Just in time for back-to-school season, I’m sharing a complete free lesson about germs for kids! You can use it at home, in your preschool, or kindergarten! Studies show that when you use simple stories or drawings, kids remember to wash their hands better.
In this lesson, we’ll cover:
- How to explain germs to kids in a simple way
- The 4 main types of germs kids should know about
- Fun and important facts about germs
- How germs are spread (and how to stay healthy)
You can also download our free Germ Activities for Kids printable and use it at school or at home. If you enjoyed this lesson, check out our “My Body” lesson available in our shop!
Let’s help kids learn the most important things about germs – and make it fun!
All About Germs for Kids – Free Lesson
You can start like that: Have you ever wondered why Mom or Dad tells you to wash your hands before dinner?
How to Explain Germs to Kids
In a second step, you can explain in simple terms what are germs.
Something like that: Germs are so small that you can’t see them without a special tool called a microscope.
No need to be afraid! With just soap and water can zap them!
What Are the 4 Types of Germs for Kids?
You can explain simply: Germs can be bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Scientist say those four are the majority of the germs that make us sick.
5 Fun Facts About Germs
Here are five amazing and at the same time a bit gross facts you need to know:
- There are more germs on your body right now than people on Earth. To be exact, trillions! But most are harmless friends, that live with you, without making you sick. Some of them even help you to be healthy.
- Good bacteria lives everywhere in our body. For example in your gut! And it helps turn the food you eat in energy!
- Germs can live everywhere on doorknobs or toys for hours or even days! They wait for a high-five to spread.
- Therefore, washing your hands for 20 seconds (sing “ABC Song”) kills almost all bad germs!
- Some germs helped make the air we breathe by creating oxygen billions of years ago. Thanks, ancient germs!
Not all germs are bad!
How Are Germs Spread?
You can explain to kids that germs are great travelers! They hitch rides in sneaky ways.
Air drops
When someone coughs or sneezes, germs fly out of their noses and mouths in tiny droplets. Sometimes you can even see them. If you breathe them in, whoosh – they’re in you!
Touch tag
Touch a germy surface, then touch your nose or mouth and germs enter your body.
Food and water
If you eat with dirty hands you will put germs on your food. If you drink dirty water, you can get sick too, because it can carry protozoa.
Bugs
Sometimes mosquitoes or flies carry germs from one person to another. Don’t eat food that the bugs ate!
What to Do?
Covering your cough and washing hands stops most spreads, especially in school where kids share everything!
Germ Activities Printable for Kids
Download our free, easy printable activities to try at home or school.
Wash Your Hands
Cut it out and watch how the germs get washed away!
Brush Your Teeth
Brush those bad bacteria away and show off your shiny smile!
Take a Shower!
Don’t let bad bacteria make your body stink – stay fresh and clean!
What’s your favorite way to fight germs? Share in the comments. Stay healthy!
