14 COVID Masks that Can Be Worn as a Halloween Costume for Kids

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Halloween is around the corner, and this year, families have an opportunity to be extra creative as they incorporate cloth masks into their costumes. It is a unique and unprecedented year as Halloween occurs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the bright side, there are so many fun ways to make a COVID mask part of a Halloween costume.

More: 4 Rules It's Okay to Break During the Coronavirus Pandemic

It is important to note that the CDC has shared the following recommendations:

• Do not use costume masks in place of cloth masks
• Do not use a costume mask (such as for Halloween) as a substitute for a cloth mask unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around your face.
• Do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

Cloth Masks You Can Buy to Enhance Costumes

SchoolMaskPack offers a wide variety of Halloween cloth masks that make for adorable costume additions. If you are not a fan of applying Halloween makeup to your child’s face, these masks make it especially easy to add fun Halloween faces to costumes. Here are some options:

• Crayola Crayon: The Crayola crayon mask comes in various colors and shades to match your child’s favorite crayon color if she chooses a crayon costume this year.
• Jack O’Lantern: If you have a sweet, little Jack O’Lantern at home, School Mask Pack offers a perfect kid sized mask.
• Ghoul, Ghost, and Witch: Your little one will be perfectly spooky with a ghoul, ghost, or witch cloth mask from School Mask Pack.
• Animal Costumes: Animal costumes will look even more complete with these fun animal masks available on Amazon. There are so many to choose from like pandas, wild cats, bunnies, and alligators. 
• Spooky Face and Neck Gaiters: This is a great choice for older kids who really want to look their spookiest or simply add a scary element to a regular outfit.
• Pumpkin and Bat Fun Masks: These Halloween themed cloth masks with prints of pumpkins and bats can be added to any costume or just help young kids feel more festive all month long.

Ideas for How to Use Disposable Masks or Plain Cloth Masks to Enhance Costumes

• Health Care Hero:  There’s never been a better year to celebrate the heroes among us. Add a disposable mask to a kids’ sized version of scrubs along with a toy stethoscope around the neck to create a pint sized health care hero.
• Pirate:  Use a black Sharpie to draw a mustache and/or beard on the mask to add to your little pirate’s costume.
• Clown:  Draw a big, red nose on the mask or glue a bright red pompom to the nose area of the mask.
• Bird:  This is an easy one for your child to make on her own. Draw and color in a beak of your child’s favorite color choice.
• Cat, Dog, or Any Animal with Whiskers:  It couldn’t be easier to draw a little heart nose and long whiskers on a plain mask.
• Woody from Toy Story:  Have your child wear his bandanna around his mouth instead of around his neck. Perfect for Woody!
• Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas:  This is another simple choice with a plain white mask. Just have your child draw the classic two black holes for a nose and lined mouth for a perfect Jack Skellington accessory.
• Hippie:  Have fun with tie-dye to give some 60s color patterns to your plain masks. Combine the mask with bell bottom jeans, circle shaped eyeglasses, a headband, and some peace sign accessories, and you will create an adorable, little hippie.

 For more COVID-friendly Halloween ideas, check out 8 Alternatives to Trick or Treating During the COVID-19 Pandemic.