11 of the Best Face Painting Ideas and Kits for Every Occassion

It’s always a good time to discover new face painting ideas, what with Halloween around the corner and a birthday party every other weekend.

As a part-time party planner and a full-time mom I get to see the very best, and worst, of face painting skills, or rather the lack thereof, and the damage unsafe paints can do to your little one’s skin. Let’s face it, face painting has come a long way since the 70s and 80s. Back then anyone with a waxy crayon in hand and the ability to scribble a heart or a rainbow was considered a face painter. Nowadays, not so much. Kids (and parents) want realistic tigers and superheroes, glittery tiaras and ethereal butterflies that look like they’re going to take flight any second.

So, with that in mind, I’ve put together a list of the best face painting ideas around at the moment, including kits for beginners and professionals, kid- and eco-friendly sets, step-by-step guides and everything in between.

The Best Face Painting Ideas

Fun Face Painting Ideas for Kids: 40 Step-by-Step Demos
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Klutz Face Painting Craft Kit
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Snazaroo Face Paint Ultimate Party Pack
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Melissa & Doug Craft and Create Face Painting
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Face Paint Brush Set by ARTacts
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Snazaroo Face Paint Mini Starter Kit
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Face Paint Kit For Kids By Bo Buggles
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Master Airbrush Kit
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Create-a-Face Face Painting Kit For Parties
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1. Fun Face Painting Ideas for Kids: 40 Step-by-Step Demos

Fun Face Painting Ideas for Kids: 40 Step-by-Step Demos

Available in paperback and kindle editions Fun Face Painting Ideas for Kids is almost a back to basics from the world renowned authors of ‘Extreme Face Painting’. If you’re new to face painting then this book will guide you through the basics like painting a flower to a full Frankenstein face. If you’re already pretty good but need to learn a few new techniques, like creating the look of fur, the illusion of depth, and more intricate designs.

2. Klutz Face Painting Craft Kit

Klutz Face Painting Craft Kit

With over 1.5 million sets sold, it’s easy to see why this made it on my list. The kit includes six paints in bright colors, a brush, sponge, and ‘cheat’ tear-out design cards.  There’s also a 58-page book with step by step instructions and great tips to paint faces, arm tattoos, and bracelets. In no time at all, you’ll be the Van Gogh of the party!

3. Snazaroo Face Paint Ultimate Party Pack

Snazaroo Face Paint Ultimate Party Pack

There’s usually a kid or two at a party that as to miss out on the fun because they’re allergic to the face paint used. Not with this ultimate party pack. Snazaroo’s face paints have been reviewed by an independent professor of dermatology and professional toxicologists. They’re fragrance-free and are suitable for the most delicate skins. The colors in the pack are vibrant and dry quickly, which means many happy (and scary) faces. Being water-based, the paint washes off easily too.

4. Blue Squid Face Paint Kit for Kids

Image of Blue Squid Face Painting Kit for Kids

The Blue Squid Face Paint Kit’s bright and vivid colors may inspire interesting face and body paint ideas. The sturdy reusable cosmetic carry case holds enough paint for over 100 faces. Choose between the 12 color classics or metallic color packs.  

The paints are superior cosmetic grade and non-toxic, vegan, FDA-compliant, and hypoallergic. It’s recommended to always test a small area because each person’s skin is different.  

Included are 30 reusable stencils and three brushes. Use the thick brush to cover larger areas, the thin brush for outlines and the ultra-thin for detail. The online ideas guide and step-by-step videos will guide anyone to create beautiful designs.  

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5. Melissa & Doug Craft and Create Face Painting

Melissa & Doug Craft and Create Face Painting

With more than 25 years of being in the business, Melissa & Doug toys are made to nurture creativity and spark kids’ imagination and their face paint kit does that exactly that. The step-by-step instruction book has over 70 designs, including full-face disguises, kid-friendly symbols and fun little accents. The water-based face paint applies easily and dries quickly and the little mix tray means more fun with less mess.

6. Face Paint Brush Set by ARTacts

Face Paint Brush Set by ARTacts

No face painting kit would be complete without a good set of brushes. The Artacts kit includes 12 brushes, perfect for every kind of artist and any occasion. The bristles are a special blend of high-quality non-toxic synthetic fibers, which hold more paint and are super soft on the skin and because they’re not made from animal hair, they don’t cause any irritations.  From oil brushes for artists to fine pointed face painting brushes, as well as square-tip and fan-shaped brushes you won’t need another set for a long time and should there be any reason you’re unhappy with your purchase, Artacts offer a lifetime guarantee.

People who love this product also tend to love creating with the best diamond painting kit as well – check it out!

7. Snazaroo Face Paint Mini Starter Kit

Snazaroo Face Paint Mini Starter Kit

Ready, steady, paint! Snazaroo‘s mini face painting kit has everything you need to get started. Perfect for amateurs and professionals, the durable carry case comes with six 18ml face paints in white, black, bright red, bright yellow, sky blue, grass green, as well as three fun face painting brushes (round, fine and flat), two sponges, a 12ml Silver Glitter Gel, and a step-by-step guide.

8. Face Paint Kit For Kids By Bo Buggles

Face Paint Kit For Kids By Bo Buggles

Bo Buggles face painting kit is made with kids in mind. The paint is vegan, lead and paraben free and doesn’t irritate the skin at all. There aren’t any instructions included in the kit but there is an E-book with eight designs. What I really like, is that even with limited artistic skills, the 30 stencils will make you look (and feel) like a pro in no time at all.

9. Master Airbrush Kit

Master Airbrush Kit

Now, this is a serious kit! And you definitely won’t run out of face painting ideas with the master airbrush kit. It has pretty much everything you’ll need to airbrush faces and bodies, as well as using it for crafts, hobbies, cake decorating, sunless tanning (just be sure to use the correct color), graphics and a whole lot more.

10. Create-a-Face Face Painting Kit For Parties

Create-a-Face Face Painting Kit For Parties

Create-A-Face prides themselves on their face painting kits. The paints are 100% FDA compliant, hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and most importantly, there’s no need to worry about allergic reactions or skin conditions flaring up.  The kit includes  24 of the most popular stencils for girls and boys, as well as a complimentary E-book to inspire some great face painting ideas.

11. ProudBody Pregnancy Belly Painting Kit

ProudBody Pregnancy Belly Painting Kit

Moms-to-be are always looking for new ways to announce a pregnancy or show off their bump and this belly painting kit will definitely help. The FDA approved water based paints are easy to apply and remove. The paint-your-own belly kit has an eight color professional water based makeup palette (black, white, red, pink, orange, blue, green and yellow), a sponge, a brush, painting tips as well as a design idea sheet, and a sheet of temporary belly tattoos, if you’re not confident enough to go free-hand.

If you like working with paint, you should take a look at this guide on how to paint for beginners as well.

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