How to get your kids to wear masks (and enjoy it too!)

Since the CDC’s recommendation that everyone should be wearing face masks in public, there have been thousands of companies releasing masks, and millions of people worldwide making their own. Take a walk outside, however, and you may notice that not everyone is listening and wearing a face covering. It is difficult to get people to wear a mask when they otherwise would not, and as many parents are finding it is an even more taxing chore to get their children to wear masks safely and correctly.

We recently released our Kid’s Face Mask for children ages 3-7, which we believe is the most comfortable and fun kid’s face mask you can buy. As such, we want to help any parents out there struggling with getting their kid’s acclimated to masks by posting some of the most effective tips and tricks we have found. For general questions about our face masks and the technology they employ, please visit our Face Mask FAQ’s.

Here are some helpful suggestions for helping your kid’s get used to wearing their face masks: 

Research best practices for kids and adults

Before putting a face mask on your child, learn the correct protocols for children and masks. For starters, children under the age of 2 should not wear masks, as there is a risk of suffocation as they cannot vocalize discomfort as an older child could.

Children only need to wear masks when social distancing (at least 6 feet of distance) cannot be practiced. Other rules include washing hands before and after wearing the mask, washing the mask after each use, and not touching the mask while it is being worn. For more in depth instructions, check out the AAP’s guidelines for correct mask use. If you would like instructions designed for children with special needs, they are also available using the link above.                                 

Start with yourself 

The best way to get your child to wear a mask when it is necessary is to do so yourself. Make sure your children see you putting on your mask when you leave the house, so that they know it is normal and right to do so. Even wearing a mask around the house for short stretched can help, especially with younger children, as it can help normalize the sight of them and make them seem less scary. 

Be honest with your kids

Kids are perceptive and curious. They will probably ask you why they have to wear the mask. The best way to respond is to be honest. The masks are meant to stop the spread of coronavirus by catching germs that come out of a person’s nose and mouth. Kids are also empathetic, and explaining it as a way to help protect others in their community or family can be well received. Don’t try to scare your kids into wearing masks, as this will only make it less likely they will feel comfortable wearing them. 

Make it fun 

Who doesn’t love a good game? Some suggestions we have seen from parents around the country include playing a game to see who can touch their mask the least when wearing it. The winner at the end of the trip gets a prize of some kind, leading to positive associations with correct mask usage. 

Another way to accomplish this is to make a mask with a fun design. Make a mask with your child’s favorite superhero or animal, and they may enjoy wearing it more. They might even want to show it off to their friends! If you don’t know how to sew, or would just like to purchase a mask, you could always buy one of our fun Kid’s Face Masks. We currently have 3 fun designs, including a unicorn mask, cat mask, and lion mask, and have more on the way! 

Make sure it’s comfortable 

No one wants to wear a mask that isn’t comfy. If it’s too tight or tugs too much on their ears, your kids won’t want to wear it. We designed our masks to fit over the head, to try and reduce the ear pain that is sometimes associated with mask wearing. 

We will continue to update this post as we hear more ways parents are successfully helping their kids wear their masks. If you have any fun stories or ideas from your experience with your children, please let us know by clicking the chat button on this page! We would love to hear from you so that we can help other parents as well.