I think I nailed it

You really hit the nail on the head with that pun ;)

i did this at work when i was 12, but a plastic spike, went through my shoe and nearly into the arch of my foot

Aw fuck no, just looking at this gave me tetanus

that could have gone SO much worse. Back in the day my dad, brothers and I would go on walks and go into the houses being built just to check em out... my oldest brother stepped on a nail that went through his sandal and came out the top of his foot.

I’ve (accidentally) run across carpet tack strips before while barefoot. Not a fun time... I don’t recommend getting your carpet replaced with young children in the house at the same time. (I was around 7/8)