“We mostly don’t get sick. Most often, bacteria are keeping us well” ~ molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler
How do you teach kids about these invisible things called germs?
You find the most engaging STEM books, videos, and activities that make those invisible germs visible!
Keep scrolling for STEM resources for preschool, kindergarten, 1st graders and 2nd graders- all about the different kinds of germs (also called microbes), how some make you sick, some are actually good for you, and how soap keeps the bad germs away.
(Just a reminder - I am never paid to mention any of these resources; there are no affiliate links.)
Germ Science Videos
What Are Germs? from Sesame Workshop
Leave it to Sesame Street to teach kids about germs in the cutest way possible in just 2 minutes! This video covers what germs look like, that some germs are good and some are bad, and why washing germs off your hands helps keep you healthy.
from MysteryScience
You can’t get sick from just touching germs. Those germs still have to make it inside your body to make you sick. Plus some mesmerizing slow motion clips of people sneezing.
What are Boogers? from SciShow kids
Boogers are gross, but they also protect you from germs!
Colds, the Flu, and You from SciShow Kids
How cold and flu viruses get in your body, and how your symptoms like sneezes and fever are actually your immune system fighting back!
Germ Science Books
written by Idan Ben-Barak and illustrated by Julian Frost
This book is absolutely delightful! Meet tiny microbe Min, who lives in this book. You can even pick her up with your finger, and take her to meet other microbes that live on your teeth, your shirt, and your skin. All my kids, from my preschooler to my 4th grader, got a kick out of this book.
written by Kim Sung-hwa & Kwon Soo-jin, illustrated by JKim Ryung-eon
Do your kids know that some germs are actually good for us? Meet the good germs who live inside the good germ hotel - a kid’s body! A lot of them help with your digestion, but some live on your skin. Having more good germs can even protect you from the bad ones!
It’s probably too much detail for a preschooler, but there’s plenty to discover here for an elementary school aged kid! Just be prepared for a poop-tastic end when those microbes that help with digestion…finish the job.
written by Colleen Paeff, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
This is the true story of a determined engineer who created a new sewer system in London, resulting in a clean River Thames and an end to the cholera outbreak. For obvious reasons, my older kids find this book fascinating.
This book is best for an older kid who isn’t afraid to read about a little bit (okay actually a lot of) poop!
Germ Science Activities
Experiment with Soap and “Germs” from Nanogirl
This activity is so easy to set up. Instead of germs, you’ll use black pepper. Water alone will make the pepper stick to your fingers, but with soap the black pepper will swim away from your finger!
from Science Buddies
With washable paint, kids can see just how well they’re really washing their hands.
from Whizz Pop Bang Magazine
Watch germs grow on bread inside a sealed plastic bag over several days. This one isn’t for the super squeamish, but clean up is pretty easy since the mess is contained inside sealed plastic bags.
That’s it for the science of germs! Are you ready to wash your hands yet?
Next month I’m welcoming in spooky season with the science of our amazing skeletons.
Until next time, have fun lighting sparks of curiosity!
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