Why Do Your Fingers Get Wrinkly in Water? Science for Kids

Dad, How Does It Work? Science Podcast for Kids · Aug 30, 2026 · 5m

You’re sitting in the bath, and suddenly your fingers look completely different.

Why do they get wrinkly while the rest of your skin mostly doesn’t?

You might think your fingers are just soaking up water like little sponges.

But then why are your fingertips and toes the ones that wrinkle the most?

And why are your nerves involved in something as simple as bath wrinkles?

It turns out your body is actually helping create those wrinkles.

And there may be a surprisingly useful reason they appear when things get wet.