5 Fun Ways to Get Your Kids to Wash Their Hands

Washing their hands can keep kids healthy — and they’re more likely to do it with these fun methods!

Wash, wash, wash your hands!

Flu season is coming

Ah, autumn! The season of golden leaves, pumpkin-spiced lattes, and... flu season. As temperatures drop, the risk of infections increases, making it all the more important to prioritize hygiene. Washing hands properly and thoroughly is the best way to reduce the risk of infection. 

The best way to get your hands clean is: warm water, soap, and 20 seconds of washing

But if you've got little ones at home, you know that getting them to wash their hands consistently (and correctly!) can sometimes be a challenge. But fear not! Here are five delightful ways to turn hand washing into an engaging activity your children will look forward to.

5 fun ways to get your kids to wash their hands

1. "Soap Opera" Sing-Along

Bring Broadway to the bathroom! Kids have an innate love for music and dance, so let's put that enthusiasm to good use. Create a special hand-washing song or pick one of the popular children's tunes and add a soapy twist to the lyrics. Here's an example to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat":

🎶 Scrub, scrub, scrub your hands,
Gently down the stream.
Bubbles, suds, and lots of fun,
Make those germs all scream! 🎶

Encourage your child to come up with their own verses or hand movements to go along with the song. You can even have a little dance party as you scrub those germs away. Every time they wash their hands, it's a chance for a new performance.

Not only does this method make hand washing fun, but it also ensures they spend the necessary time to get their hands thoroughly clean. The bathroom's never seen such show-stopping routines!

Top tip - if you can’t think of any other songs, singing “Happy birthday” twice in a row usually adds up to about 20 seconds, the ideal length of a hand wash! 

2. Glow-in-the-Dark Gel

Children are visual creatures, and seeing is believing. Purchase a non-toxic glow-in-the-dark gel or lotion (often used for Halloween or sleepovers). Before washing, let your child rub a little onto their hands. Turn off the lights, shine a UV flashlight, and see the "germs" glow!

Now, when they wash their hands, they can see the "germs" disappearing, providing tangible proof of their efforts. It's not just fun, but a good teaching moment, too.

3. Soap Sculptors

Why should clay have all the fun? Hand soaps come in a variety of colors and consistencies. Invest in moldable or foaming soaps that allow kids to shape and play before they wash it off. It's like a mini arts and crafts session at the sink.

Encourage your child to craft a different animal or object every time. Then, they can wash away their creation, ensuring they've scrubbed thoroughly. 

4. Hand Washing Challenge

Introduce a healthy dose of competition. Set up a weekly challenge chart in the bathroom. Every time your child washes their hands, they get to put a fun sticker or mark on the chart. At the end of the week, if they've washed their hands the required number of times (or more!), reward them with a little treat or privilege. 

This method teaches kids consistency and responsibility while keeping things light and fun. And who doesn't love stickers?

 5. Storytelling at the Sink

Every drop of water and bubble of soap can be a character in a riveting tale of adventure. Create a short, recurring story that progresses each time your child washes their hands. Perhaps the water droplets are heroes, and the soap bubbles are magical creatures, and together they battle the evil germs. Or maybe the faucet is a portal to a watery kingdom. 

Narrate a little bit of the story during each hand-washing session. The catch? The story only continues when they wash their hands. It's an enchanting incentive that'll have them running to the sink to find out what happens next.

Looking for some hand-holding with the hand-washing?

If you could use an extra set of hands (we know, we know, pun intended!) in taking care of your children, why not work with a dedicated, experienced nanny or sitter who is matched specifically with your family? At Smart Sitting nanny agency, we’ve been making matches for well over a decade, and we know how to find you the person you need. Tell us what you’re looking for, and a dedicated family specialist will work with you directly to find the caregiver who can wash your worries away, with or without a song.