Hand Washing

Make Your Own Soap Kids Lesson Plan

Proper handwashing requires 20 seconds of lathering. This project helps make spending time with soap a fun activity, rather than a chore.

Young child leaning over bathroom sink next to block of soap

Download the Make Your Own Soap Lesson Plan

Make Your Own Soap Lesson Plan

Goals and Skills

CHILDREN WILL:

Learn and demonstrate the effective way to wash hands
Understand why taking time is important when washing hands
Experiment with textures and shapes
Create three-dimensional sculptures

SUPPLIES AND PREPARATION:

Set up at least 4 soap-making stations, supplied with each of the following materials

One bag of soap flakes
Water
Container for mixing
Paper plates
Old pencils, pens or other dull carving tool
Tissue paper
Ribbon

YOU WILL ALSO NEED:

Sink, soap and towels for practicing handwashing
Optional: Make copies of the Good, Clean Fun Coupons (page 4 of PDF) to send home with students

BACKGROUND FOR TEACHER

You can also learn more about when and how to wash hands: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

Instruction Steps

It is recommended that students have prior knowledge and understanding of shapes and the differences between circles, squares, triangles, half circles, trapezoids etc.

EXPLAIN

Begin by asking students why and when we wash our hands. Invite children to first share their ideas.

Explain that washing our hands with soap and water helps keep us healthy by removing germs that can make us sick. Washing hands takes time—as long as it takes to sing the ABCs. Why? Because that’s how long it takes germs to come off your hands.

WASHING HANDS

Time to practice how to wash our hands. First, go over how to wash hands, step by step, then have all students demonstrate their understanding of the steps.

Wet hands with water.
Add soap
Rub hands together to make bubbles.
Don’t forget to scrub between fingers and under nails.
Keep scrubbing for 20 seconds.
Rinse well.
Shake off and then dry with a towel or air dryer.

SOAP SCULPTURES!

In this next activity, students will practice their knowledge of geometric and three-dimensional shapes while cleaning their hands with soap. Divide the class into four groups. Designate one group at each soap-making station.

First, mix soap flakes with enough water to make the consistency of dough. Give each student a tennis ball-sized piece. Assign different shapes to each group, such as triangles, circles/balls, squares/cubes, and trapezoids, for example. Have students identify their shapes and explain what makes them different than other shapes.

Once students have finished their sculptures, set them on paper plates to harden overnight. Make sure students label their plates so they can identify them later. When the soap sculptures have hardened, have students carve their initials or patterns in the soap using dull pencils or pen lids. Wrap finished soap sculptures in tissue paper and tie with ribbon to take home so students can practice handwashing.

REFLECT

As a reflection, review the handwashing steps with the class again. Have students share what they learned.

HOME CONNECTION

Send home copies of the handwashing coupons on pages 4.