8 Best Toddler Water Shoes 2024

Warmer weather means lots of outdoor family activities, whether playing in the backyard or living it up at an all-inclusive resort. And while sandals are an essential piece of footwear for summer months, there are instances where you’ll need to consider a more specific kind of footwear.

Enter the water shoe, which is especially good for toddler feet that are still getting acclimated to walking, running and skipping. If you’re looking for the best toddler water shoes, this is a good place to start.

What are toddler water shoes?

The best water shoes for toddlers come in two styles: an aqua sock, which is primarily for swimming and walking around the pool, and a water shoe, which has more uses including hiking, creek walking, beach walking and more.

The point of a toddler swim shoe is to protect delicate, growing feet from harsh elements such as hot sand, rough concrete or slippery rocks and to make maneuvering through summer activities like sprinkler runs and water park trips a little bit easier. These are an important addition to vacation packing lists, camp backpacks and beach bags.

The best toddler water shoes 2024

• Best overall: UBFEN Water Shoes
• Best budget: Bigib Swim Water Shoes
• Best rated: Crocs Unisex Classic Clog
• Best sneaker style: ALEADER Kids’ Slip-On Quick Dry Water Shoe
• Best luxury: See Kai Run Ryder Knit Flexirun Shoe
• Best support: KEEN Unisex Seacamp 2 CNX Closed-Toed Sandal
• Best for the beach: Teva Y Hurricane XLT 2 Sport Sandal
• Best Velcro: Centipede Velcro Water Shoes for Kids

Best overall

UBFEN Water Shoes

When looking for water shoes for toddlers, the UBFEN Water Shoe can’t be beaten for all-around outdoor fun, whether the beach, lake, river or pool. The rubber sole helps little feet with traction to prevent slipping and the flexible upper makes moving around easy.

These dry quickly and are breathable, too. Over 9,000 ratings on Amazon prove that this shoe is one to use when snorkeling, boogie boarding, playing in the sand, creek walking, kayaking or whatever else your family can dream up.

"I got these for field day where my kid was alternating between running on grass, trampolines for kids and giant blow-up water slides," writes Rebecca, a verified Amazon purchaser. "These were awesome thanks to being made with thick soles so I didn't have to worry about fire ants here in Texas. Now she can use them all summer at the pools for water slides."

Pros

• Flexible and lightweight
• Rubber sole
• Available in toddler and older kid sizes
• Comes in 20 designs

Cons

• Runs large, so size down one to two sizes

Best budget

Bigib Swim Water Shoes

For those looking to get the most bang for their buck with toddler swim shoes, Bigib Swim Water Shoes are a home run, with pricing starting as little at $6 for some sizes. Available in 17 sizes starting with infant sizing, it also comes in 12 colorful and fun patterns including octopus, sharks, starfish and whales.

These toddler swim shoes are great for kids who need their feet protected from hot and rough concrete, or who might stub their toes. The slip-resistant rubber bottoms help with traction as well. A snug fit at the ankle ensures a tight fit to keep your child’s foot from slipping around.

It's a colorful water sock-style kids' shoe they'll come to rely on at the pool, beach and water park.

Pros

• Affordable—prices start at just $6
• Comes in 17 sizes
• Comes in 12 patterns
• Made from breathable fabric
• Easy to pack flat and stash at the bottom of your umbrella stroller

Cons

• Might not be suitable for wide feet

Best rated

Crocs Unisex Classic Clog

Kids and Crocs go together like peanut butter and jelly, and it’s easy to see why since the shoe has a comfy fit, comes in tons of colors and styles, is waterproof and machine washable. Over 28,000 people have rated Crocs Unisex Classic Clog for kids with mostly five stars.

And, while it's definitely one of the best toddler water shoes, it's great for just about every other thing they'd want to do, too. That's because Croc’s are made of a proprietary material called Croslite, and it's perfect for protecting little toes and providing maximum comfort.

When in “sport mode” (aka with the backs secured), your child can run through a sprinkler, go kayaking or do whatever else they want to in style and comfort. On the fence about ordering a pair? These are also some of the trendiest kids' water shoes of the year.

Pros

• Over 28,000 ratings and an overall bestseller
• Available in 17 sizes
• Comes in 34 colors and patterns
• Can be worn as a slip-on or with a back
• Machine washable

Cons

• Not suitable for all water activities, such as swimming

Best sneaker style

ALEADER Kid’s Slip-On Quick-Dry Water Shoe

For those that will be doing more adventurous activities involving water, the ALEADER Kid’s Slip-On Quick-Dry Water Shoe is a good choice for a water shoe for toddlers. Available in eight fun color combinations with bungee laces that offer a tight fit, these clever shoes allow your child to slip on their own shoes.

We love the genius perforated material that lets water slip right through without letting much gravel, shells or large particles in. Ideal for water parks and public pools, these toddler water shoes are machine washable, dry quickly and are breathable. They look like regular shoes, but offer additional traction on slippery surfaces and promise quick drainage.

Pros

• Easy-t0-love sneaker-style design that can be laced or slipped on/off
• Available in 8 fun color options
• Dries quickly
• Has bungee laces and can slip on
• Lightweight

Cons

• Only available in larger toddler sizing

Best luxury

See Kai Run Ryder Knit FlexiRun Shoe

Every See Kai Run shoe is made with growing feet in mind—it even has the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association. This toddler swim shoe from the popular brand is comfortable, breathable and flexible, allowing your child’s feet to move in the most dynamic ways possible.

It’s a slip-on style that fits snugly to the foot with a pull-on tab that can promote independence, and it’s machine washable. Pop them in your best washer with your favorite laundry detergent (or no soap at all) and watch these comfy kicks come clean.

Pros

• Top-notch construction
• Supportive sneaker-like soles with heels and arches in mind
• The brand is known for promoting good foot development
• The mesh upper molds to the foot for a comfy fit
• Breathable
• Machine washable

Cons

• More expensive than other toddler water shoes, but worth it—especially if you plan to pass them down to other kids

Best support

KEEN Unisex-Child Seacamp 2 CNX Closed-Toe Sandal

These water-resistant toddler water sandals from the outdoor brand KEEN are basically adult water shoes shrunken down to a kid’s size. The closed toe allows for a more snug fit and is better for situations such as rivers and creeks where walking might be a little more precarious than on a beach.

It has a quick-drying lining and a great grip on the rubber sole to help little feet conquer tough terrain. The footbed has good arch support for growing feet and there is a wide and adjustable strap. They are machine washable as well, made from performance-grade nylon (much like the similar Keen Stingray model).

This pair of shoes is a great option for especially active kids, little ones heading to summer camp and long adventures at the local playground that may require your little one to wear water shoes. We love how supportive they are on kids' feet, preventing blisters and pain even after a whole day of wear.

Pros

• Extremely supportive soles and arches
• Great for both water wear and everyday use
• Choose from 21 colors in neutral, classic and trendy tones
• Available in 17 sizes
• Water-resistant with a quick-dry lining
• Comfortable, supportive wearing for regular on-land activities as well

Cons

• Can be complicated for younger toddlers to put on by themselves, though three and four-year-olds have no problem opening and closing this style

Best for the beach

Teva Y Hurricane XLT 2 Sport Sandal

Teva, another beloved outdoor brand, has made a mini version of its popular adult sandal. Available in 24 sizes from toddler to bigger kids, it comes in 40 colors and patterns ranging from ultra-girlie to more utilitarian. This brand also topped our list of the best sandals for kids.

Adjustable Velcro straps make it easy for your child to put their shoes on themselves, and an open-toe will allow for sand to flow through the sandal, rather than get trapped in the shoe. They are waterproof and machine washable, making them one of the most versatile types of water shoes for kids.

"I bought a similar pair when my children were much younger," writes verified Amazon purchaser, Edwin R. Ubeda. "The quality is superb and I highly recommend this product. We still have the original pairs we bought years ago, the children simply outgrew them. I love the great, reliable durability of these!"

Pros

• Sand easily shakes out/rinses off
• Available in 24 sizes
• Choose from 40 colors and patterns
• Open toe allows for sand and water to flow freely
• Children can easily put on Velcro straps themselves

Cons

• Sizing isn't always entirely accurate on younger toddler sizes/smaller fits

How we chose the best toddler water shoes

We considered a bunch of factors ranging from the materials used to size range and adaptive technologies. Water shoes that were easy to put on and take off without adult help ranked highest. Durable, comfortable models that offered support to the heels and arches were also prioritized.

We tested each sandal rigorously, settling on the best combinations of comfort, value, style and ease of wear.