In today’s post: Learn the easiest way to teach your child how to tie shoes.
When my daughter was about to start first grade, I realized she didn’t know how to tie her shoes. I guess since I’d taught four kids to tie shoes already I just assumed I’d taught them all, but nope, my youngest kid just got her first pair of non-velcro shoes and didn’t know what the heck to do with them. Now, my oldest kid has always tied his shoes in a crazy fast way that I’ve never seen anyone else do. I asked him to teach his little sister how to do it and ten minutes later, she was a shoe tying queen.
(Other things I’ve recently realized I’d forgotten to teach my younger kids include: the fact that walking home from school should not include a half hour stop at the park AND what to do if someone tries to kidnap you during that walk home from school. Don’t worry, both items have now been sufficiently explained and understood!)
This little girl is very proud of her shoe tying prowess.
The fastest way to tie your shoes
Now, maybe your kids all know how to tie shoes, but some kids struggle with the whole “make a bunny ear and loop around it” approach. My nine-year-old knows how to tie his shoes, but he thinks it takes too long, so he usually just leaves his shoes tied even when they’re not on, meaning he has to shove his feet in every time he wears them. We’ve now taught him the fast + easy shoe tying hack and he’s on board!
In my opinion, this method of tying shoes is quite a bit easier than the bunny ear approach, and it’s lightning fast.
How to teach your kids to tie shoes
Watch the step by step video to see how it’s done!
Linda Altman says
I’d love to see the shoe tying step-by-step video; however, I can’t find the link! Please send out the link as I see others who have requested it as well.
Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!
Autumn says
The video is near the end of the post, under the heading that says: How to Teach Your Kids to Tie Shoes. If you cannot see the video under that heading, that probably means you have an adblocker installed on your browser, which does not allow my videos to be shown. Try viewing the post with a different browser or disabling your ad blocker. Thx!
LCJinSEPA says
What fun!
Our son (now almost 40!) learned in Nursery school to make that inital tightening half knot, then make two loops and tie an overhand knot with them. Still does it that way, and it holds!
And a hint: if kids have a hard time with laces, get a toggle with a spring mechanism (like you would use on a sleeping bag cover or other drawstring bag). Slip both laces through, and when you pull the toggle down, it will hold the shoelaces tight. Ends can be slipped through the laces at the toe end of the shoe so they don’t flop around. That’s what my husband has done to all his lace-ups – he has CP and got really tired of tying shoes with his teeth!
Sheri says
Oh my goodness!!! My 9 year old son is autistic and still can’t tie his shoes. We’ve tried every technique I find and they haven’t helped. I just saw this 5 minutes ago, called him in here, watched the video and he did it the first try!!!! We both cried! He was so proud of himself! Amazing!! We tried a few more times. I had to help move his fingers and work some more slowly but he can do it! Thank you thank you for doing this video.
Autumn says
I’m so happy to hear that Sheri!
Caitlin Francois says
I’m so glad I found your blog! My husband and I have been trying to teach our 6 y/o son the bunny ears way… with no success I finally tried to search for another way. Our Son has grown past the velcro shoes as well. Thank you a thousand times! After a few tears and frustration he’s learned this trick in a split 😁
autumn says
That’s wonderful to hear! Thanks for letting me know.
Charlotte says
I’ve always tied my shoes this way. My dad taught me when I was six, but now he’s forgotten how to do it and has been asking me to teach him how to tie his shoes! I didn’t know anyone else did it this way, though… it was a nice refresher course. Thanks!