If you wish to transform your little one into a cute and scary monster, zombie, black cat, or ghost, you can try these Halloween face paint ideas for kids. Face painting is an interesting way to unleash your creativity and let children play the character they wish. Most children love the idea of face painting because it allows them to experiment with their looks and makes them stand out. Face painting is also an enjoyable experience for the parents. Aliessa, a wife and mother of four from Brisbane, Australia, describes how face painting remains one of their children’s treasured activities. She says, “One of our children’s most favorite things to do is have their faces painted. Every holiday (and sometimes in the afternoon when they get home from school) we pull out the face paints at least once – it’s always a fun time (i)!”
Top Ideas Of Halloween Face Paint For Kids
1. Perfect Pumpkin
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Draw a thick red, pumpkin outline on the face. Then use a triangular sponge to fill in the orange. Make sure you blend the paint well around the edges.
- Using a paint brush, outline the pumpkin in brown and draw the vertical segment lines.
- Line the underneath in black and draw two triangles near the chin.
- With the black paint and a thin brush, draw the pumpkin smile. Ensure that you make the gaps in the teeth.
- Finish off the paint by drawing the green stalk on the child’s forehead.
2. Clown
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Using a paint brush or sponge, apply white paint on the eyelids and around the brows. Make sure that the paint does not get into your kid’s eyes. Use the same white paint around the mouth area.
- Make a broad outline around the mouth area with red paint. Brush the lower lip with the same red paint and make a small dot on the tip of the nose.
- Use black paint to outline the white patches around the eyes. You can also make eyelashes with the same black paint. Your Halloween kids face paint is ready!
Quick tip3. Tiger
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Cover the face with orange paint.
- Apply white paint around the eyes. Outline the white paint with black paint.
- Use a thin paintbrush to draw tiger stripes on cheeks and forehead.
- Make a small black heart or a small triangle at the tip of the nose.
4. Dog
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- With white paint, paint a circle around one eye. Use the same color for creating the base of the mouth.
- Using a thin brush or sponge, create feathery strokes around the mouth edges to give a furry effect.
- With the red paint, make the dog’s tongue from the bottom lip down the chin.
- Now use black paint to make the nose and whisker follicles. You can also paint the upper lip black for a more realistic look.
- Using the same black paint, add the tongue details and outline the circle around the eye. This is an easy Halloween face painting for kids.
5. Vampire
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Cover the whole face with a wash of white face paint.
- Use black paint to make a “widow’s peak” on the forehead. You can even use the black paint to accentuate the brows.
- Use white paint to make two fangs from the lower lip. Outline the fangs with black paint.
- Use red paint to fill the lips and make blood dripping from the fangs.
Point to consider6. Pirate
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Use a broad paintbrush to paint a red stripe across the forehead. Paint two red stripes at the end to give an appearance of a tied bandana. Give the red bandana a black outline. You can also make white or yellow dots on the bandana.
- Now use the black paint to make the eye patch. Make two narrow black stripes from the patch to the bandana.
- Using a thin paintbrush, make the pirate mustache and a goatee on the chin.
7. Bunny
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Pull back the kid’s hair with a headband and cover his clothes with a cape.
- Apply gray paint on the face, leaving the eyelids and areas between the nose and mouth. If you want to give a thicker coverage, then apply a second coat of the paint after the first coat dries. Once the second coat dries, pat the paint with a sponge for an even finish.
- Apply white paint around the eyes and area around the nose and mouth.
- Now apply light pink paint on the apple of the cheeks.
- Using a thin bristle paint brush, make dark pink outlines around the white patch on the mouth and nose.
- Paint the lips using the same dark pink color and make dark pink dots above the mouth.
- Using another narrow brush and white paint, make the whiskers on the cheeks.
- Make two thick white lines for bunny teeth on the lower lip. Your little bunny is ready.
8. Skeleton
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Cover the entire face of your kid with white paint. You can use a sponge or a large brush for painting. Leave a ½-inch border around the edge of the face.
- With a small makeup brush, circle the eyes with black paint and dots for teeth above and below the lips.
- Fill the hollows of the cheeks with black paint. Use the same black paint to draw cracks in the middle of the forehead. The cute skeleton is ready.
9. Witch
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Cover your little girl’s face with yellow or green paint.
- Fill the lips and make the circle around the eyes with black paint.
- You can also make spider webs or bugs on the face. You will love this kids’ Halloween face painting.
Caution10. Spider
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Apply a white base across the kid’s eyes with a paintbrush or sponge, creating a wing shape. Outline the wings with black paint.
- Cover the forehead and half face with red paint. Leave out the nose.
- Use black paint to draw a spider between the eyebrows. Use the same color for spider webs on the forehead.
11. Mermaid
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Use sparkling green and blue face paints.
- Add scales along the face edges using a netting. Blend purple, blue, and green eyeshadows for a simpler version, eliminating the gridded effect on the cheeks.
- Apply shimmery eyeshadows or face paints through the netting holes for an animated look.
- Choose shimmery products to enhance the overall scale effect.
12. Frankenstein
Image: Shutterstock
How To:
- Begin by applying a dark green base for a frightening Frankenstein look.
- Use black paint to outline the eyes, mouth, and lips. Blend it seamlessly into the green base.
- Add a hand-drawn scar across the forehead, or experiment with temporary tattoos resembling stitches for an extra eerie effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of paint do you use to paint kids’ faces?
Ordinary colors, not particularly meant for face painting, should not be used for this purpose. Face paints are usually available in cream, wax, or glycerine. Water-based face paints are easier to remove and may be more suitable for children. Make sure you check for FDA-approved products for safety.
2. Is face painting safe for kids?
Face painting may be safe for kids if proper precautions are followed. Water-based, non-toxic, and FDA-approved paints can be used for face painting. However, a patch test (putting the paint on a small area of skin and watching if it causes any reaction) is necessary before your child uses the face paint. Make sure you look for toxic ingredients that may be represented differently. For example, ingredients such as “kohl,” “kajal,” or “surma,” may indicate presence of lead and mercury may be listed as “mercurous chloride,” “calomel,” “mercuric,” or “mercurio” (1).
3. Is acrylic paint safe for kids’ faces?
No. Acrylic paints contain color pigments and chemicals such as ammonia, lead, and formaldehyde. These chemicals can cause allergic reactions on the skin. Hence, it is not safe for use on a child’s sensitive skin.
4. Can a child sleep with face paint on?
No. It is best to wipe the paint off as soon as possible. Leaving paint on your child’s skin for too long can cause skin irritation.
5. How do you get face paint off a child’s face?
Apply baby oil, baby lotion, or makeup remover to your child’s face. Let it sit on your child’s face for a while, so it breaks down the color. Then take a damp cotton ball or soft washcloth and gently wipe it off. Do not rub their skin too hard if the paint is stubborn. Wait for a few moments before trying again. You can wash their face with their regular face cleanser and follow it with a mild moisturizer.
Even if you have purchased the spookiest Halloween costume for your kids, it would be incomplete without a good face painting. Take the fun and scariness levels of the costumes to the next level with these scary face paint ideas for kids. We have listed several face painting ideas for kids ranging from adorable animals to scary mythological creatures. Although a few require simple strokes, others may need more time and patience. We suggest you practice before the night arrives. Also, while picking a theme, ensure that the face paint coordinates well with the outfit.
Infographic: Interesting Halloween-Inspired Face Painting Ideas For Children
Halloween is the perfect time for children to embrace their creativity and transform into spooky and enchanting characters. In this infographic below, explore various Halloween-inspired face painting ideas that will ignite children’s imaginations and add an extra touch of magic to their costumes.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Ensure the paints and products you use on your child are skin-friendly.
- Before painting the entire face, do a patch test to ensure your child is not allergic to the paints.
- Remove the face paint at the end of the day, and do not let your child sleep with face paint on.
Illustration: Easy And Scary Halloween Face Paint Ideas For Kids
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Let your kids get creative this Halloween with our tips on how to face paint a rabbit costume! Learn how to make your own rabbit ears and whiskers for a unique and fun costume.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Face painting.https://freshcutsbylu.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/face-painting/
References
- Face Paints & Makeup: Choose Carefully to Avoid Toxic Ingredients.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Face-Paints-Makeup-Toxic-Ingredients.aspx
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.
Read full bio of Erin DeCarlo
Read full bio of Debolina Raja
Read full bio of Deepa Thomas
