Does it matter if kids' masks are cloth or disposable?

There are pros and cons to both cloth and disposable masks. Ultimately, the best mask for a kid is one that fits comfortably and snugly over the nose and mouth. Cloth masks will save you some money and reduce your family's trash output, but you'll have to wash them and they may not offer quite as much protection as a paper mask. Some younger kids may suck on cloth masks, leaving them wet and sticky. If your child does this, go for disposable.

Will my child's mask cause them to inhale carbon dioxide?

No. Standard face masks are not airtight, so carbon dioxide can escape and your child will breathe in oxygen. Wearing a cloth or disposable face covering does not increase your child's risk of inhaling carbon dioxide.

How many masks should I pack in my child's backpack?

Send your child to school or daycare with extra masks. It's very likely that a mask will fall on the floor, get sneezed on, or otherwise need to be changed. Younger kids might need three extra masks in their bag, while older kids may be fine with one or two back-ups.

The 11 Best Face Masks for Kids of 2023

Getting your kid to wear a face mask can be a challenge, but with so many new designs and styles on the market, kiddos will love picking out their own patterns or colors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a mask when there are high rates of COVID-19 in your community, and in busy public places.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, it is important to get your kids comfortable with the new norm of mask-wearing. The trick is to find a mask that your child feels comfortable wearing and that they like the look of. We carefully considered design, material, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products.

A family physician on our Review Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding what to look for in face masks for kids, when they should wear them, and which type is best.

Here, the best face masks for kids to help keep your family protected.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Vistaprint Kids Face Mask at Vistaprint.com

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Best With Features:

Mesk Kids Washable Dinosaur Cloth Mask at Amazon

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Best Filter:

Vida Protective Mask at Shopvida.com

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Best for Sun Protection:

AIRISM Face Mask at Uniqlo.com

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Best for Adults:

Sanctuary 5 Pack Fashion PPE Masks at Sanctuaryclothing.com

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Best for Comfort:

Everlane 100% Human Face Mask at Everlane.com

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Best for Style:

Threadless Black Rainbow Face Mask at Threadless.com

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Best Lightweight:

Swaddle Designs Face Mask at Swaddledesigns.com

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Best Simple:

Casetify Reusable Cloth Mask at Casetify.com

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Best for Basketball Fans:

NBA Face Mask at Nba.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Courtesy of Vistaprint

View On Vistaprint.com

The Vistaprint Kids Face Mask earns our top spot because these colorful face masks will thrill kids 4 years old and up while keeping them protected. With lightning, sunrise, dinosaur, and camo-themed options (and many more), kids can embody a character of their choosing by following school etiquette. The kids' face mask features adjustable latex-free ear loops and should be placed snugly against your child's face for best results.

With a replaceable filter system, the masks are reusable and you can buy a 10-pack of kid filters as an add-on so you don't run out. The masks are also moisture-wicking so they'll keep your kid comfy and dry. Vistaprint offers a customizable option that allows you to create a custom mask for your child that reflects their interests.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Polyester | Age Recommendation: 4 years old and up | Filter: Yes}

Be sure masks fits snugly, without restricting breathing, on both you and your child. You'll also want to make sure you wash reusable masks often.

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

If you need a face mask your child can use for a long time, look no further. This one can be used for children from ages 4 to 14 thanks to clips on the mask that make it adjustable for the right size.

The mask is designed with three protective layers and you get six filters to go along with the three masks for additional protection during sniffle season. The 100% cotton material is breathable and lightweight. And parents and caregivers will love the neck strap feature, so the mask won’t be lost easily.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Cotton | Age Recommendation: 4 to 14 years old | Filter: Yes}

Vida

View On Shopvida.com

The Vida protective mask is made of two layers of 100% cotton and has adjustable straps as well as a hidden, metal nose piece to ensure a snug fit. Each mask comes with a multi-layer filter which features two layers of Metblow filter and one layer of carbon activated fabric. The mask is 8.67 inches wide and 6 inches high and fits most adults and kids 5 years old and up. The adjustable ear loops will keep the mask in place even on active kids.

The mask comes in a range of fun colors and is machine-washable for reuse. The filters should be replaced every seven days during mandatory back-to-school masks. You can buy the mask as a single, pair, or four-pack.

Price at time of publication: $10

^{Key Specs:
Material: Cotton | Age Recommendation: 5 years old and up | Filter: Yes}

Courtesy of Uniqlo

View On Uniqlo.com

Uniqlo's AIRism Face Mask is ultra-protective, comfortable, and smooth on the skin making it easier to wear masks even when vaccinated. The face mask is made of 90% nylon and 10% spandex and is machine-washable, so it's easy to keep clean. It has a three-tier structure—the first layer wicks away moisture, the second layer includes a high-performance filter made of polypropylene, and the third layer uses the AIRism mesh that blocks out UV rays as an added bonus.

The non-medical grade mask comes in sizes small through large in white or black and runs small.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Nylon and spandex | Age Recommendation: Not Listed | Filter: Yes (built-in)}

One study found that cloth masks filtered out 22% of all particles and were better than no protection at all.

Courtesy of Sanctuary Clothing

View On Sanctuaryclothing.com

You’ll be well-stocked with this unisex five-pack of adult masks from Sanctuary. The assortment of five different stylish fabrics is made out of 100% cotton muslin with a double inner layer and a fabric filter. For every purchase, Sanctuary will provide masks to organizations in need.

Price at time of publication: $28

^{Key Specs:
Material: Cotton muslin | Age Recommendation: Adults | Filter: Yes (built-in)}

Courtesy of Everlane

View On Everlane.com

Everlane's 100% Human Face Masks are made from a double-layer knit fabric and feature cotton-Lycra earloops for stretch and comfort—they basically feel like pajamas on your face. The non-medical face masks feature fun tie-dye looks that can showcase your personality and make you stand out from the crowd in the best way possible. The ultra-breathable masks come in variety packs of five and are one-size-fits-most by following CDC's guidelines for kids.

For every 100% Human Face Mask 5-Pack sold, Everlane will donate 10% of sales to the American Civil Liberties Union.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Cotton | Age Recommendation: Not Listed | Filter: Not Listed}

Courtesy of Threadless

View On Threadless.com

With hundreds of printed designs ranging from pretty florals, creepy faces, abstract art, or witty sayings, there is a mask for everyone. This one-size-fits-all mask is made from two-ply polyester. If you have a younger child this option might be too big for them.

All patterns are printed on one side and reversible to black on the other side. A portion of proceeds from all Threadless masks is being donated (up to $250,000) to MedShare, an organization that donates medical supplies to communities in need.

Price at time of publication: $48

^{Key Specs:
Material: Lycra | Age Recommendation: 4 years old and up | Filter: Not Listed}

Courtesy of Swaddle Designs

View On Swaddledesigns.com

The founder of this company is a registered nurse who designed a face mask and quickly converted her blanket-making factory into a mask production facility. These two-layer cotton masks are made of cotton flannel.

They are soft, lightweight, and breathable. With two ear elastics and an extra head elastic, the masks offer an extra-secure fit. Swaddle Designs is also selling bulk orders with boxes of 20, 40, or 100 face masks available for purchase online. If you would like to purchase 200+ bulk masks to donate to a hospital or care facility, contact Sales@SwaddleDesigns.com for wholesale pricing. It's important to note that these masks only come in adult sizes and are one-size-fits-all.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Cotton | Age Recommendation: Adults | Filter: Not Listed}

Courtesy of Casetify

View On Casetify.com

Buy one reusable cloth mask from this tech accessory company and they’ll donate a mask to a healthcare worker. The adult-sized masks are made out of breathable cotton, so they are washable and fit for a filter.

Each mask comes with two filters—you can purchase more filters in packs of 10. These masks come in five colors with subtle Casetify branding on them.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Cotton | Age Recommendation: Adults | Filter: Yes}

Courtesy of NBA store

View On Nba.com

Stay safe and show your support for your favorite basketball team with these official NBA face masks. With masks for every team (and three-packs for ultra fans), they’re made of three-ply cotton with a heavy-weight middle insert layer for added protection, safe from the Omicron variant.

All proceeds from mask sales go to Feeding America and Second Harvest Canada, and for each mask sold, one will be donated. The mask is one-size-fits-all and is not intended for children, but should fit teens.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Polyester, spandex, and cotton | Age Recommendation: Adults | Filter: Yes}

Courtesy of Naturepedic

View On Naturepedic.com

Shield your nose and mouth with this mask made of two layers of 100% organic cotton that is certified to the GOTS organic standard (Global Organic Textile Standard). Each mask has two adjustable straps that will keep it secure on your face.

Made in the USA, these are durable and machine-washable and come in a pack of six one-size-fits-all masks, keeping kids healthy during the school year. Naturepedic can help with bulk orders for medical and governmental use.

Price at time of publication: $29

^{Key Specs:
Material: Organic cotton | Age Recommendation: Not Listed | Filter: No}

What to Look for in Kids' Face Masks

Comfort

Everyone likes to feel comfortable, and children tend to be even less tolerant when it comes to discomfort. Since they may have to wear a face covering for a long time (all day at school), make sure the masks you buy are soft and not too tight around the ears. They should be made of fabrics that aren't itchy and do not have any fragrance.

Fun

It can be hard to get kids on board with wearing a face mask for the majority of the day. Letting them choose masks they like can help. Whether they have their favorite prints, colors, or animals on them, kids are more likely to wear a mask without complaint (or at least with a bit less whining) when they like the look of the mask.

Adjustability

Children come in all different sizes and they are constantly changing and growing. Look for a mask with adjustable ear loops so that you can make sure it fits both properly and comfortably. Adjust the mask so that it's snug enough to not slip off of the nose. Older kids may like adjusting their own to find precisely the right fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it matter if kids' masks are cloth or disposable?

There are pros and cons to both cloth and disposable masks. Ultimately, the best mask for a kid is one that fits comfortably and snugly over the nose and mouth. Cloth masks will save you some money and reduce your family's trash output, but you'll have to wash them and they may not offer quite as much protection as a paper mask. Some younger kids may suck on cloth masks, leaving them wet and sticky. If your child does this, go for disposable.
Will my child's mask cause them to inhale carbon dioxide?

No. Standard face masks are not airtight, so carbon dioxide can escape and your child will breathe in oxygen. Wearing a cloth or disposable face covering does not increase your child's risk of inhaling carbon dioxide.
How many masks should I pack in my child's backpack?

Send your child to school or daycare with extra masks. It's very likely that a mask will fall on the floor, get sneezed on, or otherwise need to be changed. Younger kids might need three extra masks in their bag, while older kids may be fine with one or two back-ups.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She's also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 6-year-old son, and 2-year old daughter. She's not skilled enough to make her own masks, but she appreciates all the people out there who do.