6 Easy-to-Learn Hand-Washing Songs for Kids

Washing hands is an important part of a child’s routine at home and at school. Songs can make handwashing more fun and help children remember the routine. Children should wash thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Some of these are best played in the background while washing hands, while others are simple enough for children to memorize and sing independently.

Here are 6 hand-washing songs and rhymes, with lyrics, for toddlers and preschoolers.

1. Top and Bottom

This simple hand-washing song is sung to the tune of Frère Jacques. Follow along with the actions in the video.

Lyrics:

Top and bottom
Top and Bottom
In between
In between
Scrub your hands together
Scrub your hands together
Nice and clean
Nice and clean

2. This is the Way We Wash Our Hands

For another simple song, change the words of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush and add any verses you like, such as "This is the way we dry our hands".

Lyrics:

This is the way we wash our hands,
wash our hands, wash our hands.
This is the way we wash our hands.
Early in the morning.

3. Wash Your Hands Song - The Singing Walrus

This hand-washing song by The Singing Walrus is easy for kids to sing along to. 

It is a bit long, but kids can memorize the chorus and repeat that as they wash their hands. It can also be played in the background as kids follow along with the actions.

Here are the lyrics:

Wash your hands, wash your hands
Everybody come along and
wash your hands!
(Repeat verse)

Show me, show me your hands,
everybody
Show me, show me your hands
- Are they dirty?
Show me, show me your hands,
everybody
Time to wash your hands

Rub, rub, rub your hands,
everybody
Rub, rub, rub your hands
- Are they soapy?
Rub, rub, rub your hands,
everybody
Time to wash your hands

And we sing
Wash your hands, wash your hands
Everybody come along and
wash your hands!
(Repeat verse 4 times)

Dry, dry, dry your hands,
everybody
Dry, dry, dry your hands
- Are they dry yet?
Dry, dry, dry your hands,
everybody
Time to wash your hands

Shake, shake, shake your hands,
everybody
Shake, shake, shake your hands
- Are they clean now?
Shake, shake, shake your hands,
everybody
Time to wash your hands

And we sing
Wash your hands, wash your hands
Everybody come along and
wash your hands!
(Repeat verse 4 times)

Before you eat
wash your hands!

When you come home
wash your hands!

In the bathroom
wash your hands!

After you play
wash your hands!

Wash your hands, wash your hands
Everybody come along and
wash your hands!
(Repeat verse 4 times)

4. Wash Like The Wiggles - The Wiggles

The Handwashing Song by The Wiggles is a fun version that lets kids watch while they clean their hands. 

5. Wash Your Hands with Baby Shark

This song by PinkFong is probably one of the easiest action songs to teach your kids. They just need to remember a few actions and throw in a whole lot of doo, doo, doos.

Here are the lyrics:

Wash your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Wash your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Wash your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Wash your hands!

Grab some soap,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Grab some soap,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Grab some soap,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Grab some soap!

Rub your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Rub your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Rub your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Rub your hands!

Rinse your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Rinse your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Rinse your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Rinse your hands!

Dry your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Dry your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Dry your hands,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Dry your hands!
"What else can we do?"

Cover your sneeze,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Cover your sneeze,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Cover your sneeze,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Cover your sneeze,

Cough into your elbow,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Cough into your elbow,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Cough into your elbow,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Cough into your elbow!

Safe at last,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Safe at last,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Safe at last,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Safe at last!

Let's stay healthy,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Let's stay healthy,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Let's stay healthy,
Doo doo doo doo doo.
"Let's stay healthy!"
"Oh, yeah!"

[source]

6. Wash My Hands Rap - Jack Hartmann

Teach your kids this fun rap by Jack Hartmann. This song is not really one to memorize, but rather to play for your kids to educate them about good hand-washing practices.

Sing along to the chorus:

Wash, wash, wash my hands, do the wash my hands rap
Wash, wash, wash my hands, do the wash my hands rap

I hope you’ve found some fun hand-washing songs to help make the routine easier and more enjoyable for your kids.

Need more songs for everyday routines? Try these clean-up songs or explore these transition songs for preschoolers, including songs for sitting down, lining up and moving between activities.