Helping a Child Who Walks on Tiptoes: Activities and Tips for Parents
Understanding toe walking and supporting healthy foot development through play-based strategies
At Lekker Land, we keep a close eye on the way children move, balance, and explore the world with their bodies. One thing we sometimes notice is toe walking — when a child regularly walks on the balls of their feet without their heels touching the ground.
This can be quite common in early childhood, and for many children, it’s just a phase. However, for some, it may be linked to sensory sensitivities, tight calf muscles, or simply the habit of always wearing shoes that restrict movement.
Here are some fun, easy-to-try activities and exercises to encourage flat-foot walking and support healthy development.
👣 1. Barefoot Adventures
Purpose: Encourages proper foot muscle activation and sensory feedback for improved walking habits.
- Foot Flexing Walks: Let your child walk barefoot on different textures — grass, sand, soft mats. These surfaces help activate all the muscles in the feet.
- Heel-to-Toe Practice: Show your child how to walk slowly from heel to toe. Practice this like a game across the room or outside on a path.
🧡 Why it works: Barefoot play naturally strengthens the feet and helps children become more aware of how they walk.
⚖️ 2. Balance and Strength Exercises
Purpose: Builds strength in the feet, ankles, and legs while promoting coordination and stability.
- Balance Beam Game: Use a low beam, chalk line, or even tile grout lines to walk along — heel-to-toe.
- One-Foot Stands: Challenge your child to balance like a flamingo! Count how long they can stand on each foot.
- Controlled Toe Lifts: Let them rise onto their toes and slowly lower back down — it builds strength and body control.
🧡 Why it works: Building strength in the lower legs improves balance and gives children more control over their walking patterns.
🧘♀️ 3. Stretching for Flexibility
Purpose: Loosens tight muscles and improves ankle mobility.
- Wall Calf Stretch: Hands on the wall, one leg forward, one leg stretched behind with the heel down. Hold for 20–30 seconds, then switch.
- Ankle Circles: Seated with legs out, guide your child to draw circles in the air with their feet — both directions.
🧡 Why it works: Flexible calves and ankles help feet stay grounded and reduce the natural tendency to rise onto the toes.
🦶 4. Foot Awareness Activities
Purpose: Promotes sensory feedback from the soles of the feet and better posture control.
- Foot Massage: After playtime, massage your child’s feet. Focus on heels, arches, and toes to build awareness and relaxation.
- Ball Walking: Let your child roll a small ball under their foot while standing or sitting — this helps them “feel” where their foot is on the ground.
🧡 Why it works: Kids who understand how their feet feel and move are more likely to use them correctly.
🎯 5. Strength and Control Through Toys and Tools
Purpose: Makes muscle training fun and functional.
- Resistance Band Play: Stretch bands are great for flexing and strengthening foot and ankle muscles.
- Push and Pull Games: Ask your child to push a toy car or pull a small weighted object — this builds natural gait patterns with proper weight distribution.
🧡 Why it works: Adding a fun goal keeps kids engaged while reinforcing correct movement.
👟 Should Children Wear Shoes All Day?
Wearing shoes constantly can limit a child’s ability to explore full foot movement. In fact, always being in shoes may contribute to continued toe walking.
At Lekker Land, we encourage barefoot play during most activities — indoors and outside — especially in safe spaces. It allows children to grip, balance, and stretch their toes freely.
In winter, we recommend soft, loose-fitting shoes that offer warmth without restricting movement.
💬 Final Thought
Every child is unique, and some simply prefer their toes! But if toe walking becomes frequent or persistent, it's worth gently incorporating these exercises into your child’s daily routine.
At Lekker Land, we support every step of your child’s journey — from the tip of their toes to the soles of their growing, exploring feet. 🦶💛