Introduction
Start this topic off with the following discussion questions to generate interest in the topic and see what students already know:
What are some things you do every morning when you wake up?
What would happen if we never brushed our teeth or washed our hands?
How does your body feel when it's washed and clean?
Can taking care of our bodies hep us feel confident or ready for the day?
Use responses to open up the idea that hygiene helps us stay healthy, feel comfortable, and show respect to ourselves and others.
The Hygiene Detective Game - a fun, introductory game for all grade levels:
Materials:
A backpack or box with a mix of hygiene items (real or pictures): toothbrush, soap, comb, deodorant, clean socks, dirty tissue, moldy sandwich, toy germs (pom-poms or glitter), towel, shampoo, floss, etc.
Instructions:
Present the Mystery Bag: “A mystery person left their hygiene kit behind. Let’s be hygiene detectives and figure out if they’re ready for the day!”
Explore and Discuss: Take out one item at a time. Ask:
“What is this used for?”
“When would someone use it?”
“Would this help you stay healthy or comfortable?”
“Would you keep this in your hygiene kit?”
Sort It: Create two piles — “Helpful Hygiene Items” and “Not for the Hygiene Kit!” Discuss each choice.
Extension for Older Students:
Have students make their own personalized hygiene kit checklists.
Ask: “What would YOU include in your daily hygiene plan?”
K-2 Videos
Please preview videos to ensure they are suitable for your family.
Objective: Show how germs spread and why soap is needed.
Supplies:
Glitter or pepper
Lotion or petroleum jelly
Sink with soap and water
Paper towels
Steps:
Rub a small amount of lotion or jelly onto your child’s hands.
Sprinkle glitter or pepper on top and rub hands together.
Have your child touch different objects or their own arms or legs.
Try rinsing with water only—observe leftover glitter or salt.
Wash with soap and water and observe how much cleaner hands get.
Discuss how glitter/pepper is like germs—hard to see and spreads easily!
Objective: Reinforce the steps of handwashing.
Supplies:
Construction paper or poster board
Markers or crayons
Glue, scissors
Steps:
Talk about the 5 steps of handwashing: Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry.
Help the child draw images for each step in order.
Let them decorate the poster.
Hang it by your sink as a reminder!
Objective: Practice the motion of brushing teeth.
Supplies:
White paper or laminated sheet with a large mouth/teeth drawn
Dry erase marker or washable marker
Toothbrush
Shaving cream (optional)
Steps:
Draw teeth and color them with dry-erase marker or shaving cream “plaque.”
Let the child brush off the plaque with a real toothbrush.
Reinforce circular motions and reaching all the “teeth.”
Objective: Build a daily routine visual schedule.
Supplies:
Index cards or small pieces of cardstock
Markers or printed pictures
Hole punch and ring clip (optional)
Steps:
Brainstorm morning and evening hygiene tasks (e.g., brush teeth, comb hair).
Create one card per task with a drawing or image.
Put in order, punch a hole in each, and attach to a ring.
Use each morning/evening as a checklist.
Please preview videos to ensure they are appropriate for your family.
1. Those Mean Nasty Dirty Downright Disgusting but… Invisible Germs
By Judith Anne Rice
A fun and factual look at germs and how they spread. Great for teaching handwashing and awareness of invisible threats.
2. Sick Simon
By Dan Krall
This humorous book shows the consequences of not practicing good hygiene through the story of Simon who spreads germs everywhere.
3. Germs Make Me Sick!
By Melvin Berger
A clear explanation of how germs affect the body and how to prevent illness. Part of the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series.
4. The Magic School Bus Inside Ralphie
By Joanna Cole
Ms. Frizzle takes the class inside Ralphie’s body to learn about how the immune system works. Fun science-based intro to body care and illness prevention.
5. How Do You Take a Bath?
By Kate McMullan
A fun comparison of how different animals bathe vs. how humans stay clean. Great conversation starter for younger middle-grade readers.
6. Why Do I Wash My Hands?
By Angela Royston
Simple explanations about how handwashing protects our health. Part of the “Why Do I?” series aimed at emerging independent readers.
7. Germs Are Not for Sharing (Older Edition)
By Elizabeth Verdick
Originally written for younger kids but can be revisited with humor or as a shared reading starter. Teaches practical hygiene without being babyish.
8. You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Soap!
By Alex Woolf
An illustrated nonfiction title full of fun facts and history about soap and cleanliness. Great for curious readers who like a bit of humor and gross-out info.
9. My Amazing Body: A First Look at Health and Fitness
By Pat Thomas
Covers body care and health from a wellness perspective—nutrition, exercise, rest, and hygiene—with a gentle, positive tone.
10. I Know Why I Brush My Teeth
By Kate Rowan
Follows a child’s visit to the dentist and includes basic dental science and care tips. Interactive and fact-based.
Objective: Make hygiene fun with movement.
Supplies:
3-4 “stations”: handwashing (bowl of water + soap), teeth brushing (plastic mouth or model), clothes sorting (piles of clean/dirty), combing hair (wig or doll)
Stopwatch or timer (optional)
Steps:
Set up each station around a room or backyard.
At “go,” students rotate through the stations completing a hygiene task.
Time them or focus on accuracy and fun.
Afterward, reflect: What was easy? What’s part of your real routine?
Objective: Show how germs transfer to food.
Supplies:
3–5 slices of bread
Zip-top bags
Soap and water
Gloves (optional)
Steps:
Label bags: “Clean Hands,” “Dirty Hands,” “Touched Surface,” “Control.”
Have students touch one slice with unwashed hands, one with washed hands, and one after touching a dirty item (e.g., doorknob).
Put each in a separate bag and seal.
Watch for mold over 1–2 weeks. Discuss results!
Objective: Promote independence and routine building.
Supplies:
Printable checklist (or create your own)
Markers, stickers
Steps:
List hygiene tasks: shower, deodorant, brush/floss teeth, change clothes, etc.
Use it for a week with boxes to check or add stickers.
Reflect at the end: What did you remember most? What was tricky?
Objective: Learn basics of personal cleanliness.
Supplies:
Real laundry (or clean piles)
Baskets
Soap (for smelling only if not doing real laundry)
Steps:
Show how to sort by color and type.
Walk through the steps of using a washing machine (real or pretend).
Fold clean clothes and put in drawers.
Talk about when it’s time to change clothes (signs they’re dirty or smelly).
1. The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu
By Allison Janse & Charles Gerba
Written in a humorous tone, this book offers practical ways to avoid common illnesses by understanding where germs live and how they spread. Great for curious, independent readers.
2. Do Not Lick This Book
By Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost
Although written with humor and pictures, this book uses real microphotography to explain what germs are and where they live. Engaging for visual learners of all ages.
3. Micro Mania: A Really Close-Up Look at Bacteria, Bedbugs & Other Minibeasts
By Jordan D. Brown
A high-interest nonfiction pick filled with gross-out facts and close-ups of hygiene-related microorganisms. Appeals to older kids without feeling childish.
4. Open Wide: Tooth School Inside
By Laurie Keller
A fun illustrated book (more sophisticated than it looks) that teaches dental health using clever humor and visuals. Middle schoolers enjoy it for its creativity and surprising facts.
5. What's the Big Deal About First Impressions?
By Jim Burgen
Discusses hygiene, manners, and appearance in the context of building confidence and respect. Puberty is not discussed—focuses instead on presenting yourself well.
6. Taking Care of Me: Healthy Habits with Sesame Street Characters
By Sesame Workshop (tween versions)
Some editions target older elementary/middle schoolers and teach about clean habits, dental health, and handwashing in a light but age-respectful way.
7. You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Clean Water!
By Roger Canavan
This book connects hygiene to access to clean water and explores the global importance of health habits. Excellent for cross-curricular learning.
8. Cleanliness and Hygiene (Health and Your Body Series)
By Megan Borgert-Spaniol
Straightforward, nonfiction text for middle-grade readers covering body cleanliness, handwashing, and daily hygiene routines.
9. Health and Hygiene (101 Health Tips for Kids)
By Tanya Thayer
Contains short, digestible tips for maintaining personal hygiene, exercise, and smart health choices—with a “life skills” tone appropriate for tweens and younger teens.
Objective: Learn basics of personal cleanliness.
Supplies:
Real laundry (or clean piles)
Baskets
Soap (for smelling only if not doing real laundry)
Steps:
Show how to sort by color and type.
Walk through the steps of using a washing machine (real or pretend).
Fold clean clothes and put in drawers.
Talk about when it’s time to change clothes (signs they’re dirty or smelly).
Objective: Promote critical thinking and empathy about hygiene in real-life settings.
Supplies:
Scenario examples listed below
Paper and pencil for notes
Example Scenarios:
Scenario 1: The Forgotten Toothbrush
You’re at a sleepover and realize your friend hasn’t brushed their teeth all weekend. They laugh it off and say it doesn’t matter since it's just friends hanging out.
Scenario 2: The Smelly Locker
Your shared gym locker is starting to smell bad because your partner leaves dirty socks and gym clothes in there. You’re embarrassed, but don’t want to hurt their feelings.
Scenario 3: Hands Before Snacks
You’re at a park with friends, and one of them grabs snacks right after playing with the dog and climbing on the equipment—without washing their hands.
Scenario 4: The Group Project Problem
You’re working on a group project at someone’s house. One person keeps coughing and sneezing into their hands, then touching the shared supplies.
Scenario 5: The Deodorant Dilemma
One of your teammates at practice always smells bad, and other students have started whispering about it. They may not know it's an issue.
Steps:
Students pick a scenario card and discuss:
What’s the issue?
Why does it matter?
What’s a kind, respectful way to handle it?
Optional: present solutions in a mini role-play or write as a script.
Objective: Prepare students for independent hygiene routines when away from home.
Supplies:
Small zip bag or pouch
Sample-size hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, hand sanitizer, deodorant, comb)
Steps:
Students research what belongs in a basic hygiene kit.
Assemble the kit
Discuss situations when a kit is helpful (camp, sports, emergencies).
Objective: Evaluate hygiene products using real-world skills like analyzing labels.
Supplies:
2–3 types of each product (soap, toothpaste, hand sanitizer)
Chart for recording ingredients, price, effectiveness, etc.
Steps:
Students research and compare:
What ingredients are in each?
Which is most cost-effective?
Any “green” or eco-friendly options?
Present findings as a short report or infographic.
Objective: Identify high-germ areas at home or in shared spaces.
Supplies:
Sticky notes
Pen
Steps:
Students identify 5–10 items/places likely to hold germs (light switch, phone, sink handle).
Label them with sticky notes.
Research or brainstorm how often these should be cleaned and how.
Objective: Build consistent routines through self-reflection.
Supplies:
Pen/stickers
Steps:
Students choose 3–5 hygiene habits (brush teeth, wash hands, change clothes, etc.)
Track habits daily for one week.
Reflect on:
Which were easy to keep?
What were obstacles?
How can I improve next week?
Objective: Create awareness around a hygiene issue.
Supplies:
Poster materials or digital tools (Canva, Google Slides)
Research materials
Steps:
Students choose a hygiene topic (handwashing, brushing, cleaning surfaces).
Create a poster or short digital PSA.
Include:
The problem
Why it matters
How to solve it
Present or hang in the home learning space.