Halloween is right around the corner, and that means it's time again for our annual Halloween contest! It's simple... have your child draw a picture of his/her costume and our fans will vote for their favorite. The winner will receive a free pair of our design-your-own shoes to match it, shipped in time for Halloween! Scroll down for more details...

It's a familiar story. Fall is here, teachers are readying their classrooms for new faces, and families are preparing for the approaching school year. Backpacks are being stocked with freshly-sharpened pencils, folders are being personalized with bright stickers, and closets and drawers are being gutted and appraised to find the gaps left by the growth, wear, and forgetfulness of last...

September is upon us, heralding back-to-school milestones for many Soft Star families. In the spirit of the season, we asked our readers to share with us their most memorable learning experiences, and WOW, did you ever deliver!! We were blown away by the outpouring of educational stories, ranging from touching to challenging to hilarious...and everything in between! We are honored...

IT'S BEEN 30 YEARS! Last month, we celebrated Soft Star's 30th anniversary by taking the whole staff to Oaks Amusement Park in nearby Portland, Oregon. The festivities are still underway at our workshop as we prepare to release our new chukka shoe. This week, we're excited to share our latest creation: a timeline of Soft Star's history, starting from humble...

By now, most friends of Soft Star have heard about our Back-to-School Healthy Prize-Pack Giveaway, and we’re SO excited by all the responses! We love reliving your families’ cherished learning experiences with you, played-out in the classroom, on the playground, or around the dinner table. In fact, the recent push for improved food education and cafeteria offerings in American schools...

Fall school days are on their way, bringing tons of exciting new classes, friendships, and experiences. Year after year, however, there’s always one period eagerly-anticipated by kids and teenagers alike: lunch! Growing students have big appetites, and not just for learning. Unfortunately, while good, wholesome food-for-thought has always been a priority in American classrooms, less attention has often been given...

Believe it or not, it's been 30 years since Tim and Jeanie Oliver sold their first pair of Softstar shoes in 1985. This is a big anniversary for us, especially at a time when we're preparing to mark another milestone by moving to a bigger workshop. It's definitely a far step from the old school bus the Olivers once used...