Add a strap to your kids’ masks or your own to help it fit better, look cute, and stay off dirty surfaces.

In our second full year of sending our children to school in masks (you are, aren’t you?), we’ve learned a thing or two about them. For one, an uncomfortable mask is as bad as no mask at all, because kids are going to fuss with them, wear them wrong, and take them off when they shouldn’t. For another, these suckers are easy to lose. After finding good face masks for kids that provide protection and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, it would be nice if they held onto them and wore them all day, which is why mask lanyards and mask straps might be your next important purchase.

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Face mask chains and lanyards have become  become a must-have accessory right after, well, face masks themselves because they’re not only stylish but also completely practical, especially for kids who are likely ripping their masks off every chance they get. A face mask lanyard is an excellent way to keep your kid’s face mask from getting lost or misplaced and keeps it close so he or she can quickly put it back on when needed. Plus, lanyards keep the masks off the ground and clean, which is majorly important. Not only is this convenient for parents, but even doctors agree they can be helpful. 

While parents will love the useful aspect of the lanyards, teens and tweens can take advantage of this new trend and get creative with the accessory. They can rock colorful beads or of-the-moment tie-dye, and the accessory might even entice them to wear their masks during a socially-distanced hangout.  

If comfort and fit are a bigger issue than style or absent-mindedness, there are “ear-saving” mask straps that could be right for you and your kids. Adjust one of these straps snugly behind the head to fix a loose mask, as well as to relieve pressure from behind the ears. None of us were ever supposed to have to wear masks on our ears all day, and thank goodness someone has figured out how to make it less painful.

Of course, no matter what kind of face mask lanyard your kid is wearing, make sure it can be properly cleaned every day. We found the best face mask lanyards and chains for kids (and adults) that come in great designs—shop them below.