DIY: Non-Slip Socks for a Baby

The last thing your baby needs when learning to walk on his own is a pair of slippery socks that makes it more difficult--and dangerous. Tile and hardwood floors can be especially treacherous to new walkers. Customizing your own anti-slip socks can give your baby the traction she needs to avoid spills and confidently tackle the challenges of getting around on her own.

  1. Choosing Materials

    • Socks must be well-fitting and comfortable for your baby, or they will come off, get pulled off or bunch when your little one wears them. Try socks on your baby before altering them to ensure proper fit. Wash and dry the socks before applying the anti-slip treatment. New shocks should always be pre-shrunk first. Buy soft-textured fabric paint (sometimes called puff paint) to make the non-slip tread. The paint comes in many different colors, as well as glitter and metallic versions.

    Make an Outline

    • Have your child stand on a piece of cardboard and trace around her feet. This does not have to be precise; a rough outline will work. A brown cardboard shipping box or any scrap cardboard can be the pattern. Cut out the footprints and insert them into the socks so the fabric stretches as if the socks actually were on your child's feet. Now you'll have a nice flat area to work on that mimics your child's natural footprint.

    Decorating Socks

    • Apply the fabric paint in a zigzag or polka dot pattern, or get really imaginative and paint designs using different shapes and colors. Consider making little daises on a pair of girl's socks, or lollipops, a sailboat or a dinosaur for something more neutral. Get as creative as you wish. Do not cover the entire bottom of the sock; leave some fabric exposed for flexibility. Allow the socks to dry for at least 12 hours. Rewash them and dry them on low heat before putting them on your baby.

    Care of socks

    • Clean the socks in your machine on the normal wash cycle, but always dry them on low heat. Drying on high heat will cause the paint to crack and peel.

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