AI-Generated Summary: This article highlights educational resources and activities that help spark curiosity about science while encouraging healthy habits that support infection prevention and antibiotic awareness. It can help readers learn about tools for teaching antimicrobial stewardship to kids.
Authored by: Timothy P. Gauthier, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID
Originally published 24 November 2019, revamped 14 May 2026
Antimicrobial stewardship is becoming a more familiar term within healthcare settings and infection control has long been key to controlling outbreaks, but the importance of these topics goes beyond the wall of medical institutions.
When it comes to antimicrobial stewardship for kids, as a father of two small children I have wondered how they will learn about microbes, hand hygiene, antibiotics, and other science-related topics. After a little consideration on this topic it became clear that I do not need to wait for someone else to teach them, I can get them started early myself!
As a lesson in life I have learned that the easiest way to get something done is to see what others have done before you and adapt it to your needs. That is the inspiration for this article. Here, resources for teaching kids about hand hygiene, microbes, and science in general are identified. I may be using them to teach my children, perhaps you may find some useful for teaching yours.
Note that inclusion within this list does not necessarily reflect an an endorsement of the product(s).
1. e-Bug
Link is here.
e-Bug is a free set of educational resources operated by Public Health England. They can be used in the classroom or the home to learn more about microorganisms as well as the spread, prevention and treatment of infection.
There is a ton of content provided, which includes areas for teachers, learners, and trainers. The content is comprehensive, including videos, handouts, lesson plans, powerpoint presentations, photographs, and more. You can find categorized content for ages 3-5, 5-7, 7-11, 11-14, and 14-16 years.
2. Do Bugs Need Drugs?
Link is here.
This is a program run by the Alberta Health Services and the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. Similar to e-Bug, it offers a wide range of resources for a variety of learners.
There is a kindergarten through Grade 3 section that provides grade-specific lesson plans and activities. It includes flash cards about how to wash your hands, flash cards about when to wash your hands, images to color, songs about hygiene, and much more.
There are also resources dedicated to day cares and day homes, some of which has content for kids of all ages. A neat 28-page comic book called “keep germs away” is also provided.
3. Ferris State University’s Antibiotics Ambassador Program
This award-winning, 45-minute interactive program is designed for consumers of all ages to help them better understand antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and how to use these lifesaving medicines appropriately. It is associated with Michigan Antibiotic Resistance Reduction Coalition and is available here.
Resources include materials for elementary school programs, middle school education programs, high school students, and adult programs. They also offer information on how to become an ambassador or host site.
4. CDC Flu Activity Book
This color PDF book is available here.
This resource provides 16 pages of content and has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The activity book centers around Ready Wrigley who is a dog that teaches people about staying protected from the flu. There are numerous pictures to color, a crossword puzzle, a connect the dots photo, a song, a maze, and more.
5. Oregon Aware’s Antibiotic Resistance Activity Kit
This simple black and white PDF is available here.
This easily printable 12-page packet includes images for coloring, a crossword puzzle, a song to learn about washing your hands, quick hygiene facts, a fill in the blank game, a word scramble, and a maze.
This is a nice resource, because individual pages can be printed that correspond with the learning level for the child.
6. The American Society for Microbiology’s Modeling the Rise of Resistance
Link is here.
This resource is for grades 9-12, so it is more geared towards young adults. It provides information on natural selection and how it relates to antibiotic resistance.
7. Various kids books
Links go to Amazon, FYI I don’t get paid if you buy them in case you were wondering
- The Invisible ABCs: Exploring the World of Microbes
- This book goes from A through Z providing simple information from the world of microbiology
- Do Not Lick This Book
- This book follows Min the Microbe to teach kids more about what we can’t see with the naked eye.
- Organic Chemistry for Babies
- This book provides a simple introduction to carbon containing compounds and materials
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This book teaches kids a little about microscopes, cellular changes, types of biopsies, and benign tumors
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- Mia is a laboratory superhero who helps kids feel better using her magical science powers and her trusty talking microscope, Micah. She helps Leo get a diagnosis in this book. Moments to pause and think are integrated into the book.
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- This book teaches readers about different types of medications, the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists, key concepts in pharmacology (e.g. half-life, bioavailability, efficacy, potency), dangers of medications if used incorrectly, and how vaccines can help prevent diseases
8. Other neat things
- Drug Name Emoji Game Book
- This is a book I created, which is a lot more fun to play with kids than I thought it would be. If you know about drugs and you want to have some laughs with young folks, this can be a fun way to incorporate emojis into the experience.
- Glow Germ
- Glow germ is a visual tool for teaching hand hygiene that glows when it has not been completely washed from your hands
- Giant Microbes
- Giant microbes are large stuffed animals meant to mirror the shapes and patterns of microorganisms
Have another resource that may fit on this list? You can let us know here.
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