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With children returning to in-person school and the highly contagious Delta variant spreading widely in some districts, parents are in urgent need of reliable children’s facemasks.
The CDC recommends children over the age of two wear masks when they’re indoors. This is especially urgent for children under 12 who can’t receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Masks are a highly protective, highly effective life-saving intervention in a pandemic for people who cannot be immunized,” said Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Before you buy a children’s mask online, it’s important to understand the fundamentals of face masks and their role during this critical time.
Many studies have found that face masks reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 substantially. However, students should still maintain distance from one another (the CDC recommends 3 feet of distance inside a classroom), stay outdoors as much as possible, and get the vaccine if they’re old enough.
“There is an all-or-none mentality, as in: now that you’re immunized, you don’t have to do anything else. That’s not true,” Navsaria told Insider. “Masking is one layer of protection. Vaccination is another layer, in addition to being outside or distancing. Masking still increases your protection.”
Face masks can impede breathing in very young children or get tangled. According to the CDC, children under 2 years old should not wear face masks, nor should people who have difficulty breathing or those who cannot remove the mask without help.
Navsaria said that it’s also incredibly important to monitor mask usage with younger children (0-3) to avoid choking hazards.
Face masks are available in a variety of materials, including cotton, denim, and spandex. It can be difficult to know what to choose.
A Canadian study found that double-knit cotton is the most effective common fabric for masks and is great for an inner layer, while nylon, polyester satin, and polypropylene are better for outer layers because they are more waterproof.
However, Navsaria said, no matter what fabric you choose, a mask should be multilayered and it should pass a simple breath test: “Blow through the mask, and see if you can blow out a candle or feel your breath in it,” he said. “If you can, it’s too permeable. If you can’t feel your breath, you know it’s not letting air through directly.”
Kids’ face masks must be comfortable and all children’s faces are different. The ear attachments shouldn’t chafe, the mask shouldn’t be fastened too tight, and the material should be soft. Some masks have pleats to conform to the face or wiring that holds up the nose area, which can make the mask more breathable, Navsaria said.
Comfort should be one of a parents’ top priorities when buying or making a mask. Adjustable ear loops may help achieve a better fit as well.
If your child is reluctant to wear a mask, add a fun element. “Make it into a game,” Roberto Posada, MD, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at Mount Sinai told Insider. “Or a superhero kind of thing. That could help.”
A face mask should completely cover a child’s mouth and nose. To put on the mask, place it over the nose and mouth first, secure it under the chin, and then secure the elastic loops behind the ears or tie the ties securely at the back of their head. A properly fitted mask should fit snugly along the sides of the face.
Fabric masks should be washed daily with mild detergent and water, dried completely in a hot dryer on the highest heat setting, and then stored in a clean container or bag.
The face mask market exploded in the past year, which means there are a lot of questionable products available. Navsaria recommended exercising judgment when it comes to the source, and to pay attention to prices.
“I see so many people with cheap masks where it just doesn’t fit well and it’s falling off the face and you expose the nose,” he said. “I don’t think most parents should be looking or spending more than $15 for a mask but if you’re looking at a $3 mask, it’s probably not well designed.”
Single Mask, $10-$16
Navsaria said he wears the adult version of the Zensah mask while running, and said he recommends it for kids, too. It’s lightweight, multilayered, washable, and its straps uniquely wrap twice around the back of the head, not around the ears.
This is great for kids who wear glasses or hearing aids, or for those who simply don’t like chafing behind the ears. Zensah masks are made from a blend of polyamide, polypropylene, and elastane, making them comfortable and odor-free.
Age recommendation: 5-11
Shipping: 4 to 8 business days to ship
Cubcoats Masks, 2-Pack, $4.95
Cubcoats Reversible Masks, 2-pack, $4.95
Cubcoats Mask Buddies, 1 mask, $6.75
Cubcoats was known for its adorable plushie dolls that convert into toddler hoodies, but the LA-based company became renowned for its face masks with cute animal faces. The masks are made from two layers of cotton, making them comfortable, machine washable, and dryer-safe. The elastic straps are easy to put on and remove without a lot of fuss, and the metal nose piece can be shaped to conform to a child’s nose.
My four-year-old loves these masks. The only problem is: they’re not adjustable. We’ve had to tie knots on the sides and adjust it that way – which has worked great.
Age recommendation: 4 years and up
Shipping: 2 to 4 business days to ship
Disney Mickey Mouse, 4-pack, $19.99
Disney Parks Attractions, 2-pack, $11.99
If your kid loves all things Disney, these masks are for them. Right now, you can order a 4-pack of (unfortunately, non-adjustable) face masks starring Mickey Mouse or Marvel characters. The machine-washable, dryer-safe polyester and cotton masks have elastic loops that will attach to little ears. And for parents, they are also available in medium and large sizes.
Age recommendation: 4 years and up
Shipping: Arrives in 2 to 3 weeks. Express delivery is available at extra cost.
5-pack for $17.50, 25-pack for $75.00
Some parents want the reassurance of N95-level protection for their kids but most of th0se medical-grade masks don’t fit children’s faces. Developed at Stanford University, the 4C Air AireTrust Mask is adjustable for smaller faces and is both lighter weight and more breathable than standard N95 masks.
The only downsides are that AireTrusts masks are disposable, so you’ll need to buy a lot of them. They’re also in high demand, so they are currently only available for pre-order through Sept. 10.
Age recommendation: 3+
Shipping: Varies
Abacaxi Cotton Mask, $20
The Abacaxi face mask from designer Sheena Sood is handmade, with multiple options when it comes to patterns (polka dot and gingham to name a few) and size (extra small and small). The mask is made from two layers of cotton and contains wiring that lifts the nose area for better breathability.
Age recommendation: 3 to 6 years old (extra small) and 7 to 12 years old (small)
Shipping: 1 to 4 business days to ship
Green Sprouts, 1 mask, $9.99
Baby products company, Green Sprouts, has a popular line of reusable facemasks made from a water-resistant polyester shell, an activated carbon layer, and a moisture-wicking inner layer. Carbon filtering is commonly used for water and air purification and in industrial gas processing.
Green Sprouts highly recommends referring to their size chart, since masks come in two sizes: for children 2 to 6 years old and for youth 7 to 12 years old.
Age recommendation: children’s size (2 to 6 years old), youth (7 to 12 years old)
Shipping: 3 to 5 business days to ship
Avocado Organic Cotton Face Mask, 4-pack, $30
The Avocado Organic Cotton Face Mask is an eco-friendly option for families. Avocado typically makes furniture and mattresses from organic materials, but it diverted organic cotton resources to make masks and hospital necessities during the coronavirus pandemic.
Its two-layer beige cotton mask has two tie straps, so it’s likely more appropriate for older kids who can stand still while tying. It’s also machine washable and dryer safe.
Age recommendation: 2 years and up
Shipping: Arrives in 3 to 7 business days
Sock Fancy Kid’s Cloth Face Mask, $8
As the name implies, this mask is a fancy option. Sock Fancy offers three layers of protection made from cotton and polyester fibers, as well as adjustable ear loops so that kids of many sizes can wear it. It also comes with a filter pocket and a soft breathable inner layer.
Age recommendation: 2 years and up
Shipping: 2 business days to ship
Honest Company’s Cotton Face Mask 2-pack, $22.99
Machine-washable, adjustable, multi-layered, and cute, the Honest Company’s latest face mask for kids ticks all the boxes. Made from 100% cotton, kids can choose from four classy prints, which include gingham zebras, cactuses, and flowers.
A pack of five optional filters is also included.
Age recommendation: 5 through 12
Shipping: Standard FedEx Ground
Onzie Mindful Mask for Kids, 2-pack, $12
With fun prints like camouflage, leopard, and peacock, Onzie face masks are perfect for your (safe) mini-fashionista. The LA-made Onzie mask is comprised of multilayered spandex for breathability and lots of activity. The masks are upcycled from the company’s own yoga clothing line, and are uniquely stretchy.
Age recommendation: 5 to 10 years old
Shipping: 1 to 2 business days to ship
Masks, solid, 2-pack, $22
Steele Canvas typically makes canvas products like tote bags, but in response to the pandemic, the company teamed up with Food52 to distribute masks for kids and adults. Steele Canvas masks are made with a denim or chambray exterior, a flannel interior, and elastic loops. Buy one or two, and the company will donate the same amount of adult-sized masks to a medical facility in the US.
Age recommendation: 2 years and up
Shipping: 3 business days to ship
Athleta Non-Medical Face Masks, 5-pack, $25
Women’s activewear brand Athleta has extended its women’s mask design to a kid’s size. The masks have a polyester and spandex outer layer with two interior cotton liners. The five-pack includes solid color and camouflage-pattern pleated masks that are equipped with elastic ear loops. Although the masks are machine washable, they should be laid flat to dry.
They come in one size with adjustable straps.
Age recommendation: 3 years and up
Shipping: 3 to 5 days to ship
Jaanuu Reusable Antimicrobial Finished Face Mask, 5-pack, $25
Jaanuu manufactures nursing scrubs that come with an antimicrobial finish made from Dupont’s Silvadur technology, which purportedly kills microbes by deploying silver ions. During the coronavirus pandemic, the company is using this tech on scuba Ponte fabric face masks for kids and adults, in multiple colors including pink and blue.
The cotton-lined masks are not FDA approved and they come with many disclaimers on the site. However, Dupont claims that it is safe for human use and blocks more than 90% of bacteria after 50 launderings. Note that there are no specific claims about SARS-CoV2. Jaanuu is also donating one million masks to various nonprofits, including Baby2Baby.
Age recommendation: 2 years and up
Shipping: Ships now
Old Navy Triple-Layer Cloth Face Masks, 5-pack, $12.50
Dependable for those on a budget, Old Navy makes a 5-pack of dark blue face masks for kids. The cotton coverings align with CDC recommendations for non-medical-grade masks and have elastic straps for easy placement. Feel free to machine wash and dry.
Age recommendation: 3 years and up
Shipping: 5 to 7 business days to ship
Baggu Kids Fabric Mask Set, 3-pack for $32
Made from high-quality 100% cotton, Baggu’s three-pack of reusable masks are breathable yet tightly woven enough to contain droplets. They do not have a filter pocket but they feature two layers, an adjustable strap, and a pleat that allows for kids to grow with it.
Age recommendation: 3 to 11
Shipping: Varies
Mask Club, 1 mask, $14.99
Through Mask Club, kids will love collecting all their favorite characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Wonder Woman, PAW Patrol, and more. Mask Club sends families one new reusable kids’ mask per month through their unique subscription service.
While not the cheapest option, it’s perfect for parents who need to buy masks consistently. They are made from 100% polyester.
Age recommendation: 3 years and up
Shipping: up to 1 week to ship
Crayola and School Mask Pack, 5-pack, $27.99
Crayola teamed up with School Mask Pack to create colorful back-to-school reusable masks for every day of the school week. The masks are made with 100% cotton on the outer layer, an inner layer of a cotton-polyester blend, and have adjustable ear straps and a nose clip.
Each pack comes with a free mesh laundry bag, making it easy to collect the masks and machine-wash them over the weekend. Prices vary based on colors and prints.
Age recommendation: 3 to 11 years old
Shipping: 5 to 10 business days to ship
Caraa Sport, 5-pack, $25
Known for their luxury bags, Caraa Sport is selling face masks made from a polyester exterior casing and a 100% cotton interior lining. Each mask has adjustable ear straps and a bendable bridge wire so that it can sit comfortably on tiny noses. The kids’ masks come in packs of five in assorted colors, from avocado to mint.
Age recommendation: 3 years and up
Shipping: 3 to 5 business days to ship
Briar Mask, $4
The Briar Mask is made of 100% cotton and comes in four floral patterns. Pre-orders on these editions are limited, so if your child is a fan of adjustable ties and floral collage, don’t wait too long. Kids can also adjust the tie-on straps to dial in a comfortable fit.
Age recommendation: 3 to 8
Shipping: ready to ship
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@insider.com.
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