Face Paint for Kids
To paint children's faces you need three things: water-based face paint, a sponge and a brush. A 16 gram pot costs EUR 5.95 and gives you around 50 painted faces.
Not sure where to start, have a look at the starter sets . Prefer to put it together yourself, then browse palettes and brushes and sponges .
Frequently asked questions about face paint for kids
The questions parents, teachers and childminders ask us most: what is safe, from what age, how much do you need and what does it cost.
Which face paint is safe for children?
Water-based face paint from professional brands such as Superstar, Diamond FX, Grimas and Mehron. It is registered as a cosmetic and meets European cosmetics regulations. Never use craft paint or paint without an ingredient list.
From what age can you paint a child's face?
As a guideline we use around 3 years for a full face. Younger children have thinner, more sensitive skin and toddlers often rub their eyes. For a child under 3, a small design on the forearm is a nicer idea.
How much paint do you need for twenty children?
A 16 gram pot gives around 50 fully painted faces. For a class of twenty children a small set of colours is more than enough. White and black run out fastest.
What does face paint for kids cost?
A 16 gram pot of water-based paint costs EUR 5.95. Expect roughly 12 cents per painted face. A starter set with paint, sponge and brush included works out cheaper than buying everything separately.
What is the minimum you need to start?
A few colours of water-based paint, a sponge, a brush and water. That covers most of what children ask for: a butterfly, a tiger, a superhero or a princess.
How do you get the paint off again?
Water-based face paint comes off with lukewarm water and mild soap. You do not need a remover. Wipe off the bulk with a flannel first, then wash the face.
Do you need to set the paint with powder?
Not with water-based paint. It dries on its own and stays put. Powder and setting spray are for cream and grease paint.
What do you need to paint children's faces?
Three things: water-based face paint in a few colours, a sponge for the base and a brush for the lines. Plus a cup of water. That is all. A full tiger or butterfly is well within reach with just that.
Starting from scratch, a starter set is easiest, because everything is in one box. If you would rather build your own kit, pick a palette with several colours, or single pots of water-based face paint .
Which face paint is suitable for children?
Water-based face paint from brands such as Superstar, Diamond FX, Grimas and Mehron. It is registered as a cosmetic and meets European cosmetics regulations, so it is made to be worn on skin, including children's skin. Never use craft paint or any paint without an ingredient list.
Water-based paint is activated with a little water and dries on its own. You do not need powder or setting spray on top, that is for cream and grease paint.
What does it cost and how far does it go?
A 16 gram pot of water-based face paint costs EUR 5.95. That gives you around 50 fully painted faces, or up to about 100 smaller cheek designs. That works out at roughly 12 cents per face.
White and black always run out first, because you use them in almost every design. Buy a spare pot of those if you paint often.
How do you paint a child's face, step by step?
Dampen the sponge, load it with paint and dab on the base colour. Let that dry for a moment. Then set the lines and details with a brush. Work from light to dark and you will not have to wait between colours.
On our YouTube channel you can watch designs being built up step by step.
What do you buy if you have twenty children to paint?
A palette with several colours works better than single pots, because you are not swapping between them. Take two sponges so there is always a clean one, and a fine brush for the lines.
If you have little time per child, look at split cakes . They hold several colours side by side, so one stroke gives you a butterfly or a rainbow. Stencils help too: press one on the cheek and a star or a spider is done in ten seconds. For a finishing touch, glitters work well.
Painting children's faces for Halloween
Halloween uses the same kit, only different colours. White, black and red are the base for a spider, a skeleton or a cat. If you want to go further with fake blood, wounds or lenses, have a look at Halloween make-up .
What do you use face paint for kids for?
- Children's parties and birthdays
- School fairs and the playground
- Carnival and Halloween
- Sports days and national holidays
- An afternoon at home, simply because it is fun
Tips from SchminkenGrime.nl
- Let the child choose from two or three examples. They sit still longer and are happier with the result.
- Do not paint close to the eyes of a child who rubs. A design on the cheek works just as well.
- Do a patch test in the crook of the elbow the first time, or when the skin is sensitive.
- Keep one sponge for light colours and one for dark, and your colours stay clean.
- Take more water to a party than you think you need.
Who is behind this advice?
This advice comes from SchminkenGrime.nl. Linda Gloudemans, owner of SchminkenGrime.nl, works as a make-up artist at events, develops and teaches the NHA distance-learning course on theatrical make-up, and serves as examiner for the Dutch vocational programme Allround Make-Up & Hair Artist. Not sure what you need, send a message via WhatsApp and we will think it through with you.
Last updated: September 2026