Easy slip on tap shoes

I used to teach dance an eternity ago. Now that Ella has started her first dance classes, things feel like they have come full circle. Here is one trick for replacing those annoying ties that come with the standard maryjane style tap shoes.

With her shoes like this, Ella can slip them on and off all by herself, and they are just snug enough to stay on her feet during her enthusiastic shuffling.

The secret: The ball type pony tail holder. (I bought mine in a variety pack at Target)

Slide the elastic by one ball into the shoelace hole of the tap shoe

Bring the elastic up and over the ball

Take the elastic on the other side and slip it through the shoelace hole

Bring the elastic up over the ball

Done!
Happy Dancing!*

*Not pictured, but I also took a zebra sticker, cut it in half, and placed each half in each shoe. Then Ella can make sure her shoes are on the correct feet by matching up the zebra. Now, everyone runs out of dance to have their parent help them change into their tap shoes from their ballet shoes and I keep on playing angry birds while Ella is able to do it all by herself. :)