You aren't alone if you're curious about this trend of parents gluing pennies to their kids' shoes. It would be great to understand the reason behind it. Why glue pennies to the bottoms of shoes? Well, glueing pennies to the soles of your kids' shoes is a nifty hack that some parents have been trying out. However, it might sound like an odd DIY project. Stick with me (pun intended) as we discuss why parents glue pennies to shoes.

The innovative nature of our Vessi shoes is often compared to the idea of glueing pennies to the bottom of the shoes. With its waterproof technology, Vessi challenges traditional footwear norms, ensuring you are always prepared for whatever comes your way. Besides, Vessi addresses the importance of a solid foundation for a smooth and reliable walking experience. Just as the pennies offer an unconventional yet practical solution, Vessi's sole engineering delivers an unmatched level of support and innovation, elevating your every step.

Why Glue Pennies to the Bottom of Shoes?

1. To Serve as Tap Dance Shoes

For instance, a kid you might have seen wearing kicks on his shoes could be practicing tap dance. Tap shoes are generally costly, and the trickier ones only provide the tapping sound.

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A parent may decide to purchase second-hand tap shoes that are not fit for daily usage. What would be the best and cheapest technique for acquiring tap dancing shoes that could be described as reasonable? Yes, you guessed it right!

Despite the above-mentioned recommendations, some parents might prefer to glue pennies into their kids' or other shoes; this is cheap.

2. For Fun

Most kids like making noise with their shoes around the house. Parents glueing pennies to the shoes is the ideal approach to ensuring their kids have fun while staying active. They will love the tapping sound from the shoes and will happily run and jump from one place to another.

3. To Enhance Traction

The soles of your shoes may wear out with time, and therefore, they offer no traction at all. Otherwise, the patterns made from glued pennies are useful, providing more traction in these cases. However, the traction will not be as powerful as in the original solution.

4. To Keep Your Kids Alert

Most kids tend to get distracted easily. Parents often glue pennies to their children's shoes to keep them from distractions while walking. The tap-tap sound can keep the kid alert while walking rather than diverting their mind to something else.

Steps on How to Glue Pennies to the Bottom of Shoes

Materials Needed

1. Child's shoes

2. Pennies

3. Super glue

4. Sandpaper or a rough surface (if necessary for better adhesion)

5. Protective gloves (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Shoes

First, prepare the shoe soles by washing the surface to remove any dirt, dust, or other tars that may be on them. In addition, if the shoe bottoms are extremely slippery, we urge that you rub the bottom of the shoe with sandpaper or any abrasive surface to further improve the stickiness of the glue to the shoe material.

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Remember that it is important to prepare properly so that you suggest a good bond to the shoe soles and pennies that is permanent.

Step 2: Select a Few Pennies

Make sure you have at least 8-10 pennies; you can probably have more if needed. Using the pennies, decide on the arrangement or pattern preferred on the soles. Try to make all of the pennies you use flat on the sole of the shoe equally so as to create better balance and friction. Do not group all of them together since it might create an unstable walking disposition.

Step 3: Apply Glue to the Sole

After getting a good number of pennies and seeing that the only part of the shoe is clean and dry, it is time to attach glue to the shoe soles. It is necessary to put a small quantity of glue on the sole surface and the back side of every penny very thoroughly. Do not apply too much glue at a time in order to avoid it coming out once it is pressed on the shoe. Also, to prevent the pennies from falling off, especially when the kid is dancing or walking, use super glue to fix them firmly.

However, if one is using super glue, it is wise to apply it with a small craft brush or a toothpick. If the pennies are not glued well, then getting the shoe's legs back to a balanced state will be hard.

Step 4: Stick the Pennies

Slowly and gently align the penny over the intended area on the shoe sole. Place the shoe upside down and tighten the pennies by pressing very hard to ensure a better connection. Next, wipe the pennies with a towel to rinse out any excess glue that may surround them.

After the pennies are placed, place the shoes on the floor. The pressure of the shoe pushing the floor should be enough to confine the pennies within the shoe.

Step 5: Inspect and Test

Check the pennies to make sure each one is well fastened to the corresponding part after the glue has set. Bend them slightly or twist about to see if you can feel any gaps. In addition, you need to ensure the shoes level itself correctly on the ground.

Before allowing your kid to wear the shoes, test them on a safe surface to ensure the penny offers the desired traction. If one of the sides is higher than the other, remove the pennies and glue them again correctly.

Tips for Glueing Pennies to the Bottom of Shoes

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1. Choose the Right Shoes

Choose shoes with hard-wearing soles made from rubber or synthetic material that can deform. These materials provide a better surface for the pennies to stick to and ensure that they stick more appropriately. We have created several kid's shoe collections for you to choose from.

Do not use slimmer or lightweight soles as they offer poor hold to the pennies and may be damaged when gluing.

2. Avoid Using Tape

Some parents try to attach pennies to a child’s shoe with tape, hoping that it will work, and of course, it does miserably. Glues are more effective than tapes. Tapes generally are not capable of having the same sort of holding power to attain the adhesive of need. Therefore, avoid using tape. Still, for this purpose, you should only use super glue.

3. Inspect and Change the Coins Over Time

If your child loves tap dancing, those pennies will probably get worn out quite fast. And with time, the shoe's proportions can diminish, which is bad for a tap shoe. Besides, the pennies will eventually wear out, even if the child uses the shoes for walking.

Consequently, you'd need to change the pennies occasionally. This will ensure your child can dance or walk properly on any surface.

4. Avoid Weighing Out the Shoe

Pennies are metal coins. If you glue too many on the sole, they will make the shoes so heavy that you barely get to wear them. It might be quite challenging to walk around in overweight shoes. Hence, it is advisable to avoid weighing out the shoes while sticking them in the pennies.

5. Allow Enough Drying Time

Once you are done cleaning the shoe soles, make sure you allow them enough time to dry before applying the glue. Also, after sticking or gluing the needed thing, it is also advisable to allow shoes some time to dry before testing. Drying also enhances the adhesion between pennies and the shoe soles, which means that the do-it-yourself mod should perdure.

How to Remove the Glued Pennies from the Bottom of Shoes

It is cumbersome to change the pennies or to remove them from the sole of the shoes, but that can also be achieved with the right equipment and effort. Here are the steps to follow:

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Materials Needed

1. Putty knife or box cutter

2. Adhesive remover

3. Rubbing alcohol

4. Clean cloth

5. Mild soap and water

6. A drop cloth

Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area

Ensure you use a clean environment to work on. Cover the floor with polythene paper to avoid having to work on debris that might fall off during the process.

Step 2: Evaluate the Bottom of the Shoes

It is important to note that some glue types can often be harder to remove than others. If any penny is already loose, try to take it off with your fingers. In essence, if it is strong, do not apply pressure on it, and it may take some time before you can remove it.

Step 3: Soak the Shoes

If the pennies are tightly glued to the shoe sole, it might be best to place them in warm, soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes. Solvents will weaken the adhesive used in the glue, making pealing off the pennies easier.

Step 4: Use a Putty Knife or Box Cutter

With the putty knife or with the box cutter, try to slide this under the points of the pennies and try to remove them off the sole. Take time and avoid accidentally slicing through the upper of the shoe.

However, if pennies that have not been flushed out remain, repeat step 3 until all the pennies are washed out.

Step 5: Apply Adhesive Remover

When all the pennies are out, use an adhesive remover on the sticky part of the bill. Let it sit for a few minutes to help dissolve the adhesive.

Step 6: Scrub Off the Glue Residue

With the glue softened, wipe it off with a clean cloth that is moistened with rubbing alcohol. Apply pressure with the frottage pads in a circular motion paying lots of attention not to scratch the material of the shoe.

Repeat step 5 until all the glue comes out.

Step 7: Clean and Dry the Shoes

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When all the glue residues are gone, wash the shoes using mild soap and water to eliminate any residual glue. Then, let them dry.

Frequently Asked Questions: Why Glue Pennies to the Bottom of Shoes

1. Why do people put pennies in their shoes?

People glue pennies to enhance traction and grip, especially when walking on slippery surfaces or icy roads. The added weight and texture of the pennies provide more stability and reduce the risk of slipping.

2. Why do parents glue pennies to shoes?

Parents glue pennies to their kids' shoes to save money on purchasing expensive tap dancing shoes. It's usually fun for the kids, and parents also find it entertaining. Besides, they may be following a trend and are curious about how it feels when pennies clink.

3. What is the best glue for pennies?

Super glue is the best for attaching pennies to your kid's shoes since it has a strong adhesive for bonding rubber or synthetic materials. Choosing the right glue ensures a secure and durable bond between the pennies and the shoe soles.