Hand Washing Tricks for Kids

“Wash up for dinner!” We all know this is more of a formality than a reality these days. The kids are either too excited over what they are going to eat or too upset that you just made them stop what they were doing. Experts say that twenty seconds is the minimum time for actual germ removal, but this might seem borderline impossible for your child. Luckily, there are little tricks that can get your kids excited about cleaning their hands:

1. Foam!- The foam soap is more fun for kids and it works just as good as gel soaps. It doesn’t hurt to get Elsa from Frozen’s face on the front of the bottle either.
2 Sing a Song- Pick a song that you know will run them about twenty seconds. Some popular ones include row your boat, the ABC’s and happy birthday.
3. Make it Accessible- Sometimes the sink is too high and intimidating for young kids. Buy them a stool to make them feel like a big kid every time they wash their hands. They will associate washing their hands with that adult feeling.
4. Spook Them- When they get a cold or a sore throat, remind them it could be because they aren’t washing properly. Talk about how germs are bad for people and that washing their hands is the only way to get rid of them.
5. Make it Automatic- You can buy an automatic soap dispenser for around $40 and your kids will love it. It will be a lot less messy and it will seem like hand washing is a cool, tech savvy thing to do.
6. Detecting Soaps- After having the germ conversation with your kids, it might be smart to get a germ detecting soap. After being applied, the soap will change colors once your child’s hands have been washed for the appropriate amount of time. They’ll be hooked after the first time they see the “magic,” happen.

Washing your hands is important for people of all sizes. Washing your hands after every trip to the bathroom can reduce your risk of contracting the stomach bug by over 40%. If these tricks didn't work, you could try one of these other helpful tips.

What are some of your favorite tricks? Feel free to share with us on Facebook.

You can’t wash your hands without water! If you are having problems with your plumbing, call Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter today at 516-874-7937 or visit us on the web.