How to make your own face mask with the kids

We are getting used to a new kind of “normal” at the moment across the globe. It is increasingly likely that whatever country you are living within, you have been encouraged to wear face masks or face coverings in enclosed places and/or on public transport. If this is the case where you are, why not help make your kids to make their own? To assist you, we have a tutorial on how to make your own face mask for kids to do. This has been put together by furrylittlepeach and We are Social in Australia.

There are some stunning illustrations for you to take a look at, and help guide you through all the steps for you and your kids to make your own face mask with only 5 simple things you should already have in the house.

Materials

• Fabric,
• Scissors,
• Needle,
• Thread, and
• Ribbon or elastic.

How to make your own face mask

1. Choose your fabric; First of all you need to find some fabric for your mask – it needs to be clean and something that you don’t need anymore as well. Maybe an old tea towel, tea shirt, or some pyjamas. Make sure you like the pattern, and that you won’t be needing it again. It must also be something that is thick – cotton is good. Hold it up to the light, and if you can see through, don’t use it. If you can see through it, the germs can still get through.

   

2. Cut out your mask; You need to cut two pieces out for your mask that are the same size, depending on who you are making the mask for:
   – 18cm x 13cm for kids, and
   – 25cm x 25cm for adults.
   When you have cut both these pieces out, lay them on top of each other so that the edges are touching.
   
3. Sew the two longer sides: New you need to grab your needle, and let the sewing begin! You may need a little help here. Fold the long sides over about 1cm from the edge – then hem them. You can always use a sewing pin the hold the fold in place. Do this on both of the long sides.
4. Sew up the short sides; Fold the shorter sides about 13mm from the end. Do use a ruler if you need to for this.
   
5. Add the ear loops to your face mask; These are used to make sure your mask stays on, by attaching it to your ears. You can make them with elastic, hair ties, or even ribbon. Whatever you have lying around the house. You need to thread the loops through each short side. You can make a little snip within the fabric with a pair of scissors, and then thread them through. Each piece needs to be able 20cm long. If you are using elastic, make it a little shorter as it will stretch. About 15cm is about right.
   
6. Wear it with ride – you made it! All you need to do now, is wear your mask. Place it over your mouth, and over your nose. Ask a grown up to tie it behind your ears and make sure it is tight, but not restrictive. If it is elastic, tie and note and hide the knot in the hem.

   Well done – you are finished!
   

There you are – your mask is now completed! Do pop on social media and share with us using the #maskclass hashtag, won’t you? And do visit all of us on Twitter, and Instagram; KiddyCharts, WeAreSocial and Furrylittlepeach.

If you would like to download a two pager with more detailed advice on how to make a face mask with the kids, do click on the square image below, and we have a pdf for you. Perhaps you can share with your school, nursery, or other parents as something they can do with the kids that teaches excellent skills.

Key areas that this activity develop include:

• Sewing, which help fine motor skills,
• Maths, thanks to the need to measure out the fabric and sew in the right places, and
• Science, as you need to investigate the fabrics that there are in your home to find what is most suitable to keep the germs out.

If you want some other activities and ideas for isolation and the pandemic, we have some fabulous ones on the site, so why not check them out?

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Thanks so much for popping over to see us.

Helen

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