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Disposable and reusable face coverings for toddlers to tweens, recommended by experts.

Face masks have become an everyday essential for kids — the AAP and CDC both recommend them for indoor use with children ages 2 and up — so it's crucial that they're both safe and comfortable to wear in settings like school, stores, doctor's offices and public transportation. We've come a long way since we first started wearing masks for COVID-19 and we now know more about the best materials — and the worst, for that matter. So whether you're looking for a mask upgrade for your child or just need to replenish your stock of disposable masks, the good news is that there are plenty of options that are both protective and breathable for kids to wear for long periods.

The fiber scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have been reviewing face masks since March 2020, starting with tutorials for DIY face coverings for both adults and kids before masks hit the mainstream market. We've worked with doctors and PPE (personal protective equipment) experts for face mask guidance, and we also sit on the ASTM committee that developed the industry standard for testing face coverings. In fact, I and my fellow GH Institute fiber scientists have been called upon as face mask experts by medical facilities, textile industry committees and media outlets for interviews throughout the pandemic. To find the best face masks for kids, we considered factors like filtration, fit, breathability, design and convenience, plus incorporated feedback from parents after children tried them out in real life.

You can find important shopping tips, material explanations and more at the end of this article, but first, here are the best reusable and disposable face masks for kids:

Disposable face masks offer better filtration than cloth materials because they use nonwoven layers of randomly oriented fibers to block particles, as opposed to woven fabrics with small holes throughout. They also offer good breathability thanks to their lightweight construction so they're more comfortable to wear all day.

This mask in particular is smaller than others we've evaluated and fit kids in preschool and elementary school well, which is important because a too-big mask may leave gaps at the sides. It uses three layers of nonwoven fabric and meets ASTM Level 3 so you know it's been tested against industry standards. It also has an adjustable nose bridge for a secure fit.

The masks are sold as a 100-pack so it'll last you a while, making this bulk pack ideal for kids who need to wear them to school or daycare every day. In fact, our experts keep these on hand for their own kids. The only downside is that they're only available in two designs: a blue dinosaur or a pink bunny print.

This face mask also meets ASTM Level 3 with three layers of nonwoven material for filtration and a nose bridge for a close fit. The brand says it's designed for ages 2-12, but it was too big for our 7 and under testers, so we recommend them for ages 8 and up. It's sold in a pack of 50 to buy in bulk.

The mask also stands out for being made in America, plus it comes in fun colors and prints that our kid testers raved about. Its wide range of hues were particularly appreciated during school spirit days. The brand also has a premium mask called the LL95, which is designed to be equivalent to a KN95 and sold as a 5-pack, as well as a micro-size mask designed for ages 2-4.

KN95 masks offer more protection than typical disposable and reusable face coverings, making them ideal for riskier situations like prolonged exposure to close contacts. KN95s differ from N95 respirators because they follow standards from China, whereas N95s follow U.S. standards. That being said, they're both designed to filter 95% of particles and the CDC's NIOSH agency does not approve filtering respirators for children.

This kid-friendly KN95 is popular on Amazon and comes in various assorted color and print packs of 50, plus the option for solid black. It has five layers, adjustable ear loops and foam on the nose bridge for comfort. Just note that like N95s, they're not as breathable for all-day wear.

KF94 is the South Korean version of N95 and KN95: KF stands for "Korean Filter" an 94 signifies at least 94% filtration efficacy. It has four layers of nonwoven material in a 3D design with panels over the nose and chin so it's not pressed against the mouth. It also has an adjustable nose bridge for a secure fit to avoid air leakage around the sides.

This particular KF94 is ideal for kids because it comes in two sizes (small and large) and five colors, unlike most respirator-style masks that are white. Each mask in the 25-pack is individually wrapped, making them ideal to take on the go. Plus, the brand says it uses wider ear bands to avoid tension, which is crucial for children wearing it all day at school.

For those who prefer reusable masks, it's better to opt for one that has filtration layers instead of only cloth fabric. This one is made up of five layers including a nanofiber membrane filter, meaning it's more lightweight than others. The membrane layer is sewn in and has been tested to ensure particle filtration through at least 50 washes. Just note that it's hand wash only, though the brand provides easy instructions to clean it in their FAQ.

Other standout features include a "beak" fit so there's space around faces, adjustable ear straps and a nose bridge to prevent air from seeping out the sides. It comes in four sizes with a size guide to help you find the best fit. Not to mention, it has lots of design choices from solid neutrals to fun prints for boys and girls.

Kid testers loved it and our pros use it for their own children. It was also a winner of Good Housekeeping's 2021 Parenting Awards. In fact, this mask is so popular that it consistently sells out, but you can sign up for the waitlist because the brand restocks regularly. 

Our pros and testers both loved this mask because it offers kid-friendly designs without sacrificing the must-have components. While many character masks on the market are just cloth and have loose fits, this disposable one has three layers of filtration that feel soft and breathable, plus a built-in nose bridge.

It comes in two sizes: one for ages 2-7 and the other for ages 8+. (Just make sure to check which age group the specific design coordinates with.) It's pricier than other disposables, but kid testers were often more willing to actually wear it with characters like Barbie, Batman, Paw Patrol and much more.

This reusable mask offers the convenience of machine washable care instructions, but it still has a pocket to insert a disposable filter for added protection. Filters are sold separately and come in a 10-pack for $5.

The mask itself uses two layers of polyester fabric, with the filter pocket placed in between. It comes in seemingly endless design options for kids, so there really is something for every preference. It also has adjustable ear loops, a nose bridge and good coverage that extends below the chin.

Perfect for leaving spares in backpacks or glove compartments, these face masks are individually wrapped so you can easily take them on the go. Like other disposable masks it includes three nonwoven layers for breathability and filtration, plus a nose bridge for a secure fit. On top of that, this one comes in a pack of 50 with fun design varieties that earned rave reviews from our child testers.

Just note that these are one-size only for kids. They were too big on some of our youngest testers, but fit most elementary-aged children and older. Our pros appreciate how their packaging keeps them fully intact and noted they've come in handy when other mask straps break unexpectedly.

This cloth face covering is worth trying with preschoolers and younger children that struggle to wear any type of mask. Parent testers — and even our Lab experts — have found that their fussy kids who refuse masks will happily wear this style. It doesn't offer as much protection as the other ones we recommend, but it's certainly better than no mask at all.

The outer layer is a smooth and stretchy polyester/spandex fabric and the inner layer is a knit cotton, which feels soft and comfortable against skin. Though it doesn't have a nose-bridge, the contoured design provides a close fit without gaps. It's also machine washable and has held up to repeated launderings in our review. Testers loved these Jojo Siwa prints with rainbows and unicorns, but it also comes in a Batman pack.

It's no doubt that face coverings pose difficulties for some children, especially when it comes to nonverbal communication. This mask has a clear panel to keep the mouth visible. Users appreciate its versatility for speech class and for the deaf and hard of hearing community. You can purchase the mask individually or in a set of 2, 4, 10 or 50, with the cost decreasing as you buy more.

Though it may not offer superior filtration like other masks, it still offers good protection with its three cotton layers, nose bridge and adjustable ear straps. The clear panel may fog up, but the brand also sells a solution that reduces condensation on the inside.

There are three main types of materials you'll find when shopping for kids face masks:

The best material for a face mask is a nonwoven, or at least one that has a nonwoven layer. Jeffrey Stull, President of International Personal Protection, Inc. and a developer of the ASTM face covering standard tells Good Housekeeping: "This is because nonwoven materials are generally more efficient in the way that they are constructed." Stull shares that while some cloth-based face coverings can still offer good protection, nonwoven filters "are likely to provide higher levels of performance.”

Though we typically refer to "face masks" as a collective term for all face coverings, there are actually three distinct categories that are designed for separate purposes and tested using different standards. According to ASTM's Committee on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment, the categories are:

The main goal is to keep kids safe while still feeling comfortable, especially if they need to be wearing masks for long periods of time. Here are the most important aspects to consider when picking out a face mask for your child:

You may notice labels when you shop for kids face coverings. Here are the most common ones and what they mean: