How to Explain to Kids About Germs and Soap

Original Posting Date: 2020/03/28

How do you explain why soap works to kids? What about germs?

How do you say it in a non-scary way?

In a way that makes sense to kids, not just how grown-ups understand germs?

And in a loving way, that actually motivates your kids to wash their hands?

Hint -- It's about hugs!

Over time, the audio has not held up, so here is a quick review!!

When kiddos are unsure of what a germ is, you can explain that it is something that happens to be around us. Germs can get onto your skin and it is helpful to get rid of them so we don’t get a cold.

Soap is pretty magical. When a germ is on your hand, the soap that you put on comes right up to the germ and gives it a really big hug! Then you put your hands under the water and the water carries the germ and the hugging soap bubble right away and they go on an adventure of their own.

Germs don’t have to be scary. They are just so little it is hard for us to hug them. But soap is exactly the right size to give out those hugs.

Washing hands for at least 20 seconds is ideal.

So many kiddos I have worked with wash their hands longer if they are singing a song at the same time. The Happy Birthday song can be used, so can, If you are happy and you know it. These songs are easy to remember and take some time to get through. There are specific hand washing songs and videos you can show kiddos from YouTube as well.

Make it fun, and it will get done!!