TOP 12 WATER SHOES FOR TODDLERS FOR ANY OCCASSION
Living in Playa Del Carmen means we spend a lot of time at the beach. One of our toddler beach essentials is water shoes. We’ve gone through a few pairs (since his feet grow like weeds), so we decided to write a post on the best water shoes for toddlers.
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Water shoes are a necessity to protect your little one’s feet.
The best water shoes will provide support, protection, are quick-drying, and can even be used for other activities such as hiking, jumping in puddles, playing at the park, or spending the day at the pool.
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THE BEST WATER SHOES FOR TODDLERS (SWIM) COMPARISON TABLE
Last update on 2025-03-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rash Guards for Toddlers
Last update on 2025-03-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
BEST TODDLER WATER SHOES FOR SWIM TIME
The water shoes in this section are perfect for days at the beach, pool, or water park. Although your little one can play in these water shoes, they are best for spending time in or near the water.
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Nautica Kids Water Shoes
Nautica Kids Water Shoes are one of my favorite water shoes for toddlers. They are perfect for a day at the beach or an afternoon running in the grass.
These swim shoes go up to size four in big kids, so your older kids can wear them. Your toddler will love the different colors, so you can choose from different designs.
If your little one has wide feet, these are the perfect water shoes for your toddler. I know how hard it can be to find shoes to fit toddlers with fat feet, but these will fit your toddler perfectly.
Although these toddler water shoes are more expensive than the other ones on our list, Nautica is known for its quality shoes. These are the perfect shoes for your toddler to wear to the beach or in the park.
Pros
- Hard soles
- Velcro strap
- A lot of color options
- Perfect for the beach
Cons
- Runs large
- Slippery on smooth surfaces
- Expensive
Sunville Toddler’s Athletic Water Shoes
We’ve been using Sunville Toddler’s Athletic Water Shoes since we moved to Mexico, and they’ve been great. They are easy to put on, dry quickly, have a drawstring, and are comfortable.
We got these because we needed a harder sole for our son to walk more, compared to the other softer sole toddler swim shoes on our list.
The drawstring is convenient because it gives him more space. We have a size 6, but the drawstring gives him more space, so he can still fit them even though he’s currently wearing a size 7 in shoes.
Once he outgrows these water shoes, so we’ll likely get harder sole swim shoes for the beach and playtime.
I recommend purchasing this water shoe for babies between 16-months and 2 years old. They are perfect for their feet and should last until they need a pair of big kid swim shoes.
Pros
- Easy to get on and off
- Dry quickly
- Have drawstring
Cons
- Runs small
- Mesh rips
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RANLY & SMILY Toddler Water Shoes
RANLY & SMILY Toddler Water Shoes are one of the cutest swim shoes for toddlers on our list.
These are one of my favorite hard-bottom swim shoes for kids between 1 – 2 years old. How cute would your little one be with these swim shoes in their little suits?
Aside from being adorable, these swim shoes are functional for little ones that need hard bottom shoes with flexibility.
The additional traction makes it easier for younger kids to walk near the pool or on the beach. You can never be too careful when it comes to kids near water.
The breathable material helps these swim shoes dry quickly, so there is no odor. An added feature is the hook and loop Velcro, which will allow for a better fit.
If you are looking for swim shoes for little ones, who recently started walking with a hard bottom, these are the water shoes for your baby.
Pros
- Great traction
- Cute designs
- Great for babies
- Comfortable
Cons
- Few colors
- No half sizes
- Narrow
Bigib Toddler Swim Water Shoes
Bigib Toddler Swim Water Shoes are the cutest water shoes for babies. Our son had these when he was a baby, and they are too cute for words.
The soles are soft, so they are perfect for walking on the beach. If your little one is 12 to 18 months, I would definitely recommend these water shoes. These water shoes offer the protection you need for hot sand or small rocks.
These swim shoes dry quickly, are easy to get on, and protect your little one’s feet.
I’m not too crazy about the quality of these shoes, but they are for babies, so I don’t think it’s a big deal.
Your little one will wear them at the beach for a season, and outgrow them by the end of the summer, so they aren’t meant to last for years.
I recommend these water shoes to babies who are walking and need their feet protected from the sand.
I don’t think these are for kids over 18 months, but the sizes go as high as 13 for big kids.
Pros
- A lot of designs
- Dry quickly
- Easy to get on
Cons
- Affordable
- Soft soles
- Don’t have much protection
- Don’t last long
Read More: The 12 Best Swim Floaties for Toddlers
hiitave Kids Water Shoes
hiitave Kids Water Shoes are the perfect swim shoes for the pool, water park, or beach. I wouldn’t recommend these for anywhere with a hard surface with rocks.
These swim shoes are meant to fit snug, like socks, so there is no hard bottom. Your little one can wear these while swimming or playing on a splash pad.
The bottom of these water shoes are slip-resistant, so they can walk inside a water park without slipping.
If your little one is a runner, you may want to consider a water shoe with more foot support.
These shoes will hurt after a while, so if you plan to do a lot of walking these may not be the best swim shoes for your toddler.
Pros
- A lot of colors
- Lightweight
- Half sizes
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not much foot support
- Not durable
- Can have an odor
Crocs Kids’ Swiftwater Sandal
Crocs Kids’ Swiftwater Sandals are one of the most versatile water shoes for kids. These swim shoes can be used at the pool, in the park, or to run errands. If you are a fan of Crocs, then these are the water shoes for your little one.
The rubber soles are perfect for your little one’s feet, plus they are easy to clean. These sandals are lightweight enough for your little one to wear in the water.
One thing that I do not like about these sandals is the position of the strap. I prefer not to have a Velcro strap that goes around the back of the ankle. Straps behind the ankle tend to irritate little ones.
Overall, if you want a reliable shoe that dries quickly, is easy to put on, and can be used for playtime, these may be for you.
Pros
- Velcro strap
- A lot of color options
- Hard soles
- Multi-purpose
- Comfortable
Cons
- Expensive
- Strap fastens behind the ankle
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THE BEST WATER SHOES FOR TODDLERS (PLAY) COMPARISON TABLE
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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BEST TODDLER WATER SHOES FOR PLAYING
If you are an active outdoor family, you may want to consider purchasing toddler water shoes with hard soles.
Water shoes with hard soles make it easier for families with a toddler to be active without worrying about protecting their little one’s feet.
Your toddler can conquer any terrain. Parks, trails, beaches (hot sand), creeks, and slippery rocks will be no match for them.
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Merrell Kids’ Bare Steps H20 Water Shoes
The Merrell Kids’ Bare Steps H20 Water Shoe is the ultimate water shoe for toddlers that love to run and play in the water. Your little puddle jumper will enjoy these shoes that resemble their feet, so it doesn’t feel like they are wearing shoes.
The multidirectional grooves provide more flexibility and make these shoes more comfortable for active toddlers. For families that like to hike, these are the go-to water shoes for your toddler.
It’s no mystery why these are some of the highest-rated water shoes for toddlers.
Your little one will love how comfortable they are, and you will appreciate how the wide toe allows them to move their feet.
A plus is there are wide and half sizes available for this shoe, which is hard to find.
Overall these are the perfect outdoor shoes that can dry quickly, offer a lot of sizes, are comfortable, and are easy to clean.
Pros
- Half sizes available
- Wide tow design for room to grow & wiggle room
- Easy for toddler to get on and off
- Sale made from recycled products
- Have wide shoe sizes
Cons
- Few color options
- Expensive
Native Jefferson Junior Water Shoe
Native Jefferson Junior Water Shoes have to be the most popular water shoes for kids because I see them everywhere.
I must admit, we are jumping on the bandwagon and purchasing our first pair next month, now that our son’s foot has grown.
These are the perfect shoes for spending the day at the water park, playground, beach, or going on a quick errand. I like that they can go with nearly anything, so they can wear these to school, or for a day out.
I’m finally sold on these multi-functional water shoes for toddlers.
If there is one con for me, it is that there are no half sizes. I’d love a better variety of sizes available for wider feet or kids in-between sizes.
Overall, these are one of my favorite shoes for toddlers in general. You can’t go wrong with a pair of Native shoes for your toddler or big kid.
Pros
- A lot of color options
- Multi-purpose
- Easy to clean
- Durable
Cons
- A little pricey
- No half sizes
- Narrow fit
Stride Rite Made2Play Water Shoes
Stride Rite Made2Play Water Shoes are the perfect combination of water shoes and play shoes for toddlers. They are similar to Crocs in material but a sneaker form. It’s like having the best of both worlds.
These water shoes are perfect for days at the pool, water park, amusement park, or playing outside in the rain. Your little one can jump into puddles until they can’t anymore.
All you need to do to clean these shoes are rinse them with the hose or throw them in the washer.
Since they are a familiar brand, they are a little more expensive than the other toddler water shoes on our list.
These toddler swim shoes are certainly worth the price if you live in a rainy area, or play to spend a lot of time at water parks this summer.
Note: These water shoes run narrow, so if your toddler has a wide foot I’d consider one of the other toddler water shoes on our list.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Machine washable
- Durable
- Dry quickly
Cons
- Few color options
- Limited sizing
- Runs narrow
HOBIBEAR Water Sandals
HOBIBEAR Water Sandals are the perfect water shoes for active families, but these will not break the bank.
These toddler water shoes are affordable, comfortable, and functional. Your little one can run and play for hours in these athletic water shoes.
If you are an active family, these are great shoes for your toddler. These are especially great for playing outside in the backyard, going on an easy hike, or jumping in puddles at the park.
One of the best things about these shoes is the half sizes. I know how hard it can be to find shoes that have half sizes for toddlers, so if your little one is in-between sizes, these are the perfect water/play shoes.
If you order these shoes, keep in mind they run large, so you may need to go down a size.
I recommend purchasing a half size down and trying them on, and exchanging them if they do not fit. Exchanging with Amazon is easy, so don’t stress about sizing.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Easy on and off
- Multi-purpose
- Half sizes available
Cons
- Few color options
- Run large
- Takes longer to dry than other water shoes
Crocs Classic Clog
I will admit we absolutely love Crocs Classic Clog shoes. They are the ultimate shoe for toddlers.
These are our son’s everyday shoes because they are comfortable, easy to clean, and easy to put on. Plus, they give our son’s feet a lot of air because he tends to run hot, so we like shoes that allow his feet to breathe.
He wears these shoes for quick trips to the beach, and they are amazing, with a few caveats. There is sand build-up inside the shoes sometimes, but they are easy to rinse off.
As a mom of a busy toddler, the fact that they are easy to put on is great, but they are also easy for him to take off, so we are sometimes engaged in a battle of wills.
Overall, these are my favorite shoes for toddlers in general, especially if you live in a warm climate.
Pros
- Easy to get on and off
- A lot of color and design options
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable for toddlers
- Durable
Cons
- Sand build up inside of shoe
- Weird sizing
- No half sizes
- Expensive
Most Popular Crocs
Last update on 2025-03-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
KEEN Newport H2 Water Shoes
KEEN Newport H2 Water Shoes are the perfect water shoes for active toddlers. These shoes are great for families that love to play outdoors, hike, camp, and everything in-between.
This is the ultimate outdoor shoe for kids who love to run, play, and jump. These will likely be the shoes we get for our son when we start hiking.
If the price is a deterrent for you, just know you will get your money’s worth out of these shoes.
You don’t have to worry about quality or longevity with these shoes. They can withstand anything any rough and tumble kid can out them through.
Pros
- Durable
- Multi-purpose
- A lof of colors available
- Sizing (infant to big kids)
- Machine washable
Cons
- Expensive
