Watch Germs Spread! Easy Science Experiment

Germs are invisible, but they’re everywhere! How do they spread so easily? Since we can’t see germs, learning how germs spread can be confusing for kids — and grown-ups, too. Thankfully, this easy science experiment can help children “see” how germs spread through touch.

Simple germ-spreading science experiment

Supplies

  • “Germs”: black pepper (or another seasoning like oregano), dry crumbled leaves, or biodegradable glitter
    • Important note: Always check for food allergies and other sensitivities. Black pepper can trigger asthma attacks in some people. Choose ingredients that are safe for everyone.
  • Lotion
  • Tray of toys and different items
  • 1 or 2 learning partners (friends or family members)

Experiment 1

  1. Mix the “germs” with lotion to make a sticky germ mixture.
  2. Rub the sticky germ mixture onto your hands.
  3. Touch the items in the tray.
  4. Have your learning partners touch the items in the tray.
  5. Check to see if any “germs” got onto your learning partners’ hands.
  6. Wash the “germs” off your hands.

Experiment 2

  1. Rub the sticky germ mixture onto your hands again.
  2. Shake hands and high-five your learning partners.
  3. Check to see if any “germs” got onto your learning partners’ hands.
  4. Wash the “germs” off your hands again.

Black pepper germ experiment video demonstration

Watch Pediatrician Dr. Betty Choi explain how germs spread through this easy science experiment.

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Published on October 13, 2025. Updated on October 13, 2025 by Betty Choi, MD

Published on October 13, 2025. Updated on October 13, 2025 by Betty Choi, MD

Dr. Betty Choi pediatrician

Betty Choi, MD

Dr. Betty Choi is a Harvard-trained pediatrician who makes learning fun and doable. She created the kids’ anatomy book Human Body Learning Lab, which Science Magazine recommends as a “notable standout in the genre.”