As cold and flu season approaches I like to work in some activities that teach the kids why proper handwashing and other hygiene practices are. The Glitter Germ Experiment helps kids to actually be able to see the “germs” and give them a more concrete understanding of how handwashing and germ prevention work.

It can be hard especially for smaller children for them to understand that even though you can’t see them germs are everywhere!

Do you think this experiment is cool? I have more on this list of Health and Hygiene for Kids.

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Recommended Books About Germs

Want to learn more about germs? Head to your library to read one of these germ books to stress the importance of washing your hands to your kids.

What are Germs? (Very First Lift-the-Flap Questions & Answers)Germs vs. Soap: A Silly Hygiene Book about Washing Hands! (Hilarious Hygiene Battle 1)Germs, YUK!: Interactive Germ Book for Preschool & Toddler Children Ages 2-5 | Hand Washing Book for Kids Rhyming Book for Kids I Don’t Want to Wash My Hands!The Secret Life of Viruses: Incredible Science Facts about Germs, Vaccines, and What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

Only four ingredients to start exploring how germs work. We really want to emphasize that even though we can’t see them, they’re are in fact germs everywhere.

On doorknobs, light switches and table tops.

If you like this activity, check out my list of Healthy Body Activities for Preschoolers to get more ideas on what activities are perfect when teaching kids about living a healthy lifestyle.

>>Get more simple homeschool science experiments!

Glitter Germ Experiment Supplies

A shallow dish
Water
Blue dish soap
Glitter

Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap, Original Scent, 8 oz Slime Supplies Glitter Powder Sequins for Slime,Arts Crafts Extra Solvent Resistant Glitter Powder Shakers,Bulk Acrylic Polyester Craft Supplies Glitter Loose Eyeshadow,Assorted Colors,12 Pack Glitter Creative Arts by Charles Leonard Glitter, 16 Ounce Bottle, Silver (41145)

Alternatives to glitter

If you’d rather not break out the glitter because it’s such a giant mess or you don’t have it around the house. You can substitute edible food glitter, cocoa powder or pepper. You just want to make sure no one touches their eyes with the last one.

Glitter Germ Experiment Directions

Pour water into the shallow dish nearly to the edge.

Sprinkle glitter generously over the surface.

We did this experiment 2 ways, squirting soap directly into a mass of glitter floating on the water then we also coated a finger in soap and tried to touch the “germs”.

Adding glitter to their hands lets you stimulate hand washing so kids can learn how to properly wash their hands to get rid of all of the germs.

The coolest thing that really catches the kids interest is how when soap is added to the water the germs (glitter) quickly moves away. The more soap the faster the reaction.

This fun simple experiment can be done over and over.

Next, we went to the sink and practiced good handwashing practices

Using soap not just water, rubbing between fingers, all the way to the wrist and making sure it was long enough. We sing our ABC’s twice as we wash to make sure that they are nice and clean so that all of the germs and bacteria get washed off.

We encourage you to read our Health Books for Kids blog post. We have there some books that we highly recommend if you want to educate your kids about healthy living.

Fun Germ Kits and Toys

Explore germs and bacteria and even more when you have your own microscope. Or enjoy a germ plushie toy to cuddle with. They come in many shapes and sizes.

The Magic School Bus: The World of Germs Omano JuniorScope Microscope for Kids Microscope Science Kits for Kids Science Experiment Kits GIANTmicrobes Themed Gift Box – Plagues from History GIANTmicrobes Plush Common Cold Microbes Teacher Created Resources Germ Tracker TCR20362 Galt Toys, Horrible Science – Germ Attack The Game, Science Board Game for Kids, Ages 8 Years Plus

Some questions to ask about the germs science experiment?

What is a germ?
How do they get on your hands?
How do you get them off?
Why do I need to wash my hands?
What does a germ look like?
Are all germs bad?

Find some videos so you can see what germs actually look like and how humans have to use microscopes to see them because they’re so small.

Talk about different illnesses that can be caused by bacteria such as colds, strep infections, E. coli, and salmonella.

I like food examples because it lets them know that germs are all around us. But we cook our meat thoroughly to ensure we kill the bacteria so we can have dinner. And if food isn’t cooked properly, that’s who we get food poisoning.

It’s important to let our kids know that there are good and bad bacteria and each one has a job to do.

That there are good bacteria in our bodies that help us, they’re also in yogurt and we eat them and they don’t harm us.

To emphasize how important it is to wash your hands, grab these printable hand washing posters to remind kids how often to wash their hands and to ensure it is done properly.

The poster shows important times when kids may have dirty hands so that they learn to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer if water is not available after these times.

Glitter Germ Experiment

This glitter germ experiment is perfect for teaching kids about the importance of handwashing and the role of soap in fighting germs.

Materials

A shallow dish
Water
Blue dish soap
Glitter

Instructions

Pour water into the shallow dish nearly to the edge.
Sprinkle glitter generously over the surface.
Squirting soap directly into a mass of glitter floating on the water or coat a finger in soap and try to touch the “germs”. The more soap the faster the reaction.
To extend this activity, you can go to the sink and remind kids about the good handwashing practices.