These hand washing songs are sure to help teachers and parents, alike, as they teach kids basic hygiene.
Be sure to check the bottom of this post for a free printable “how to wash your hands” pack!
Related: The Best Rhyming Songs
If you’re a teacher or a parent, you know that teaching children basic hygiene practices is a big deal.
Some of it is a bit of self preservation, as we just don’t enjoy being tissues for toddlers and preschoolers. (Please tell me I’m not the only who has had to launder so many shirts because of this!)
But, really, most of it is helping young kids learn how to take care of their bodies.
And one of the biggest hygiene-specific tasks we teach young children is how to wash their hands.
Otherwise, as we all know, they’ll either bypass the sink entirely or merely dip their fingers in the water for half a second.
Hand Washing Songs for Kids
I’ve gathered a variety of songs that help kids as they’re learning to wash their hands.
Honestly, these songs are great reminders during flu season, too, or when a lot of classmates are out with illness.
If there’s a coordinating YouTube video, I’ve included it. Otherwise, the underlined highlighted text link will get you more information.
Related: Alphabet Songs for Preschool
Hand Washing Videos with Songs
Below are some songs the kids can sing when learning to wash their hands. Some are just perfect for singing as they wash up too. Pick the tunes you and the kids prefer . . . and add them to your routine!
This song from The Wiggles is sweet and simple.
Add this one to your hand washing songs list, too. Here The Kiboomers touch on why we all should be washing our hands.
Here’s a catchy tune from Nancy Kopman.
Billy Gorilly takes a few moments to talk about the germs that give us colds, along with when and how to wash.
This song from Doc McStuffins gives the kids a catchy song to sing as they’re washing.
Laura Bartolomeo’s kids in “Can’t Nobody Call Me Germy” are adorable, singing along to the tune of “Old Town Road.”
The Singing Walrus’ song is cheery and easy to remember.
Pinkfong explores washing all parts of our hands.
Jack Hartmann gives a different beat to hand washing songs here.
This song from AppuSeries is super easy to remember.
Love that this video from The Wiggles includes children from around the world washing their hands.
The Raging Idiots’ hand washing song and video is a bit goofy and includes real kids to engage your students.
Super JoJo goes into detail about each part of our hands to wash.
This song from Cocomelon encourages kids to stop and think before running out of the bathroom without washing their hands.
Raya and Elmo have a catchy tune the children can sing as they’re getting those little hands clean.
Treetop Family’s song focuses in on washing before and after eating a snack.
Related: End of the Year Slideshow Songs
Make Up Your Own Songs
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always enjoyed making up silly songs with my students and my son.
Teaching the kids to wash their hands is definitely a great time to do just this. We’ve made up our own songs based on well-known tunes.
For some reason, I tend to fall back on the tune to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”, but you can choose another favorite.
Here’s one my son and I sang:
Wash, wash, wash your hands,
Get them nice and clean!
Scrub the tops
and scrub the bottoms,
And don’t forget in between!
We’d sing that through twice to help him learn about how long he should be washing his hands.
Some other hand washing songs to sing with the kids:
- “Happy Birthday” twice
- Try out Wunder Mom’s song to the tune of “Frere Jacques”
- The first two verses of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
- “The Alphabet Song” is a classic, of course
Keep in mind, you can also just grab snippets of your students’ favorite songs to sing as they wash their hands!
Why not pick a new favorite sing to sing each week to keep it lively?
More Hand Washing Videos
These videos are mostly just for you. Two of them show the proper way everyone should be washing their hands. The third one is just for your entertainment.
The World Health Organization has a video that shows the best way for all of us to wash our hands.
A doctor from UCLA gives a quick overview for how and why to wash hands. She breaks it all down into 5 steps.
Here’s a great experiment from Fantastic Fun and Learning – Make Germs Scatter Science Demonstration. Perfect to try with the kids when discussing why we use soap when washing our hands!
And I just had to add this hand washing song from The Holderness Family to give you a laugh. Because I know we teachers have been saying “Wash your hands!” since the beginning of formal schooling.
What about YOU? Do you have some favorite hand washing songs to share? If so, be sure to drop them in the comments and help us all out.
Hand Washing Printables
As promised, here’s a little printable pack focused in on teaching children how to wash their hands.
The printables are available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. Fill out the form below and grab them there.
If you’re not a member, you can join by filling out the form (and you’ll get the printables as a welcome gift).
Resources to Make Your Teaching Life Easier
You need to check out Preschool Teacher 101 for a multitude of preschool resources.
Be sure to get on the The Pack membership waiting list while you’re there. It will make an enormous impact on your teaching.
Below are some of our most popular resources: