Stretch laces, Slip-ins or real laces: how each pair goes on

Some kids want shoes that flash. Some parents want shoes a child can put on alone. With Skechers kids shoes you can often get both in one pair: the S-Lights Vortex 2.0 lights up and has an adaptive easy-on closure. Start with how the shoe closes.

• Adaptive closure: fixed stretch laces plus an adjustable strap, so the laces stay tied and the strap does the fitting. You will find it on the Bounder, Glide-Step Flow, Microspec Tread and Dynamatic.
• Hands Free Slip-ins: Skechers says the GOrun 400 V2 Tetra Speed lets kids slip in and go without bending down. The Bounder Pro and Bounder Brisk-Burst add a Heel Pillow that holds the foot in place.
• Hook-and-loop: other Go Run 400 V2 pairs close with a hook-and-loop strap instead, so read the full model name.
• Classic laces: the Microspec Advance lace-up, for older kids who tie their own.

Light-up shoes: S-Lights and Heart Lights

The S-Lights Sola Glow 2.0 and Heart Lights Boogie Love have outsoles that flash with multi-color lights on every step. The S-Lights Meteor-Lights closes with a strap, and the Vortex 2.0 has a light-up sculpted midsole.

For football pitches and messy days

For turf, there are the Razor 1.5 Jr and SKX_01 Gold TF boots, with a patterned rubber bottom for grip in every direction. The SKX_01 Gold FG is the firm ground version, with a TPU plate. For muddy play, the Jumpsters 2.0 uses Tuff-Tech and is water-repellent, and the Microspec Zorva and Dynamatic are machine washable. More pairs sit in kids' running shoes and all kids' shoes.

If your child is just learning to dress alone, start with an adaptive-closure pair like the Bounder. If they hate bending down, pick Hands Free Slip-ins. If they ask for lights, go for S-Lights.