Why include The Shoe That Grows in your Christmas shoebox? To best answer this question, let’s first explore the inspiration behind The Shoe That Grows. 

WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR THE SHOE THAT GROWS COME FROM? 

In 2007, Because International’s founder Kenton Lee traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to live and work at a small orphanage. One day while out walking with some of the kids, he noticed a little girl in a white dress walking next to him. Looking down at her feet, he was shocked to see how small her shoes were. They were so small that she had to cut open the front of her shoes to let her toes stick out.

That’s the day that Kenton thought: What if there were a shoe that could adjust and expand in size? What if there were a shoe that could grow? 

And the idea for The Shoe That Grows was born. 

It took Kenton and a group of friends more than six years to take his idea and turn it into a reality. But they finally did—and today, nearly 500,000 pairs have been distributed in 100+ countries. 

HOW DOES THE SHOE THAT GROWS WORK? 

The Shoe That Grows adjusts in seven places to expand five sizes: heel strap, ankle strap, four side straps, and the hook-and-loop toe piece. As the child grows, they can make personalized adjustments to expand their pair as needed! 

The sole of The Shoe That Grows is made with a single molded piece for increased durability. The front and back of the sole flatten over time as a foot grows, providing more space for the foot to fit comfortably. 

The Shoe That Grows has undergone rigorous testing in both the field and factory to ensure each pair lasts as long as possible for the child who receives it! Plus, we visit past distribution sites to conduct additional research and ask kids how we can improve the shoes. 

WHY INCLUDE THE SHOE THAT GROWS IN YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX? 

An estimated 300 million kids around the world don’t have access to a pair of shoes—something that we believe all kids deserve. By including The Shoe That Grows in your Christmas shoebox, you’re not just providing a pair of shoes—you’re providing shoes that last longer than other pairs. 

When packing items in your Christmas shoebox, it’s important to think about the long-term needs of the child in addition to what might bring them joy. A pair of flip-flops would help a child who is shoeless, but it won’t last them longer than a few weeks or months before either being outgrown or wearing down and ending up in the landfill. With The Shoe That Grows, you can help protect a child’s feet for years to come. 

Here’s what a few of our supporters say about why they include The Shoe That Grows in their Christmas shoeboxes each year. 

“I was so excited to include these shoes in two of my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes this year. Shoes are such a needed item! They are great quality and a great price, and I love being able to adjust the shoe to fit the child. The shoes are stuffed with three matchbox cars, a yo-yo, briefs, and an XL boy’s t-shirt. That left plenty of room in the box for all the other needed items.  Perfect!” –Kim

“The Shoe That Grows was the “wow” gift in a box packed for a 10–13-year-old girl. I was surprised at how durable and comfortable/flexible the shoes seemed, and yet they left room for quite a few more items (everything fit in a standard-size plastic shoe box). The Shoe That Grows is such a cool idea!” –Lanalee

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SHOE THAT GROWS AND CHRISTMAS SHOEBOXES

What if it’s going somewhere cold? 

We understand that it can be difficult to pack a box not knowing where your recipient lives! While our shoes are best suited for warm environments, we still think that a pair of lasting, durable shoes is a huge improvement for children anywhere. Many people who include The Shoe That Grows in their box toss in a pair of wool socks just in case! 

How much does The Shoe That Grows weigh? 

It depends on the age of the child you’re packing a Christmas shoebox for, but each size weighs one pound or less. 

How long does shipping take? 

Once your order has been confirmed, you should receive your package in less than 10 business days within the contiguous US. However, we’d recommend ordering The Shoe That Grows more than two weeks before your deadline (such as before a Christmas shoebox packing party) to ensure you receive them in time. 

If you live within driving distance of Nampa, Idaho, you’re more than welcome to select local pick-up and collect them in person during business hours. 

Is there a minimum order amount? 

We can fulfill orders of any size—whether you’re sending one Christmas shoebox or hundreds.

Still have questions about including The Shoe That Grows in your Christmas shoebox? We’d love to hear from you! Email us your questions at info@becauseinternational.org and we will get back to you within two business days. 

If you’re ready, you can place an order to pack your Christmas shoebox with The Shoe That Grows below. Thanks for your passion for sending meaningful gifts to kids around the world impacted by poverty! Because poverty is a problem we can solve together.