overhead shot of reusable face mask on wooden backdrop Credit: Rike_ / Getty Images
overhead shot of reusable face mask on wooden backdrop Credit: Rike_ / Getty Images
overhead shot of reusable face mask on wooden backdrop Credit: Rike_ / Getty Images
overhead shot of reusable face mask on wooden backdrop
Credit: Rike_ / Getty Images
I’ve learned a lot about face masks in the past few months. My first mask was a bandana folded and tied with hair ties and I’ve come a long way since then. Still, it can be tricky to order them online, since they’re non-refundable, you just have to hope for the best and that they’ll fit.
I recently found my favorite masks. The Everyday Non Medical Face Masks from Athleta, $30 for a 5-pack, are breathable and fit well. Plus, I like the colors. One of the reasons they’re so great is they have adjustable straps to help get the perfect fit.
So, while I had a mask that fit my face, I was having trouble finding a face mask that fit my two-year old son. His face is still too small for most kid-size masks and many of the ones that have fun characters, like these Mickey Mouse masks, $12 for a 3-pack from Gap, don’t come with adjustable straps. The masks that are adjustable also tend to cost more money.
I was staring down at my Athleta mask and it dawned on me that I could probably take off the adjusters (it’s just a small attachment) and use them for my son’s mask instead. It’s such a simple swap, and it helped so much with getting his mask to fit.
I was going to sacrifice another one of my masks when I realized I could probably buy just the adjusters. A quick google search landed me with plenty of super-affordable options.
Now, not only can I make sure that our masks better fit my toddler, I can go back and add them on older masks we have that didn’t come with adjusters. We have some homemade ones from my Mom, and the adjusters help give them a much better fit. Plus, if you’ve found that your elastic stretched out a bit after washing and multiple wears, the adjusters can still help you get a good fit around your ears.
I realize it’s weird to wax poetic about mask adjusters, but it’s 2020 and there are plenty of weirder conversations I’ve had this year. This purchase has been a game-changer for me and our family as we head into colder months and will likely be doing more inside while wearing masks. These would not only make a great purchase for anyone with kids, but if you have a smaller face, masks that aren’t currently adjustable or you’re making homemade masks. Some come in large packs, so they would be great to split with a friend or two.
