It seems that masks are going to be a feature of life for some to come, and for children who are not used to seeing adults - or perhaps even their friends - wearing masks, they can be an intimidating and frightening sight. We've produced this collection of resources with the aim of providing a talking point, and to show that wearing a mask doesn't change the person underneath.
In some countries the wearing of masks might be compulsory, in which case these resources can also be used as a reminder to put your mask on, and as a basis for discussing how masks should be worn safely: wash hands before putting the mask on, don't touch the outside of the mask, wash hands when removing, change masks frequently, etc.
We've left these resources mostly free of text so that you can use them however you think appropriate for your circumstances.
Many thanks to Mary for her help with this section.
Choose from 2 versions of this bus scene colouring page, depending on which is more appropriate in your country post-covid (rules differ for public transport). The first shows some of the adults on the bus wearing masks. The second shows all children over 10 and adults wearing masks.
Dress teddy, bunny, lion and foxy in their smart fabric masks to keep them safe when out and about. This cut and paste activity is a great way to talk about mask-wearing post-covid with younger children.
There's some fiddly cutting out to do for this cut and paste masks activity (although it actually doesn't matter if you cut off the elastic accidentally - we know as we tried it!)
These pretty fashion dolls will need some masks as they are about to go out and about! We've provided two masks for your children to cut and paste, to match their lovely summer dresses.
Colour the three children and their masks, and then cut the masks out and paste them on. This is a good way to introduce children to the concept of wearing masks when necessary.
These large "cut and paste" mask pages are great for younger children. We've smiplified the outlines of the children and adults, and provided a simple but colourful mask outline too.
Face masks might be uncomfortable to wear but they don't have to be boring! Kids can become their own mask designers with this fun activity.
This is a very common style of pleated face mask, and they are most often seen in a pale blue thin fabric. But that doesn't mean they have to be! Imagine your favourite fabrics, patterns and colours and design your own face mask...
There are three different types of mask on this colouring page, useful perhaps for familiarising children with the masks that they may see people wearing in future.
There are many different types of mask that children will see people wearing when they are out and about. This poster shows three common types, to help familiarise children with them.
This set of 6 colouring pages showing boys, girls, a man and a woman wearing masks has been designed as a jumping off point for discussions about what people look like wearing masks, why they would be wearing them, how it doesn't change the person underneath and so on.
This collection of 12 colouring pages features 2 boys, 2 girls, a man and a woman, each without and with a mask.
This set of 6 simple posters of boys, girls and adults wearing masks has been designed to be quick and easy to print, and ready for you to use when discussing the use of masks with children. The aim is to show that wearing the mask doesn't change the person underneath.
This is a 12-page set of posters, 2 for each girl, boy, man and woman. The first poster shows the child or adult without mask, the second with mask. You could use the posters as a slideshow, too.
We have two versions of this supermarket scene colouring page: one with some adults wearing masks, and one with all adults wearing masks. Choose the appropriate one and use it as a discussion point about what children might see when they go to the supermarket in the post-covid age.
Colour in each of our lovely toys - teddy, bunny, lion and foxy - with and without their masks. It's a good way to talk about wearing masks with your younger children.
Here is a set of 4 fun posters showing some friendly toys with and without masks. These are designed to help you explain the use of masks with your youngest children, to show that the toy underneath the mask is the same as the toy without one!