Germ activities for kids are the perfect way to teach young learners about hygiene, health, and how to stay safe from sickness — all while having fun! As a teacher, you should incorporate these activities into your lessons to help students better understand how germs spread and the importance of maintaining good hygiene habits. These activities not only teach but also give kids the chance to practice healthy habits every day.
10+ Germ Activities for Kids
So, let’s explore some fun and practical ways to teach your students about germs:
1. Glitter Germ Simulation
When it comes to teaching young students about how easily germs spread, nothing beats the classic glitter germ experiment. This is one of the most visual and memorable germ activities for kids, because it shows — right in front of their eyes — how germs move from one person to another through touch, even when they don’t realize it.
Materials Needed:
- Glitter (fine, loose type)Hand lotion or liquid hand sanitizer
- Soap and warm water
- Towels
How to Do:
- Give each student a small dab of lotion or hand sanitizer and sprinkle some glitter on top.
- Let the students shake hands, touch objects, and interact as normal.
- After a few minutes, pause the activity and have students observe how the “glitter germs” have spread across their hands and the classroom.
- Take them to wash their hands and compare results before and after proper handwashing, emphasizing the importance of using both soap and water.
2. Glo Germ Experiment
The Glo Germ Experiment allows kids to physically see the invisible. Using a special product called Glo Germ, students will apply simulated germs to their hands and attempt to wash them away.
Under UV light, students will be surprised at how much “germ residue” is left, teaching them that fast or lazy washing isn’t enough to stay clean and healthy.
Materials Needed:
- Glo Germ lotion or powder
- UV blacklight flashlight
- Soap and warm water
- Paper towels
How to Do:
- Apply Glo Germ to each student’s hands, making sure it covers all areas.
- Let them wash their hands as they normally would, using soap and water.
- Use the UV flashlight to check how much of the Glo Germ remains on their hands.
- Discuss the importance of washing all parts of the hands for at least 20 seconds and retry the process to reinforce good habits.
3. Handwashing Song Challenge
Many kids rush through handwashing, often spending less than five seconds at the sink. This musical challenge turns a simple routine into a fun and memorable habit. Singing a favorite tune while washing helps children slow down, scrub thoroughly, and enjoy the process — making clean hands something they actually look forward to.
Materials Needed:
- A list of handwashing songs (e.g., “Happy Birthday” twice or “ABC Song”)
- Soap and water
- Posters with song lyrics (optional)
How to Do:
- Teach students a song that takes about 20 seconds to sing from start to finish.
- Encourage them to sing or hum the song while washing their hands, making sure to clean between fingers, under nails, and the back of hands.
- Reward students who follow through with a clean-hands check after each bathroom break or before meals.
4. Lotion and Pepper Germ Demo
If you’re looking for a simple and science-backed activity for kids , this pepper demo offers a fantastic visual of how soap repels germs. Students watch as “germs” (pepper flakes) scatter the moment a drop of soap touches the water — a clear reminder that washing with just water isn’t enough.
Materials Needed:
- Plate or shallow bowl
- Water
- Ground black pepper
- Dish soap
How to Do:
- Fill the dish with water and sprinkle pepper over the surface to represent germs.
- Have students dip a clean finger into the water and observe what happens (usually nothing).Place a drop of dish soap on the tip of their finger, then dip it back in — the pepper will rapidly scatter away from the soapy finger.
- Discuss why soap helps break apart and wash away germs from our hands.
5. Grow Your Own Germs (Petri Dish Experiment)
This activity is a perfect mix of real-world science, giving kids the chance to explore their surroundings and discover where germs like to hide. Watching bacteria colonies grow in petri dishes is both fascinating and a bit gross — making it an exciting experience for curious young minds.
Materials Needed:
- Petri dishes with agar
- Sterile cotton swab
- Permanent markers
- Clear tape
How to Do:
- Give each student a swab and ask them to sample different classroom surfaces — desks, doorknobs, light switches, and hands.
- Swipe the swab onto the agar inside a labeled petri dish.Seal the dish with tape and leave it in a warm, undisturbed area.
- Check the dishes each day and let students observe germ colony growth over time.
6. Handprint Germ Arts
These hands-on crafts offer creative activities for kids to understand how germs work. By using paint to mimic the invisible dirt on their hands, students can visualize how unclean hands might appear under a microscope. It also sparks important conversations about when and why handwashing is crucial, especially before eating or after playing outside.
Materials Needed:
- Washable tempera paint
- Large sheets of paper
- Markers or crayons
- Soap and water for cleanup
How to Do:
- Have each child dip their unwashed hands lightly into paint and press them onto a piece of paper to make a “germ handprint.”
- Once dry, ask students to use markers to draw what kinds of germs they think might be hiding on their hands (viruses, bacteria, etc).
- Discuss why germs are invisible in real life, and when handwashing is most important to prevent spreading them.
- Wash hands thoroughly after the activity and reflect on the difference between “dirty” and “clean.”
7. Germ Spread Graphing
One of the most impactful germ lessons and activities for kids is helping them see how far and wide germs can travel when someone sneezes. Using a spray bottle as a stand-in for a human sneeze gives students a realistic view of how germs spread and highlights the importance of covering your mouth and nose.
Materials Needed:
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Large sheets of white paper
- Ruler or measuring tape
How to Do:
- Place a large piece of paper flat on a table or taped to the floor.
- Fill the spray bottle with water and a few drops of food coloring.
- Hold the bottle at “mouth level” and spray once or twice to simulate a sneeze.
- Measure how far the droplets traveled on the paper, and discuss why covering a sneeze with your elbow or a tissue prevents germs from spreading to others.
8. Soap vs. Germs Race
This fast-paced game demonstrates how soap removes germs more effectively than water alone. Turning it into a race makes it a favorite and teaches both speed and the correct washing technique.
Materials Needed:
- Two bowls per group: one with plain water, one with soapy water
- Small items to represent germs (glitter, beads, or small paper dots)
- Stopwatch or timer
How to Do:
- Place “germs” (glitter or beads) into both water bowls.
- Split students into teams and assign one team to use plain water and the other to use soapy water.
- Set a timer for 30 seconds. The goal is to remove as many germs as possible using only their fingers.
- Compare the results and discuss why soap helps break down and wash away germs more effectively than plain water.
9. Germs and Immune System Role-Play
Role-playing makes abstract science lessons easier for kids to understand. This game turns the classroom into a human body, letting students act as germs, white blood cells, and immune defenses — helping them understand how the body naturally fights infections.
Materials Needed:
- Labels or signs: “Germ,” “White Blood Cell,” “Body Part”
- Open classroom space
- Soft foam balls (optional for “attack” simulation)
How to Do:
- Assign students roles: some are germs, some are white blood cells, and some represent different body parts.
- “Germs” try to move through the classroom to reach the body parts, while “white blood cells” tag them to prevent infection.
- After each round, discuss how the immune system detects and eliminates germs, and why vaccination and hygiene help strengthen this natural defense.
10. The Soap Detective Experiment
The Soap Detective Experiment is one of the most exciting activities for kids to learn about germs. It allows students to test which soaps are most effective at removing germs, while reinforcing scientific observation and encouraging real-world hygiene habits.
Materials Needed:
- Glo Germ lotion or glitter
- Several types of soap (liquid, bar, antibacterial, foaming)
- UV light (if using Glo Germ)
- Stopwatch
How to Do:
- Apply Glo Germ lotion or glitter to students’ hands.
- Assign each student a specific type of soap to use for washing.
- After washing, inspect hands under UV light or visually for leftover glitter.
- Record results and lead a discussion on which soaps were most effective and why. Encourage students to apply this knowledge in daily life.
FAQs
1. What are fun activities to teach kids about germs?
There are plenty of fun and hands-on activities to help kids understand germs! Simple experiments like the “Glitter Germs” activity, using petri dishes to grow bacteria, or role-playing as immune system cells can make learning both exciting and memorable.
These activities help kids see how germs spread and why handwashing and good hygiene habits are important.
2. How to teach kids not to spread germs?
The best way to teach kids about stopping the spread of germs is to:
- Show them how germs travel using hands-on experiments like the Spray Bottle Sneezing Simulation.
- Practice good habits: wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid touching your face.
- Make it visual and interactive — kids learn best by doing, not just listening.
- Reinforce the habits daily, especially before eating and after using the restroom.
Final thoughts
Teaching kids about germs doesn’t have to be boring or overwhelming. With these germ activities for kids, you can turn complex health lessons into fun, hands-on experiences that young learners will remember. The earlier kids understand how germs spread, the easier it is for them to make smart, healthy choices — both inside and outside the classroom. So go ahead, add a few of these germ activities to your next lesson plan, and help your students stay safe, curious, and germ-aware!
Keep teaching kids about healthy habits beyond handwashing. Explore these dental activities for preschoolers to help them learn the importance of brushing, smiling, and staying germ-free every day.
