Wearing masks to protect against Covid-19 and other illnesses continues to be a requirement in many areas throughout the United States as well as the rest of the world. Many schools are open for in-person instruction and many children are required to wear a mask.
Especially for children under 12 who cannot yet get vaccinated, mask wearing can be very important. While wearing a mask will help slow community spread of the Coronavirus, it can be a challenge to ask children to wear a mask for hours at a time. Getting children excited about wearing a mask is something you can do to help ease them into the habit.
Thankfully, there are many kid-friendly masks in all kinds of designs available for purchase! This article will review some of the best masks for kids available today.
Some Mask Wearing Guidance
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends that children over the age of 2 wear a mask in public settings and when around people who do not live in their household, especially when other social distance measures are hard to maintain.
When wearing a mask may not be feasible for a variety of specific instances, adaptations and alternatives should be considered. Please make sure to follow the advice of your doctor and local regulations when selecting a good face mask.
Things to Consider When Purchasing Masks for Kids
There are some things to keep in mind when purchasing masks for children.
- Fit. A mask should fit securely and snugly to the child’s face. Most adult masks are not made to contour the smaller features of child’s face, so a mask specifically made for kids is best. It will be helpful to measure the circumference of your child’s head before mask shopping to ensure a proper fit.
- Material. Masks are made from various materials, and children may find they prefer one material over another. My kids prefer all cotton masks, while others may prefer a mix of spandex or polyester. Also consider how different materials react to skin sensitives in children. If the area the mask touches starts to break out or become irritated, it may be due to a reaction to the material or coating on the mask.
- Hygiene. Remember to practice proper mask hygiene. Fabric masks should be washed after use according to manufacturer directions and dried before wearing. Advise children to try to keep hands off the mask, especially the inner lining or filter. It may be helpful to provide your children with a carrying case or bag to store their mask in when not in use. This will help cross-contamination of germs. Also, have children wash their hands for 20 seconds in warm water with soap after handling a used mask.
- Proper wearing. Children should be provided with instructions on how to properly wear their mask. According to the CDC, masks should be worn over both the nose and mouth and removed by untying the strings behind the head or stretching the ear loops and folding the outside corners together. Advise your children to be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth while taking a mask off and on and to sanitize or wash their hands after handling.
- Purchase extras. Unless you plan on washing your child’s face mask every day, then purchasing multiple face masks for your child will be necessary. For my own kids who recently went back to school, I purchased five cloth masks, one for each weekday. When they come home, the mask they wore that day goes into the laundry pile to wash over the weekend. A box of disposable masks is also good to have on hand in the event a cloth mask is lost or all of them are dirty.
Now that you know what to consider as you are purchasing masks for kids, here are some of the best offered!
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
Spiderman Mask | |
Gootrades Teeth Mask | |
Hulk Gaiter Mask | |
Hogwarts Mask | |
Themed Mask Set | |
Minions Masks | |
Face Mask Set of 4 | |
Crayola Kids Face Mask Set | |
LAPCOS Kids Face Mask Set | |
Casaba Kids Face Mask | |
Dallix Kids Face Mask | |
Martex Reusable Kids Masks | |
Laotie Kids Face Shield | |
Kids Neck Gaiter Mask | |
Disposable Kids Masks |
Spiderman Mask
If you have a child that loves superheroes, especially Spiderman, then this cloth mask is a must-have item! This mask is made of polyester and spandex and has a built-in pocket to hold a filter. One filter is included with the mask, so I would advise purchasing additional filters if possible.
This mask has a vibrant design that is perfect for children. With its bright colors, it will not get lost easily. Adjustable ear strings mean that you can custom fit this mask to fit your child and makes for easy, sanitized removal as well.
Gootrades Teeth Mask
Something that is missed with everyone wearing masks is seeing beautiful smiles! These kids face masks for school will not only make other people smile, but they give your child a chance to show off their “pearly whites.” This set comes with four different face emotions (which kids will love) to choose each morning before school! The masks are made of a heavier cotton material and will help keep your child’s germs contained.
Hulk Gaiter Mask
Neck gaiter style face masks are rising in popularity thanks to their ease of putting on and keeping handy. This style of mask is ideal for kids because it can stay gathered around their neck when not in use. This Hulk face mask is another great option for kids who love superheroes or comics! With the instantly recognizable green, teeth-barred mouth, children will love impersonating their favorite “Hulk Smash!” voice when wearing. What kid wouldn’t want a photo while wearing this mask.
This mask is made of quick-drying microfiber and is machine washable. It also protects against sun rays, serving multiple purposes! The neck gaiter masks are designed to be worn around the neck and raised up over the mouth and nose when needed.
Harry Potter /Hogwarts
For the resident Gryffindor or Slytherin in your house, this Harry Potter designed mask is a must-have accessory! Made of 100% polyester, this cloth mask features the Hogwarts School crest. The mask has a built-in pocket to fit a filter, of which two are included with purchase.
An adjustable M-shaped nose clip and elastic sliding earbuds make this a great option for kids, as it can be custom fit to lay securely on their face. With five layers of filter cloth, this mask is perfect for keeping germs contained.
There are many designs available with this mask. Choose from Hogwarts, The Simpsons, Mickey Mouse, Disney Frozen, BTS, Pokemon, and several others.
Themed Mask Set of 5
I love this set of masks for kids for a few reasons. First of all, they offer so many styles that appeal to kids. Options include designs from superheroes to Minecraft, Star Wars to princesses, Among Us to Sonic the Hedgehog. There is sure to be a pattern that your child will be thrilled about!
Additionally, these masks are a great buy because of the value. For about $20 you get 5 high-quality, comfortable masks that kids won’t mind wearing all day. The ear straps can be adjusted and the material gently curves around the nose, which helps if they wear glasses. For these reasons this set of kids’ masks will quickly becomes a favorite!
Minions Masks
These cheery masks will be a hit for any child who loves Despicable Me or the Minions movies! Featuring bright fabrics with the unmistakable grins of the popular Minions, these masks are vibrant and will help your child stand out from the crowd.
Running a bit smaller than other options, these masks are best for kids about 3-7 years old.
Face Mask Set of 4
Made of 100% cotton and polyester, these masks are a favorite among kids and parents. Kids love the bright, fun designs. These masks are comfortable and adjustable and come in a set of 4. They are made of 3 layers, so parents can rest assured the masks can keep kids safe.
With dozens of different patterns to choose from, your kiddo is sure to love one of these sets. From unicorns to mermaids and sharks to video game prints, there’s something for every interest.
Crayola Kids Face Mask Set of 5
This bright set of five colorful crayon-themed cloth masks is perfect for your back to your school shopping list. The dual layer fabric is designed to be breathable yet offer protection at the same time. Adjustable ear straps and a custom nose clip will fit perfectly to your child’s face.
The masks come with a mesh bag as well, ready for the washing machine! This set of masks is perfect for Monday through Friday use at school. There are 3 fun sets to choose from.
LAPCOS Kids Face Mask Set
This great set of simple masks is popular among kids. The stretchy material is very comfortable, and the bright colors are fun for kids to wear. Not only are they light and breathable, they also provide UV protection. This makes them a great choice for school, sports, or any other activity kids might enjoy.
Although these masks are not adjustable, since they are a bit stretchy, they are a good choice for almost any child.
Casaba Kids Adjustable Face Mask
These reusable face masks are perfect for kids as they form around the face, creating the best fit for youth. Available in a variety of colors, there are sure to be a few that your child loves!
Ear straps can be tied for a perfect fit, while a sturdy polyester outer and 100% cotton inner lining offer all-day comfort.
Dallix Kids Cotton Face Mask
This basic fabric face mask is perfect for having a few extra reusable masks around the house. These are made with multiple layers of 100% cotton and come in a variety of colors. Elastic ear loops and a form-fitted shape will ensure a secure fit to your child’s face.
Martex Kids Face Mask
The Martex reusable face masks are another set of fabric face coverings that are perfect for kids with their fun prints. Available in unicorn, hearts, dinosaurs, rocket ships, or stars, there is certain to be a pattern that your child will love!
These masks feature two cotton layers with an inner polypropylene lining. The mask can be machine washed and reused as well.
Kids Plastic Face Shields
For kids that cannot wear a mask for medical or other reasons, a face shield is another great alternative. Plastic face shields help prevent the spread of germs by acting as a literal shield over the eyes, nose, and mouth. These plastic face shields attach to a head band that wraps around the child’s head, providing hours of protection.
With a face shield, your child’s face will be able to be seen, making this a great option for younger children as they may have more difficulty keeping a mask on for a whole school day.
Kids Neck Gaiter Mask
This set of kids’ neck gaiter style masks are perfect to have on hand when your child tires of a traditional ear-loop style mask. Available in a variety of fun prints and colors, these silky-soft neck gaiter masks are designed to be worn around the neck and pulled up over the mouth and nose for virus protection. These gaiter masks come in a set of 4.
These masks are a great option if your child is required to wear a mask during sports or other physical activity. Not only will they help contain virus, but they will also keep dust and other particles out of your child’s airway system. They also offer an additional layer of sun protection!
Disposable Kids Masks
As I mentioned earlier, a pack of disposable masks will come in handy, especially as the school year gets underway. Kids are inevitably going to misplace their fabric masks at some point. This box of masks comes in a pack of 50 and features several kid-friendly designs. The nose clip and ear loops are adjustable to ensure a proper fit. The three-layer filter system will help prevent the spread of Covid-19, as well as other germs that kids will encounter.
Final Thoughts
These are uncertain times we are living through and our children are getting a front-row seat to a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. As they return to school, sports, and other activities that have otherwise been put on hold, there will undoubtedly be some nerves mixed with the excitement of seeing their friends again. Remember to offer your child plenty of grace as they learn to navigate the new rules of pandemic mitigation, and do not forget to extend the same grace to yourselves. Stay healthy!
FAQs
What are some tips on getting kids to wear masks?
There are several ways to help get your child on-board about mask wearing. First, pick a design that appeals to their interests. With so many options out there, you are sure to find masks that feature a character, game, or show your child is excited about. Next, make sure to purchase masks that will be comfortable. Look for soft material, adjustable straps, and a secure fit.
How can parents know if a child’s mask fits properly?
To ensure a mask properly fits your child, buy masks specifically designed for children. This will ensure it won’t leave gaps or irritate their face. It’s even a good idea to measure the circumference of your child’s head before purchasing a mask for them. Once your child tries on the mask, check to make sure it covers their mouth and nose entirely.
Is disposable or reusable masks better for young kids?
Both disposable and reusable masks possess benefits for young kids. Disposable masks are stress-free since it’s not a big deal of your child misplaces them. On the other hand, reusable masks produce less waste and provide a better value since they can be worn over and over.
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