Dinosaur Slippers for Kids: Warm, Grippy and Safe on Hard Floors

The safest dinosaur slippers for kids have a rubber sole with tread, fit the child’s foot now rather than a size up, and stay on with a closed back or elastic heel. A Parkview Health podiatrist says rubber soles grip slick floors and oversized slippers can trip a child. On 3D heads, check that eyes and spikes are firm.

Why dinosaur slippers slip on hard floors

Dinosaur slippers slip when the sole is fabric or smooth plastic. Nationwide Children’s Hospital warns that wearing only socks or slippers on wood or waxed floors can be very slippery, and it names slippery surfaces as one of the places home falls happen. Falls are the most common cause of childhood injury at home, according to the same source.

The fix is the sole. A Parkview Health podiatrist notes that some surfaces are more slippery than others and that a rubber sole helps grip the ground, which prevents falls. Turn the slipper over before you buy and look for these points:

Soles wear down with daily use, so turn a favorite pair over every few months and check the tread is still there.

How dinosaur slippers should fit

Dinosaur slippers should fit the child’s foot today. A Parkview Health podiatrist says a slipper that is too small is uncomfortable and one that is too big can be a tripping hazard. Buying two sizes up “to grow into” turns a cozy gift into a stumble on the stairs.

Plush dinosaur heads add bulk at the front, and a long tail or snout can catch on a step. Look for a closed back, an elastic opening or an adjustable strap so the heel cannot slide out. Parkview’s fall prevention advice also says slippers with a back and support give some stability, and it warns against backless slip-on styles.

Dinosaur slippers for toddlers and new walkers

Toddlers often need fewer slippers than parents expect. The AAP says babies’ feet develop best when they are not confined in shoes. When a toddler does need something on their feet indoors, the AAP suggests nonskid soles that keep them steady on slippery floors, and says it is better to have no shoes at all than shoes that are too tight.

Small children also chew on what they wear. The CPSC small parts ban for products meant for children under 3 exempts children’s clothing and accessories, so slippers are not held to that rule. Detachable slipper decorations have still led to choking-hazard recalls:

• About 160,000 pairs of Kidgets animal sock top slippers sold at Family Dollar were recalled in November 2011 because the animal eyes could detach.
• About 57,000 holiday rattle baby slippers sold at Walgreens were recalled in March 2011 because the stuffing and rattle inside the decorative figures could be pulled out.
• L.L. Bean recalled about 2,000 pairs of toddlers’ fleece slippers because the ankle drawcord could break and release its toggle.

For a dinosaur pair, pull gently on the eyes, teeth, claws and back spikes. Embroidered or printed eyes are a safer choice than glued-on plastic ones for a child under 3. More toddler ideas sit on our dinosaur gifts for toddlers page.

Keeping dinosaur slippers warm and clean

Warm dinosaur slippers usually mean a fleece or plush lining and a cushioned insole. A thick lining is cozy on a cold floor, but it also makes the slipper bulkier, so the fit check above matters more on winter styles.

Read the care label before you buy. Some plush slippers are machine washable, while others with stiff 3D heads are spot clean only. A pair that cannot be washed will not last long with a preschooler.

Dinosaur slippers for older kids and the whole family

Older kids and adults can wear the bigger character styles more safely, since they walk steadily and no longer put parts in their mouths. Matching family slippers make a fun holiday morning gift, and a dinosaur hoodie or onesie from the costume aisle finishes the look.

Kids who love dressing up can find inflatable suits and hooded jumpsuits in our dinosaur costumes guide, and the bedroom to go with the slippers in dinosaur room decor. For school-age fans, dinosaur gifts for kids 6 to 12 covers kits, LEGO and figures, and every other idea starts at dinosaur gifts by age and interest.