Quick answer: For beach and boardwalk trips, the Reef Kids Ahi is our pick for kids about 5 to 10. For younger kids, the Reef Little Ahi adds an elastic heel strap. For pool decks and locker rooms, the Adidas Adilette Shower slide goes on and off fast. For running, camp and playgrounds, skip flip-flops and choose a sandal that fastens, such as the Teva Kids Hurricane XLT 2. We did not test these products. Our picks rest on brand specifications, foot-health guidance and buyer reviews.
Easy shoes for beach and pool days
Flip-flops are the shoes kids can put on by themselves, kick off at the water’s edge and rinse under a tap. That makes them a summer favorite for parents too. The trick is matching the shoe to the day: a flip-flop for the sand, a slide for the pool deck and something with a heel strap when there is running to do.
We sorted through 11 popular kids’ styles and kept four, one for each of those jobs. For every pick, you will see what the brand says, what other parents report and how to check the fit at home.
For sizing help before you order, start with our kids’ shoes hub and our guide to how kids’ shoes should fit. Buying a pair for yourself too? See our best flip-flops for men and women.
Our picks at a glance
| Product | Best for | Style and heel strap | What buyers report | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reef Kids Ahi | Beach and boardwalk, big kids | Thong flip-flop, no heel strap | 388 Zappos reviews; 73% say true to size | Check latest price |
| Reef Little Ahi | Younger kids at the beach | Flip-flop with elastic back strap | 212 Zappos reviews; 78% say true to size | Check latest price |
| Adidas Adilette Shower (kids’) | Pool decks, locker rooms, showers | Slide, no heel strap | 4.8 out of 5 from 2,282 reviews on adidas.com | Check latest price |
| Teva Kids Hurricane XLT 2 | Running, camp, playgrounds, long walks | Sport sandal, adjustable heel strap | 4.7 out of 5 from 51 REI reviews; 362 Zappos reviews | Check latest price |
How we chose
We looked at 11 kids’ flip-flops, slides and sport sandals from Reef, Havaianas, Adidas, Nike, Under Armour, Crocs, Teva and Keen. A product made the list only if the brand’s own listing confirmed how it is built and how it stays on the foot, if at least 50 buyers had reviewed the same model at one retailer, and if it fit one clear use.
We checked each pick against guidance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) on flip-flops and on buying children’s footwear. We read buyer reviews on Zappos, REI, reef.com and adidas.com.
Two of our four picks are from Reef because that is where the buyer evidence was strongest. An earlier version of this list included a Havaianas print style; we removed it because we could not find buyer evidence for it.
Notes about this roundup
- We did not test these products at BWF. We aggregated user reviews.
- “Non-slip” and “quick-drying” are the brands’ own claims. We found no independent tests.
- Flip-flops and slides are for short trips, not sports or long walks.
- Review counts were collected Nov. 11, 2026.
Reef Kids Ahi
Reef Kids Ahi
Best for: beach and boardwalk trips for big kids
The Reef Kids Ahi is the pair to reach for on a beach day or a stroll along the boardwalk. Reef calls it a water-friendly flip-flop and lists a synthetic strap with a webbing lining and a printed EVA footbed. EVA is a light foam that does not soak up water the way fabric or leather can. The lining matters most for kids: wet, sandy skin rubs easily, and a soft underside may feel kinder than bare plastic.
What Reef says. Reef says the materials dry quickly, that a feature it calls a gasket helps hold the foot in place and that the light design “reduces foot fatigue.” Those are the brand’s claims. Reef makes no arch-support claim for this flip-flop.
What buyers report. On Zappos, 388 buyers have reviewed the Kids Ahi, and 82% gave it four or five stars. In Zappos’ fit survey, 73% said it felt true to size and 96% true to width. Buyers often say their kids find it comfortable and choose to wear it. The main complaints: sizing reports go both ways, and some buyers expected a back strap that larger sizes do not have. One in 10 reviews is one star.
Note: No heel strap, so it is not for running, climbing or long walks.
Fit. Reef sells it in big kids’ sizes 13 and 1 through 6 and labels that range ages 5 to 10. Treat the ages as a rough guide. Measure the foot and use our kids’ shoe size calculator, then check Reef’s size chart.
Here is what Reef lists for the Kids Ahi:
- Type: Thong flip-flop, no heel strap
- Strap: Synthetic, webbing lining, 3-point design
- Footbed: Printed EVA foam
- Sizes: Big kids’ 13 and 1 through 6
- Materials: Free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vegan friendly
- Price on reef.com: $25
Here are the main strengths and drawbacks to weigh.
Pros
- Lined strap may feel softer on wet, sandy skin
- Foam does not soak up water
- Most buyers say it fits true to size and width
Cons
- No heel strap, so it can come off when a child runs or climbs
- Some buyers report it runs small, others large
- Big kids’ sizes only
Boys’ version | Girls’ version
Reef Little Ahi
Reef Little Ahi
Best for: younger kids at the beach
The Little Ahi is the small-size version of the same flip-flop with one useful addition: an elastic strap behind the heel. Reef lists padded synthetic straps with a soft webbing lining, a contoured EVA footbed and a high-density EVA outsole.
What Reef says. Reef says “Sizes 3-12 include a backstrap” and labels the style for ages 2 to 4.
What buyers report. On Zappos, 212 buyers have reviewed the Little Ahi, and 86% gave it four or five stars. In the fit survey, 78% said true to size and 96% true to width. Buyers often credit the back strap for keeping it on. Some say it runs small. A few parents of very young children say their child disliked the post between the toes.
Notes about this pick
- Check the listing for the back strap. Some buyers say larger sizes arrived without one.
- The elastic strap does not adjust.
- For a new walker, choose a sandal that fastens. The APMA recommends secure closures on children’s shoes.
Here is what Reef lists for the Little Ahi:
- Type: Thong flip-flop with elastic back strap
- Strap: Padded synthetic, webbing lining
- Footbed: Contoured EVA foam
- Outsole: High-density EVA foam
- Sizes: Little kids’ 3 through 12
- Price on reef.com: $25
Here are the main strengths and drawbacks to weigh.
Pros
- Back strap helps keep it on smaller feet
- Lined, padded strap
- Most buyers say true to size and width
Cons
- Elastic strap cannot be tightened
- Reports conflict on which sizes include the strap
- Some very young children dislike the toe post
Adidas Adilette Shower (kids’)
Adidas kids’ Adilette Shower slide
Best for: pool decks, locker rooms and after-swim showers
The Adidas Adilette Shower is a slide, not a flip-flop, and that is why it is here. There is no toe post, so it suits kids who dislike a thong between their toes, and it slips on and off fast at the pool gate or the shower door.
What Adidas says. Adidas lists a single-bandage synthetic upper, a Cloudfoam footbed and an EVA outsole, and calls the slide quick-drying. A single-bandage upper is one wide strap across the top of the foot. Cloudfoam is Adidas’ name for its soft foam.
Why it suits wet floors. The APMA advises wearing sturdy flip-flops around public pools and in locker rooms, noting that bare feet there can be exposed to plantar warts and athlete’s foot. Its advice names flip-flops, but the point holds for a slide: something on the feet in shared wet areas.
What buyers report. On adidas.com, the kids’ slide averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2,282 reviews. Many of those reviews were written in exchange for an incentive, and some come from adults who wear kids’ sizes. Parents often mention swim lessons and after-sports use. Adidas says it fits true to size. One buyer reported a pair breaking within a year.
Note: One fixed strap holds it on. Not for running or long walks.
Here is what Adidas lists for the kids’ Adilette Shower:
- Type: Slip-on slide, no toe post, no heel strap
- Upper: Single-bandage synthetic strap
- Footbed: Cloudfoam
- Outsole: EVA foam
- List price on adidas.com: $22
Here are the main strengths and drawbacks to weigh.
Pros
- No toe post
- Fast on and off for showers and pool gates
- Lowest list price of our picks
Cons
- No heel strap and no way to adjust a loose fit
- Not for running or long walks
Teva Kids Hurricane XLT 2
Teva Kids Hurricane XLT 2
Best for: running, camp, playgrounds and long walks
This is not a flip-flop. It is the sandal to buy when the day involves more than the pool deck. The Hurricane XLT 2 fastens with hook-and-loop straps, including a padded strap behind the heel, so the sandal holds the foot and the toes do not have to.
What the listing says. REI lists textile straps, an EVA footbed and midsole, a nylon shank and a rubber outsole. A shank is a stiffener in the sole.
What buyers report. At REI, it averages 4.7 out of 5 from 51 reviews. On Zappos, 362 buyers have reviewed it, 90% gave four or five stars and 73% said it felt true to size. Parents say it stays on, holds up and is easy for kids to fasten. The common complaint is the lack of half sizes. A few report a strap rubbing.
Note: Costs about twice as much as the flip-flops here.
Here is what REI lists for the Teva Kids Hurricane XLT 2:
- Type: Open-toe sport sandal with adjustable heel strap
- Closure: Hook-and-loop straps
- Footbed: EVA foam
- Outsole: Rubber
- Price at REI: about $45 to $50
Here are the main strengths and drawbacks to weigh.
Pros
- Adjustable straps and a heel strap hold the foot
- Buyers say it lasts
Cons
- No half sizes
- Higher price
Flip-flops, slides and secure sandals: which to use when
| Style | How it stays on | Good for | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thong flip-flop | Toe post and strap | Beach, boardwalk, pool deck | Running, climbing, long walks |
| Slide | One front strap | Pool deck, locker room, shower | Running, any real distance |
| Sandal with heel strap | Adjustable straps around the foot and heel | Camp, playgrounds, water parks, long walks | Quick on-and-off at the shower door |
The APMA says even sturdy flip-flops “offer little in terms of shock absorption and arch support” and advises against them for long walks, yard work and sports. Its flip-flop advice is written for everyone, not only children. For children’s shoes in general, the APMA recommends a secure closure. Put together, that points to flip-flops and slides for short trips and a fastened sandal or closed shoe for active play.
How to choose kids’ flip-flops and slides
- Sole coverage: No part of your child’s foot should hang off the edge of the sole, the APMA says.
- Size: BWF recommends buying the size that fits now. Advice to leave about half an inch of toe room is written for closed shoes. On a flip-flop, extra sole in front can catch the ground.
- Toe gripping: Watch your child walk. If the toes clench to keep the sole on, the fit or the style is wrong. The APMA recommends secure closures on children’s shoes to prevent that gripping.
- Bend test: A flip-flop should bend at the ball of the foot and should never fold in half, the APMA says.
- Strap and toe post: Look for redness after the first few wears. The APMA notes irritation where the thong sits can lead to blisters and possible infection.
- Grip: “Non-slip” on a listing is a brand’s description. We found no independent wet-floor tests for kids’ flip-flops, so have your child walk, not run, on wet decks.
- Replacement: The APMA says to discard pairs with severe wear and suggests rechecking children’s shoe size every four to six months.
Our kids’ shoe fit guide covers fit in more detail. For brands that use overseas sizes, see our kids’ shoe size converter by country.
Frequently asked questions
Not for short trips. The APMA supports wearing sturdy flip-flops around pools, beaches, hotel rooms and locker rooms. It also says they offer little shock absorption or arch support and advises against them for long walks and sports. That advice is written for the general public, not children specifically. If your child has flat feet or foot pain, see our guide to the best kids’ shoes for flat feet and talk to a pediatrician or podiatrist.
Either works on the pool deck and in showers. A slide such as the Adidas Adilette Shower has no toe post and slips on fast. A flip-flop has a toe post that helps hold it on. Neither has a heel strap, so neither is for running.
For new walkers, choose footwear that fastens. The APMA says going barefoot or wearing shoes that allow natural movement is preferred for younger children, and it recommends a secure closure. For a preschooler’s beach trips, pick a flip-flop with a back strap, such as the Reef Little Ahi.
The toes and heel should sit fully on the sole with nothing hanging over the edge. The strap should hold the foot without digging in. Your child should be able to walk without curling the toes to keep the shoe on.
We would not choose them for that. The APMA advises against flip-flops for sports because of the risk of twisting a foot or ankle. Pick a sandal that fastens around the heel or a closed shoe, and check the camp’s footwear rules.
Replace them when toes or heel start to hang off the sole or when the pair shows severe wear. Kids’ feet grow quickly, so check the fit at the start of each summer.
How we researched this guide
We compared 11 products using brand listings, retailer listings, APMA guidance and buyer reviews on Zappos, REI, reef.com and adidas.com. We did not test any product. Review counts and ratings were collected Nov. 11, 2026, and will change. We do not average ratings across retailers. Prices are list prices on the date collected. Last fact check: Nov. 11, 2026.
