Glitter Germ Experiment

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

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

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

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Why do kids need to learn about germs?

Children come into contact with numerous items throughout the day, from door handles to school supplies and toys, making it easy for germs to spread quickly. Helping them see how germs move makes it easier for them to understand why washing their hands matters.

When I did this experiment with my younger ones, they were amazed at how the glitter scattered. It gave them a clear picture of what happens when germs spread and why soap helps wash them away.

It’s always enjoyable to engage in hands-on learning activities with the kids. Not only do they teach them to be forward-thinking and develop analytical skills, but they also help them learn to process and research effectively.

And since kids are fascinated by touching all the things, learning about germs seems like a great idea!

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.

You can read these books with the kids or have them work through the pages independently. Either way, they’ll enjoy the topics.

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 KidsRhyming Book for KidsI 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

 

What lessons are connected to this topic?

This activity ties into several key science and health lessons:

• How germs spread: Kids see firsthand how quickly germs move from one place to another. The visual part of this experiment helps the concept click right away.
• The importance of soap: The reaction between the soap and glitter provides a strong visual representation of why handwashing matters.
• Observation skills: Children practice watching closely and describing what they see, helping them build strong science skills early on.

There are only four ingredients to start exploring how germs work. We want to emphasize that, although we can’t see them, germs are, in fact, everywhere.

On doorknobs, light switches, and table tops.

My recommended health and hygiene printable packs

These printable packs make learning about hygiene more fun and interactive. They include engaging worksheets and hands-on ideas that go perfectly with this experiment.

What skills can kids learn from this activity?

This experiment builds curiosity and awareness about how germs work. Here are some skills they’ll gain:

• Critical thinking: They’ll predict what might happen before adding soap and compare it to the actual result.
• Scientific observation: It helps them notice cause and effect in real time, a big part of early science learning.
• Health awareness: Kids understand that germs are invisible but real, and soap is a key part of keeping clean.

Glitter Germ Experiment Supplies

All the necessary materials to complete this simple STEM experiment are listed below. It couldn’t be easier to do!

• A shallow dish
• Water
• Blue dish soap
• Glitter

  

Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap, Original Scent, 8 ozSlime 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 GlitterOrganyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Swabs – No Man-Made Materials, 200 Count, White

 

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 ensure no one touches their eyes with the last one.

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 GermsOmano JuniorScope Microscope for Kids Microscope Science Kits for Kids Science Experiment KitsGIANTmicrobes Themed Gift Box – Plagues from HistoryGIANTmicrobes Plush Common Cold MicrobesTeacher Created Resources Germ Tracker TCR20362Galt Toys, Horrible Science – Germ Attack The Game, Science Board Game for Kids, Ages 8 Years Plus

 

Some questions to ask about the germ 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 to see what germs 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 they tell us that germs surround us. However, we cook our meat thoroughly to ensure that we kill the bacteria, so we can have dinner. And if food isn’t cooked properly, that’s how we get food poisoning.

It’s essential to inform our children that there are both good and bad bacteria, and each has a specific role to play.

There are good bacteria in our bodies that help us. They’re also in yogurt, and we eat them without harm.

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.

Doing the Glitter Germ Experiment

This one was simple to set up and gave great results. My younger kids loved seeing how the glitter scattered when the soap touched the water. It was a perfect way to explain how soap pushes away germs.

The best part was hearing them talk about what they saw and guessing why it happened. It turned into a full conversation about how germs spread from our hands to everything we touch.

This fun, simple experiment can be done over and over.

The Glitter Germ Experiment is such an easy and fun way to show how soap helps fight germs. It’s a great activity to make science and hygiene lessons stick in a memorable way.

Get the handwashing posters here!

Help kids build healthy habits with these bright, kid-friendly handwashing posters that make staying clean easy and fun.

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More Health Activities

Dive deeper into health by teaching your kids healthy habits that will set them up for success throughout their lives.

I love having a mixture of learning activities for the kids. Since kids learn in various ways, this gives them the opportunity to find the approach that works best for them.

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• Health Activities for Preschoolers
• Healthy and Unhealthy Food Activities for Kindergarten
• Personal Hygiene Worksheets for Kids
• Healthy and Unhealthy Food Sorting Worksheet
• Health Books for Kids
• Dental Health Books for Kindergarten
• Yoga Poses Printable
• Hacks to Get Kids to Wash Their Hands by A Little Pinch of Perfect
• Learn All About Germs Through Picture Books! by Artsy Momma
• Dental Health ABC Order Worksheets on Homeschool Happiness
• Dental Health Cutting Sheets on 3 Boys and a Dog