Shoelaces for Kids: How to Make Tying Easier

Learning to tie shoelaces is a rite of passage - but it doesn't have to be a battle.

The right laces can make an enormous difference to how quickly a child picks it up. Too long, too slippery or too thin and the whole process becomes unnecessarily frustrating. Get the basics right and most children find it comes together much faster than expected.

Why the Right Laces Actually Matter

Most children struggle with shoelace tying not because the technique is too hard, but because the laces they're working with make it harder than it needs to be.

Laces that are too long get tangled before the knot is even tied. Laces that are too thin or too smooth slip out of little fingers before a loop can be formed. And laces that are worn or fraying are harder to control at every stage.

Starting with the right laces removes a lot of that frustration before it begins.

The Best Lace Style for Learning

Flat laces are almost always the better choice for children learning to tie their shoes.

The wider surface area gives little fingers something to grip properly, and they create more friction in the knot - which means the bow is more likely to stay tied once it's done. Round laces tend to slip more easily, which can be disheartening when a child has just mastered the technique only to watch it fall apart ten minutes later.

A slightly thicker flat lace is ideal. It's easier to hold, easier to loop and easier to pull tight without the whole thing collapsing.

Getting the Length Right

Lace length matters more for children than most people realise. Too much lace and the loops become unwieldy - children end up with enormous floppy bows that drag on the floor or get trodden on immediately.

For most children's shoes, 90cm to 120cm is usually the right range depending on the number of eyelets. Count the eyelet pairs on one side of the shoe and use this as a guide:

Eyelet Pairs	Recommended Lace Length
3–4 pairs	90cm
4–5 pairs	90cm
5–6 pairs	120cm

 

When in doubt, go shorter rather than longer. A neat, manageable bow is far more encouraging for a child than a long trailing mess.

The Best Technique to Teach

There are several methods for tying shoelaces, but two work particularly well for children.

The Bunny Ears method is often the easiest starting point. Instead of making one loop and wrapping the other lace around it, you make two loops - one with each lace - and simply tie those together. Many children find this more intuitive because both hands are doing the same thing at the same time.

The standard loop method (also called the Ian Knot by enthusiasts) is worth introducing once the basics are there. It's faster and produces a more balanced, secure bow - and children who learn it early tend to tie their shoes more neatly throughout their lives.

Whichever method you choose, it helps to practice away from the shoe first. Tie laces around a cardboard tube, a rolled-up magazine or even just a chair leg so the child can work at a comfortable height and angle without having to bend over their own feet.

A Few Tips That Actually Help

Sit beside your child rather than opposite them when you demonstrate. If you sit facing them, every movement is mirrored and it becomes confusing. Sitting side by side means what they see is exactly what they need to do.

Use two different coloured laces when practicing if you can - even just threading a different coloured lace through alternate eyelets. Being able to say "now take the red one" removes a lot of confusion about which lace is which.

Keep practice sessions short. Five minutes of focused practice is more effective than twenty minutes of mounting frustration. Little and often is the approach that tends to work.

And celebrate the small wins. Getting the first loop right is worth acknowledging. Getting the knot done - even if the bow is a bit lopsided - is a genuine achievement.

When Should Children Learn?

Most children are ready to start learning somewhere between four and six years old, though this varies a lot. Fine motor skills develop at different rates and there's no fixed age at which it has to happen.

If a child is struggling, it's often worth waiting a few months and trying again rather than pushing through. The coordination required usually develops naturally, and a child who wasn't ready at four will often pick it up effortlessly at five.

Final Thought

The combination of the right laces, the right technique and a little patience goes a long way. Most children get there in the end and once they do, they rarely forget.

Browse our full range of shoelaces in a wide range of colours and lengths, including shorter sizes suitable for children's shoes.