With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start planning out your days. Whether you have bike riding, playground playing, hiking, popsicle eating or soaking up some rays at the beach on your agenda, your summer-lovin’ little ones will need the appropriate footwear. Make sure you have them covered (literally) by shopping at one of these fantastic shoe stores. Your kiddo is sure to have the coolest kicks on the playground.
Photo: Travis Swan via Flickr
Sole Food
It’s no secret we love local shops, so of course Sole Food in University Village made our shoe list. They offer brands and unique styles not found in other stores. Best part? If you see something online that strikes your fancy, you can have it shipped right to the store and they’ll email you when it arrives.
2619 N.E. Village Ln.
Seattle, Wa 98105
206-526-7184
Online: shopsolefood.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Photo: Bill G. via Yelp
Hennie McPennie
Another locally owned business on Mercer Island is Hennie McPennie. Not sure what size your wee one is (who can keep track these days with all the growing)? No problem! The nice folks at Hennie McPennie will measure for you using a brannock device which not only measures the length, but also the width and arch. Even if a shoe is uber-cute on, you gotta make sure the fit is precise. In addition to shoes, they also sell toys, so feel free to browse after you’ve scored the perfect pair of shoes.
3043 78th Ave. S.E.
Mercer Island, Wa 98040
206-232-0495
Online: henniemcpennie.com
Hours: Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m.; Closed on Mon.
Photo: Keren Ten via Flickr
The Sneakery
Shoes and socks galore is what you’ll find at The Sneakery. Perhaps best known for their wide array of crazy, unique socks (they have a huge wall dedicated just for them), they also have some of the most popular brands of shoes. Even if you’re just shopping for your mini me, feel free to browse your size as well, we won’t judge! Good to know: The West Seattle location closed as of April 30, 2015.
612 N.W. 65th Ave.
Seattle, Wa 98127
206-297-1786
Online: thesneakery.com
Hours: Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.; Closed Mon.
Photo: Stephanie P. via Yelp
Nordstrom
Hands down one of the best shoe departments in the Seattle area is at the Bellevue Square Nordstrom. Not only do they carry every style and brand imaginable, but the employees are great with kids, even those extra squirmy ones who have no interest in shoe shopping! And free balloons and interactive drawing boards (to keep kiddos busy during the shoe buying process) makes the trip across the bridge totally worth it.
Bellevue Square
100 Bellevue Square
Bellevue, Wa 98004
425-455-5800
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m-9:30 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Downtown Seattle
500 Pine St.
Seattle, Wa 98101
206-628-2111
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Westfield Southcenter Mall
100 Southcenter Mall
Tukwila, Wa 98188
206-246-0400
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Northgate Mall
401 NE Northgate Way
Seattle, Wa 98125
206-364-8800
Hours: Mon.-Sat.,10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun.,11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Alderwood Mall
3200 184th Street S.W.
Lynnwood, Wa 98037
425-771-5755
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Online: shop.nordstrom.com
Photo: Kristina Moy
REI
One of the things we love about living in the Northwest is that our summers are arguably the best around. Whether it be playing at the beach, hiking or running around the playground, your little adventurer will need the right shoes. REI has you covered for high-quality outdoor shoes. They carry all of the best brands that will keep little tootsies protected. At the downtown Seattle location, reward them with a trip to the tree house and a smoothie (located next to the children’s section) for being patient.
222 Yale Ave. N.
Seattle, Wa 98109
206-233-1944
Online: rei.com/stores/seattle
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
3000 184th St. S.W.
Lynnwood, Wa 98037
425-640-6200
Online: rei.com/stores/alderwood
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
735 N.W. Gilman Blvd.
Issaquah, Wa 98027
425-313-1660
Online: rei.com/stores/issaquah
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
7500 166th Ave. N.E.
Redmond, Wa 98052
425-882-1158
Online: rei.com/stores/redmond
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
240 Andover Park W.
Tukwila, Wa 98188
206-248-1938
Online: rei.com/stores/tukwila
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
3825 S. Steele St.
Tacoma, Wa 98409
253-671-1938
Online: rei.com/stores/tacoma
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Photo: simone.brunozzi via Flickr
Stride Rite
It’s no secret that kids grow like weeds, and are, shall we say, a bit rough on their shoes. Sometimes it’s hard to justify spending a lot of money on something that won’t last long, enter Stride Rite. They have an awesome selection at fantastic prices! Have a super hero connoisseur or a princess lovin’ gal? Stride Rite has all the best character shoes sure to please everyone.
188 Bellevue Sq. Mall
Bellevue, Wa 98004
425-453-0101
Online: striderite.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
561 S. Fork Ave. S.W.
North Bend, Wa 98045
425-831-2004
Online: striderite.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Photo: Army.mil via Flickr
DSW
You can’t go wrong with looking for shoes at DSW, aka Designer Shoe Warehouse. They have a HUGE selection of shoes for all activities including: Keen, New Balance, Steve Madden and Nike, just to name a few. Plus, there are so many locations around town that you won’t have to go far to get some new kicks.
Northgate Mall
401 N.E. Northgate Way
Seattle, Wa 98125
206-367-1289
Online: dsw.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Factoria Mall
4001 Factoria Mall S.E.
Bellevue, Wa 98006
425-641-2190
Online: dsw.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Southcenter Square
17100 Southcenter Parkway
Tukwila, Wa 98188
206-575-6985
Online: dsw.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Bear Creek Village
17158 Redmond Way
Redmond, Wa 98052
425-861-9658
Online: dsw.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Alderwood Parkway Plaza
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood, Wa 98036
425-673-9080
Online: dsw.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Seatac Village Shopping Center
1824 S. 320th
Federal Way, Wa 98003
253-529-1857
Online: dsw.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
photo: My Three Little Birds Facebook page
Another awesome option is shopping local at one of the fab consignment stores Seattle and the Eastside have to offer. You won’t have to drop a wad of cash to get some stylish summer shoes, which means you won’t feel bad when your tots outgrow them in what feels like a couple weeks’ time.
Where do you like to summer shoe shop for your kids? Let us know in the Comments below.
— Allison Rasmussen
