“Look for shoes that are lightweight, have good support around the heel, and a wide toe box,” recommends Amanda Stovall, MD, an Illinois-based board-certified pediatrician. “Once children are old enough to be running and playing outside, look for shoes with a firmer sole that will be more protective.” Consider where your child will be wearing the slippers and if a hard or soft sole would work best. Also, take into account the lining, which should keep feet warm but not make them feel too hot. Sizing with slippers is slightly different than with regular shoes, so check the manufacturer’s sizing chart to find the proper fit for your kiddo. Other considerations are design, ease of putting on and taking off, cleaning, quality, and comfort. We took into account these criteria when testing slippers in the real world before narrowing down our list to 21 winners. Based on our testing and the feedback of parents and children, here are the best slippers for kids of all ages. Our tester loved how the slippers included a cleaner and spray to control foot odor, and the authentic wool lining and open heel provided a soft and warm spot for small feet to land without toes being sweaty. “She thinks these are super comfy and loves having them on at night to keep ‘her toes warm.’ She thinks they are very soft inside and finds them easy to walk in,” she said. While UGG is a well-known luxury brand, the slipper’s price tag surprised our tester. “I definitely think these are a good price for the quality and was a little shocked they didn’t cost more,” said the tester. Plus, the sturdy rubber sole extends the slipper’s durability, which is priceless for busy kiddos. Price at time of publication: $60 There’s no doubt these Spiderman slippers are comfortable. “The first three days we had these, my 3-year-old slept in them for three nights in a row! I couldn’t believe they even stayed on his feet the entire night, despite his tossing and turning,” our tester said, giving comfort another perfect score. As for the slippers’ warmth, our tester docked a half point because their child’s feet were a bit sweaty after wearing them. However, the plush lining kept feet warm both with and without socks.  Overall, the slippers were a success for our tester. And the $11 price tag is a pleasant surprise for families on a budget (and kiddos who love Spiderman). Price at time of publication: $11
The design of these sheepskin slippers was also a hit with our 4-year-old tester, who asked to wear them to school and outside (but wore them inside only). While the slippers looked somewhat big on the child’s feet, our tester said they followed the helpful size guide on the L.L.Bean website to find the best fit. Overall, the slippers fit well and provided enough room for the child to grow into, which was even better because children’s shoes have a short shelf life compared to their body’s rapid growth rate. Plus, after one month of wearing the slippers, they still looked the same as they did out of the box.  The slippers cost more upfront, but you get well-made quality in return. “The redeeming factor to the price here is that I expect I’ll be able to get use out of them with two kids, which is worth it in my mind,” our tester said.  Price at time of publication: $65
Our tester said the faux fur lining was soft and comfy for their child (5 out of 5 stars for comfort). The plush pile lining kept feet cozy and warm but may be too hot for children who don’t wear socks or sweat quickly.  The company, which also donates to local and national Native American organizations, offers an adult version of the Cassie slipper so that kiddos can match their caregivers or siblings. Price at time of publication: $40+ Thanks to the shearling lining and supportive outsole, the comfort of the slippers earned another perfect score. “I could live in these forever,” our tester said. The sole is protective and squishy enough to be safe indoors and outdoors. At the same time, the soft lining provided plenty of warmth in the family’s typically cooler apartment. “They’re going to last for far longer than they’re going to fit,” our tester’s parent noted, adding they appreciate the quality of the vegan materials (5 out of 5 stars).  While the Kamik Cozychalet slippers aren’t the most expensive pair on our list, they have a higher price than others. However, because Kamik is a trusted brand name, our tester said they’re worth the price and earned 4.5 out of 5 stars for overall value. Bonus: The company makes a similar style for grown-ups.  Price at time of publication: $40
There’s no doubt the slippers are comfortable and warm; they even made our tester’s adult a little envious. “These slippers are very soft, and I’m very jealous that they’re only for kids. My son loves to wear them when he’s playing, and he can even run in them,” said our tester’s parent. Moreover, the memory foam insoles feel like walking on clouds and cushion each step without feeling unsupportive, while the faux fleece lining keeps feet warm.   The critter slippers nearly earned perfect scores across the board; however, they lost half a point for overall value. “They’re a little pricey for kids’ slippers, but I really do think they’re worth it. Your child may only wear them for a season or two, but I think they’ll see a lot of use based on the fun design,” our tester noted. Price at time of publication: $50 “After a month of using the slippers every day, I see no wear and tear at all. The fur is still as ‘fluffy’ as it was the day we got them,” said our tester’s parent. In addition, the thick elastic straps were a nice touch to keep the sandal-style slippers from sliding off the feet. “I was surprised that they never fell off my feet when I was running,” our teen tester noted. Another big plus: They were comfy right out of the box; no break-in period required. Additionally, our teen tester’s feet didn’t get sweaty or smell when wearing the slippers, which is a win for everyone under one roof. On the flip side, the open-toe style may result in cold toes despite the authentic sheepskin lining that keeps the bottom of the feet warm (4 out of 5 stars for warmth).  The quality of the slippers earned 5 out of 5 stars and justified the higher-than-average $50 price tag (4.5 out of 5 stars). Depending on the color selected, however, the cost may be more than $50. Additionally, it’s important to note that UGG shoes feature genuine sheepskin lining, which may not align with some families’ views on the use of animal products.  Price at time of publication: $50+ The slippers lost a point in quality because they didn’t exceed expectations—although they didn’t fail either. “They seem to be made of nice materials, nothing expensive or special, but a standard, sturdy, nice slipper. Not cheaply made at all,” our tester explained, adding that the cost of the slippers was spot on (another 5 out of 5 stars for overall value). The company even makes matching pairs for everyone in the family, from infants to adults, in various neutral and holiday patterns. Price at time of publication: $13+ Our toddler tester put the slippers on easily thanks to the open-heel design, which also didn’t sacrifice warmth due to the genuine sheepskin lining (which is removable). “Once they were on his feet, he kept them on until bedtime, and I think he really enjoyed having these to run around with versus going barefoot like he normally does on our wood floors,” said our tester. Because Birkenstock is a well-known brand (you might have their sandals in your own closet), quality isn’t lacking. As such, our tester expected a high price tag, but she did express some concern about the quality of the rubber sole and gave the slippers 4.5 out of 5 stars for overall value.  Price at time of publication: $80 Regarding the slippers’ overall value, our tester was hesitant about the cost because children’s feet grow quickly, scoring 4 out of 5 stars. The slippers are available in many fun patterns and color schemes for kids.  Price at time of publication: $45 The high pile fleece lining keeps feet toasty without getting too hot, even when worn with socks. One downside our tester noticed is that the material seems to attract dog hair and dust. Other than that, “they still look almost new,” the tester said. The slippers’ overall value lost an entire point due to a higher price tag compared to other slippers for kids. “$45 is not something you throw around on something your kid is meant to wear indoors, but the quality of these really does justify the price to some extent,” said our tester.  Price at time of publication: $45 While the slippers’ design, durability, and comfort passed with flying colors, they lost traction for warmth and quality. The slippers were warm and didn’t make our toddler tester feel uncomfortable, but our tester’s parent wished they were warmer. Price at time of publication: $28 The slippers’ open-toe and heel designs don’t keep feet entirely warm, which is why they earned 3.8 out of 5 stars for warmth. However, our tester noted you could wear the sandals with socks if your feet get cold. Aside from that detail, the slippers were well-made, practical, and comfortable (thanks to foam insoles). The cost of the slippers knocked off a point for overall value, but it’s important to note Koolaburra is a member of the UGG brand family. Otherwise, our 6-year-old tester loved the lightweight slippers and could put them on and take them off without any help. Did we mention there’s a matching pair for adults, too?  Price at time of publication: $60 According to our tester, the slippers earned 5 out of 5 stars for quality. “No complaints. The quality is great and mimics exactly what you’d expect from the adult version of this slipper,” she said. However, our tester recommends the slippers for children above the age of 5 since they don’t provide a reliable grip for kids learning to walk or busy toddlers.  Price at time of publication: $54+ Price at time of publication: $40 Our young tester declared the L-Run Toddler Slippers his favorite pair. “He hardly notices he is wearing them because they’re thin and not bulky. They can almost pass as socks,” said our tester’s parent.  Price at time of publication: $19 While our tester’s parent appreciated the adorable design, she noted it wasn’t the most functional. “I didn’t give these a 5 for design because, although the open heel is good for airflow, it’s not ideal for keeping the sandals on a child’s foot. The sandals seem to fall off a bit more than [those] that completely enclose the foot,” she said. On the plus side, there hasn’t been any wear and tear despite our young tester wearing the slippers indoors and outdoors. There’s no question about comfort either, as our 3-year-old tester happily puts the slippers on without asking for help.  Price at time of publication: $24 Price at time of publication: $34+ The slippers performed well in the quality and overall value categories, with our tester’s parent noting the strong stitching and soft material. While these aren’t the most expensive pair of slippers on our list, the parent felt they were a bit pricey but added they were worth it due to their versatility with the hook-and-loop closure, durable sole, and soft material.  Price at time of publication: $40+ The soft suede sole is a nice touch for keeping feet warm, but the material doesn’t provide much traction. In addition, our tester knocked two points off the slipper’s durability because the threading became undone after a few wears. Aside from that detail, our tester’s child didn’t try to pull the slippers off and appeared happy and comfortable, earning the slippers 5 stars for comfort. If you need something heftier than a simple sock or an option for children who don’t love to wear shoes, these slippers are worth the price.  Price at time of publication: $24 The slippers are “very well-made,” and the stitching is very strong, according to our tester, but she wishes they had a grippy sole, which is why they earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall value. Bonus: L.L.Bean makes the same bootie-style slipper for kids and adults, so everyone in the family can match.   Price at time of publication: $35 4.5 to 4.7 stars: These kids’ slippers are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them. 4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great kids’ slippers, but others are better. 3.5 to 3.9 stars: These kids’ slippers are just average. 3.4 and below: We don’t recommend kids’ slippers with this rating; you won’t find any on our list. First, testers unboxed the slippers and had their child try them on. We asked testers to make notes about how the slippers felt the first time their child wore them and if their child had any comments about the slippers. We had our kid testers wear the slippers around their home for one month, preferably without socks, to get a true sense of how the slippers felt against the skin. Additionally, we wanted to know if the slippers required a break-in period and, if so, how long it took.  Testers’ parents examined how their child walked in the slippers and their durability. We asked them if it was easy for their child to walk in the slippers or if their child was tripping over them. Moreover, we wanted to know if the slippers were slippery, clunky—or just the opposite—and provided indoor and outdoor traction. After a month, we asked testers to note any wear and tear, whether their child removed the slippers or if they asked to wear the slippers without being prompted.  Additionally, it was important for our testers’ parents to determine whether their child’s feet were sweaty after wearing the slippers, along with any odors. Once the month-long testing period was over, we asked testers to wash the slippers according to the manufacturer’s instructions and make notes on quality and cleaning instructions. Finally, we carefully considered all other attributes compared to the price of each kid’s slipper to assess their overall value.

Kids’ Slippers We Also Tested

Skysole Fleece Slippers: These slippers held up well, even after a quick bout in the yard on a rainy day, but they lacked traction and required a break-in period.  H&M Conscious Choice Slippers: Our tester loved the faux fur lining that kept feet warm, but the slippers lacked traction on slippery surfaces. Skechers Foamies: While the Skechers Foamies were warm and durable, they were also bulky and made noise when worn.

What to Look for in Kids’ Slippers

Sizing

If kids’ shoe sizes confuse you, you’re not alone. Kids’ slipper sizes are a little different from regular sizing. Slippers may come in years, regular shoe sizes, and widths, like wide, narrow, and medium. Typically, sizes for toddlers and little kids range from 0 to 12, with big kid sizes ranging from 13 up to 7. Sometimes a company will make it easy on you by adding a “T” for toddlers, a “Y” for youth, or a “C” for child.  Your best bet to finding the correct size of slippers is to check the manufacturer’s size chart. Think of these charts as cheat sheets that give you an idea of where to start shopping for the proper size. Plus, many charts include exact measurements, like heel to toe, so you can narrow it down to a T (no pun intended).

Lining and Material

Lined and unlined kids’ slippers have advantages and disadvantages. Lined slippers feature additional fabric on the interior of the slippers, and sometimes that same material spills out onto the exterior. Lining material can be faux fur, fleece, authentic sheepskin, and more—all of which offer more insulation and cushioning. However, if your child tends to run warm, lined slippers may make their feet too hot.  Unlined slippers don’t feature any additional fabric on the interior, which is ideal for some people. They tend to keep feet cooler and more lightweight, which comes in handy if you live in an area with a warmer climate or have a child who runs hot.

Type of Sole

There are two types of soles for kids’ slippers: hard and soft. The best one will depend on where your child plans to wear the slippers. “If [you] are going out and your child may be walking, something with a soft sole would be best,” advises Dr. Stovall. “For toddlers who are more experienced walkers, you can move to a shoe with a flexible sole.” Hard soles are ideal for children who love to be outdoors, are still finding their footing, or need a little extra traction. These soles are made with a hard material, like rubber, and provide more stability on slick surfaces, such as hardwood floors.  Soft soles may be the way to go if your child only plans to wear their slippers indoors. These soles feel like fabric and sometimes have extra grips for better traction. They’re often highly comfortable but will likely wear and tear quickly when used outdoors.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of experience under her belt. Katrina’s background in journalism began at an Emmy Award-winning news station in Oklahoma before she obtained her B.A. in professional media. Her love for service journalism, helping others, and becoming a parent led to her commerce writing role, which allows her to research and recommend the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She recommends slippers with strong traction, particularly for pre-walkers and toddlers who are clumsy, and a soft lining to keep little feet warm. “The best footwear for your child depends on their age and developmental needs,” Dr. Stovall explains. “Younger children just learning to cruise around and walk do best barefoot. They need the sensory input from their feet on the ground to help learn balance and move.” Additionally, check out features that encourage independence. “As children learn to help dress themselves, shoes with adjustable Velcro straps help promote independence,” Dr. Stovall says.