How to Teach a Kid to Tie Their Shoes
Tying shoelaces takes ten minutes to explain and two weeks to practise. Use the bunny ears method — it's simpler than the loop method.
Teaching shoe-tying is the kind of parenting milestone that nobody ever warns you about. You think it'll take one session. It takes two weeks. The good news: the technique is simple, it's always the same two weeks, and once it clicks it never unclicks.
The bunny ears method is easier for most kids than the traditional loop method. You make two bunny ears (two loops), cross them over, and tuck one through. That's it. No 'squirrel round the tree' nonsense, no complicated one-handed holding. Four discrete steps, each of which a 5-year-old can manage.
Practise without the shoes on first. Lay the shoe on the table, put the child's hands in front of them, and walk through each step slowly. Do it ten times in a row while they watch, then ten times with them doing it. Then put the shoe on and repeat. Two or three sessions a day for a week usually cracks it, and by the end of a fortnight they can do it without thinking.
Printable Worksheets to Go With This Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age should kids tie their shoes?+
Most children are developmentally ready around age 5 to 6. Some earlier, some later — there's no rush and no standard target.
Bunny ears or loop method?+
Bunny ears is easier for most beginners because each step is discrete. The loop method is faster once you know it but harder to learn first. Start with bunny ears.
How long does it take to learn?+
Two weeks of daily practice is typical. Some kids get it in three days, some take a month. It's not a skill that responds to more practice per day — little and often is the rule.
Should I buy shoes with velcro instead?+
Fine for everyday wear, but teach shoelaces at some point before age 7. It's a basic life skill and avoiding it just pushes the problem later.