Toe facts for kids

Toes are the parts at the end of your foot. They help you balance and move around.

Did you know that different animals walk in different ways?

• Some animals, like cats and dogs, walk on their toes. They are called digitigrade animals.
• Humans and bears walk on the whole bottom of their feet. We are called plantigrade animals.
• Animals with hooves, like horses and deer, walk on their hooves, which are like very strong toenails. They are called unguligrade animals.

In humans, each toe has small bones that connect to the main part of your foot. The toe on the inside of your foot is the biggest and strongest. It's called the big toe or hallux. The toe on the other side is usually the smallest.

Toes, especially your big toe, are super important for walking and keeping your balance. Even if you lost your smallest toe, it probably wouldn't change how you walk much.

What Are Toes Made Of?

Your toes are made of small bones called phalanges. Each toe has three phalanges, except for your big toe, which only has two. These bones are connected by joints, which let your toes bend.

How Toes Help You Move

Toes play a key role in how you walk, run, and jump. When you take a step, your toes push off the ground. This gives you the power to move forward. They also help you keep your balance, especially when you are standing still or moving on uneven ground.

Fun Facts About Toes

• The big toe is usually the strongest and most important for balance.
• Some people can use their toes to pick up small objects, just like fingers!
• Toenails protect the tips of your toes from injury.

Related pages

• Phalanges
• Bones of the foot
• Foot

Images for kids

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  Bones of the right foot. This shows the bottom view.

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  A woman's toes decorated with nail polish and henna. She is wearing a metti (toe ring) on her second toe for her wedding.

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  The feet of Michelangelo's David.

See also

In Spanish: Dedos del pie para niños