How to Make Tap Shoes for Preschoolers
Tap dancing is one of the most universally appealing of all preschool activities. After all, what preschooler doesn't love to dance? What preschooler doesn't love noise? Unfortunately, preschoolers outgrow shoes at an alarming rate and many parents don't relish the thought of spending at least twenty dollars for specialty shoes that their preschooler may use only a few times before the shoes are outgrown. The solution is simple: parents can easily make preschool tap shoes at home, and replace them with professional shoes when the child is older, if she develops a serious interest in dance.
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Instructions
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Choose your shoes. You can use any of your preschooler's shoes, or buy a new pair. Sneakers, dress shoes or sandals are fine, but make sure that they're comfortable and fit your child well. If you plan to attach the taps with glue, choose a pair of shoes that don't need a perfect sole when you remove the taps.
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Choose your taps. Any metal pieces will do. You can use pennies, quarters, metal washers, or even jar lids. Whatever you choose, you will need enough to cover a decent portion of the bottom of each shoe at both the toe and the heel. If you choose washers, you may need only four. If you choose pennies, however, you will need at least eight (depending upon the size of your preschooler's shoes).
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Attach your taps. You can use a sturdy glue such as superglue. If you choose this option, simply glue the taps in place and wait for the glue to dry. You can also secure the taps with string. Thread the string through the hole of each washer (or through a hole you have punched in another type of metal piece) and wind it around each side of the metal, then bring each end of the string around the top of the shoe and tie the tap in place.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want your preschooler's tap shoes to last for longer, use a more secure method of attachment. Taps are attached to professionally-made tap shoes using short screws. Simply choose a shoe with a thicker, solid sole and select two to three screws shorter than the sole. You will need to punch holes in the metal before screwing it in.
In a pinch, you can also secure the taps with tape. Be aware, however, that this will deaden the sound of the taps.
The metal surface of the taps can be slippery, particularly for younger preschoolers. Have your preschooler test her shoes while holding your hands first. If she's slipping, choose a smaller or more textured metal piece for the taps or scuff the metal on outside cement.
References
- Photo Credit Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images
