Children’s ballet shoes are one of the most frequently purchased items in a dance parent’s life — because children grow, shoes wear out, and ballet schools are particular about what goes on their students’ feet. This guide covers everything you need to know to buy correctly every time.
How to Measure Your Child’s Feet for Ballet Shoes
Ballet shoe sizing is not the same as school shoe sizing. Most brands use their own sizing charts and the conversion from school shoe size varies. Always measure before buying:
- Place the child’s foot on a sheet of paper (with socks or tights on, as they will wear in class).
- Mark the longest toe and the back of the heel.
- Measure the distance between the marks in centimetres.
- Use the brand’s own size chart to find the recommended ballet shoe size.
Add no more than half a centimetre for growing room. Ballet shoes that are too long cause the foot to slide forward, changing weight placement and potentially creating bad technical habits.
Canvas vs Leather: Which Should You Buy?
Canvas is the most popular choice for children. It is lighter, cheaper, machine washable, and breathable — practical advantages when shoes get sweaty and need cleaning regularly. Canvas shoes also come in a wider range of colours. The one downside is that canvas wears out slightly faster than leather.
Leather molds to the foot over time, provides a very clean line that some teachers prefer for exams, and is more durable. It is heavier and more expensive, and cannot be machine washed. For children who are committed to ballet and attending multiple classes per week, leather is worth the investment. For beginners or recreational students, canvas is the practical choice.
How Often Do Children Outgrow Ballet Shoes?
Younger children (ages 3–7) typically need new ballet shoes every six to nine months. Older children (ages 8–12) may get a full year from a pair. A teenager whose feet have stopped growing can expect one to two years of wear from a well-cared-for pair.
Check the fit every three months by pressing the end of the shoe to feel where the longest toe sits. When there is less than a thumbnail’s width of space remaining, it is time to reorder.
Full Sole vs Split Sole for Children
For children in Pre-Primary through to Grade 2 (approximately ages 3–8), full sole ballet shoes are recommended by most RAD teachers. The continuous sole supports the developing foot and helps the teacher assess weight distribution correctly.
Split sole shoes — with separate pads at the ball and heel — are generally introduced at Grade 3 or above, when the child has developed enough strength and technique to benefit from the increased articulation.
Caring for Children’s Ballet Shoes
Canvas shoes: Machine wash gentle cycle, cold water, inside a mesh laundry bag. Reshape while damp and air dry. Do not tumble dry.
Leather shoes: Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Apply a small amount of leather conditioner every few months. Air out after each use — never store in an airtight bag. Do not machine wash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size ballet shoe does my child need?
Measure the foot in centimetres while wearing class tights and use the specific brand’s sizing chart. Ballet shoe sizes often run differently from street shoe sizes — most children will find their ballet shoe size is one to two sizes different from their school shoe size in the same brand. Always measure rather than guessing by school shoe size.
Can my child wear ballet shoes outside?
No — the thin leather or canvas soles of ballet shoes are designed for studio floors only. Wearing them outside on pavements or gravel wears through the sole very quickly and introduces grit that damages the studio floor. Always carry ballet shoes to class and change at the studio.
Do children’s ballet shoes need to be broken in?
Canvas ballet shoes require very little breaking in — they are soft from the first wear. Leather ballet shoes may feel slightly stiff for the first one or two classes but soften quickly with use. If a leather shoe feels painful immediately in the shop, it is too small or the wrong width — it will not stretch enough to become comfortable.
How do I sew the elastic on children’s ballet shoes?
Most children’s ballet shoes come with elastic already attached. If not, your teacher may demonstrate the school’s preferred method. The most common approach is a single piece of elastic across the instep, sewn at both ends to the shoe lining. Use a strong thread and sew through the lining but not through the outer canvas. The elastic should lie flat across the foot without digging in.
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