Learning how to tie their shoes is an important life skill for children, but it doesn’t always come easily. Many everyday items use laces or strings, and mastering this skill takes time, patience, and practice.
If you’re unsure when to start or how to help without frustration, you’re not alone. Below are simple tips, methods, and helpful tools that can make learning to tie shoes easier and even fun for your child.
When Do Kids Learn How to Tie Their Shoes?
Many parents want their kids to learn how to tie their shoes by kindergarten. However, did you know that some little ones aren’t quite ready until they are six years old?1 Children develop fine motor skills at different speeds, so learning to tie shoes looks different for every child.
It is common for kids under 6 to still lack the coordination and motor skills needed to master tying their shoes. If this sounds like your child, don’t worry! Stick to shoes with hook-and-loop fasteners, such as Velcro, for now, to make it easier at school and start practicing at home.
How You Can Help
There are several ways parents can support children as they learn to tie their shoes. From hands-on practice to visual tools, the right approach can make a big difference. Shoe tying is not a natural skill, so patience and encouragement matter.
Tips and Tricks to Learn How to Tie Shoes
These simple tips can help children understand the steps and build confidence as they practice tying their shoes independently.
Start with Pipe Cleaners
Pipe cleaners hold their shape, making it easier to model each step of tying shoes. They help children see how laces move without slipping.
Practice with Shoes Off
Tying laces for the first time can be much easier without wearing shoes. You can work up to that, but it’s more comfortable for beginners. They can see what they’re doing up close this way as well.
1-Loop Method
This is the method with which everyone is most familiar. You make a loop with one lace, wrap the other around it, then pull it through. This is likely how your parents taught you to tie your shoes when you were little. This method works well for children who prefer a step-by-step process.
2-Loop Method
I’ll be honest; I struggled to tie my shoes. I can now do the 1-loop method, but I had a hard time with it when I was learning. The 2-loop method was so much easier for me to understand. Make two loops or “bunny ears,” one with each shoelace. Then crisscross them and pull through. Seeing that modeled for me made more sense. If your child struggles with one method, trying another can make all the difference.
Products to Help Children Learn to Tie Their Shoes
Hands-on tools and books can make learning to tie shoes more engaging and reduce frustration during practice. The books we have chosen have laces built in so your child can practice while reading. Plus, you can purchase sneaker models and laces to make the extra practice even more fun! We picked the best ones and included them below.
How to Tie Your Shoes
This interactive board book helps children practice shoe tying while they read. It includes four tying methods and color-coded laces to make the directions simple.
I Can Tie My Shoelaces
This fun, rhyming book helps make learning to tie shoes feel exciting instead of frustrating. The book includes step-by-step tying instructions and a model shoe on the front for practicing. I highly recommend this book as a fun way to get your child interested and engaged in learning.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wood Lacing Sneaker
This wooden lacing sneaker gives kids a hands-on way to practice shoe tying away from their feet. Melissa & Doug makes so many wonderful educational toys for kids. This sneaker makes it easier for your little one to practice their shoe-tying skills without the pressure of wearing shoes. It’s a fun, interactive toy that they will want to use.
NUOBESTY Shoelace Threading Teaching Toys
These shoelace threading cards help kids practice lacing through repetition and play. This set includes five cardboard lacers, making it easy to turn practice into a fun game. Your child can learn by watching you model the steps, which can be a great activity to do together.
Songs to Help Children Learn
Songs and videos can help children remember steps through repetition and rhythm, making learning to tie shoes feel more approachable.
Cocomelon’s Tie Your Shoes
Every young child is likely familiar with Cocomelon. This video about tying shoes can be found on both YouTube and Netflix. There are many catchy tunes made by Cocomelon, from going to the potty to eating your vegetables. So, it’s unsurprising that there is one for learning to tie shoes. Check it out!
Watching together allows you to pause the video and practice each step with your child in real time.
How to Tie Your Shoes with Josh and Blue
Growing up, I loved the original Blue’s Clues, so my children watch the new series with Josh and his dog Blue. It’s a fun educational show that teaches your little one new things. This song is a fun YouTube video that helps guide your kiddo to tie their shoes. It’s so motivating and memorable.
Sitting with your child while they watch can help reinforce the steps and turn the song into hands-on practice.
Learning to tie shoes can be frustrating at first, but it’s a skill children will master with time and encouragement. Every child learns at their own pace. With practice, patience, and support, your child will gain confidence and independence one knot at a time.
