Many of our deal-hunting experts are also parents and know a thing or two about finding great deals on kids’ shoes. These are their picks for the best stores for buying children's shoes online. While these stores offer great sales, we also looked into their return policies and the quality of the brands they offer. We recommend browsing these stores the next time your kiddo needs a fresh pair of footwear.

pairs of kids sneakers

Zappos

Zappos, a favorite of our deputy editor Lindsay Weekes, has been known for its customer service since its inception in 1999. In 2003, they offered a 60-day return policy, which stunned customers. Noting their shoppers' appreciation, they established a 365-day return policy that same year. For kids’ shoes, this is ideal. If you buy a pair of shoes in a couple of different sizes, you can wait for your kids to grow into them and return them if they just don’t work out, even months later!

Join Zappos VIP, a free loyalty program, to get free expedited shipping, fast refunds, points for every dollar spent, additional points for linking your Amazon Prime account, and points just for logging into your account or leaving product reviews.

Kohl’s

Whenever we talk about shopping for kids, Kohl’s inevitably comes up. They're a favorite of our editor-at-large, Laura Velousis. When you consider they carry brands like Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas, and consistently have sales on them, it’s pretty obvious why. Kohl’s does not pay for return shipping, but they do give you 180 days to return an item and with so many brick-and-mortar locations, returning in-store is free and easy.

While some name-brand shoes are excluded from Kohl's coupons, you can earn Kohl’s Cash on your purchase with no brand exclusions. Lindsay and Laura both love using Kohl's Cash on rarely-discounted items. You can spend your Kohl’s Cash on any brand (even those that are excluded from coupons), so you quickly get the best deal by using your Kohl’s Cash on rarely-discounted shoes.

 

Target

Target’s Cat & Jack collection offers styles in baby, toddler, and kid sizes. Target often offers BOGO deals on shoes as well as percent-off sales. You can also shop Surprize by Stride Rite, an exclusive collection found online and in Target stores. This collection features affordable options for baby, toddler, and kids sneakers and sandals.

Join Target Circle for free and get 1% back on every purchase. Plus, Red Card holders get an additional 5% off every purchase. Don’t want another credit card in your wallet? Laura points out that Target offers a debit card version of the Red Card that still gets you 5% off.

Famous Footwear

Famous Footwear is a favorite among moms on the Brad's Deals team. They’re especially great during back-to-school time. Become a Famously You rewards member, for free, and earn great perks. Members get free shipping on all orders with no minimum. For every $100 you spend, you earn $5 back. Plus, there are bonus earning events, birthday rewards, and additional promotions for members throughout the year.

Returns are free in-store and if you need your online order ASAP, you can choose Famously Fast store pickup and get it within one hour. Rewards members also earn 50 bonus points for pickup orders.

Hibbett | City Gear

Hibbett Sports is a shoe retailer with an online store and brick-and-mortar locations found mostly in the midwest. They offer deals on Nike, New Balance, Vans, and more. Shipping is free on all orders and returns are free within 60 days of purchase.

You can also join the Hibbett rewards program and get 15% off your first $100 order. Members also get $10 for every $200 spent, a $10 birthday reward, access to exclusive sales, and entries in sneaker raffles.

The Best Nike Alternatives for Kids

Shop Brands Directly

Though it’s tempting to visit big-name retailers to buy name-brand shoes, it can sometimes be in your best interest to visit the brand’s website directly. Here are some favorites among Brad’s Deals parents.

  • Keds - Frequently offers 20-30% off coupon codes. Shipping is always free. $5 returns.
  • Native - Sales offer up to 40% off. Free shipping and free returns.
  • Stride Rite - Select styles as low as $15 during promotions. Shipping is free for $40. Returns are not free.
  • Reebok - Often have additional discounts on sale prices. Shipping and returns are free for loyalty members.

Tips for Buying Kids’ Shoes Online

Whether you’re buying for back-to-school or just replacing your kid’s sneakers for the hundredth time this year, be sure to shop at reputable retailers that offer great customer service. Kids’ shoes don’t always work out and sometimes it’s better to pay a few extra bucks at a store that offers a great return policy or higher quality shoes.

Count on us to sort through all the kids’ shoe deals and share the best ones with you. Our team is not only made up of shopping experts, many of them are also parents and are excited to share deals they find with your family. Sign up for deal alerts or download our free app to stay on top of all the deals on kids' products we share every day.