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Happy Masks have a built-in filter system that the company says (based on tests it commissioned in an independent lab) can filter 99.9% of incoming and outgoing virus-containing aerosols and droplets. While working on this guide, I discovered that my 3-year-old especially likes wearing light-blue masks because they remind him of the surgical masks my husband wears at work: “I look like Daddy,” he says, beaming. There is a limit to the number of N95 masks that can be made in a day. Like HappyMasks, Airband shared data (from tests commissioned from an independent lab) showing that the masks can filter 99.9% of virus-containing aerosols and droplets, assuming a perfect seal. But when we had a 6-year-old try one, she found it to be hot and uncomfortable. Otherwise the child will be less likely to keep it on.” And in a classroom, Shu said, “If everyone is mutually masking, then filtration will be more effective.”. It looks like new when it comes out of the dryer (or is hung to dry), making it one of a few we tested that didn’t end up wrinkled. The fabric layers also feel thinner than on the Gap Kids or City Threads masks (when held up to a window, more light was visible through the fabric pores). However, very densely woven fabrics can come at the expense of breathability. Then you can let your child pick the one they want from the list of top candidates you’ve assembled. Another thing parents may not like is that these have to be handwashed, otherwise they’ll shrink in the washing machine. As noted above, masks with only one layer of fabric don’t offer nearly as much protection as masks made from two or more layers. Ilandistyle Kids Face Mask ($9.99; etsy.com) Ilandistyle Kids Face Mask Take your pick from various gorgeous patterns, from wildflowers to polka dots, for this triple-layer mask. Photo: Rozette Rago. This soft, breathable three-layer mask fit (and pleased) kids in a range of ages. But not even Mickey Mouse could entice our 3- and 6-year-old testers to keep these masks on, due to discomfort from the thick, inelastic ear loops. We made some “masks” out of paper towels and rubber bands, then put them onto all of the stuffed animals. Why we like it: At $2.50 each in a pack of five, the pleated Old Navy Kids Face Mask is the best of the inexpensive masks we tried. At 3.7 inches by 5.7 inches, they are at the smaller end of the size spectrum, but then the patterns are unlikely to appeal to bigger kids, so that shouldn’t be a problem. The sizing system, based on weight, is confusing. Made from woven cotton, it has a nose-bridge wire and longer ear loops, which helped it fit the faces of older kids. The kid's masks are made of two … The masks shrank about a quarter inch in both length and width after machine-washing on warm, and the pleats became unfolded (which doesn’t affect the performance, but it makes the masks appear less neat). A mask should be made from tightly woven cotton such as the fabric used for quilting or thicker cotton sheets. Both styles should fall just below the eyes and go up higher on the nose. There was no problem getting any of the little ones to put on a mask if it meant they could have sharp, pointy teeth and an animal grin. The elastic ear loops are adjustable for a close and yet comfortable fit. Flaws but not dealbeakers: The cushy knit of the City Threads mask was polarizing among our kid testers: Some found it cozy, but others found it to be too warm and thick. Washing masks with regular laundry detergent should be sufficiently effective at preventing bacteria from growing, as well as killing viruses on the mask. The masks fit well from nose to chin, though, and provide sufficient cheek-to-cheek coverage. It comes in many colors and multiple sizes, but some kids couldn’t get a good fit. As a result, the CDC’s current recommendation is that the supply of N95 masks should be reserved for those professionals who need them for work (6). Nobody should wear masks with exhalation valves, as these can let particles of virus escape. Because breathability is important both for comfort and protection, too many layers are not necessarily better. We’ll update this post as we publish more advice. We also recommend the ultra-adjustable, cone-shaped Gap Kids Contour Mask with filter pocket; the comfy, cone-shaped City Threads Face Mask, which was the softest we tried and comes in multiple kid sizes; the cone-shaped, lightweight Athleta Girl Made to Move Mask, with a filter pocket and adjustable ear loops; the handmade, cone-shaped Scout & Indiana Kids Face Mask, which has a filter pocket and comes in fun, colorful patterns; and the basic, inexpensive pleated Old Navy Kids Mask. Flaws but not dealbeakers: The Gap mask’s print choices are a bit more understated and less “fun” than those of other kids masks—think florals, calicos, and a few whimsical designs like bananas and pineapples—and so they may be less enticing to younger kids. Plus, when we ordered from Amazon, the City Threads mask was one of the quickest to arrive. Our 9-year-old tester (left) chose a science-themed print, and our 6-year-old tester chose “Superhero Girls.” The prints are limited, and new options are available frequently. Best Printed Face Mask for Kids Aged 5-12 Years. The masks come with name tags and a mesh laundry bag, which makes it easy to throw them in the laundry and keep track of whose mask is whose. Best Premium Pleated Shaped Mask to Own. Pleated masks expand to cover the nose and chin, whereas cone-shaped masks are shaped to arch up over the nose, and many extend below the chin. Saif says there is not evidence to suggest that a polyester mask would work less well. This mask is cut a bit shorter, though, and it fit … Disney masks come in fun prints, including Star Wars-, Disney Princess-, and Marvel-themed options. Perri Klass, MD, How to Help Kids Embrace Mask-Wearing, The New York Times, July 21, 2020, Laura Markham, PhD, psychologist and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, phone interview, July 13, 2020, Taher Saif, PhD, professor of mechanical engineering at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, phone interview, July 13, 2020, Joseph Martyak, director of communications at US Consumer Product Safety Commission, email interview, July 15, 2020, Jennifer Shu, MD, pediatrician and author, phone interview, July 17, 2020, Onur Aydin, Taher Saif, et al., Performance of Fabrics for Home-Made Masks Against the Spread of Respiratory Infections Through Droplets: A Quantitative Mechanistic Study, MedRxIv, July 8, 2020, Prateek Bahl, C. Raina MacIntyre, et al., Face coverings and mask to minimise droplet dispersion and aerosolisation: a video case study, Thorax, July 24, 2020. Let’s look for other people who are superheroes too.”. You’ll also receive filters for added protection. These kids’ face masks from Target come in a range of styles, including Batman, Scooby-Doo, TMNT, and more, so you are sure to find something to appeal to your child. Why we like it: The two-layer Athleta Girl Made to Move Mask is one of the most breathable and lightweight masks we tested, and it stays in place during active play and sports. The masks are made with two layers of 100 percent cotton fabric, and they come in either black or white. Plastic face shields may offer some protection to the wearer if they have to get close to someone who may have an infection, but they do not provide much in the way of protection for anyone other than the wearer (4). 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