Kids’ face masks no longer refer to just Halloween. They are about to become part of our regular routine.
We rounded up some of the best kids’ face masks available, as well as some creative alternatives if your child puts up a bit of a fight when it comes to having their face covered!
From toddler masks to half-face masks (also known as gaiters) and even winter face masks for the upcoming year ahead, we’ve scoured the internet looking for different options because we know not all kids are alike.
Related: If you are looking for kids’ face masks that will work with Halloween costumes, we’ve got you covered in this post!
Note: These masks are not intended to protect FROM viruses and are not medical equipment, rather, people are being asked to wear masks to avoid spreading germs. Requirements vary from place to place, so please be sure to follow all requirements for your area in regards to social distancing and face mask requirements and use.
For additional information on keeping children healthy during the COVID pandemic, please visit the CDC’s information regarding children.
Many states across the United States and lots of places around the world are now requiring that people wear face masks when they are out in public and unable to maintain recommended social distancing requirements. (And updated as of July 2020, most students will also be required to wear masks if/when they return to in person teaching).
And in most places, this includes children, sometimes as young as 2 years old as well. We all know it can be a challenge to get kids to wear shoes (or pants) sometimes, so this is definitely going to be a challenge for some families. But that is where creativity comes into play!
Awesome Kids' Face Masks & Covering Ideas
From simple and functional to brilliant and funny, we are loving these kids' face masks and other ideas for covering their cute little faces when heading out somewhere it is required.
Basic cotton face masks are the most popular. They are simple to use, washable, and can be found for affordable prices all over. They can also be made at home!
We like this one for the curved design to cover the nose, sizing based on age, and the extra thin elastic which seems more comfortable for little ears.
Masks are notorious for being uncomfortable on ears. That is probably going to be one of the biggest issues for kids, apart from actually having their faces covered.
This mask uses a longer band of elastic to go around the back of the head, rather than around the ears.
Ties are another great option for kids. Younger kids won't be able to take them off as easily and they off another alternative to the ear loops.
The simple half face scarf has been widely used by adults, and a kids version is the same, just smaller. These act like mini infinity scarves until pulled up over the mouth and nose.
Some even have pockets for filters like this one does.
We love these minature versions of the ear savers nurses have been using to take some pressure off their eats. The headband can be worn anytime, and then a mask added by looping the elastic on the mask around the sewn-on buttons.
There are also ones without bows and some that look like sweatbands in case those are preferred!
Perfect for the little superhero in your family. Kids will actually think it is fun when they have to go into character, and they will love the reaction they get from people in public!
Also available in Captain America, Spiderman, and the Black Panther
This is a great option for adults too, especially if you don't want to have to carry a mask separately in case you come into close proximity with other people.
Just tie it as a neck scarf, and then when needed, it looks like it is pretty simple to loop around the ears and has adjustable ear loops to fit different sizes.
Obviously just for the colder winter months (when things are expected to likely pick up again), this balaclava is just adorable.
The wind guard makes a great face covering and the adjustable string means you can probably keep it snug enough to avoid them pulling it off.
Now I get it, this seems a bit extreme, however, it is actually really smart. The packable sun hat is similar to the style many kids are used to wearing, and the face shield doesn't actually touch their face, so there is less irritation there.
This could be a great solution for little kids over 2 who might play with a mask too much. We've actually seen videos of entire classes of little kids wearing these at a school online too!
You could make it their "Bee Keeper" costume!
Let's face it, kids can get away with some pretty cool things. Like wearing costumes in public. We think if kids are going to have to wear masks to do their part in this pandemic, then they might as well have fun while doing it!
This Astronaut Helmet is the perfect addition to your dress up box, and they can continue to play when they head out on a mission that requires close contact with alien lifeforms.
Maybe your child still refuses to wear something, not because it covers part of their face, but because it is boring. This could be the solution!
Let them dress up as the Supreme Leader from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker just once and they will be begging to wear it out. When they talk loudly or yell into the mask, it lights up!
Probably not the best mask to choose for a visit to the library, however...
Sticking with the costume idea, younger children might have difficulty understanding why they are wearing a mask with their regular clothes, but give the a way to make a connection, and they will understand!
This adorable Veterinarian set comes with a face mask and scrubs, plus a puppy and all the tools a Vet needs to care for it!
Remember, the best protection is to adhere to social distancing and follow CDC recommendations for handwashing and hygiene. Some of these face masks for kids are obviously for fun, but sometimes it might be the only thing they are willing to put on!
Things to consider when purchasing face masks for kids and toddlers
Fit
A child’s face mask needs to fit properly in order to be effective, and to be comfortable to wear long enough for a day out in stores, public areas, and especially schools.
Adult masks are not appropriate in most cases for long term use as they are typically too large for smaller children (toddlers especially). Excess fabric becomes an annoyance, which leads to increased fidgeting and playing with masks (at least based on my experience as a mom with two little ones!)
In the same sense, they should also not be too tight-fitting, which also not be comfortable and could potentially impact breathing. Be mindful when shopping for masks now as there are often various sizes offered for toddlers, kids, and adults with various sized faces.
Comfort
As weird as it is, we all probably have our own favorite picks out of our newly acquired mask collection. When shopping for children’s resuable face masks, a comfortable fit could mean the difference between refusal and general acceptance of wearing one!
For our family, we have found that the masks with pleats tend to be less preferred than softer cotton face masks that are more ergonomically shaped and follow the outline of the nose and cheekbone. The face masks from Target have actually been not only the cheapest we have found for reusable kids masks (2 masks for $4) but are hands down the winner for comfort for my daughter at least too—and I find adult size very comfortable as well.
Personal Style & Preference
The best way to help kids buy into the idea of wearing a mask is to give them a say in what style or design they get to order. Think of it as an accessory, or a statement piece. Give them the opportunity to share their favorite characters, hobbies, or personality traits in their mask selection—there are virtually limitless options out there now!
In the same way, help them figure out how to make wearing a mask for long periods of time—such as at school—easier by offering:
- mask holders (that wrap around their head to save their ears like these various styles or the ones in the image to the right),
- a lanyard to clip on to the elastic (to ensure it doesn’t fall to the floor or get lost when taking a mask break or eating), or
- using a headband or gaiter style cloth covering instead.
The more buy-in we get from our kids, the easier this transition will be! For some great ideas on how to help your child adjust to wearing a face mask, check out this article in the NY Times.
Please share this post on your social media and pin it to your Pinterest boards to help other parents find solutions to the “new normal” of having children wear face coverings!
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