Yahoo News Children's face masks: where to buy breathable comfy masks for kids
Getting kids to wear something they don’t like can be tough to say the least, but with new government advice stating that non-medical face masks will now be mandatory in shops in England, it’s time to coax children into the habit of putting one on.
It’s been mandatory to wear masks on public transport since June 15, and from July 24, shops will also be able to refuse entry to maskless shoppers.
Only people with certain disabilities and very young kids (under 2 years-old) are exempt from wearing masks completely. While it’s not mandatory for kids under the age of 11 to wear a mask, if you can get your little ones into the habit of wearing a face covering as “extra insurance”, it’s all the better for personal and national safety as the battle against coronavirus wages on.
Why wear a non-medical face covering?
Wearing a covering helps catch the millions of microscopic tiny water droplets released in speech, or when you cough or sneeze, 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.
Medical lab tech Katie Corley coughed on two petri dishes, one while wearing a mask, and one without a mask. (From her public FB post.) pic.twitter.com/Ez65r2lE2r
— Sophie Rapp (@SophieSRapp)
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 slow the spread of Covid-19.
Where do I need to wear a mask?
Uber has introduced a ‘no mask, no ride’ rule, and masks are compulsory in hospitals. You must wear one on buses, trains, trams and the tube as well as anywhere you can't keep a two-metre distance from other people not in your household.
However, when it comes to wearing masks in schools, the government has said: “Face coverings may be beneficial for short periods indoors where there is a risk of close social contact with people you do not usually meet and where social distancing and other measures cannot be maintained, for example on public transport or in some shops. This does not apply to schools or other education settings.”
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 about them 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.
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.
Shop all fabric face coverings at Disney
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).
MaskClub Harry Potter Hand Drawn Icons Pattern
After huge success in the US, MaskClub has launched in the UK with 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 £12.95. 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.
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.
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.
Selfie Craft Co Whimsical Pack Of Five Children's Face Masks
Masks are here to stay for the foreseeable, so it makes sense to invest in a set that kids can happily 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.
Etsy Kids Face Coverings
If you want to support small, independent businesses, there are plenty to be found at online marketplace Etsy. As well as pleated masks, there are designs with replaceable filters and full face visors for kids who find masks too uncomfortable, many with free UK delivery.
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.
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Where to buy a face mask: the best face coverings to buy online
