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Washing hands is the easiest and most effective way to stop the spread of germs, and is all the more essential in the times of the COVID-19 coronavirus. It’s easy to explain the importance of washing your hands frequently to adults, but doing the same to kids is a whole new ballgame. But, make anything fun, and you’re sure to grab your kid’s attention. Here are 15 ways to make hand-washing fun for kids!
The Proper Hand Washing Routine You Should Follow
Yes, there’s a ‘right’ way to wash your hands! Before you begin to teach your kids, it is important that you have it right!
Step 1: Wet your hands under clean, running water, and turn off the tap.
Step 2: Apply soap and lather it thoroughly, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Don’t forget the nooks between your fingers, under your nails, and the back of your hands.
Step 3: Rinse your hands under running water until all the soap is washed away.
Step 4: Dry your hands with a clean towel.
15 Fun Ways to Get Your Kids to Wash Their Hands
Getting your kids to wash their hands regularly can be a challenge, especially when it starts seeming like a chore. Follow these 15 fun and unique ways to get your little one to wash his hands, and it’ll never be just another boring task again!
1. Use a Foaming Soap
Source: Pinterest
Let’s face it; adults LOVE playing with foam too, so you can imagine how excited your little one will be. Use a soap that gets super-foamy when you lather it, and you’ll find your child constantly making excuses to wash his hands more! Tried and tested!
2. Sing a Song
The best way to get your child to wash his hands until the 20-second mark is to sing a song. Whether your little one’s favourite song is ‘Happy Birthday’, ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ or a song from their favourite animated movie, sing along with him every time he washes his hands. You can also make it a rule to sing a new song or rhyme during every hand-wash.
3. Get Creative and Make Up a Song
Make up a fun song on hand-washing that takes you through the process, like scrubbing the back of your hands, applying soap, etc. so your child can sing and do the same action, simultaneously. Coming up with the song takes a little work, but it’s worth it! Here’s one to try out – Soap and water, wash and scrub, Get those germs off rub-a-dub, Twinkle, twinkle little star, Look how clean my two hands are!
4. Splash Some Glitter
Buy some child-safe glitter and spray it on your kid’s hands before he washes it. The task for him is to wash his hands until the glitter is completely removed. Fun, sparkly hand-washes, right?
5. Blow Soap Bubbles
Need we say more? Soapy, bubbly hand-washes will give you a reason to maintain perfect hygiene as well, so win-win!
6. Create a Routine
Create a routine throughout the day so your child washes his hands before and after eating, after playing with his toys, before bed, etc., and it will soon happen like clockwork.
7. Buy Fun Soaps
Buy soaps in different shapes and colours, so your child likes using them to wash his hands. They’re way more fun than regular, boring soaps! If you can’t find any such soaps around, you can even carve regular soaps into different shapes.
Source: YouTube
8. Make It Animated
Make fun noises for every step of the hand-washing process or do a little dance when you’re done washing hands. There’s nothing better than watching their parents be goofy and fun, to make kids look forward to washing their hands!
9. Draw on the Palms
This is another version of spraying glitter on your child’s hands. Draw Xs or Os on your child’s palms with a child-safe, washable marker and ask him to wash his hands thoroughly, until the ink comes off. You can get creative with what you draw. We personally recommend drawing little bugs/germs!
10. Explain About Germs (But in a Fun Way!)
We often underestimate how much children understand. The truth is, you can actually get through to your child by explaining something to them in a fun way that holds his interest. Show them fun videos or pictures or explain to them how handwashing keeps germs away in a fun, storytelling manner. This video should help you get started.
Source: YouTube
11. Create a Chart
Create a chart at home with regular times of the day that your little one should watch his hands, and hang it in near the entrance to the bathroom or near the wash-basin. Ask your child to tick the box or place a sticker on the box, every time he washes his hands. You’ll see just how enthusiastically he washes his hands!
12. Make It a Game
Create a fun game that includes washing the hands or create a hand-washing game to make it fun for your child. Your child is sure to look forward to hand-washing time!
13. Assign a Toy
Give your child a toy to wash, every time he washes his hands. Choose a toy that can be washed and dried fast instead of a soft toy. You’ll be surprised at how much fun your child has, washing his toys. Plus, you won’t have to worry about dirt and dust accumulating on your child’s toys.
14. Lead By Example
Children tend to ape their parents. Wash your hands without making it seem like a chore, and your child is sure to follow!
15. Switch It Up
Young kids love how sanitiser ‘disappears’ on their hands, just like magic. So, once or twice in a day, ask them to sanitise their hands instead of washing! The switch in routine keeps things interesting! But, be sure to moisturise their hands as a sanitiser can dry out their delicate skin.
Washing your hands will keep you and your family safe from any viruses floating around. Make it a fun task for your little one, and you won’t have to chase him around the house all day for this simple task!
