HI, our elementary school is discussing the need to remodel the student bathrooms. Any suggestions on how to improve the bathroom facilities to make them kid friendly and attractive?

We're thinking that by getting the students involved in the remodeling they will have ownership of it therefore, they would be less inclined to vandalize it or make messes in it. There have been issues with the kids smearing poo in the bathroom.


Thanks for any suggestions and ideas.

lisa, co-pto president

Kid height toilets, automatic flush and toilet paper dispenser that are easy for them to reach. Kid height sinks with automatic faucets and pump soap dispensers. Stainless steel stalls, tile walls and floors for easy cleaning. When our elementary school was remodeled they did all of these things. The bathrooms are bright. There is one long curvy sink with multiple faucets and the sink is placed right by the wide entry, so teachers can keep an eye on the kids and make sure they wash their hands thoroughly and don't play around. The automatic flush and faucets are real germ reducers.

I think getting the kids involved in the design will be a great motivator for them to be tidier and will be a great learning experience too. Let them vote on color schemes and themes.

Our school (not so new) also has the communal hand washing sink at the entry just outside the doors leading into the boys and girls bathrooms. That does help the teachers supervise, plus keeps the bathrooms less crowded when only handwashing is needed.

I think ours is the style where they step on the pedal to make water come out.

Definitely it's worth checking into the automatic features, but I'd investigate how hardy these are and how they'll hold up after 10, 15, 20 years.

One problem I've seen in several schools is how slippery the floor gets around sinks.