Now that’s one blog post title I never thought I’d write…
But here we are. And protective face coverings aren’t going away anytime soon. The CDC now recommends that children over 2 years old (which includes my daughter) wear masks if they’re in a setting where they might not be able to stay 6 feet away from other people. If you have a very particular toddler, as I do, you already know this is going to be a huge ordeal. I’m hoping that by getting her a mask that she picks out and she thinks is fun and comfy, she’ll be more likely to wear it whenever the day comes without a fight.
As of now, I’ve yet to bring her anywhere besides walks and bike rides, far from other people, but at some point, she might have to go to the doctor or something and I want to be prepared in advance. Honestly, the thought of putting her in a mask feels very stressful but I know that it’s for the greater good and if it comes to it, we’ll do it. She and I have talked a lot about it and I think that I’ve prepared her pretty well for when the day comes but you never know with toddlers.
She also understands now, to a certain extent, that we can’t go anywhere in public or see her friends because a lot of people are sick. That’s about the extent of what she can conceptualize, but once it finally clicked it made our days easier to explain. For the first few weeks, she would cry on grocery days because she wanted to come with me. But now she’ll tell me to wear my mask and doesn’t complain.
Who knows if I’m handling it the right way with her but, like everyone else, I’m doing my best and she seems to be thriving at home which is all I could ever ask for.
Protective face masks for kids
If you have questions about kids and protective masks, this article was helpful for me.
I bought Amalia a simple pink one because it looked the softest and simplest. (Update: it’s a great mask and she actually likes to wear it.) I showed her this page and asked her to pick the color she wanted. This Etsy shop has a lot of kid masks with fun designs that might make your kiddo more likely to actually put one on. Of course, she asked for Peppa Pig.
I found this after that, but Cubcoats is also selling sweet kid masks with 10% of proceeds going to Feeding America.
When you purchase this set of (kid-designed!) rainbow kid masks, 100% of the proceeds go to public hospitals. And this one looks really sturdy and comes in 4 patterns. Amalia would go for the pink polka dots for sure. While pulling together this post, I found these masks on Etsy where you can get one for your kid and one for their baby doll. That might help little ones want to wear one more.
Update: Petit Peony is making mommy and me masks for both girls and boys. Proceeds are benefitting Boston Children’s Hospital.
Any other recs for kids’ protective face masks?
Protective face masks for adults
Finding a protective mask as an adult is a little easier. Getting one shipped in a timely manner is not. I posted an article about wearing masks in public on Instagram yesterday and got a lot of really interesting responses about what’s going on in different parts of the country. It seems like the use of masks heavily depends on where you live and how infected your area has been.
Where I live in Connecticut, everyone wears them at the grocery store and in more crowded areas like near the beach. But when we walk on our street, which we do multiple times a day, no one wears one because seeing another person is rare, and neighbors move to the other side of the street when they pass. What is it like where you live?
I saw this seersucker mask on a friend’s blog post and bought it right away. The same seller makes a chambray one with tiny polka dots that I also like.
Uncommon Goods is selling a set of two rainbow masks (same as the kids set mentioned above) with 100% of the proceeds going to NYC hospitals.
And I couldn’t not include a lemon print mask.
One last-minute addition is Los Angeles Apparel that makes these super soft masks from their t-shirt material in a bunch of colors for both adults and kids.
Tuckernuck is now making homemade face masks. The sales benefit No Kid Hungry and Mount Sinai Hospitals in NYC. I bought this one and this one and would buy this 3-pack if someone wants to split it with you. Update: Out of all the masks I own, this is by far the most comfortable one.
And thanks to everyone who recommended the Sanctuary mask 5-pack!
Protective face masks pictured above
1. Organic cotton polka dot mask (kid), $15
2. Set of 2 rainbow masks (adult/kid), $25: 100% of proceeds go to NYC hospitals
3. Seersucker facemask, $15: I bought this in blue
4. Blue and white face mask (adult), $15: Back in stock tomorrow
5. Floral mask (adult), $15-$32
6. Solid pink mask (adult), $15: Buy one donate one to Direct Relief
7. Organic cotton lemon mask (adult), $24: I bought this one!
8. Solid cotton masks (kid), $12.50: ships in 1-3 business days
I live in NJ and in a densely populated area near NYC. About 80% of people on the street wear masks, and in NJ we are required to wear them in the grocery store. My local grocery store also hands out disposable gloves.
I purchased a mask online from a company called Vida, and it has a reusable filter built in. I believe a portion of the proceeds go to NY food banks.
That sounds like about what it is here too. Except in the neighborhoods away from people then no one really wears the masks.
I got sanctuary 5 mask pack. They also sell children’s. For my kids I got them from freshly picked
The Sanctuary masks are awesome! Adding to my list, thank you!
I found this article very helpful for determining if I should attempt to make my 2 year old wear a mask: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/parenting/coronavirus-kids-masks.html. Ultimately I have decided against it. I’m not taking her anywhere other than outdoor locations anyways.
It’s such a hard call. We’ve agreed to not bring her anywhere where she would need one for now. But I like the idea of having one on hand in case she has to go to the doctor or something. Thank you for sending this article.
I’m so glad that I was taught to sew! I was also worried about needing to go somewhere and not having a mask. The grocery stores require them, but we also carry ours along when biking or walking. We live in South Florida and it’s the summer humidity hasn’t hit, but I think my kids may balk when it does. Perhaps if we talk about it like wearing a helmet for bike rides or shoes for a run?
I wish I had that life skill! I literally dont even know how to sew a button. I should probably pop on Youtube for that ASAP…. I think that’s a really smart idea of how to talk to your kids. Let me know how it goes!
Can you comment on how comfortable they are? Have you tried these before recommending? Comfort is really important when wearing for even a short time. I purchased really cute face masks from two different sellers and the ear loops were too thick and pulled on our ears. They were recommended by a blogger and we can’t use them.
I can only comment on two of them:
1. The Casetify masks- very comfortable. Anel got a few of them for whenever he goes back to work and they’re really well made and comfy.
2. The lemon mask- not as comfortable as the Casetify but also isn’t uncomfortable at all.
Thank you for sharing all of this! I live in Santa Monica but have temporarily relocated (after 4 weeks by myself) to my parents in San Diego County. I’ve been wearing a mask when running errands or potentially interacting with people since mid-March when the isolation order went into effect in California. Though those first few weeks, it was a bandanna fashioned into a mask. I’m a runner as well and while I have not worn a mask when I’m outside running or walking, I do move to the other side of the street to avoid any fellow people.
Sending you, your family and fellow readers hugs!
I do the same while running and I think that’s ok! I haven’t seen anyone running here with a mask yet. I think that would be tough!
VuDesignCo on Etsy has great prints and really well-made masks for both kids and adults. They have Rifle Paper Co. prints now I bought some for myself, my husband, and my daughter. I like that you can add a filter, and they are really comfortable. They tie in the back rather than looping around the ears.
Thanks for this post, Julia!
Best rec yet, thank you! Will share these on my stories.
I live in the Philadelphia suburbs and everyone is wearing a mask if in a store or public place. I don’t wear my mask when I walk my dog in my neighborhood. I just cross the street to avoid others. It is so tough to find masks that are available now. I ordered some additional ones online but they won’t ship until June.
All of the ones on this list ship right away if that helps! We got the casetify ones in a matter of days.
Happy Mothers Day!!!.Thanks for all the Mask Info and Links!!..Lemon Mask is very pretty!!
i have 5 Grandchildren under 10 so I may have to order some polka dot
ones!! 4 Girls and 1 Boy. Take Care. A day at a time !!
Oh my goodness. Good for you!
Do you have any uneasinessness about affiliating linking masks and people making money off masks? I’ve seen some homemade ones selling for rather high prices, $20+ each, and it seems a bit crass. I get that supplies and time have a value but still.
I’ve been volunteering at food pantry in new haven, and people I see walking by the area or waiting in line have all been wearing masks. I haven’t been wearing to run, but that’s it.
I believe in supporting small businesses and for people to run them, it costs more to make and sell products so no I don’t feel any uneasiness. But I hear what you’re saying!