Whether your kids attend public or private school, their back-to-class ensembles won’t be complete without some great kicks on their little feet. Check out some of the best shoe stores for kids in Manhattan and the boroughs so your kids can go back to school in style, from head to toe! This list of favorites includes a shop where you can get a haircut at the same time and ones with sizes for the whole family from newborn to adult. (Don’t feel too guilty if you pick up some new shoes for yourself in the process – it’s hard to resist temptation!)
The New York Tradition: Harry’s Shoes for Kids. A real New York gem, Harry’s Shoes has been selling footwear to adults in the city since the 1930’s, and their amazing, stand alone children’s store (located half a block north of the main store) carries shoes for kids of all ages and foot sizes. Popular brands for the little ones include Biomechanics, Sperry, Hush Puppies and Primigi. (2315 Broadway, Upper West Side)
The “we don’t wanna leave!” shop: Ibiza Kidz. A well-known and well-stocked shoe, toy and clothing store, Ibiza Kidz isn’t just a great place to find a great pair of back-to-school sneakers or boots. It’s the kind of store that caterers to kids and aims to keep them busy while you work on outfitting them. They’ll love playing in the carpeted sections – that is, when they’re not shouting, “Mommy, can I pleeease have this?!” Popular shoes in stock this season include brands Geox, Primigi, Saucony and more. (830 Broadway, Greenwich Village)
Image courtesy of Yelp
The fashion-forward store: Tip Top Kids. The owner of this kids’ shoe store says this season, both short boots and tall boots are walking out the door, riding boots – both flat and with wedges – are popular, brown leathers are coming on strong especially with the ‘worn look,’ and kids are gravitating towards silver rubber Hunter boots and styles from Steve Madden, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfinger and more. Always popular, Skechers with lights, are also in-demand. Be forewarned that this store can get busy, so you may want to go in off hours if you can. Need shoes for yourself? Visit the adult outpost next door. (149 W 72nd St., Upper West Side)
The ‘Who Knew?’ shoe store: Shoe Parlor. When walking past Shoe Parlor, both locals and pedestrians may not immediately realize this large store also carries a variety of children’s shoes at great prices. They even sell baby shoes. Kids and parents are on the hunt for Converse, New Balance, Doc Maartens, and Sketchers this season. (851 Seventh Ave., Midtown West)
The trusty chain: Stride Rite. When it comes to chain stores, Stride Ride is aces; they’ve been fitting tiny toes for generations. This well-known shop carries its own line of colorful sneakers and shoes for boys and girls, but you’ll also find other brands such as Merrell, Hush Puppies and Crocs. Their niche theme shoes include Sesame Street, Disney and Star Wars for those kids that just gotta have their characters. (151 W 34th St., Midtown West)
The place for exclusive styles: Little Eric Shoes. This family-run shop carries its own exclusive line for children. (Celebs stop in to get kicks for their kids.) All high-quality leather shoes under the Little Eric label are manufactured in Italy and best-sellers include cowboy boots in vibrant colors, traditional Mary Janes, basic loafers and ballerina flats in various styles. Kids can also take a ride on the store’s mechanical train and horse. (1118 Madison Ave., Upper East Side)
–Rachel Sokol
