Germ Tag and the Sink
Two or three children in pinnies are the germs and tag others with a gentle touch on the back; anyone tagged goes to the sink (a hoop), washes their hands with a short chant and rejoins. It works on running and dodging and reinforces that handwashing “gets rid of germs.”
How to play
- In a circle, the teacher explains that germs are invisible and wash away with soap and water, then teaches the sink chant: “Water, soap, scrub-a-dub, germs go down the drain-a-rub!” (2 min).
- Place three hoops around the playground as sinks. The teacher is the germ and everyone runs; anyone tagged goes to a hoop, washes hands while chanting and comes back (2 min).
- Now three children put on germ pinnies and play tag (3 min).
- Switch germs so other children get a turn (3 min).
- Final wash: everyone goes to a sink, washes hands with the chant and, if it fits the schedule, heads to the real sink (2 min).
Rules
- Germs tag gently on the back, no pushing.
- If you’re tagged, wash your hands all the way and come back: no one is out.
- No tagging at the sink.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only the teacher is the germ and walks instead of running.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, three child germs, switching every few minutes.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, at the sink they must do all five washing steps (palms, backs, fingers, thumbs, rinse) before returning.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child can be the magic faucet at a sink, “turning on the water” for whoever arrives, or play with a classmate pushing the wheelchair.
- Autism: use pictures to preview that being tagged isn’t bad, it just means a trip to the sink and back.
- Visual impairment: play walking, in hand-holding pairs, and have the sink make a sound (an adult taps a hand drum).
Learning goals
- Run and dodge with control.
- Connect handwashing with getting rid of germs.
- Follow the rules of a tag game with no one out.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Pinnies: 3
- Hoops: 3
Teacher tip
Stress that the germ is a role in the game, not the person: “Today Maya is playing the germ.” If someone gets upset about being tagged, let them wear the pinnie for a while.
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