The Ugly Bugs return to help children wash their hands the cool way this Summer

Published date
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Health
Cartoon Watermelon washing hands



The Ugly Bugs are returning to help keep children stay well this Summer, and children across Worcestershire are invited to design their very own!

The bugs feature in a free fun activity pack to help remind children to keep washing their hands.

There’s an opportunity to design your own ugly bug. Send your ideas to us and your ugly bug could be featured in the County Council’s online gallery across their social media channels or in the 2024 winter campaign.

The Wash Your Hands The Cool Way, Summer Activity Pack features a wordsearch, our “Get to the Beach” game, ugly bugs to cut out and colour in.

Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water often during the day, then drying them properly is one of the best ways to keep you and your family safe from infectious diseases.  

While alcohol or antibacterial hand sanitisers are convenient, what most people don’t know is that they are not an effective protection against the common sickness bug, norovirus. 

Councillor Karen May, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Wellbeing at Worcestershire County Council said: “Every now and again we all need a little reminder to keep washing our hands well and frequently. In the busyness of life, it’s easy to walk away from the sink before we have rubbed our hands for at least 20 seconds. Good handwashing is one of the most important steps we can all take to avoid becoming ill and spreading germs to others.

Holidays are always fun family times, but keeping children busy throughout the week can take quite a bit of planning. The games and drawings in our Summer Activity Pack are a great way to have fun whilst teaching children about good hygiene.”

You can download the “Ugly Bugs Activity Pack” for children to draw and colour on the Safe Hands pages of the County Council website.

Anyone can also download Handwashing toolkits for Early Years settings and Primary Schools from there too.