Germ and microbe plushies work well as props in a hygiene lesson: they make a germ something students can name, hold and talk about. They do not show how germs spread, though. For that, pair the plush with a Glo Germ activity, where gel on hands and a UV lamp show students where simulated germs actually end up.
What germ plushies are good for
- Starting a conversation. A stuffed microbe gives students a character to ask about before the lesson starts: what is it, how does it get around, and how do you stop it?
- Making a germ feel real. For younger students, a soft toy is easier to talk about than an invisible germ.
- Marking who "carries" the germ. Hand the plush to the student who starts an activity, so everyone can see who the starter is.
What a plush cannot do
A plush does not show students where germs go, does not check how well they washed their hands, and does not kill or remove germs. Those are the parts students remember most, and they need something students can see. That is what Glo Germ is for. It is a gel or powder that acts like simulated germs and glows under UV light, so students can check for themselves.
Pair a plush with a Glo Germ activity
These activities come from the classroom activities page, which has the full steps, materials and discussion questions.
| Activity | Grades | Where a plush fits |
|---|---|---|
| The Handshake Chain | K to 2 | Hand the plush to the starter, then trace how the glow travelled from hand to hand. |
| How Well Did We Wash? | K to 3 | Introduce the plush as the "germ" students are trying to wash away, then check under UV. |
| Germ Detective: Surface Trail | 2 to 5 | Use the plush as the clue that starts the investigation, then follow the trail with a UV lamp. |
| The Glove Challenge | 5 to 8 | No plush needed. Students check their own technique under UV. |
| Quick Rinse vs 20-Second Wash | 4 to 8 | No plush needed. A data experiment that also works as a science fair project. |
Which germs make good lesson topics
- For younger classes: everyday germs, such as colds, flu and coughs. They connect directly to handwashing and covering coughs.
- For food safety lessons: germs linked to food, such as E. coli and Salmonella. See cross contamination training for a kitchen version.
- For older students and health classes: serious diseases such as polio, hepatitis, HIV and TB. These are sensitive topics, so preview the material and check your curriculum before using them.
What you need for the Glo Germ part
- A long-wave UV-A lamp. A 365nm lamp gives the cleanest glow, and a phone light will not work. See what UV light you need.
- Glo Germ gel for hands and powder for surfaces.
- Soap, water and paper towels.
- A kit that pairs the lamp with gel and powder. The Premium Mini Kit suits a small group or a single demo, and Kit 1004 suits a standard class. See how to choose a Glo Germ kit for schools.
GermWise also sells Giant Microbes plush toys. You can see them on the Giant Microbes page.
Make the lesson something students can see
Glo Germ kits ship from Brockville, Ontario to every province, and schools can order by purchase order.
Shop Glo Germ Kits Choose a Kit for SchoolRelated guides
Frequently asked questions
Do germ plushies teach hygiene?
They help students name and talk about germs, but they do not show how germs spread. Pair a plush with a Glo Germ activity, where gel on hands and a UV lamp let students see where simulated germs end up.
Do plushies show how germs spread?
No. A plush is a prop. To show spread, put Glo Germ gel on one student's hands and use a UV lamp to see where it travels, as in the Handshake Chain activity.
Are there bacteria and virus plushies for a classroom?
Yes, germ plushies come in both bacteria and virus designs. For younger classes, everyday germs such as colds, flu and coughs connect directly to handwashing. For older students, plushies of serious diseases are best previewed by the teacher first.
What is a good Glo Germ activity to pair with a plush?
For Kindergarten to Grade 2, The Handshake Chain. For Kindergarten to Grade 3, How Well Did We Wash? For Grades 2 to 5, Germ Detective: Surface Trail. Each one lists its materials, time and steps on the classroom activities page.
What do I need to run a Glo Germ activity?
A long-wave UV-A lamp, Glo Germ gel for hands or powder for surfaces, soap, water and paper towels. A Glo Germ kit pairs a lamp with gel and powder. The Premium Mini Kit suits a small group, and Kit 1004 suits a standard class.
About GermWise. GermWise is a division of Marlatek Inc., based in Brockville, Ontario. We supply GloGerm hygiene-training products to schools, hospitals, food service and families across Canada.