With kids around the nation back in the classrooms, and social distancing measures beginning to ease, children will once again be more exposed to germs. We need to ensure they keep up their handwashing routine.

The challenge will now be to make sure kids continue to wash their hands thoroughly and keep clean.

Good hygiene, now more than ever, is vital for kids to keep themselves and others around them healthy. Smelling good and looking dirt-free is also great for developing kids’ self-esteem and a positive body image.

Fortunately, there are some great ways to make kids’ hygiene a whole lot more fun and less ho-hum!

Make handwashing fun

If your kids find cakes of soap hard to use (not to mention messy), then FUNatic Foam’s super foamy soap in a spray makes it fun and easy for kids to wash their hands. It has a rich lather that is soft to the touch, fun squirt mechanism, is mess-free and comes in three great scents and colours – Berry Blast, Bubble Gum and Apple. Kids can also have a whole lot of fun with it during bath-time, turning the whole tub into foamy fun. Plus, it has a no-stain formula and doesn’t harm eyes.

Bath paints

If your child is bored sitting in the bathtub, then washable tile paints are a great way to encourage a little creativity. You can easily make your own bath paints with some liquid soap, cornstarch and food dye. Kids can then have a ball painting the bathroom tiles. Just make sure to encourage them to wash down the walls with a sponge afterwards!

Bath bombs

There are loads of cute bath bombs on the market, but for something different for a rainy day or school holiday project, why not create your own with your kids? We’ve got a great recipe right here to make  your own bath bombs. You’ll need ingredients such as baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salts, essential oil, olive oil and food colouring. Who hasn’t met a kid enthralled by a fizzy bath bomb as it dissolves?

Handwashing songs

It’s generally agreed that you should be washing your hands for around 20 seconds in order to give them a thorough clean. There are some great handwashing songs that kids can learn to sing which are around 20 seconds long such as Row Your Boat. However, to make it more interesting, try teaching your kids a special handwashing version of the song. You could even print the song out and pin it up near the basin to remind them – and any adults – of the words!

Wash Wash Your Hands

(sung to the tune of Row Your Boat)

Wash, wash
Wash your hands
Wash them nice and clean.
Scrub them here (with hand motion scrubbing together)
Scrub them there (with hand motion scrubbing tops of hands)
And scrub them in between (with hand motion scrubbing between fingers)

Wash, wash, wash, your hands
Play our handy game
Rub and scrub, scrub and rub
Germs go down the drain HEY!

Wash, wash, wash, your hands
Play our handy game
Rub and scrub, scrub and rub
Germs go down the drain HEY

 Do you have any fun handwashing tips and tricks? Tell us in the comments below.