Activities for germs are key to making the unseen world of microbes tangible for young learners. Instead of abstract lessons, engaging and hands-on experiences bring this topic to life. This blog post offers several exciting germ activities perfect for your classroom.
From visually demonstrating how germs spread to understanding vital germ prevention techniques, these lessons aim to help your students grasp essential hygiene concepts in a fun and memorable way. Prepare to explore the microscopic world!
15+ Activities for Germs
Explore these classroom-tested activities that will bring the science of microbes to life for your students:
1. Glitter Germs
A visually engaging approach to understanding germ spreading, this activity effectively illustrates how easily germs transfer through direct contact. Observing glitter, acting as a stand-in for germs, as it moves between individuals, helps students grasp transmission and the importance of handwashing.
Material needed:
- Glitter
- Hand sanitizer or lotion
How To Do:
- Have one student put a small amount of glitter on their hands. Explain that the glitter represents germs.
- Ask them to shake hands with another student. Observe how the “germs” transfer.
- Continue having students shake hands with others, noting how the glitter spreads throughout the group.
- Discuss how this illustrates how easily real germs can spread.
2. Bread Mold Experiment
Dive into the fascinating world of microorganisms by observing how mold grows on bread under different conditions. This hands-on activity encourages curiosity about bacteria, fungi, and how environmental factors affect their growth over time.
The primary learning goal is for students to visually recognize that germs (like mold) thrive in different environments and the significant role cleanliness plays in their proliferation.
Material needed:
- Several slices of bread
- Sealable plastic bags
- Water
- Various locations (e.g., untouched, touched with dirty hands, wiped on a surface)
How To Do:
- Dampen different slices of bread slightly.
- Leave one slice untouched in a sealed bag (control).
- Have students touch another slice with unwashed hands before sealing it.
- Wipe another slice on a classroom surface before sealing it.
- Label each bag clearly and observe the bread over several days, noting the growth of mold.
3. Handwashing Science
Handwashing Science is one of the most engaging activities for teaching kids about germs. It involves hands-on experiments that show students how different hand-washing methods remove germs, helping them understand that using soap and water thoroughly is the most effective way.
Material needed:
- Glow-in-the-dark powder or lotion (representing germs)
- UV light
- Soap
- Water
- Paper towels
How To Do:
- Apply the glow-in-the-dark powder/lotion to students’ hands.
- Have them try different hand-washing methods (no soap, quick wash, thorough wash with soap).
- Under UV light, observe which method most effectively removes the “germs.”
4. Germ Art
A creative avenue to introduce the concept that germs come in diverse shapes and sizes, despite being microscopic. This activity helps make the idea of germs more tangible and less intimidating by allowing students to visualize them through artistic expression.
Material needed:
- Paper
- Markers, crayons, colored pencils
How To Do:
- Discuss different types of germs (bacteria, viruses) in a simple way.
- Encourage students to use their imagination to draw what they think germs might look like.
- Have them label parts of their “germs” and describe what makes them unique.
5. “Catch the Germ” Game
Turn a simple game of tag into a fun and eye-opening lesson on how quickly germs can spread! By acting out how germs pass from person to person through contact, students gain a better understanding of why handwashing and keeping personal space really matter.
Material needed:
- A softball or tag
How To Do:
- Designate one student as the “germ.”
- The “germ” tries to tag other students.
- Once tagged, that student also becomes a “germ.”
- Continue until most or all students are “infected,” illustrating rapid germ spreading.
6. Sink or Float Germs
As one of the simplest activities for germs in science, Sink or Float Germs introduces the idea that not all tiny particles behave uniformly in water, mirroring how different germs or contaminants might act in liquids.
It encourages observation and prediction skills while subtly highlighting the variety within the microscopic world.
Material needed:
- Various small objects (e.g., beads, pepper, small pieces of paper)
- Clear containers of water
How To Do:
- Discuss how some “germs” might float and others might sink in water.
- Have students predict whether each object will sink or float when added to the water.
- Observe the results and discuss how this relates to different types of particles in water.
7. Germ Story Time
Using age-appropriate literature, this approach to teaching about germs introduces the concepts of germs and hygiene through engaging narratives. The goal is for students to understand the importance of practices like handwashing by relating to characters and their experiences in the stories.
Material needed:
- Age-appropriate books about germs and handwashing
How To Do:
- Read aloud a story about germs and why it’s important to wash your hands.
- Discuss the characters and the lessons learned about germ prevention.
8. Build a Germ Model
Build a Germ Model is a hands-on bacteria activities project that allows students to create physical representations of microscopic organisms.
It aims to help students visualize the basic structures of bacteria and viruses, making them less abstract and more understandable.
Material needed:
- Various craft supplies (e.g., playdough, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, googly eyes)
How To Do:
- Show students simple diagrams of bacteria and viruses.
- Have them use the craft supplies to build their own three-dimensional models of germs.
9. Germ Jeopardy
Interactive activities for germs are a great way to spark curiosity in kids. This one helps assess and reinforce their understanding of germ types, how germs spread, and effective prevention methods — all within a fun, competitive setting.
Material needed:
- Prepared Jeopardy game board with categories like “Types of Germs,” “How Germs Spread,” “Handwashing,” etc.
How To Do:
- Divide the class into teams.
- Present questions related to germs and hygiene based on the Jeopardy format.
- Teams take turns answering questions to earn points.
10. My Germ-Fighting Hero
Let students unleash their imagination by creating their very own superhero dedicated to fighting germs! This creative writing activity helps kids explore hygiene habits and germ prevention through storytelling—making science both personal and empowering.
The aim is to promote an understanding of germ prevention by having students envision themselves as protectors through storytelling.
Material needed:
- Paper
- Markers, crayons
How To Do:
- Ask students to imagine they have superpowers to defeat germs.
- Have them draw their superhero and write a short story about how they fight against germ spreading.
11. The Great Handwashing Challenge
Make hand hygiene fun and memorable with this friendly competition! In this activity, students practice the steps of proper handwashing and race to become handwashing champions—reinforcing a vital habit that keeps germs at bay.
The learning objective is for students to master the correct steps and duration for effective handwashing, recognizing it as a key way to prevent illness.
Material needed:
- Soap
- Water
- Paper towels
- Timer
How To Do:
- Teach students the correct steps for thorough handwashing (wet, lather, scrub for 20 seconds, rinse, dry).
- Have them practice and time themselves to ensure they are washing for the recommended duration.
12. Germ Observation Jar
Turn your classroom into a mini-lab with this hands-on bacteria observation activity! Students collect samples from various surfaces and watch as microorganisms grow over time.
This project helps make invisible microbes visible and teaches that different environments can harbor varying levels of bacteria and mold.
Material needed:
- Sterile petri dishes with agar (optional, for more advanced observation) OR
- Clear jars with a slice of potato or bread
How To Do:
- Have students gently press a piece of potato or bread (or swab with agar) onto different surfaces (e.g., desk, doorknob).
- Place each sample in a labeled jar or petri dish.
- Observe any changes over a few days (mold growth, etc.)
13. Germ Commercials
Through engaging in activities for understanding germs, students are encouraged to synthesize their knowledge about germ prevention and communicate it effectively
The aim is to reinforce understanding of hygiene practices by having students develop and present persuasive messages about avoiding germ spread.
Material needed:
- Paper for planning
- Optional: video recording devices
How To Do:
- Divide students into groups.
- Have each group brainstorm and write a short commercial promoting handwashing or other germ prevention methods.
- Students can then act out their commercials for the class.
14. “Germs on My Food?” Discussion
Kick off a lively class discussion on how germs spread to food and why hygiene matters in the kitchen.
Through real-life scenarios and guided questions, students will explore how contamination happens and learn key practices like handwashing and safe food preparation to stay healthy.
Material needed:
- Visual aids (pictures of food preparation)
How To Do:
- Lead a discussion about how germs can get onto food if we don’t wash our hands or prepare food properly.
- Emphasize the importance of washing fruits and vegetables and cooking food thoroughly.
15. Germ Fact or Fiction
A quick germ science activity serves as a formative assessment of students’ understanding of common germ-related facts and misconceptions. The objective is to clarify accurate information and dispel myths, promoting a more informed view of microbiology and hygiene.
Material needed:
- Prepared statements about germs (some true, some false)
How To Do:
- Read out each statement one by one.
- Have students indicate whether they think the statement is a fact or a fiction.
- Discuss the correct answer and the reasoning behind it.
Wrap Up
Incorporating these engaging activities for germs goes beyond science, empowering students with vital health knowledge. Hands-on experiences illustrating germ spreading and germ prevention make learning stick. From glitter “germs” to bread mold observations, these germ activities turn abstract ideas into concrete understanding. We hope these multiple ideas inspire you to make learning basic germ science exciting and memorable, fostering a classroom focused on health awareness and good hygiene.
After exploring fun germ activities, help your students dive deeper into discovery with our science worksheets. Each activity encourages curiosity, hands-on learning, and a better understanding of the world around them!
