One of the cool things about being a parent is watching your child develop small skills that eventually form the whole person they become. They start processing decisions, expand their sense of need and independence and, eventually, you’ve got this weird, interesting individual in front of you. Also, they’re pretty funny to see while they figure it all out. 

There are a lot of different strategies for shoe tying, let’s break down a few of them. 

Oh, but first! Remember that this is all new to your kids and it’s unlikely to take in one (or twelve) sittings. Commit to practicing 10 minutes a day or every other day until it clicks for them. 

Bunny Ears

An undeniable classic. Not my preferred method but I have always respected the whimsy. 

  1. Tie a basic knot. Take both laces and thread one lace over the other and then pull them tight. They should form a knot in the middle of the shoe.
  2. Make a “bunny ear” loop with one of the laces. You should be holding the lace between your thumb and your first two fingers. 
  3. Tie a basic knot with the “bunny ear” loops. Place one loop over the other, then tuck it behind the other and thread it through the hole that is created.
  4. Pull the “bunny ear” loops tight. Et voila! Ready to get hopping. 

Loop-Swoop-Pull

Also known as the basic knot, this has been my particular go-to for over thirty years, except during the brief period where not having shoelaces was absolutely the only way to go. 

  1. Tie a basic knot. Take both laces and thread one lace over the other and then pull them tight. They should form a knot in the middle of the shoe
  2. Make a loop with one of the laces. You should be holding the lace between your thumb and your first two fingers.
  3. Use your other hand to wrap the other lace around the loop. You should be holding it over your fingers and around the loop. Wrap the other lace toward you rather than away from you.
  4. Pull the shoelace through the hole to form another loop. You should use your free hand to pull the shoelace through. There should now be a hole between the looped shoelace and the wrapped shoelace. Pull the wrapped shoelace through so it comes through this hole.
  5. Hold both loops and pull them tight. You should now have a nicely tied shoe.

The Cheerio Method

The newest tying trick on the scene, I tried this one out and I think for kids having trouble using both hands at once it’s a pretty great alternative. 

  1. Tie a basic knot. Take both laces and thread one lace over the other and then pull them tight. They should form a knot in the middle of the shoe
  2. Make a second knot, but don’t pull all the way tight. Leave when the laces have pulled to the size of a Cheerio, place the lace on the shoe with the Cheerio-sized opening lying flat against the shoe. 
  3.  Pull the end of each lace through the Cheerio. This is done one lace a time, with each lace being pulled about half it’s length. 
  4. Hold both loops and pull them tight. At which point you should have a made a proper tie. 
    • Long Laces. One downside to this method is that seems to make some pretty long laces. So another knot may be required for safety reasons. 

A Few Good Tips

  • Refer to the knot by using your child’s first name. Instead of teaching them how to “tie their shoes” you’re teaching them a “Danny Knot” or “Becca Twist” giving them more ownership over the process. 
  • To help distinguish between the laces, try painting them (or using markers) to make them different colors. There’s a surprising amount of dexterity required here and being able to easily identify each lace as separate will help. 
  • Have a few techniques at the ready. For whatever reason, one practice may click with your child and another never will. Try out one method for a few days and if it isn’t taking then give them another option and that might just be all they need!