10 ways to help your kids tolerate face masks
Whether we like it or not, this pandemic is here to stay. So as we approach the school year and the inevitability of making our kids wear face masks on a regular basis, here are 10 ways to make the entire experience a little less miserable and a little more tolerable.

I’ll admit, I’m still getting used to wearing a face mask and I fought it for a long time. But here we are, so we’re going to make the most of it. Here’s some tips and tricks to making face masks easier to wear for kids.

#10: Don’t complain about face masks around your kids
This seems obvious but don’t complain about wearing a face mask so your kids don’t have any excuse to complain about theirs.
#9: Let your kids pick out their own fabric
I took my boys to the fabric store and let them pick out their own fabric and then I made a special face mask for each of them. They were actually excited to put them on.

#8: Help your kids decorate their own mask
There are tons of ways your kids can decorate their own mask and then they will be more excited to wear it and take care of it. Check out this cute post about eight different ways to decorate a mask.

#7: Simplify with face mask sets
You can buy face mask sets on Amazon that are for each day of the week. It also comes with a handy carrying case and daily schedule. They are adjustable and fit kids ages 3-11.

#6: Use a lanyard so they won’t get lost
We all know that as soon as our kids don’t have to wear their face masks anyone, they will yank them off and set them in some random place, never to be found again. These face mask lanyards will make our lives much easier.

#5: Teach your kids why masks are important
Understanding the “why” about face masks and how it relates to our safety and health is important to anyone. Even though wearing them isn’t fun, at least they will understand the need for it and in the end at least tolerate it. For more information about face coverings, check out the CDC guidelines.
#4: Provide incentive
Bribery goes a long way sometimes. You can give you kids a fun incentive if they wear their face mask at school all day long for each day of the week. Some ideas are a pizza night on the weekend, a fun activity with the family, a simple treat or best of all … money.
#3: Make sure they fit
When I made a face mask for each of my kids, I had to size them specifically to their individual faces. Make sure it doesn’t pull on their ears. And if they’re too loose they’ll just fall off all the time. If they are too tight, they can’t breathe. Here’s where I got my pattern for our face masks.

#2: Try the buddy system
If your child’s friend has the same mask as your child, they might be more likely to wear it throughout the day. Or even just providing an opportunity for your kid to see their friends wearing their masks before school starts might help as well.
#1: Keep masks clean
No one wants to wear a stinky mask. Plus, these masks are prone to carrying all types of bacteria. Wash your masks regularly to avoid other types of sicknesses.
Bonus tip: Try a face shield
Don’t knock it ’til you try it. Its easier to breath and your entire face is still visible. Give your kids the option and you might be surprised.

Hopefully these ideas will help you and your kids have a positive experience with wearing masks. And hopefully, this period in our lives won’t last forever and we’ll have become better from it.
Let me know what tips have worked for you. Leave your comments below.
Related link: Free daily fill-in-the-blank chore chart