In one corner stood athletic shoes, pushing the boundaries of 80s kids’ shoes in both style and function. Reebok Freestyle, LA Gear’s light-up heels, and Nike Air Force 1 were more than plain ol’ sports gear — these sneakers seamlessly blended into everyday fashion, offering comfort and a healthy dose of coolness.
These brand-name shoes and others shoes may have been marketed to adults, but that only made them more coveted by the younger crowd. In fact, mini-me fashion was big, so kids got their own pint-sized versions of adult trends, ensuring that they weren’t missing out on any style action.
Ballet flats, jelly shoes, boat shoes, and an array of boots meant that children could mirror the fashionable adults around them.
Still, there was plenty of space for kids to just be kids. For example, dozens of characters shoes were available, turning each step into a mini-adventure.
Imaginations soared with shoes and slippers featuring beloved characters like Garfield & Odie, Cabbage Patch Kids, Smurfs, and the most popular interstellar traveler of the early 80s: E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial. Winnie the Pooh made his warm and fuzzy presence felt on children’s feet, while even McDonald’s own Ronald and friends were featured in their McKids shoe line.
Velcro/hook-and-loop shoes made their mark, too, simplifying life for children not yet proficient in the art of shoelace tying.
For more formal settings, saddle shoes and patent leather Mary Janes remained popular choices among the 80s kids shoes options. These classics offered a touch of sophistication for tiny toes headed to church services, weddings, or family gatherings.
Last but certainly not least were the unforgettable moon boots, first made popular in the 1970s. These unique snow boots brought a touch of outer space to the dreary days of winter, making them a frosty favorite among kids.
All in all, 80s kids shoes offered a large variety of choices, each contributing to a whimsical, eclectic era. We’ve collected some memories of these days below!
Converse shoes for boys (1980)
ET Shoes – Extra-Terrestrial footwear from Buster Brown (1983)
E.T. Leather Shoes from Buster Brown are here. And you get 10 E.T. trading cards, an E.T. sticker and bubble gum FREE with purchase.
Retro 80s Nike Rascal sports shoes for children (1983)
DON’T MISS THIS: Vintage 1980s Nike shoes, from regular retro sneakers to classic Air Jordans
Vintage 80s Nike Infant Nipper and Infant Tyro baby shoes (1983)
Retro 80s Smurfs shoes for kids (1983)
80s kids shoes: 1983 Winner II sporty sneakers and athletic shoes for kids
80s cartoon character sneakers for young children (1983)
80s kids shoes: Dressy shoes & sandals for girls (1983)
1980s casual and dress-up shoes for girls (1983)
Brown leather shoes for kids at Sears (1983)
Retro 80s saddle shoes and boots for girls (1983)
Vintage 80s ballet flats for girls (1983)
Dressy 80s shoes for girls (1983)
Colorful retro rubber rain boots for kids (1983)
Fun cowboy boots for kids – Western shoes (1984)
SEE MORE: From ranches to runways, vintage cowboy boots are a Wild West American phenomenon
Formal shoes for boys (1983)
Garfield, Snoopy and Winnie sneakers for children (1983)
Blue no-lace velcro No-Ties shoes by Kinney (1983)
Pink velcro No-Ties shoes by Kinney for girls (1983)
Vintage Puma, Pony and Adidas sports shoes for kids (1983)
ALSO SEE: Converse vintage shoes: The old-school Chucks, sneakers & athletic footwear
Vintage 80s Young Lass leather dressy shoes for girls from Sears (1983)
Sears sneakers for kids – laces and velcro (1983)
Stride Rite Zips zipper sneakers for children (1984)
MORE: Keds vintage sneakers & shoes from the ’20s to the ’80s
Black patent leather Mary Janes shoes for girls (1984)
Stride Rite shoes for kids (1986)
Vintage 1980s Sears athletic shoes for boys
Vintage Cabbage Patch shoes and slippers for kids (1984)
Vintage Garfield cartoon shoes, boots and slippers for kids (1984)
Winter boots for children from 1984
80s Transformers, Snoopy-Peanuts and Winnie the Pooh character shoes for kids
Vintage Kinney shoes for babies and kids (1986)
Kinney shoes for girls – Black and white trendy styles (1986)
Ticker clock design shoes by American Eagle (1987)
80s dock shoe styles for children
Warm winter 80s boots for kids (1988)
ALSO SEE: How X-ray shoe fittings used to really be a thing years ago
Retro 80s McDonald’s shoes for kids with Ronald and the M logo – McKids (1988)
Vintage 1980s McDonald’s McKids shoes from 88
Dressy and casual retro McKids shoes for girls from Sears (1988)
80s McKids shoes
Dressy 80s shoes and sandals for girls (1988)
Retro 80s kids shoes: Buster Brown shoes for toddlers (1988)
DON’T MISS THIS: Vintage shoe stores: See what shoe shopping really used to be like
