Kids are naturally curious, energetic, and love doing things their way. But since the COVID-19 pandemic began over a year and a half ago, the world has changed, and it’s no longer safe for children to roam freely or play as they used to. While it’s true that children seem to be less affected by the virus than adults, it doesn’t mean they’re completely safe. As parents, it’s still our job to protect them and help them understand coronavirus.
Teaching them how to wear masks properly, keep a safe distance, wash their hands often, and stay clean can make a big difference. The key is to make these lessons simple, clear, and even fun. So, how do we get them interested and help them learn about Coronavirus without scaring them?
We’ve put together a list of fun, kid-friendly activities to help you start those important conversations.
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus: Why It Matters
It’s essential to provide them with clear, age-appropriate information about the coronavirus. Open and honest discussions can reduce fear, clear up confusion, and empower children to protect themselves and others.
Understanding what’s happening around them helps kids feel safer and more in control. It also encourages empathy, responsibility, and cooperation in following hygiene and safety rules.
Top 4 Kid-Friendly Activities to Teach About Coronavirus
1. Bedtime Storytelling
Purpose: To help kids understand COVID-19 in a safe, calm, and familiar setting.
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Firstly, tell your child a story about the Coronavirus.
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Use online resources like short cartoon videos or colorful infographics to make it fun and easy to understand.
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After the story, invite them to ask questions.
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Listen to their responses to see what they already know or may be worried about.
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Be honest in your answers—keep explanations simple and age-appropriate.
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Pay attention to their emotions, and reassure them that you are always there to keep them safe.
2. Hide and Seek Home Explorer Camp
Purpose: To teach about COVID-19 through active play and discovery.
Materials Needed: Magic clay or any soft toys
Steps:
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Use magic clay to create 5–10 different shapes of the Coronavirus.
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Then, hide them around the house— in corners, under tables, or anywhere fun.
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Give your child a “mission” to find them all! Make it exciting by rewarding them with something when the mission is completed.
- After each find, ask them a simple question about COVID-19 to help reinforce what they've learned.
3. Drawing Game
Purpose: To visually demonstrate how germs stay on hands and why handwashing matters.
Materials Needed: Glow-in-the-dark neon pens, color markers, A4 papers, and water
Steps:
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Take your little one’s hand and put it onto a piece of A4 paper.
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Follow and trace your kid’s hand using a marker pen.
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Take away the hand, and paint certain parts of their hand sketch using a neon color pen.
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Lastly, turn off the lights and show your kids how it looks when germs stay on their hands.
4. Science Experiment
Purpose: To show how soap works against germs and emphasize hand hygiene.
Materials Needed: Pepper, soap, water, and a plastic container.
Steps:
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Fill a container with water.
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Secondly, pour some pepper into the water and make sure all the pepper fills the water's surface area.
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Put some soap onto your kid’s hands and rub it all over their hands.
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Slowly put their hands into the water container and let them see how the soap reacts to the pepper inside the plastic container.
💡 Tip: You can also introduce hand sanitiser as a quick, water-free alternative.
Essential Coronavirus Safety Practices that Kids Should Learn
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Wearing Face Masks:
Teach children how and when to wear masks. Practice putting it on and taking it off safely. -
Social Distancing:
Explain personal space in ways kids can relate to, like “two arm lengths away” from others when outside the home. -
Avoiding Face Touching:
Use gentle reminders or fun games to help them become aware of this habit. -
Sneezing and Coughing Etiquette:
Show how to sneeze or cough into the elbow or a tissue, and why it helps stop Coronavirus and other germs from spreading.
Coronavirus Safety Starts at Home
Therefore, parents must inculcate the importance of good hygiene and social distancing practices in their children. They should play a role in facilitating the task of teachers by adopting this new normal and practicing the same values at home. So why not make learning much more interesting by trying one of our top 4 activities at home today?
Did you know? Besides the Coronavirus, your child is also at risk of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). Learn how to protect them by reading our Tips for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) blog post.
