As a mum and a podiatrist, I’ve spent a lot of time watching how kids move — at Auskick, on the playground, and even running around the backyard barefoot. Flat feet are something I see almost every day in clinic. Sometimes parents come in worried because their child’s arches look different to others. Other times it’s because a teacher or GP has raised a concern. Occasionally, it’s after a fall or ongoing foot pain that won’t settle.
Here’s the truth: most kids have what we’d call a “flat foot” up to a certain age, and in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. But in some kids, the way the foot rolls in or flattens is more than just a phase — it can start to affect how they move, walk, and even grow.
I remember seeing a five-year-old boy last year — let’s call him Max. He loved running but kept tripping over, especially when turning quickly. His mum noticed he didn’t want to play tag anymore at kinder. She wasn’t sure if it was just clumsiness or something more. When Max came in, we found his feet were extremely flexible and rolling in a lot — far more than usual for his age. It was causing his ankles to wobble and his knees to work overtime.
That’s the key — it’s not just about whether a foot looks flat. It’s about how it functions. Is it causing pain? Slowing your child down? Leading to poor posture or sore legs at night? That’s where a podiatrist can help.
What Are Flat Feet in Kids?
Understanding what’s normal and when things might need support
A lot of parents are surprised to learn that a child’s foot arch doesn’t fully form until around the age of 7. In fact, most babies and toddlers appear completely flat-footed — and that’s completely normal. Their bones are still forming, and the soft tissues (like ligaments and muscles) are extremely flexible.
From around 3 years old, we start to see subtle changes. The arch begins to lift a little, the muscles around the ankle get stronger, and kids start to stabilise their movement. But this process isn’t overnight — it’s gradual and varies from child to child.
👣 Anatomy Behind the Arch
There’s one small but mighty bone called the navicular that plays a key role in arch development. It’s like the keystone of a bridge — and interestingly, it doesn’t fully ossify (turn to bone) until around 7 years old. Until then, the foot is more like soft clay than hard stone.
Here’s a rough timeline of what’s typical:
|
Age |
What’s Happening in the Foot |
|
0–2 |
Very flat feet are common. Fat pads and soft bones give the appearance of no arch at all. |
|
3–4 |
Some soft tissue strengthening begins. Still often flat-footed, especially when standing. |
|
5–6 |
Arches may start forming visually. Some children still appear flat but are transitioning. |
|
7+ |
Navicular bone starts to ossify. A more defined arch is typically visible in standing. |
Keep in mind — some children form arches later than others, especially if they’re hypermobile or have joint laxity (which we often see in kids who can bend like little yogis).
Why This Matters
If a child’s foot rolls in excessively — beyond what we expect for their age — it can start to affect other areas. Think of it like a house with a crooked foundation. The knees, hips and even the spine can be impacted if the base isn’t working properly.
I’ve had little dancers who kept complaining of “growing pains” in their calves that turned out to be linked to poor foot mechanics. Once we strengthened their foot muscles and supported their arches, those aches eased right off.
Should I Be Worried About My Child’s Flat Feet?
How to tell the difference between normal and not-so-normal foot types
It’s completely understandable to feel a bit unsure when you notice your child’s feet looking different to others. I often say to parents in clinic, “It’s not about how the foot looks — it’s about how it moves and whether it’s causing problems.”
The Two Main Types of Flat Feet
There are two common types of flat feet we see in children: flexible and rigid.
- Flexible Flat Feet
This is the most common — and often not a problem at all.
- What it looks like: The arch is visible when your child is sitting or standing on tiptoes, but it disappears when they stand flat on the ground.
- What it means: The foot is mobile, adaptable, and usually pain-free. These kids often have more flexible joints overall — think of children who can do the splits or sit in a W-position.
- When to monitor: If your child isn’t experiencing pain, clumsiness or fatigue, flexible flat feet usually don’t need treatment. But we do like to keep an eye on how they develop — especially around school age.
- Rigid Flat Feet
These are less common and may need closer attention.
- What it looks like: The arch is always flat — whether sitting, standing or on tiptoes. The foot often looks stiff, and your child might have trouble moving it side to side.
- What it means: The joints may be restricted or the ligaments unusually tight. These feet are less able to absorb shock, which can increase the risk of pain in the ankles, knees or hips.
- When to act: If your child has pain, trips often, avoids running or complains of tired legs, it’s worth booking an assessment.
Quick At-Home Checklist
Here’s a simple way to assess whether your child’s flat feet might need a closer look:
|
Question |
What to Watch For |
|
Do their feet flatten completely when standing? |
Normal before age 5; check flexibility after age 7 |
|
Can you see an arch when they’re sitting or on tiptoes? |
Yes = Flexible. No = Might be rigid — assess further |
|
Do they often trip or tire quickly from walking? |
May suggest poor stability or muscle fatigue |
|
Do they complain of pain in heels, knees, or legs? |
Worth investigating — could be linked to alignment |
|
Do their shoes wear out unevenly (especially the inner heel)? |
Could indicate overpronation or instability |
When Flat Feet Start Causing Problems
Everyday signs from the playground, footy field and dance studio
Most of the time, kids with flat feet run around happily without any trouble. But there are some cases where those flat little feet start to create bigger issues — especially once kids become more active.
Over the years in clinic, I’ve seen all sorts of children come through with subtle but important signs that something wasn’t quite right. And it’s often not obvious unless you know what to look for.
Common Real-Life Scenarios
“They’re just a bit clumsy…”
One little boy I saw — let’s call him Ethan — loved playing Auskick, but he kept falling during drills. His parents thought it might just be growing pains or lack of coordination. But during the assessment, we found he had significant rolling in through both feet. His ankles were collapsing inwards, throwing off his balance and forcing his knees to twist inward. A classic case of flat feet affecting alignment.
“She stopped wanting to dance”
A young girl named Zoe came in after suddenly losing interest in ballet. Her teacher had noticed she was avoiding certain positions at the barre, and her mum mentioned she’d been asking to sit out during class. It turns out Zoe had very flexible flat feet that were putting strain on her calves and heels — especially in second position and relevé. Once we introduced strengthening and foot support, she was back twirling in no time.
“He hates wearing his school shoes”
Some kids, especially in hot Melbourne summers, love to be barefoot — but if your child avoids shoes completely or complains of sore feet after school, it can be a red flag. Flat feet can make rigid school shoes feel uncomfortable, especially if there’s no internal support. Watch for excessive wear on the inside edge of the sole — it’s a telltale sign of overpronation.
When Flat Feet Can Contribute to Issues
- Tripping and poor balance
- Fatigue after short periods of walking
- Pain in heels, arches, knees or hips
- “Growing pains” that persist or worsen
- Postural issues (like in-toeing or knock knees)
- Toe-walking or favouring one foot
- Avoidance of physical activity or low confidence with sport
What Can Be Done for Flat Feet in Children?
Treatment that’s gentle, proven, and age-appropriate
When it comes to treating flat feet in kids, I always say: support first, intervene only when needed. The goal isn’t to “fix” flat feet just because they look different — it’s to help your child move comfortably, confidently, and pain-free.
That’s why every treatment plan we create at Well Heeled Podiatry is tailored to your child’s symptoms, activity level, and age — not just how their feet look.
1. Strengthening the Foot and Ankle
This is always our first line of defence, especially for flexible flat feet.
We use simple, kid-friendly exercises that build up key muscles around the arch and ankle — without turning it into a chore. Think:
- Toe curls with marbles
- Balance games on wobble cushions
- Calf raises while brushing teeth
- “Towel scrunch” races — one of my go-to clinic tricks!
These strengthen the intrinsic foot muscles, support ankle alignment, and build proprioception (body awareness). We also target hips and glutes where needed, as these play a big role in lower limb control.
2. Footwear Recommendations
Proper shoes matter more than people think — especially in growing feet. We’ll often suggest:
- Firm heel counter (stops the foot from rolling in)
- Structured arch support built into the sole
- Flexible forefoot so they can still move naturally
- Velcro or laces over slip-ons for better control
For school shoes, we prefer brands like Ascent or Clarks with podiatry-approved models. For sports, New Balance and Asics offer great support for active kids.
3. Orthotic Therapy (When Needed)
If your child’s flat feet are causing pain or significantly affecting function, we may introduce orthotics. These aren’t hard or uncomfortable — modern orthotics are lightweight, flexible, and designed to suit active little feet.
They work by:
- Supporting the arch during weight-bearing
- Reducing tissue strain through the plantar fascia and Achilles
- Encouraging better alignment of knees and hips
We often start with semi-custom or pre-fabricated options, and adjust as needed. Full custom orthotics are typically only needed in more complex or persistent cases.
4. Monitoring & Reassessment
If your child has flat feet but no symptoms, we’ll often recommend annual reviews to monitor development — especially during growth spurts or activity changes (e.g., starting netball or prep).
A little tracking goes a long way.
Common Parent FAQs
|
Q |
Answer |
|
Will flat feet go away on their own? |
Sometimes, especially if they’re flexible and under age 7. But not always — it depends on the structure and symptoms. |
|
Do all kids with flat feet need orthotics? |
Not at all. Many don’t need anything more than strengthening and good shoes. |
|
Can I just buy shoes with arch support? |
It helps, but they don’t address the root issue if your child needs more correction. That’s why assessment is key. |
When to Seek Help — And What to Expect from a Podiatry Visit
Our approach to assessing and supporting children with flat feet
If you’re unsure whether your child’s flat feet need attention, the best step is often a calm, supportive assessment. That doesn’t mean you’re signing up for orthotics or treatment on the spot — it simply gives you answers.
At Well Heeled Podiatry, our goal is to reassure, not alarm. We’ve helped hundreds of families navigate this phase with confidence and care.
What Happens During an Appointment?
Here’s what a typical assessment looks like:
- Medical and Developmental History
We’ll ask about birth history, milestones (like walking age), and family patterns. Many flat feet are genetic — if Mum or Dad has hypermobile feet, the kids often do too! - Gait and Postural Analysis
We observe your child walking, running, standing and balancing. This helps us spot compensations or asymmetries. - Foot Flexibility Tests
We check whether the flat foot is rigid or flexible, and whether the arch appears in non-weight-bearing. - Joint Mobility and Muscle Strength
We assess hip and knee control, as poor strength here can make flat feet worse — especially in sporty kids. - Footwear Review
Bring in their school shoes or sport runners — we’ll check for wear patterns and fit. - Treatment Plan
If needed, we’ll provide a mix of exercises, footwear tweaks, and possibly orthotics. You’ll get a clear, written plan with timelines and goals.
Real Case Snapshot: “Sophie, Age 8”
Sophie’s mum booked in after noticing her daughter was walking on the inside edges of her feet and asking to be carried after school. Sophie also didn’t want to play soccer anymore — she said her “legs felt tired all the time.”
In clinic, we found she had flexible flat feet with poor glute strength and very rolled-in ankles. Her shoes had deep wear on the inner heels.
We started with:
- Daily “monkey toes” games to build foot muscles
- Hip strengthening twice a week
- Orthotic inserts for her school shoes
- A better-fitting pair of runners
After 6 weeks, Sophie was back on the soccer field — smiling and pain-free.
When Should You Book an Appointment?
Call us if you notice:
- Your child frequently trips or avoids physical activity
- Complaints of leg, foot or knee pain (especially at night)
- Flat feet that don’t show any arch when sitting
- Uneven shoe wear or awkward walking patterns
- Family history of foot or knee problems
You don’t need a referral, and early care can prevent future issues as your child grows.
Let’s Get Them Back on Their Feet
Whether your child is just starting prep, trying out for footy, or tiptoeing through a dance routine — healthy feet make a big difference. If you’re unsure, we’re here to help.
Book an assessment with our experienced podiatry team — we’ll give you answers, not pressure, and help your child move with confidence again.
