16 best kids' face masks for school: plain, washable face coverings for children

Do you have your children’s face coverings sorted for school?

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Senior Lifestyle Editor

Updated: April 19, 2021Apr 19, 2021, 2:41 PM GMT+1

As secondary school and college students return to the classroom after the Easter break, some may be wondering if face coverings are still compulsory.

On 6 April, the government confirmed that face coverings should continue to be worn after Easter holiday to help limit the risk of transmission.

But which face coverings are best and what are the rules? We've investigated – and gathered together the best washable and reusable face masks for children now that they're going back to school. Scroll down to see the list.

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Face masks in schools: what are the current rules?

The government have announced that secondary school children will have to continue to wear face masks in classrooms after the Easter break - if they can't stick to the two-metre social distancing rule. The rules include mask use in corridors and communal areas and on school buses and public transport.

It is expected that face coverings will no longer be required to be worn in classrooms, or by students in other communal areas, at step 3 of the roadmap, which will be no earlier than May 17th.

What about the face mask rules for schools in the rest of the UK?

In Scotland, secondary school pupils should wear face masks in corridors and communal areas, and senior pupils (years S4-S6) and their teachers must wear them in class. All staff in Scottish schools must wear masks where social distancing is not possible.

Meanwhile, the Welsh government has recommended face coverings in high schools when social distancing is "unlikely to be maintained". And in Northern Ireland, face coverings must be worn in the corridors of post-primary schools and on school and public transport.

Primary schools are not currently affected by the new guidelines, although the rules may evolve once school starts to get underway.

Will face masks be compulsory at my child’s school?

If your child goes to a secondary school in England or Scotland, then face masks are compulsory in line with the new rules. There are exceptions, however - when the children are engaged in exercise or strenuous activity like PE, or if they are exempt for health reasons. Children over 11 still need to wear a mask if they are going into a shop or supermarket or on public transport.

Bearing in mind the expert advice that you should change face masks after every use – and this could include two trips on public transport per day – it’s a good idea to invest in at least four masks so you have spares for washing.

Which masks are best for children and where can I buy them?

Schools are likely to favour plain masks, possibly matching your child’s school uniform. There are several good washable plain masks for children you can buy online, and some that can be discretely personalised with your child’s name so you don’t have to worry about them getting lost.

It’s important you invest in one in a size that fits correctly around the nose and under the chin to avoid the spread of coronavirus. We've rounded up the best below.

Shop kids' face mask variety packs for school

If you are just looking for kids face masks for school and you don't have to worry about matching a school uniform, we've made it easy for you to choose with this selection of plain kids' face masks. These all come in packs of five, so your child will have one for each day of the school week.

(If you need to know where to buy single-colour packs to match school colours, keep scrolling – we have you covered, too!)

Multi-use face masks, from £8 for a three-pack, Everlane

16 best kids' face masks for school: plain, washable face coverings for children

Do you have your children’s face coverings sorted for school?

Face masks in schools: what are the current rules?

What about the face mask rules for schools in the rest of the UK?

Will face masks be compulsory at my child’s school?

Which masks are best for children and where can I buy them?

Shop kids' face mask variety packs for school

Shop kids' face masks for school: Single colour bulk packs

Kids' face masks for school uniforms: Individual

Personalised kids' face masks for school

Face mask storage cases for school

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