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Best children's face masks: where to buy breathable, washable face coverings for kids and teens
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Getting kids to wear something they don’t like can be tough to say the least, but with children returning to classrooms from March 8, it’s time to coax them into the habit taking a non-medical covering to school.
Along with rapid Covid testing, it’s vital that children take the good hygiene lessons from the last months with them, from washing hands, carrying sanitiser and wearing masks where possible.
While very young children are exempt from mask-wearing, the government has stated secondary school-children must wear them indoors, including classrooms, unless they can maintain social distancing (two metres).
If you can, get your little ones into the habit of wearing a face covering as “extra insurance”.
If your kids are headed back to school this spring, now is the time to ensure they have enough masks to see them through the week, including spares and extra filters to change through the day if necessary.
It has been mandatory to wear masks on public transport since June 15, 2020, and in all shops including non-essential ones. Only people with certain disabilities and very young kids (under two years-old) are exempt from wearing masks completely.
Why wear a non-medical face covering?
Wearing a reusable face covering helps catch the millions of tiny water droplets that are released in speech, coughing and sneezing, usually unseen by the naked eye. They hugely curb the chances of others catching coronavirus.
Remember, even if someone isn’t displaying symptoms, they could still be a spreader - and that includes infants, children and teenagers.
An additional protective measure
Frequent hand-washing and the use of hand sanitiser should still continue, but adding a mask to children’s outdoor wear is one more thing parents and guardians can do to help curb the spread of Covid-19.
Where do kids need to wear a mask?
Masks are compulsory on public transport, so bear this in mind if your children take the bus, train or tube to school. If they’re allowed out at lunch, they will have to wear one in stores although not while they are eating. When in school, they may have to wear a mask in corridors, classrooms and spaces where it’s hard to maintain a distance from others.
Face coverings vs PPE
NHS staff and other frontline workers still need clinical medical-grade PPE, which is why the government is advocating the use of reusable face coverings.
Typically made from strong, breathable cloth, they come with elastic ear loops and sometimes have a wire across the nose bridge to ensure a better fit. Some have a filter to keep it working effectively. You should wash them after every outing.
While adults understand why masks need to be integrated into everyday life, trying to get little ones to wear them without fiddling with them or whining can be tough. Thankfully, a number of brands have launched reusable fun, colourful designs to encourage children to wear face coverings.
From bright rainbow designs to Disney-themed styles, here are the best face coverings for children and teens.
M&S 5 Pack Reusable & Adjustable Kids' Face Coverings
Made from two-ply cotton, this face pack of face masks have been designed for children's faces. Ensure they fit properly by covering the whole lower face - that's nostrils, mouth and over the chin, sitting flush against the skin. Use the toggles on the ear loops to tighten the fit.
NotJust Clothing Face Masks
If you're looking for masks for your teens to wear with their school uniform, head to NotJust Clothing. The brand is offering monogrammed masks, so kids can have their initials or names embroidered on - perfect for ensuring they don't lose or mix them up with their friends.
Half of the profits from every sale will be donated to the Masks For NHS Heroes initiative, who are still purchasing essential PPE for frontline workers.
ISKO Vital facial coverings for teens
Available in sizes small, medium and large, ISKO is offering a range of organic cotton masks that are reusable up to 30 times and fitted with a nose wire for a secure fit. While the small should fit kids well, opt for medium if you're shopping for mask for your teenager.
Star Wars Cloth Face Coverings, Pack of 4
Available in four sizes from S to XL, this four pack of washable face coverings from the Disney Store are covered in much-loved Star Wars characters. The pleated masks come with elastic ear loops and are good for four hours wear at a time, so ideal for short trips.
What’s more, Disney will donate all the proceeds from the sales of its family-friendly cloth face coverings (up to £500,000) to Europe’s Red Cross organisations to support vulnerable people.
Vistaprint Children’s Face Masks
The photo printing store has pivoted its business to offer stretchy face masks for adults and children. There are plain block colours but for little ones we like the graphic prints of hearts, planets and dinosaurs. They’re shaped to fit over the nose and under the chin and come with an inside sleeve for filters (sold separately).
You can also design your own, a great way to persuade stubborn offspring into wearing one.
MaskClub Harry Potter Hand Drawn Icons Pattern
MaskClub offers thousands of officially licensed designs, from Adventure Time and comic book heroes to Harry Potter. Printed on soft fabric, this one is patterned with famous HP designs and icons, finished with a white, polyester microfibre lining.
You can make the reusable mask more effective by slipping in a filter, sold separately.
MaskClub has promised to donate 10 per cent of sales to NHS Charities Together. They’re typically £13.99 for an individual mask, but if you set up a monthly subscription you can save up to 30 per cent off.
Claire’s Reusable Face Coverings
Claire’s, the accessories destination for children and tweens, has launched a collection of cool and fun face coverings specifically for their target audience: think tie-dye, rainbows and unicorn motifs. The masks are made from two layers of cotton, and come in three sizes so they should fit your little one properly. Individual masks are £8 but multipacks offer the best value for money, with three for £20.
Tiger Face Mask by Wild Things Funky Little Dresses
The key to getting really young kids to wearing masks is to present it like a game. Help them play with animal face masks; these come complete with a headband headress. Fun as well as functional, the two-layer cotton masks are breathable and come in two sizes: the kids one fits ages 3 -10, with elastic ear loops to help you tie the masks securely. Bunny, bear and shark designs also available. Fully machine washable.
Rachel Riley Face Masks
Buy a mask from children’s brand Rachel Riley and 10 per cent of the sales will go to Best Beginnings, an organisation supporting parents in pregnancy and the first, uncertain stages of parenthood.
Fashioned from cute pastel gingham, heart patterns and floral print fabric, the masks are made from a close-weave 100 per cent cotton outer layer, backed by a 100 per cent polyester middle layer and finally, a tightly-woven soft cotton satin lining that sits comfortably against the face.
They’re a flat £19 for men, women and kids individual masks.
Gap Multipack Face Masks
Protect your brood with multipack masks from GAP, where you can pick up three colourful washable designs for just shy of £3 thanks to the sale. There are a choice of colours and styles to pick from, and each non-medical mask is made from three layers of soft, breathable cotton. The nose section is adjustable so you can secure the mask firmly against the face.
£2.99 for 3 | Gap *On sale from £12.99
Just Hype Kids Masks
Shop masks for all the family at Hype. There are knitted, shaped and pleated masks for kids, as singles and multipacks of three. Many of the funky designs look inspired by graffiti, making hype’s reusable masks a winning choice for older children.
There are lots of designs on sale right now, so you can stock up and save yourself quite a few pounds.
Thumsie Multi-Pack Face Masks
Shop child-friendly face coverings at Thumsie. Available in a choice of three sizes for kids aged 3 to 16, the cotton masks come in sets of four and should be washed after every outing, so a multi-pack is a great investment to ensure you have a clean one to hand. The elastic ear loops have toggles on too, so you can make sure they are on securely. Available in a selection of cheerful prints.
£9.75 | Thumsie *On sale from £13
Selfie Craft Co Whimsical Pack Of Five Children's Face Masks
Invest in a set that kids will want to wear with all their outfits. While bright colours are fun, for day-to-day wear we like this set of five masks in muted shades.
Made with three layers of fabric, they come with a removable PM 2.5 activated carbon filter that offers protection against dust, smog, pollen and pollution. They feature a bendy nose section which helps prevent glasses from steaming up when they’re worn.
Plumo Organic Linen Kids Masks
Shop organic linen masks for adults and children at Plumo. The company handcrafts each mask from four layers for ultimate breathability, while elastic ear loops give you a secure fit. Plumo is lending a helping hand to the coronavirus fight by donating to the 'Masks 4 Heroes' crowdfunding campaign, which aims to provide PPE to NHS frontline staff.
£6.95 | Plumo *On sale from £10
Kids Face Mask 100% Cotton Protection Reusable - Homemade Washable
Kids wild about Elsa? The good news is that there are children’s fabric face masks in all sorts of designs - Frozen included. Stitched with a double layer of cotton, there are three sizes available to ensure the mask will fit all small faces. Finished with stretchy ear loops to help keep the mask snug against the skin.
