I’m pretty sure most kids fall into one of two categories: the ones that hate washing their hands and will avoid it at all costs and the ones that want to wash their hands until they’re nice and wrinkly. This germaphobe momma is pleased to say that my son falls into the second category. He happily washes his hands and does it well. If you’re struggling with getting your child to wash their hands you’ll want to give these tips a try.
- Encourage independence – Preschoolers love to do everything themselves. They’re constantly testing limits and looking for encouragement. Let them wash their hands and throw a little praise their way. Sure it may take more time, but in the long run it will pay off with a clean, confident kiddo.
- Use a visual aid – Sometimes preschoolers need a reminder of what comes next. I adore this free printable from Frugal Mom and Wife that includes visual cues for each step of washing your hands. Visual aids like this can be incredibly helpful for pre-readers.
- Sing a song – Did you know that the CDC recommends you scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds? This can feel like an eternity in preschooler time. Try singing a song while you wash. The ABC song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Row Row Row Your Boat all work well. If you’re feeling creative you can even come up with your own little tune.
- Make the sink more accessible – A small stool will make handwashing easier for kids. When they’re in charge of turning on the faucet and getting the soap they’re more likely to want to do it. Since they won’t have trouble seeing they’ll also be able to clean their hands better and make less of a mess.
- Give them their own special soap – Kids love feeling special so designate a special soap for them to use. My son loves Dial Kids Foaming Hand Wash. The bottle is just the right size for little hands and he gets excited with the “bubbles” (aka foam) it pumps out. Its “watery melon” scent is so good I can’t help but use it when I wash my hands too!
Thanks to Purex Insiders and Dial we had the pleasure of trying Dial Kids Foaming Hand Wash and Dial Baby Body & Hair Wash. Both washes keep kids and parents happy with their gentle formulas developed by pediatric dermatologists. They’re hypoallergenic with no added parabens or artificial dyes. I’m confident you’ll love these as much as we do so I’m happy to host a giveaway for a free bottle of your choice. The winner will receive one coupon for either a free bottle of Dial Kids Foaming Hand Wash or Dial Baby Body & Hair Wash. Please be sure to follow the rules in order for each entry to count. Good luck!
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The Dial® brand provided me with a sample of Dial® Baby Body + Hair Wash and Dial® Kids Foaming Hand Soap and coupons to share in exchange for a product review. Please know that all the opinions expressed here are entirely my own and not influenced in any way.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Krista a. says
April 23, 2015 at 5:04 pmI’d love to try the baby shampoo and wash!
Cynthia C says
April 24, 2015 at 6:05 amI think scents and packaging that appeals to kids makes hand washing fun for them.
Rebecca Parsons says
April 24, 2015 at 3:45 pmThankfully they really don’t mind it yet. My grandkids love the fact they are able to “play” in water. I am sure it will change as they get older.
Dana says
April 24, 2015 at 7:41 pmWe sing songs while we wash.
Soo says
April 25, 2015 at 7:44 amWe sing a special hand-washing song.
Grace Mitchell says
April 25, 2015 at 11:55 amWe act very silly while we do hand washing :)
Lauren says
April 25, 2015 at 8:12 pmFun soaps always help!
Miranda G says
April 25, 2015 at 11:24 pmMy son is only 22 months so I just kinda do it
Nancy says
April 26, 2015 at 11:12 amWe sing while we wash our hands. Fun squirt hand wash and a cute towel add to the experience.
kelly mcgrew says
April 27, 2015 at 8:37 amthis would be great for my sister who is adopting a little one; she could use this to make handwashing more fun!
Sarah Williams says
April 27, 2015 at 1:49 pmmy girls are still young enough that they think handwashing is fun because they get to “play in the water”. But, i know as they get older it will lose it appeal!
Amanda Saltsman says
April 27, 2015 at 8:45 pmby singing the Happy Birthday Song to time it
amy fischer says
April 28, 2015 at 12:04 amany way i can
Stephanie Larison says
April 28, 2015 at 1:43 amI try to buy fun scented soaps for her.
sunnie says
April 28, 2015 at 6:45 pmBy having a fun bottle.
Cassidy M Ciazza says
April 28, 2015 at 7:53 pmWe sing ” now its time to was our hands so we can be so clean!”
Laurie Emerson says
April 28, 2015 at 8:01 pmSometimes we sing our handwashing song they made up while they wash their hands and sometimes just do silly things like make faces in the mirror while doing it.
Kristie says
April 29, 2015 at 7:14 amI try to make it more fun by buying soap that smells great! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Nicole Sender says
April 29, 2015 at 11:00 amWe sing a song like Happy Birthday while washing hands!
Rene Chartier says
April 29, 2015 at 2:18 pmWe have fun character handwash and sing a special song.
James Robert says
April 29, 2015 at 3:04 pmWith my youngest, I have to do nothing. She is in forever washing her hands but does like fruit scents
Emi says
April 29, 2015 at 3:29 pmWe sing the Happy Birthday song
Natalie says
April 29, 2015 at 3:29 pmWe sing songs and giggle
Sarah Hall says
April 29, 2015 at 4:20 pmI get a soap product that they like and smells nice.
Tracy Webb says
April 29, 2015 at 5:13 pmWe sing.
Donna Cheatle says
April 29, 2015 at 5:24 pmWe play sing along games while we wash hands!
Susan Smith says
April 29, 2015 at 5:51 pmby singing the Happy Birthday Song while we wash hands
Leela says
April 29, 2015 at 6:02 pmI try fun scents.
amy deeter says
April 29, 2015 at 6:59 pmi sing with my kids while they do it and we also dance sometimes as well
jennifer says
April 29, 2015 at 7:38 pmWe usually sing a song while we wash our hands!
jeanette sheets says
April 29, 2015 at 7:43 pmwe just have fun and have a little jingle we sing about germs
Kelly Schirado says
April 29, 2015 at 8:52 pmPick me