6 personal hygiene rules for kids

Between the endless questions, missing shoes, and the “I can do it myself!” moments that require a full clean-up crew, your day is anything but calm. And yet – here you are, patiently guiding your kids through everything from tying their laces to personal hygiene. 

But what you might not realise is that every time you teach your child to wash their hands properly or pop their clothes in the laundry basket, you’re not just building good habits – you’re quietly buying back little slivers of your own day. And those slivers? They add up. Kids develop independence, and you enjoy the rare luxury of a bathroom break without a frantic knock on the door from a child who’s just attempted to plate up their own dinner... on the floor.

So go ahead – help them master these personal hygiene rules. Because these personal hygiene tips for kids lead to more self-sufficiency (and a little less calling for a grown up every five minutes). 

Why is personal hygiene important?

Before laying down any personal hygiene rules, your child needs to understand the answer to that all-important question: ‘why is personal hygiene important?’ More than anything, your child will learn this by observing your own hygiene habits

Sit your child down and explain to them the reasons why good personal hygiene for kids is key. These include:

• Preventing the spread of germs, which can make you ill.
• Making you feel healthier and better about yourself.
• Helping you to improve relationships with other children and people.

Create a daily personal hygiene checklist to help establish your family’s personal hygiene for kids’ routine. You can ask them to decorate it with colourful pens and stick this on their bedroom wall. So, what should be on that list? Here are six personal hygiene tips for kids to get you started.

1. Dental personal hygiene: brush teeth twice a day

Creating positive associations with brushing their teeth can help kids to develop long-lasting good personal hygiene habits. Make it fun right from the start by encouraging them to squeak like a mouse (for brushing the front teeth) or roar like a lion (for brushing the back teeth), or sing nursery rhymes to help keep them entertained for the full two minutes. Explain to them how brushing teeth keeps teeth healthy, and why healthy teeth are important, especially when it comes to eating all their favourite crunchy foods.

2. Personal hygiene for kids: washing hands

Hand washing can feel more like a chore for kids until they understand the real importance of personal hygiene rules. Explaining to kids that germs are little bugs that can cause nasty illnesses is a good start, but help illustrate the concept of bacteria with the glitter game.

Cover their hands in glitter, explaining how germs are just like invisible bits of glitter, and show them how the glitter transfers to everything they touch. Ask them to try and wash all the glitter off, explaining how it’s important to do this to stop the spread of the ‘invisible glitter’ – especially before meals and after going to the toilet.

3. Personal hygiene tips for kids: use a tissue

Kids who haven’t got to grips with personal hygiene rules yet tend to wipe their hands and noses on the nearest thing available – which is usually their sleeve! Help them to get into the habit of good personal hygiene for kids by keeping a soft roll of tissue paper, like handy. Explain to them that it’s softer on their noses, and it’ll stop germs spreading to the people they love.

4. Change underwear everyday

It sounds like common sense to you and I, but the importance of changing underwear every day is something kids need to be taught. Help them understand the difference between a good smell and a bad smell by showing them how lovely fresh laundry smells when it’s just come out of the wash. Explain to them that they’ll smell just as lovely if they change their underwear every day.

Nurture their personal hygiene independence by letting them choose their own underwear, encouraging them to put their dirty clothes in the laundry basket and asking them to help you with the laundry – it’s not just mum or dad’s job after all!

5. Take a bath or shower regularly

Teach kids that taking baths and showers is not only one of those essential personal hygiene rules, but that it’s also fun and relaxing. Turn it into a pamper session with bubbles, or into playtime with fun toys, so it’s is something they look forward to. And while they soak? You might just get a few golden minutes to sit down, sip something warm, or – imagine this – go to the toilet without prying eyes because the kids are too busy playing with the soap suds to notice your little break.

6. Regularly clip nails

Young children often put their fingers in their mouths, and because long nails can harbour bacteria, it’s best to keep them short. If your child finds having their nails cut uncomfortable, try playing music, singing a song or doing it while they’re in the bath, and explain to them that it will help them feel more comfortable. It’ll help them feel relaxed and create happy associations with nail clipping personal hygiene. 

Helping kids build good personal hygiene habits isn’t just about keeping them healthy. It’s about gradually handing over the reins, so you’re not always the one reminding, cleaning, managing, brushing, bathing, etc... 

Every tissue they reach for on their own, every time they remember to brush without being asked – those are little gifts back to you. A little more time to enjoy the finer things in life. So go ahead, share these personal hygiene rules, lead by example, and stick up that daily personal hygiene checklist with pride. Because while you're teaching them how to care for themselves, you're also showing yourself a little love too.