb as a measurement tool. First, make sure the heels fit properly and doesn't slip off easily. Next, place your thumb in front of their toes. Make sure there is not more than one thumb width of loose fabric.
- It is the best choice to go half or one size bigger provided you can see that your child is comfortable in the ballet shoe.
- Ballet slippers do not come with the right and left side as they are all produced the same. Ballet slippers for toddlers are easy to break-in. It molds and follows the unique shape of the foot. It is a good idea to mark the sole of the shoes with 'R' and 'L' to tell them apart.
As your little ballerina grows up, it is advisable to get ballet slippers that are fitting. By then, the shoes will last longer and are more likely to be worn out rather than grown out.
Colors, Elastics and Ribbons
Color
Girls wear pink or white dance shoes while boys wear black or white dance shoes. Be sure to check in with your dance teacher for their preference.
Elastics and Ribbons
New ballet shoes usually come with sewn-on elastics. The elastics are in the same shade of the shoe and are meant to keep the heel in place.
You have the option of a single or double crisscross elastics. The former does its job and is less time consuming if you have to sew it on yourself. The latter is a popular choice for older girls with pointe shoes.
Female dancers in Grade 5 and above earn the freedom to sew ribbons on their shoes in a crisscross fashion. The student wraps the ribbons around the ankles and ties it in a knot. It gives off a professional and polished look.
It is common practice to use elastics instead of ribbons for younger children. They have to learn the complicated art of tying a knot and if it comes undone during class, the flow of the class is disrupted. Other observations in dance classes are young children tugging at the ribbon and getting distracted by it instead of focusing on learning. This disruption could be avoided with elastics.
When ballet exams or dance recitals are around the corner, it is sensible to buy a new pair of shoes. Your child should alternate between the old pair and new pair for classes.
What's the Difference Between Boys and Girls Toddler Ballet Shoes?
There are subtle differences between ballet shoes for both genders at a young age. Female dancers usually wear white or pink shoes while male dancers wear black or white shoes. Either way, they should come with matching elastics.
Boys generally have wider and longer feet. Shoe manufacturers would accustom to the different shoe sizes between both genders, therefore you should take note of the sizing guide.
The differences become greater as your dancer progresses. Female dancers go on pointe with ribbons, while male dancers traditionally stay in flat shoes.
The 6 Best Ballet Shoes for Toddlers
If you have decided to shop from the comfort of your own home instead of a store, you're in luck. There is a myriad of ballet gear waiting for you and your little one online. You may even find some at a low price! Here are some top ballet shoe choices we have put together.
1. Capezio Daisy 205
Capezio ballet shoes are the front runner in the ballet world.
The Capezio Daisy is made of leather with a full leather sole that doesn't compromise on flexibility. It is made to last long; the leather is moist resistance and the fit runs wider than other shoes.
It comes with bar-tacked drawstrings. For convenience, it comes with a pre-sewn single elastic and a 'This Belong To' ID tag.
You have the option to choose a safe unisex non-print lining or add a splash of cuteness with daisy print lining. Kids love them! Despite its name, these are ballet shoes for boys too!
Another pair of ballet shoes that would offer exceptional comfort and flexibility.
The Capezio Juliet is a canvas shoe with split soles. It features a four-way stretch canvas that streamlines your little dancer's feet and accentuates the arch. Just like the Daisy, it comes with pre-sewn elastic and bar-tacked drawstrings.
It is suitable for narrow feet because this shoe runs small. Be sure to refer to the sizing and conversion chart to save yourself the hassle of returning it.
This is a pair of high-quality ballet shoes that many people love and adore.
The Capezio Cobra is a pair of high-quality leather dance footwear that is perfect for the beginner and fulfills all their needs.
The Cobra offers split soles that have a built-in arch to support the dancer's feet. You can have peace of mind that your dancer's feet are protected with its padded forefoot and foam cushioned heel.
It also comes with bar-tacked drawstrings. The crisscross elastics are sewn on one side and you'll have to sew on the other side. The trade-off for convenience is adjusting the elastic to fit your kid's feet perfectly.
These Cobra's start 1-1 .5 sizes up from regular footwear.
The Stelle Premium Leather is a great all-rounder. The insole and out sole is made out of soft and light leather. It has bar-tacked drawstrings and comes in various colors such as black, peach pink and pink. Sizes run from 5 Toddler to 3 Big Kid.
This is great for your child’s first pair of ballet shoes. It doesn't come with drawstrings, so don't worry about tying them!
They're made out of leather with a full sole and comes with crisscross elastics for a non-slip fit. It is available in Toddler 5 to Big Kid 3 which could be your tiny dancer's companion from 1 to 10 years old.
It comes in black too which is suitable for boys!
Pirouette effortlessly with Stelle Canvas. They come with crisscross elastics for maximum security.
You have a wide range of colors to pick from such as black, white and ballet pink which makes them perfect for performances.
Don't worry if your child gets attached to them! They run from Toddler 5 to Big Kid 10 which is suitable for children ages 3 to 13.
Conclusion
Here is all you need to know about buying the best ballet shoes for toddlers. Hopefully, you find this guide helpful. For parents, don't be overwhelmed by the information! Make sure you filter through the tips and guides to find the best ballet shoes.
For little dancing kids, happy dancing!