“Why do I have to wash my hands again?”
“Why do I need to wear a mask?”
“What is a germ?”
Have you heard these questions recently? Washing your hands and wearing a mask are great ways to stop the spread of germs and prevent sickness. However, both of those things can sometimes be not-so-fun for kids.
This Virtual Activity Bundle offers engaging ways for kids to wash their hands and interesting facts about germs. There are also resources that discuss how masks can protect them and aren’t so scary after all.
Books
Fiction
“Curious George Discovers Germs” by H. A. Rey
Curious George is sick, so he is sent to bed. He goes to sleep, and in his dreams he learns about germs, how they move from one body to another and how to avoid them.
Nonfiction
“Germs Are Not for Sharing” written by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen
This book is a short course for kids on what germs are, what they do and why it’s so important to cover them up, block them from spreading and wash them down the drain. Simple words complement warm, 
inviting, full-color illustrations that show real-life situations kids can relate to. A special section for adults includes ideas for discussion and activities.
“Why We Keep Clean” by Rosalyn Clark
How important is washing your hands and other body parts? Find out how keeping clean helps us stay healthy. Lively text, age-appropriate critical thinking questions and colorful photos help young readers learn about healthy habits.
“Practice Good Hygiene!” by Katie Marsico
“Practice Good Hygiene!” focuses on hygiene skills while discussing steps children can take to practice healthy lifestyles. Readers are introduced to basic body care and why cleanliness is important.
“Why Do I Sneeze?” by Molly Kolpin
Achoo! A sneeze can be loud, silent or silly. Take a trip inside the nose to find out just what makes us sneeze.
“Wearing a Mask” by Katie Harrell (Wesley Family Services)
This social story is read aloud, with photographs and pictures to show different kinds of masks children may see. It goes on to explain that many people are wearing masks in public today to protect themselves and others from germs.
“Keep It Clean: Germ Free” by Cecilia Minden
Learn important lessons about germ control and staying healthy.
“Keep It Clean: Time to Wash Up” by Cecilia Minden.
This book shows how to prevent the spread of germs by washing hands and the importance of cleanup.
Music
Wash Your Hands (TumbleTune)
TumbleBooks has a video song “Wash Your Hands” that cheerfully instructs kids on how to wash thier hands effectively. Just type “Wash Your Hands” into the TumbleSearch bar. Here are the words:
Wash Your Hands
Wash, wash, wash your hands,
Wash them ’til they’re clean.
Wash the backs, and wash the fronts.
And the places in between.
Don’t forget the fingertips,
And between your finger and thumb.
The more that we all wash our hands,
The better for everyone.
Wash, wash, wash your hands
Many times a day.
Wash them after bathroom-ing,
After work or after play.
Wash for 20 seconds….
Or longer if you please.
Wash them before you cook or eat.
And when you cough or sneeze!
Hand Washing Song
Halsey Schools in California has a short video of a hand washing song. The lyrics to more hand washing songs are also available on the page.
Mask Around Me
Drs. Bop n’ Pop created this song to help encourage kids to wear their masks and ease their anxiety about the practice of wearing masks.
Videos
Class With Mrs. Kamin: Wearing a Mask (3 minutes)
A teacher demonstrates items that protect us in some way; She shows us sunglasses, a raincoat and a mask. She talks for the remainder of the video with a mask on and tells kids why people wear masks and then talks about teachers wearing masks.
How to See Germs Spread (10 minutes)
This is a long video, but the first 5 minutes are really fascinating, visually showing how germs spread. Mark Rober uses a powder that glows under a blacklight, representing germs. He puts these “germs” on the hands of a teacher and one student to show how far around a classroom the “germs” spread. Then he explains a little about germs and does another experiment with hand washing. He follows this with talk about the coronavirus which adults may find interesting. (He finishes with an advertisement. So this is something you may want to watch before you share with your child so you know where you want to stop.)
Children’s Message on COVID-19 (3.5 minutes)
An elementary school-aged girl and an adult talk to us about what a virus is, the importance of washing your hands and what “quarantine” means.
Activities
Make Your Own Hand Washing Song
How long really is 20 seconds, the recommended time you should take to wash your hands? Have fun learning this by timing your child singing their favorite song or nursery rhyme. If they sing it twice, is it the right length? Come up with different silly songs they can sing. When you find one that you love that is the right length, you and your child can practice washing your hands for 20 seconds while you sing.
Water Play
Provide a basin of water with some dish soap added. Your child could use scrub brushes or washcloths to wash a baby doll, dishes, play foods, toy cars or plastic animals. Use whatever you have that can be cleaned with soap and water. This would be a good outdoor activity on a hot day!
