— By Julie Hodos on March 5, 2025

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Children’s feet grow quickly and randomly. And shoes cost a pretty penny! Motivate your older preschooler or kindergartener to learn to tie shoelaces before investing in a pair of shoes with laces. 

Being able to tie shoelaces is a necessary life skill and this activity is a fun way to teach a child. I offer a few options to motivate your child to learn to tie shoelaces. However, if your child is participating in Playing for Hours’ Letter of the Week: Yy is for Yarn then I recommend still setting up the shoebox and yarn to keep the theme consistent. But it is entirely up to you!

Free preschool curriculum

Yy is for Yarn is a part of a free preschool curriculum and offers more life skills activities that include learning to braid and counting to twenty. There are coloring pages, book suggestions and more for the homeschooling parent to provide a week of rich lessons for your child.

Is your child beyond preschool? Many of the activities are appropriate for older ages as well. From dissecting frogs to learning about buoyancy to learning the colors of the rainbow these activities are great for all elementary age children. The lessons can be tailored to fit your needs. Read more at the button below.

When should a child be able to tie shoelaces?

Most children are ready to learn to tie shoelaces when they are 4.5 to 6 years old. That’s a large gap for that age. Children’s feet could grow a few times during those months. So what if you buy a pair of shoes with laces and your 5 year old isn’t quite ready? Chances are your child will outgrow them before the shoes are used much. Both of you will opt for the easy Velcro shoes that still fit or be rushed to tie them yourself to get the family out the door. 

Alternatives to buying shoes with laces to learn to tie shoelaces.

Your child has turned five! Before rushing out the door to purchase new shoes, consider making sure they can tie shoelaces first. Here are a few options. The last one I go into more detail for set up because that is my preferred method.

1. Bestow upon your 5 year old a stinky old shoe with laces. Just kidding…but kind of not. If you have an old pair of shoes just lying around allow your child to practice tying shoelaces with it. 
2. Cut a piece of cardboard and punch holes to resemble a shoe. Thread yarn or an old pair of shoelaces through the holes so that it mimics the lacing of shoelaces. This can now be used to practice on.
3. My preferred option! It combines option 1 and 2 together. Use a cardboard shoebox to mimic the shape of a shoe. I have found that a shoebox allows a child to hold it between their legs. This allows for a comfortable position and stability, which option 2 does not provide.

Option 3 details: The shoebox to learn to tie shoelaces. 

What you’ll need.

For this activity you will need yarn, a cardboard shoe box or kleenex box, and coloring supplies. I enjoy including my child in making their box. Threading the yarn through the holes is good practice of fine motor skills. 

Turn the box into a shoe.

To begin, your child can color the box with whichever medium you prefer. This will also depend on the box you chose. Next, take the cardboard box and using a knife or pencil pierce two holes in a side that is solid. You will need to be the one performing this step. The holes should be about a thumbs length apart. 

Next, cut the yarn to be about the length of elbow to fingertips. I always keep this craft yarn supplied for my boys because of the range of colors. Then wrap tape around the ends to secure the strands and mimic actual shoe laces. You can do more holes and lace it to mimic the appearance of shoelaces in a shoe. The yarn will need to be longer if this is what you prefer.

Your child can do this next step. Thread the yarn through the holes so that the ends come out of the box. Your box should now resemble a shoe!

Let’s practice: learn to tie shoelaces.

Now have them place the box securely between their legs. The box shouldn’t move and you can step your child through how to tie shoelaces. This will look different from family to family.

Some create bunny ears while others create a tree, have the bunny run around the tree, and into their den. However you tie your own shoes is how you should show your child. 

Sit with them and demonstrate. Then allow them to try with your guidance. They now have an easy and fun way to practice tying shoelaces. 

You’ll know when your child is ready for shoes with tie shoelaces.

The beauty of this activity is that you do not have to worry about purchasing a pair of shoes only to find out that your child is not ready to tie shoelaces yet. It can also be used as a motivator for your child. You can offer to buy them their first pair of shoes with laces if they learn how to tie shoelaces first. 

However you decide to teach your child to tie shoelaces, good luck! Don’t let it become a frustrating endeavor for your child. There is a fine line between frustrating and challenging. Step away and try again in a few weeks if your child is becoming exasperated.

More creative activities for kids in homeschool.

The blog here at Playing for Hours is full of activities and free printables for your homeschool. If this activity benefits your homeschool then be sure to check out more free content at Letter of the Week or on the blog. The activities and printables are perfect for all elementary ages. The lessons can be modified to suit your child. If you have a child in preschool then there are more alphabet activities. These include coloring pages, review time, and themes to make your preschooler’s lessons play based and interesting. Learn more or sign up at the button below.

Learn to tie shoelaces.