As a parent, witnessing developmental milestones is incredibly rewarding. However, some skills, like learning to tie shoes, can feel like a hurdle. Despite not yet needing laced shoes, I felt it was time to embark on this learning journey with my son. To make the process fun and effective, we explored some alternatives before transitioning to real shoelaces. Here are our experiences with two highly recommended products designed to help kids Learn To Tie Shoes, offering insights into what worked best for us. (You can see a demonstration of both in action on the Belle Green YouTube channel.)
Top Pick: How to Tie Your Shoes Board Book
The aptly titled How to Tie Your Shoes Board Book offers a unique approach to learning a new skill by combining story time with hands-on practice. This isn’t just a book to read; it’s an interactive learning tool. The front cover itself is ingeniously designed with woven laces, allowing children to immediately practice tying knots as they follow along with the instructions inside. Beyond basic tying, this book also introduces different knot types and includes a fun cutout to assemble a 3D cardboard shoe, complete with laces. While the cardboard shoe isn’t as robust as dedicated toys like the Melissa & Doug sneaker, it adds an element of playful engagement, keeping children interested in the learning process.
For our experience, both my son and I favored the board book over the wooden sneaker. We found it to be more user-friendly and ultimately more effective in his journey to learn to tie shoes. The laces on the book are thicker, making them easier for small hands to grasp and manipulate. Crucially, these thicker laces more closely resemble those found on typical sneakers, providing a more realistic practice experience. The DIY cardboard shoe element further enhanced engagement, transforming learning into an exciting activity. Remember to check out the Belle Green YouTube channel for a visual comparison of both products. Ultimately, the key to success is consistent practice, and this book makes those initial steps much more accessible and enjoyable.
Timeless Choice: Melissa & Doug’s Deluxe Wood Lacing Sneaker
Melissa & Doug is renowned for its high-quality wooden toys, and their Deluxe Wood Lacing Sneaker is no exception. This toy offers a significant advantage: it allows children to practice tying shoes without monopolizing actual footwear. Beyond just tying, the wooden sneaker also enables kids to practice the weaving motion of threading laces in and out of shoe eyelets. This dual functionality makes it an excellent tool for developing fine motor skills in general, and shoe-tying proficiency specifically. Our only minor observation is that the laces on the wooden sneaker are thinner than those commonly found on athletic shoes. While they are similar to laces on dress shoes or some specialty footwear, this thinner size could pose a slight challenge for younger children with less developed fine motor skills.
The novelty of a new toy is a powerful motivator for children, even if it’s a pre-owned item. The Melissa & Doug sneaker’s durable construction ensures it can be easily passed down to siblings, gifted to friends, donated, or even resold, making it a sustainable and economical choice. Often available at a reasonable price, especially during sales, this wooden sneaker is a worthwhile addition to a family’s educational toy collection, providing a hands-on approach to learning to tie shoes.
