Handwashing coloring pages for kids
Soap, bubbles, sinks and simple step posters turn handwashing into a picture children can follow.
- Free to print
- Ages 3–10
- Letter & A4
What’s in these handwashing coloring pages
Here you will find a five-step handwashing poster, close-ups of scrubbing palms, thumbs, fingertips and the backs of hands, and everyday scenes of washing after the playground, after gardening, after pet care and before snacks or cooking. Germs appear as silly cartoon characters running from the soap, never as anything scary.
How these pages help
- Teaches the full routineWet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry, each shown clearly enough for a three-year-old to copy.
- Connects washing to real momentsThe “when do we wash” scenes help children remember to wash without being told.
- Makes a great sink posterColor the steps poster together and hang it at child height beside the sink.
- Turns twenty seconds into a gameThe singing page is a nudge to hum a song while scrubbing.
Choose a page to print
Print opens a ready-to-print page. PDF downloads US Letter; A4 is for the rest of the world.
Handwashing Steps Poster
Medium · ages 6–10
Five panels show a child washing from start to finish. Color it and hang it by the sink at child height.
Soap Bubble Friends
Easy · ages 3–5
Two kids wash at a sink with a smiling bar of soap among the bubbles. Big round shapes for preschoolers.
Scrub Between Fingers
Easy · ages 3–5
Soapy hands lace together to scrub between the fingers, the step most kids rush.
When Do We Wash
Medium · ages 6–10
Six small scenes show times to wash, like after the toilet and before eating. Great for a class discussion.
Sing While You Wash
Easy · ages 3–5
A girl sings at the sink as she scrubs. A song is an easy way to count out twenty seconds.
Germs Go Away
Easy · ages 3–5
Cartoon germs run off as a boy lathers up. Funny rather than scary, so kids get the idea without worry.
Towel And Sink
Easy · ages 3–5
A girl dries her hands on a towel beside the sink. The last step, which children often forget.
Handwashing Sticker Chart
Medium · ages 6–10
A grid of handwashing moments to color in one by one. Works well for a week-long habit challenge.
Clean Hands Superstar
Easy · ages 3–5
A boy shows off clean hands and a star badge. A cheerful reward page after a good wash.
Animal Friends Wash Up
Medium · ages 6–10
A bear, a bunny and a fox wash their paws at an outdoor sink. Lots to color for kids who like detail.
Clean Hands High Five
Easy · ages 3–5
Two kids high-five at the sink after washing. Quick to color and fun to share.
Dry With Clean Towel
Easy · ages 3–5
A boy pats his hands dry next to the basin. A clear picture of the finishing step.
Handwashing At Home
Easy · ages 3–5
A girl stands on a step stool to reach the bathroom sink. Connects the routine to the child’s own home.
Handwashing At School
Easy · ages 3–5
Two classmates wash side by side at a school sink. Good for the first weeks of preschool or kindergarten.
Rinse Under Water
Easy · ages 3–5
Hands rinse under a big tap while two kids and a soap bottle watch. One clear step on its own page.
Scrub Around Thumbs
Easy · ages 3–5
A girl lathers her thumbs while a friend and a kitten keep her company. Thumbs get missed, so they get their own page.
Scrub Back Of Hands
Easy · ages 3–5
A close-up of soapy hands rubbing the backs, with two thumbs-up kids behind. Shows washing is more than palms.
Scrub Fingertips
Easy · ages 3–5
A girl scrubs her fingertips while a soap pump and water drop cheer her on. Germs hide under nails.
Scrub Palm To Palm
Easy · ages 3–5
Palms rub together to build a lather as two kids laugh. The first scrubbing step to learn.
Soap Bubble Parade
Easy · ages 3–5
A grinning bar of soap and a rubber duck in a cloud of bubbles. Easy fun for the youngest children.
Wash After Gardening
Easy · ages 3–5
A boy washes muddy hands at a garden tap while his puppy waits. Ties washing to real life.
Wash After Pet Care
Easy · ages 3–5
A girl washes up after time with her bunny. Useful for homes and classrooms with animals.
Wash After Playground
Easy · ages 3–5
Two kids head to the sink with the slide behind them. A good back-to-class reminder.
Wash Before Cooking
Easy · ages 3–5
A boy washes while a grown-up chops vegetables. Use it before a baking or cooking afternoon.
Wash Before Snack
Easy · ages 3–5
A girl washes up with apple slices waiting on the table. One of the easiest habits to practice daily.
Download the whole set as one PDF
Want a whole book?
Prefer one download? The handwashing coloring pages are also in the free Healthy Habits Coloring Book, with a cover, name page and certificate.
How to use these pages
Color the wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry steps, then practice them at a sink. Point to the poster as you go.
Place a finished poster near a sink at child height. A laminated copy or clear sleeve can help it last longer.
For the steps poster, show children how to wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry. The CDC recommends scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Put the finished poster near a sink at a child-friendly height.
Questions to ask while you color
- When might you use the idea shown in handwashing steps poster?
- When might you use the idea shown in soap bubble friends?
- When might you use the idea shown in scrub between fingers?
- When might you use the idea shown in when do we wash?
- When might you use the idea shown in sing while you wash?
Looking for more? Try Bedtime routine coloring pages or Safety coloring pages for kids.
Frequently asked questions
How long should hands be scrubbed?
The CDC advises scrubbing with soap for at least 20 seconds before rinsing and drying.
What ages are these handwashing coloring pages for?
The handwashing coloring pages mix two levels. Pages marked Easy have bold lines and big spaces for ages 3–5; pages marked Medium add a little more detail for ages 6–10. Look for the label under each picture.
Can I print the handwashing coloring pages for a class or clinic?
Yes, the handwashing coloring pages are free to print in any quantity for a classroom, library, therapy room or clinic, as well as at home. Please do not sell them or upload them to another website.
