3 Reasons to Let Kids Walk Barefoot

Take the shoes off!

Some people call it grounding and some call it earthing. Whatever word you use, walking barefoot isn’t new.

When we observe small children, we notice they tend to try to explore spaces with their feet just as much as their hands. I remember when my oldest daughter first started walking, she loved feeling her feet on different surfaces. This sensory input was just as important to her brain development as exploring the world with her hands and other senses. And since I was a massage therapist at the time, I knew there were also so many great physical benefits to giving her this freedom.

I know as parents we tend to be concerned about safety and germs. But I think when it comes to allowing our children to explore the world around them, we should be as safe as necessary not as safe as possible. There are just so many benefits to letting littles explore safe spaces in their environment without shoes.

Here are just some of the benefits to letting your child walk barefoot outside.

1. Increased balance and coordination

All of my kids have excellent balance, and I believe the time they spend walking barefoot has helped so much with this. We receive a lot of sensory input from our feet thats hard to receive when we are wearing shoes. This input helps us understand how our body responds to different terrain and develop the natural mechanisms to respond appropriately with other parts of our bodies.

1. Better Body Awareness

The more experience we get in any area of life, the more we know and understand. Well, the same is true for our bodies. The more we use them in direct and different ways, the better we get to know it, what its capable of, and how to navigate the world with it. I love that my kids know what their bodies are capable of. Also, when you’re barefoot, you move slower, more deliberately and more consciously. This helps you be more present and pay attention to your body.

1. Strengthen Muscles

Have you ever walked barefoot on challenging surfaces? You can feel your feet and legs working harder with each step. You can even feel your joints and tendons getting a nice massage. I believe the flat surface of the shoe is comfortable but it prevents our feet from exploring various surfaces and adjusting.

My oldest daughter loved being barefoot as a baby and still enjoys it.

But there were a lot of people who absolutely insisted that I put shoes on her. They used reasons like germs or she could step on something, which is why we chose safe spaces to allow her to be barefoot. But that wasn’t enough.

I eventually realized it wasn’t just about perceived dangers. Within Black and POC communities, not wearing shoes is often policed harder because of stereotypes of looking uncivilized. Many times, we will police childrens’ behavior because we don’t want them or us to be unfairly judged.

Whether it’s fear of danger or fear of judgement holding you back, take a breath and follow your child’s lead. If they try to take their shoes off at the mall, maybe that’s not the perfect time. But if there’s a patch of grass they’re itching to wiggle their toes in, let it be.

Think safety AND freedom. Not safety OR freedom.

Check out this reel and Aurora walking barefoot on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, CO: Barefoot Reel.

Keep in mind my kids are experts. They’ve been walking barefoot since they could walk so their feet are accustomed to different surfaces and textures. Aurora loves walking barefoot on rocks 😂

However, if shoeless walking is new for your child, definitely go for smoother terrain.

Do you let your kids walk barefoot outside sometimes?