Shiny. New. But quickly fleeting. Giving way to layers upon layers of dirt, grass stains, and memories. If discovered one day by an anthropologist, a child’s sneakers should tell a story — a beautiful, fun-filled story of life and laughter. A tale that conveys a thousand memories of play — the cornerstone of childhood.
The anthropologist should see an area over the big toe, warn and stained from kicking rocks embedded in the dirt. A grass stain or three from rolling down a hill and tripping while playing tag. Scuff marks from the rough bark of a favorite climbing tree. The sneakers should be peppered with water marks from playing in or near a creek or pond. And their soles should be scribbled with the names of best friends written in pen, and even a doodle or two. That, my friends, is a pair of sneakers to be proud of! That is a pair of sneakers worthy of childhood.
You see, childhood, like sneakers, was meant to be messy. If a child’s sneakers are not worn to the point of shambles, then something is amiss. Sneakers nor children get messy when they stay inside too much — playing video games, surfing the web, or attending academic enrichment programs. Children need to be free to be kids. To run and jump. To fall down and get back up again. To explore the nooks and crannies of the natural world, to engage their curiosity, and to play and then play some more.
Take a look at the sneakers of the kids in your world. Do they still look a little too new? It’s time to change that, my friends. My challenge to you is this: let them get dirty. Messy. MUDDY — the kids and their sneakers! Think of that anthropologist, and astound them. Show them that in 2009, we can still do childhood proud.
Now, my sneakers are not nearly messy enough. It’s time I took care of that. How about yours?!
See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography
Happy to say that I wore out more than a few pairs of sneakers as a kid
Wearing out your footwear makes you think twice about buying those designer sneakers too. Which must be a good thing.
Ode to Dirty Sneakers, http://digg.com/d1qsqa?OTC-em-sh2
Ode to Dirty Sneakers, http://digg.com/d1qsqa?OTC-...
@balmeras nails it with “Ode to Dirty Sneakers” Good one Bethe! http://twurl.nl/tgcwxo
Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog via activekidsclub[dot]com and I’ll definitely be staying a while here. I look forward to reading more posts about the importance of free-play for kids (and adults)!
Feelin a bit better that 4yo’s shoes -even “dress” ones are filthy RT @balmeras: “Ode to Dirty Sneakers” http://bit.ly/TGMzY.
I prefer throwing caution to the wind and abandoning the sneakers altogether…nothing better than grass (or mud!) between your toes. Great post!
OH, I am very pro-barefoot, too!!! Love sand, mud, rain — all of it — between the toes. But, sometimes we all need to don the sneakers. Here’s to messing them up just right!
Cheers- Bethe
This reminds me of my favorite camp song…
Black socks, they never get dirty
The longer you wear them the thicker they get.
Sometimes, I think of the laundry
But something inside me says
“Don’t send them yet!”
…And I obviously like barefeet
RT @balmeras Ever hv a random thought that turns into a blog post U really like? Had 1 today w/ “Ode to Dirty Sneakers” http://bit.ly/TGMzY
RT @balmeras Ever hv a random thought that turns into a blog post U really like? Had 1 today w/ "Ode to Dirty Sneakers" http://bit.ly/TGMzY
Jill: Oh, camp!!! Love it!
Another wonderful post by @balmeras “Ode to Dirty Sneakers” http://bit.ly/TGMzY #playoutdoors
Another wonderful post by @balmeras "Ode to Dirty Sneakers" http://bit.ly/TGMzY #playoutdoors
@balmeras exactly~ The ode to dirty sneakers inspired me! http://bit.ly/IDBKY
@MarthaGiffen One of my fave post: Ode to Dirty Sneakers http://bit.ly/12gNQn #playoutdoors
@balmeras Yes that was cute! http://bit.ly/12gNQn #playoutdoors
I loved the way you used a pair of “Chucks” as your sneakers. I begged my parents for a pair of those sneakers. The first weekend I had them I was barefoot in a creek. Caught a snapping turtle. What to do? Put it in my new sneakers and brought my discovery home to my smiling parents. Put sneaker right back on foot. Thus started my love of all outdoors and its creatures big and small. Here’s a wish for every kid to experience at least one pair of grass stained sneakers. Oh, my sneakers are still grass stained. Thank YOU
RT @balmeras: Going into my blog closet: Ode to Dirty Sneakers http://bit.ly/TGMzY #playoutdoors #parent Still 1 of my fave posts!
RT @ShellyKramer RT @balmeras: Going into my blog closet: Ode to Dirty Sneakers http://bit.ly/TGMzY RECOMMENDED =0)
I agree completely! A kid’s sneakers (hell, even an adult’s sneakers!) should be dirty, filthy, and KID FRIENDLY! Sneakers should never ever be washed or cleaned–that spoils the fun of them! Keep them dirty, ripped, falling apart,even smelly! They are cuter that way–not to mention more comfortable !