Rapid foot growth can cause a child's shoe to become uncomfortable. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society suggests checking children's shoes regularly to ensure they are not getting too tight. Ill-fitting shoes can cause calluses, ingrown toenails and development problems with the child's toes. Frequent tripping, blisters, foot redness or wanting to take off shoes quickly can be signs that a child's shoes need to be stretched or replaced. Stretching out a child's shoes can ease restrictive areas and minimize discomfort, and it may extend the life of a shoe until larger shoes are purchased.
Step 1
Change the padded shoe insert to a smaller one. A thinner insert can slightly expand a shoe's capacity. Ensure that the new insert provides sufficient support and padding for the child's foot.
Step 2
Use a pencil or ruler to spot-stretch portions of a child's shoe. Expand the width of the shoe by placing a pencil that is slightly longer than the width of the shoe inside the portion of the shoe that needs to be larger. Expand the length in a similar fashion. Move the pencils as needed to stretch all areas of the child's shoe that are uncomfortable.
Step 3
Place a child's shoe stretcher inside the shoe. Gradually adjust the stretcher to expand the size of the shoe. If necessary, leave the shoe to stretch over several hours to ensure the expanded dimensions are maintained.
Step 4
Apply a shoe-stretching solution. These solutions are typically sold in shoe stores and large retail outlets. Instructions vary by brand, but generally the child wears the shoe shortly after the solution is applied to gently stretch the shoes.
Step 5
Take the shoes to a professional shoe-repair shop. These shops have equipment that can expand the length, width, toe box and instep on a child's shoe.
