An activity about germs for kids ages 2 to 6 is storytime. Pkids.org, sponsored by Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDS), features a free printable storybook, complete with colored illustrations and an engaging story about Grungy the Germ. The teacher or parent can read the story, which defines germs, instructs on where they live, what they do and how to prevent infection. Next, place pictures of hair, food, dirt and other things where germs are found on the blackboard. Ask the students which of the pictures shows places where germs can live and how to prevent spreading them.
Kidshealth.org features a lesson plan that calls for a fun hands-on activity. This activity, appropriate for small kids up to second grade, allows kids to get their hands as dirty as possible. Have the kids dig around in dirt for five minutes, return indoors and take a look at their hands through a magnifying glass. Ask if they would want to eat their lunch with hands that dirty. Next, half of the class washes their hands with just water while the other half washes with water and soap. Again, look at their hands through the magnifying glass to see how much soap really helps remove the dirt. Now, tell them that germs are just like the dirt, except you can't see them. This teaches the children that washing their hands with soap is very important.
Scholastic.com features an activity that demonstrates how germs spread. Place a hidden amount of cornstarch or flour in your hand and fake a sneeze into it. Cornstarch will fly every which way and land on objects around you, and some will remain on your hand. Shake a student's hand and touch a student's desk to transfer some of the cornstarch onto those objects. Clean up the cornstarch mess with baby wipes. Now, place another bit of cornstarch into your hand and fake another sneeze, this time covering your hand and face with your arm. Students will see that much less cornstarch makes it out of your hand. This shows how properly covering a sneeze or cough -- along with washing your hands right after -- can help to prevent the spread of germs.
The National Science Foundation hosts a website called The Scrub Club (scrubclub.org) that has interactive games on germs. The site revolves around the rivalry between the Scrub Club, a group of cool germ-fighting youngsters, and their enemy germs, Influenza Enzo, Bac, E. Coli and Sal Monella. Kids can go through the site to learn about proper hand washing and infectious diseases, play a game about an Elvis-impersonating germ and watch webisodes. The site has music, animation and colorful backdrops that teach kids about germs and preventing the spread of illness, all while having fun.