[kidane Beyene]

<b data-start=”82″ data-end=”104″><strong data-start=”86″ data-end=”104″>1. Sing the song<ul data-start=”105″ data-end=”250″> Let kids pick a favorite 20-second song to sing while washing their hands. Example: “Happy Birthday” sung twice, or a silly handwashing jingle. <b data-start=”252″ data-end=”280″><strong data-start=”256″ data-end=”280″>2. Using Colorful Soap <ul data-start=”281″ data-end=”429″> Use foaming, glitter, or rainbow-colored soaps to make it visually exciting. Some soaps even change color when properly used—kids love that! <b data-start=”431″ data-end=”459″><strong data-start=”435″ data-end=”459″>3. Handwashing Games <ul data-start=”460″ data-end=”661″> <strong data-start=”462″ data-end=”480″>“Bubble Count” – Count how many bubbles they can make while scrubbing. <strong data-start=”541″ data-end=”560″>“Glitter Germs” – Put a little washable glitter on hands and have kids wash it off—teaches germs removal visually. <b data-start=”663″ data-end=”686″><strong data-start=”667″ data-end=”686″>4. Storytelling <ul data-start=”687″ data-end=”855″> Tell a short story or “mission” while washing:<br data-start=”735″ data-end=”738″> <em data-start=”740″ data-end=”789″>“We’re washing away the sticky sugar monsters!”<br data-start=”789″ data-end=”792″> <em data-start=”794″ data-end=”853″>“Let’s scrub off the invisible germs before they escape!” <b data-start=”857″ data-end=”888″><strong data-start=”861″ data-end=”888″>5. Stickers and Rewards <ul data-start=”889″ data-end=”1011″> Give a sticker or stamp for every time they wash their hands properly. Make a fun chart to track “Super Scrubber Stars.” <b data-start=”1013″ data-end=”1041″><strong data-start=”1017″ data-end=”1041″>6. Handwashing Dance <ul data-start=”1042″ data-end=”1144″> Create a 20-second “handwashing dance” where kids move their hands and wiggle fingers to a rhythm. <strong data-start=”1146″ data-end=”1166″>Summary Thought:<br data-start=”1166″ data-end=”1169″> Turning handwashing into a playful, sensory, and interactive experience helps kids enjoy the process while learning good hygiene habits. Fun visuals, songs, and games make it memorable and effective.

[Haley Philyaw]

I like to make handwashing fun for my students by singing a song with them while they wash their hands. This helps them to remember the necessary steps and also helps them to wash for the appropriate amount of time.

[Ellie]

I challenge them to scrub as many sides of their hands and fingers as they can with soap.

[Angela]

Singing songs or counting!

[Trainer]

Great idea, Angela! Incorporating songs and counting can make science fun and help children engage through rhythm and repetition!

[M Edwards]

When assisting toddlers in washing hands, I like to repeat the steps as we do them….water, water, water…scrub, scrub, scrub… rinse, rinse, rinse…shake, shake, shake….dry, dry, dry. They especially enjoys the shaking off the extra water into the sink before they dry.

[Trainer]

Great approach, M! Repeating steps and using fun phrases engages toddlers and reinforces learning through active participation.

[Jeff]

I love color mixing projects with the kids using colored water they can see that red + yellow = orange OR blue + yellow = green

[Trainer]

Great suggestion, Jeff! Color mixing is a fantastic way to engage children and spark their curiosity about cause and effect!

[Razel]

Singing while hand washing and making bubbles always makes it fun.

[Huafen Chen]

I like Fun Handwashing Activity: “Germ Detectives”. After participating in the activity, children will have a strong impression and understand the importance of washing their hands properly.”

[KAtherine Hamlin]

I love to make playdough. It incorporates so much and the kids can help and then get to play with it after.

[Anna]

I make hand washing fun for the children in my care by singing songs, (birthday song, row row row your boat, alphabet song, etc.) while cleaning our hands, using colorful soap and/or by telling fun little tales of the hands getting cleaned!

[Fawzia Zada]

I make handwashing fun by turning it into a playful routine instead of a chore. We sing short songs or count together while washing to make sure we scrub long enough, and sometimes I let children choose the song. I also use bubbles and pretend the soap is “washing away the germs,” or we talk about the germs sliding down the drain. Using colorful soap, fun towels, and lots of praise helps keep children excited and engaged while building healthy habits.

[Jesslynn]

Singing the happy birthday song or the ABC’S while washing hands after coming inside or using paint.

[Trainer]

Great ideas, Jesslynn! Incorporating songs makes routines fun while promoting engagement and observation during activities like handwashing and painting.

[Samantha]

To encourage children to wash hands in an effective way, we sing our hand washing song. To the tune of row, row, row your boat, “Wash, wash, wash your hands. Wash your hands all clean. Wash the bottoms and the tops and the inbetween.” We sing it twice in a row to make sure they are washing for a appropriate amount of time.

[Trainer]

Great idea, Samantha! Singing makes handwashing fun and engaging while promoting good hygiene practices. Keep it up!

[Aubrey]

make a game or a puzzle out of the instructions to help them remember

[Trainer]

Great idea, Aubrey! Turning instructions into a game not only enhances engagement but also fosters critical thinking and observation skills.

[Azariah pettway]

One way to make washing your hands fun for the kids is to sing a song or play pretend funny little game

[Trainer]

Great idea, Azariah! Incorporating songs and games makes learning about hygiene engaging and encourages children’s curiosity and creativity.