In preparation for the most uncomfortable back-to-school season in our lifetime, we’ve pulled together 10 breathable masks that come highly recommended by parents.

Mini Mioche

The Queen West children’s boutique has made a very cozy mask for little faces (and priced it less than most local shops). 

  • Made in Canada
  • $12 per mask
  • Breathable and soft, with cozy elastic for maximum comfort around the ears
  • Created for kids aged 3-9
  • Fabric: Exterior: 95% cotton/5% spandex french terry, Interior: 80% Rayon from Bamboo/20% Organic Cotton jersey, Elastic: 95% polyester/5% spandex
  • Find in-store, or email support@minimioche.com to order
  • More info on website
  • IG: @minimioche 

 

Mayana Geneviere 

This local lingerie company did a swift pivot after COVID hit, and families are raving about the gentle fabric, usually reserved for intimates. 

  • Made in Toronto
  • $18.50 per mask / $49.50 for a 3-pack
  • Soft elastic straps with adjustable toggle for customized fit
  • 2-Layers of 100% tightly woven cotton, as recommended
  • Filter pocket to insert your own filter 
  • Made for kids 2+
  • Positive reviews from parents with children who have sensory issues
  • Positive reviews from parents with kids who have tiny, narrow faces
  • More info on website
  • IG: @mayanageneviere 

Moji

Great designs, locally made, fits well, delivers promptly. 

  • Made in Canada
  • $19.99 for fun print / $16.00 for basic 
  • The masks are made of 2 layers of cotton with a pocket that you can add a filter to (they recommend a coffee filter or baby wipe).
  • Cotton lining: Lined with 100% premium cotton. 
  • Elastic ear straps ensure a comfortable fit.
  • More info on website 
  • IG: @mojimaskcanada

 

BYOM (Bring Your Own Mask)

There’s a touching family story behind this Oakville mask company, launched soon after a mother lost her job and was inspired by her daughter, a frontline worker at a local pharmacy. 

  • Made in Toronto
  • $18 per mask
  • Masks boast a two-layer polypropylene filter 
  • Different kid and youth sizes, so you get the right fit
  • No chemicals—water-based dyes
  • Lot of fun prints for kids and teens
  • More info on website 
  • IG: @bringyourownmask

Olive & Splash

This local bamboo athleisure apparel company was one of the first Canadian designers to make the move to mask production, and their masks are especially loved by those with sensitive skin. 

  • Made in Toronto
  • Sold in a 3-pack for kids at $49.99
  • Replaced elastic with “ultra light-weight and butter-soft bamboo stretch material (no digging elastic)”
  • Hypoallergenic
  • 99.8% Antibacterial
  • More info on website
  • IG: @oliveandsplash

Old Navy

While it’s great to support local companies, this is also an incredibly challenging financial time for many families. Old Navy kid masks are well priced, have super cute designs, and parents are raving about the fit too.

  • Variety 5-Pack of Triple-Layer Cloth Face Masks for Kids is $15 (See featured image at top of page)
  • Variety 3-Pack of Triple-Layer Cloth Critter Face Masks (with Laundry Bag) for Kids is $12 (As seen directly above)
  • On the Old Navy site, there are 784 reviews for the kids masks, with an average rating of 4.6 (We’ve also had numerous parents in our community share positive feedback)
  • 3-ply, woven, 100% cotton poplin
  • Lots of fun styles to choose from
  • Current delay on shipping due to high demand
  • More info on website

Custom By Kate

Kate Bolla is a local mom of three who has begun an adventure of creating comfortable custom clothes. We love the mask-scrunchie combos, which may help make this whole ordeal a little more fun for your kiddos.

  • Handmade in Toronto with love
  • Made to order, based on preferred fabric
  • $8-10 per mask, or $13-15 for the mask + scrunchie combo 
  • IG: @custom_by_kate / DM her to inquire further and/or place an order 

 

Protect Styles

These masks are made in Toronto and for every purchase made, proceeds go towards supporting CAMH. 

  • Made in Toronto
  • $18.95 per mask
  • Lots of fun styles including patterns made to look like Minecraft, Pac-Man, Harry Potter, and MORE
  • Custom Designs available
  • Adjustable ear loops
  • Made of polyester
  • Two layers, with pocket for filter 
  • More info on website 

Poop Café

For months we’ve been reading positive reviews from parents about the $5 masks available at Toronto’s Poop Café. As reported by BlogTO, the restaurant “known for serving desserts in toilet-shaped bowls”, turned into a sewing factory when COVID halted their business. 

  • Made in Toronto
  • $5 per mask
  • A gazillion styles, including all the TV & Disney characters your kid loves
  • More info on website 
  • IG: @poopcafe.ca 

Vistaprint

Another example of a local company doing a pandemic pivot! Vistaprint—which is normally a printing house for all your marketing needs—now makes masks, and local parents have been saying good things. 

  • $18
  • Lightweight masks are made with materials that wick away moisture (so faces get less sweaty)
  • 91.7% polyester fibre, 8.3% spandex
  • Offer thick, high-quality filters slide right in and can be used for 12 hours of active filtering time, available in packs of ten.
  • Adjustable latex-free straps
  • Tons of fun styles and bright colours 
  • Delay on shipping due to high demand
  • More info on website 

It’s going to be a challenging year; get them masks that they will want to wear that fit well and feel good.