Face painting isn’t just for Halloween. There are so many occasions where it’s appropriate and expected to have your face painted up. For things like Carnivals, sports events, performances, birthdays, and lots more, they are a fun way to express yourself.
It’s important to know which ones will work best for your child and their unique circumstance. We’ve taken the guesswork out of it and you can rest easy knowing you’ve picked the best.
Face paints vary in surprising ways, for example, some paint still contain trace amounts of lead where others don’t. Some brands are oil-based and some are water-based. Which one should you choose? We researched all the top brands and listened to what experts and moms had to say about them. Keep reading to find out which ones we concluded were the best suited for children.
While you may be thinking that face paint is face paint and how different can one kit be from the other, scroll through the list to discover the ones that include fun extras and which ones not so much, as well as which ones are more budget-friendly. We have a few favorites on the list that beat out the competition in terms of quality, ease of use, price as well as other factors.
Best Face Paint Palettes for Kids
All of these face paint palettes are water based for easy removal. The Create-A-Face Kit, Zenovika Face Paint Kit, Blue Squid Face Paint Kit, ArtiParty Face Paint Kit, and ArtiParty Professional Kit all include a variety of colors across the rainbow for colorful face painting; whereas the TAG Palette is a set of 6 different skin tones for performance based activities.
Create-A-Face Kit – Vibrant Face Paint
The Create-A-Face kit is a great value for any price point and with 12 colors, you can mix and match to blend the perfect shade. Ideal for getting your kids ready for any face painting occasion.
Can’t freehand a rainbow or a butterfly to save your life? Have no fear, it comes with 4 sheets of stencils that will make you look like a face painting pro.
There are even sports stencils to excite the little ballplayers in your life.
This kit is best for a basic face painting experience. It contains everything you need to paint little doodles on your child’s cheek. The 2 brushes make it easy to use more than one color at a time.
This water-based paint requires a few drops of water to activate the colors. Just swish the brush around for a few seconds. After you’re done, the paint cakes will dry out for easy storage until the next time you bring it out.
The lid can be removed and acts as a good surface to use for mixing colors because it can be easily rinsed off however, it also has a tendency to not stay attached to the pallet and may slip off while you have it stored.
Being non-toxic and hypoallergenic are also great reasons why this is a good choice for your child’s skin.
PROS
- Hypoallergenic, good for sensitive skin
- Comes with a step-by-step booklet and video links for more ideas
- No scrubbing. Comes off with a damp cloth
- Dries quickly
CONS
- Comes with a removable plastic lid that can slip off
- Paint cakes are hard and may require a bit of rubbing to activate the color
Zenovika Face Paint Kit
The Zenovika Face Paint Kit offers you a lot of value with a decent price tag. This pallet contains 15 bright colors, with the most commonly used black and white being larger sized to accommodate all of the outlining you will do. With so many color options, there isn’t a need for mixing colors together.
Several extras included in this kit make it a great choice for going a little above and beyond the typical face painting experience. Add sparkle to your design with the silver and gold glitter, or streak your hair with the added hair chalk. Sponges are also an added bonus which helps with blending colors together on the face and really stepping up your face painting game.
A handy booklet with step-by-step ideas and inspiration will help you create your own masterpiece, or if you’d prefer to stencil on a pattern, there are 60 of those to choose from. Whatever your heart desires, this kit can deliver.
The ingredients are makeup grade and hypoallergenic so it’s safe for even the most delicate of skin. It can also be removed easily with a damp cloth since these are water-based paints.
PROS
- Large kit that includes several extras
- Comes in a cardboard box for storing
- Lots of stencils
- includes sponges
CONS
- Glitter comes loose in a pot that can tip over and make a mess
Blue Squid Ultimate Face Painting Kit
The Blue Squid Ultimate Face Painting Kit is basically a party in a box. This is by far the largest kit of them all and comes complete with several extra goodies including loose glitter, loose gems, and hair chalk.
This kit rocks with a record 22 water-activated colors. The white is oversized to accommodate all the outlining however, 4 of the colors share one cake tray which can be difficult if you are just wanting to use one of those colors.
Another thing to consider with this kit is that the gems are loose and not sticky on the back which means you will have to find a way to adhere them to the skin. Simply sticking them on the wet paint isn’t enough. Most people stated they had to use eyelash glue to keep the gems from falling off the skin.
The 3 brushes that it comes with are superior to other kits because they vary in design. One being for spreading paint over a larger surface, the other for painting designs, and another for detail work. The 4 sponges that are included are a nice touch but the 2 special flat sponges on a stick will steal the show as far as blending your creations.
Stickers and stencils will aid in the creation process and help make your design come to life. There is also a step-by-step guide to help get your creative juices flowing.
Get any look you can possibly think of with all these amazing tools of the trade.
This water-based kit goes on smooth with bright vibrant colors that wash off easily with water. Moms loved this kit because the paints were not as hard as other brands and only a drop or two of water was needed to get a nice pasty smooth paint consistency.
Being non-toxic and hypoallergenic also makes this kit a great and safe choice for your kids.
PROS
- Largest kit
- Water-based washes off easily with water
- Lots of extras
- Comes with a 16-page booklet of designs
- Good for sensitive skin
CONS
- Glitter and gems come in loose pots that can tip over
- Gems have to be glued on
- 4 of the colors share one cake tray
ArtiParty Face Paint Kit
The ArtiParty Face Paint Kit is a solid option for playing around with the kids. You should skip this one if you’re looking for something next level and need more staying power.
While this does a good job in keeping up with the more common face painting jobs such as hearts and kitty faces, it doesn’t blend very easily for the more complicated works of art.
This kit includes silver and gold which is a nice bonus and can be used to make a sparkly outline.
Hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin makes this a good choice for younger children.
The 3 brushes it comes with have fairly skinny tips. Good for detail work and drawing lines but not so great for painting the whole face and the lack of sponges means that this kit just wasn’t meant for large blended paintings but rather smaller works of art.
Gold and silver glitter paints are also included in this kit for some sparkly outlining.
The sturdy cardboard box makes it easy for storage.
PROS
- Good price point
- Comes with silver and gold
- Good for simple face paintings
CONS
- Doesn’t blend very easily
- Not as opaque as other kits
Professional Quality Face & Body Paint
The Professional Quality Face & Body Paint has the stylized look of a makeup pallet. These colors are more unique than a typical face paint pallet as they are more pigmented bright.
As with all water-based face paints, just a few drops of water into each cake and turn it into a paste that will apply as smooth as silk which will dry quickly on the skin.
This makeup grade quality product is also hypoallergenic and extremely safe for use on even small children although the stencils would be more appreciated by older children.
The included stencils are a little more exciting than your everyday rainbows and butterflies with things like scorpions and skulls.
Nice quality brushes are included with rounded edges as opposed to the typical flat edges, this is better for spreading color out.
PROS
- Unique colors
- competitively priced
- Fun stencils
- Hinged lid so it never gets lost
CONS
- Doesn’t include sponges or detail brush
TAG – Skin Tone Palette
The TAG Skin Tone Palette comes with 6 creamy skin tones to create unique looks. Unlike other pallets with every color under the rainbow, this one pairs it down to a unique set of skin colors. Perfect for accentuating your face for performances or other things. The detail brushes that are included make this a great way to be seen on the stage or in costume
This water-activated paint goes on creamy and washes off cleanly with a damp cloth.
Make-up grade quality pigment means you get a professional look at home while being hypoallergenic means that anyone can wear it.
This type of pallet would be suited more for older children rather than young kids who are just looking for a butterfly or heart on their cheek.
While this is a lot more pricey than others on the market, it’s a great choice if you are looking for something more natural and less clownlike.
The hinged lid keeps these clean and dry when not in use and can easily be tucked into a makeup bag to take on location.
PROS
- Oversized cakes for lots of coverage
- Comes with detail brushes
- Natural colors
- Easy removal
CONS
- One of the more expensive kits out there
ArtiParty Professional Face Paint
The Professional paint kit from ArtyParty comes with all the colors of the rainbow. These 16 bright and opaque colors will withstand the test of time and won’t smudge after they’ve dried on the skin.
Water-activated means just a few drops will bring these colors to life. No scrubbing or soap required to remove these either, just wipe with a damp cloth or a baby wipe.
Hypoallergenic means that it’s safe for those sensitive little faces.
This comes complete with a plastic carrying case for storage and each pot has its own lid to keep the colors from dripping onto each other while they are wet. Be extra careful to keep small parts away from small children.
The 3 brushes included are great for detail work and outlining. The biggest brush is still a little on the small side, good for filling in smaller drawings. Not so good for covering the whole face and without sponges included, it would be difficult to paint a larger area.
PROS
- Sturdy plastic case
- Hypoallergenic
- Opaque and bright colors
CONS
- Does not come with stencils
- Brushes are on the smaller side
Best Face Paint Crayons for Kids
The Mosaiz Face Paint Crayons and the JOYIN Face and Body Crayons are water based, making them easy to remove with water; whereas the Blue Squid Jumbo Makeup Crayons are oil based which keep them from washing off as easily.
Mosaiz Face Paint Crayons
The Mosaiz Crayon is the perfect marriage between a water-based paint and face painting sticks. These 12 colors come with plastic casings which makes it easy to grip and color with.
Gold and silver are among the colors in this pack, which is a nice little bonus.
There is a little bit of pull on the skin when applying simply because they are water-based, so a little drier than their oil-based competition.
Not only are these in plastic cases but they have tops like a marker and they come in a sturdy box for storage. So take one or take them all, you can simply pop as many as you want into your purse for easy touch-ups.
The great thing about these is that there is hardly any waste. Simply twist the plastic casing to reveal new and fresh paint. Easy for little fingers to grip and go to town.
Non-toxic and hypoallergenic, these handy crayons are safe and definitely a favorite.
PROS
- Twistable, no waste
- Easy clean up with water
- Includes gold and silver
- Has a top
- Take one or take them all for easy touch-ups
CONS
- Skin drag from being a little drier
- Higher price point for only 12 crayons
- No extras included
Blue Squid Jumbo Makeup Crayons
The Blue Squid Jumbo crayons are a great option for on the go. No water is needed which makes it perfect for tossing in your bag to use on location.
Along with the 28 colors this kit includes, it also has 8 metallic colors for some added special effects and shimmer.
These jumbo paint crayons are longer in size than any other paint crayons on the market at a comparable price, giving you more value for your dollar. However, some parents noted that the gold paper needed to be cut with scissors as it doesn’t tear, making it hard to utilize the crayon to its fullest.
Unlike water-based paint which is easily washed away with water, these oil-based paints will require some scrubbing with soap. Which makes it less desirable for younger children.
Also, unlike water-based which dry out in between uses, these don’t dry out. The result is that they are easily smudged.
No extras are included with this kit, you just get the crayons, you’ll have to look online to get ideas or instructions.
PROS
- Highly pigmented and vibrant
- Portable, easy to touch up on the go
- Longer than other competitor crayons
- Lots of colors
CONS
- Easily smudged
- Gold paper doesn’t tear
- Needs to be scrubbed off
- No step by step guide included, only online
JOYIN 24 Colors Face Paint
The JOYIN 24 Colors Face Paint is a fantastic choice with a small price tag. With 24 colors to pick from, you’ll have no trouble finding what you need.
These water-based bright colors are paraben-free and hypoallergenic which makes this face paint well suited for sensitive skin.
Using a setting powder is suggested by some moms as this can smudge especially on little ones who like to touch their face.
One complaint is that the gold paper doesn’t easily tear to expose the remainder of the crayon, which makes it difficult to use the rest of the stick once the initial point has run down. There is also the issue of a little skin pull as you drag the stick across the skin. Which makes it not as desirable for younger children.
These come in a nice slim plastic case that can easily be popped into your purse or bag for great portability to take anywhere for touch-ups
Bright pigment and staying power make these a preferred choice for kids while the price tag makes them mom-approved.
PROS
- Large variety of colors
- Small price tag
- Great portability
- Water-based
- Can be used on sensitive skin
CONS
- Skin pull while applying
- Waxy feel on the skin
Best Organic Face Paint for Kids
Go Green Face Paint – Certified Organic Kit for Kids
The Go Green Face Paint is a certified organic and vegan brand containing no dyes and is also hypoallergenic making it wonderful for those who want a more natural option.
No water is needed to activate these, just dip the brush in and start painting, which makes these a great option for on-the-go painting. Because it’s not water-based, these don’t dry out which gives them the potential for smudging when touched and they are a little on the greasy side
Each color has its own pot and lid that interlock together so you only need to open or take with you the ones that you’re using.
Something to keep in mind is that because this kit doesn’t contain any dye, the colors aren’t as vibrant and bright. The red actually is more of a burnt orange.
You won’t be able to achieve a solid opaque color with these paints, they are more translucent. This is fine for smaller face paint projects but when you want to cover the whole for a bigger effect, this may not be the kit for you.
This Go Green kit does not come with brushes, those will have to be purchased separately.
Removing this paint will require some scrubbing and some soap. makeup wipes or face cream will also work.
PROS
- Organic and vegan
- Dye-free
- non-toxic
CONS
- Doesn’t include brushes
- A little more scrubbing is needed to remove
- Colors are not vibrant
Kids Face Paint Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| TAG - Skin Tone Palette | 8.0 | 8.4 | 25.41 |
| Blue Squid Ultimate Face Painting Kit | 9.9 | 9.0 | 23.95 |
| Zenovika Face Paint Kit | 9.9 | 9.2 | 22.99 |
| ArtiParty Professional Face Paint | 8.4 | 9.0 | 21.90 |
| Mosaiz Face Paint Crayons | 8.8 | 9.0 | 20.99 |
| Go Green Face Paint - Certified Organic Kit for Kids | 3.9 | 8.6 | 19.99 |
| ArtiParty Face Paint Kit | 9.5 | 8.8 | 19.75 |
| Blue Squid Jumbo Makeup Crayons | 9.9 | 8.8 | 15.99 |
| Create-A-Face Kit - Vibrant Face Paint | 9.4 | 8.8 | 14.99 |
| Professional Quality Face & Body Paint | 9.2 | 8.0 | 10.99 |
| JOYIN 24 Colors Face Paint | 9.7 | 8.6 | 8.99 |
How We Selected Face Paint For kids
Safety
Face paints have come a long way since we were kids when there weren’t nearly as many options as there are today. Nowadays there are plenty of options that are perfectly safe to have on your child’s skin.
Obviously having a brightly colored, artificial substance painted close to the eyes and mouth is a consideration all parents think of when they are looking for the right face paint. Have peace of mind knowing that the paints we recommended are non-toxic with some being organic and vegan. So a little accidental rub into the eye won’t harm your child. Getting some paint smear across the mouth would be considered safe as well since sometimes the paints are even used to color the mouth. Though I wouldn’t do this on smaller children who have a tendency to lick anything off their lips.
Being hypoallergenic means that they are safe to use on even the most delicate of toddler skin. Since water-based it’s a little thinner and than oil-based and will dry up, I would stick with water-based when using on younger children. While these face paints are as sensitive as they come, it’s still a good idea to do a patch test if you are unsure. Just dab a little in the crease of the arm or behind the ear and wait for 24 hours to see if there is a reaction. If there is, discontinue use and test a different brand.
Another consideration for safety was the fact that some kits contain small parts that can pose as a choking hazard like small lids or loose gems. Allow the adults to handle the painting of smaller children.
Variety
All of the face paint kits we found had some sort of variety but we favored those that came packed with extras like glitter, sponges, or stencils to help your painting experience be effortless.
Having a guide to follow will make painting that much more enjoyable and ensure that you want to do it again. Most kits came with step-by-step instructions and even video tutorials to ease the anxiety of giving your child the perfect look.
It was also nice to have several different sized brushes for different effects along the way. Those that included a detail brush, as well as a broader stroke brush, were ranked higher than those that only have one type of brush or didn’t come with any at all.
The face paints we researched cover a full spectrum of everything weaker more translucent colors to thicker more opaque colors and everything in between. Most are water-based but some are oil-based. There is also the option of painting with a brush vs. drawing with a stick. We have included a little of everything for you to choose from.
The kits themselves range from small and best used for at-home play, while others cover more intense ground and are better suited for events or parties. Whatever your need is, you’ll find it in this list.
Price
Sure you can walk into your nearest dollar store and buy something that looks like it will color skin or go to a fancy makeup store and spend a small fortune on stage makeup but the value won’t be there. We matched the price points with the value that comes with it so you are sure to find exactly the right product for you.
Some of these kits like the Joyin Face Crayons cost less than others and still come with a significant amount of colors to choose from, this is a great value. Others like the Tag Body Art paints is one of the higher-priced items but it’s unique and specialized with its skin tone pallet and you won’t find that anywhere else.
With face paint kits ranging in price from 10 dollars all the way up to 35 dollars, you can have the confidence to know you are getting the most bang for your buck with whichever one you choose.
We’ve taken the guesswork out of choosing which face paint kits will suit your needs.
FAQs About Face Paint For Kids
Should I choose water-based or oil-based?
They both fulfill different needs and have very different characteristics.
Water-based paints need a wet brush to become activated and pasty. Once it’s painted on, it then dries on the face and doesn’t have much potential for smearing.
The paints themselves also dry out in between uses so they are easy to store and keep clean. No need to let them dry before you pack them up.
The other great thing about water-based paints is that they are extremely easy to remove. Just use water. Either a damp washcloth or a baby wipe should do the trick and no scrubbing makes water-based a good option for younger children who wouldn’t like their faces scrubbed with soap.
Water-based sometimes isn’t as vibrant as oil-based and therefore can appear less opaque and may need several layers to appear brighter.
Oil-based paint doesn’t need water, they are simply applied directly onto the skin and leaves a nice thick and opaque color.
Because oil-based tends to be thicker, it will feel waxy or greasy on the skin. Some may find this uncomfortable.
Oil-based paint doesn’t dry out the way water-based does so it can smudge your design if it’s touched.
Because water-based is obviously not waterproof, it may drip or rub off with sweat or humidity. Oil-based is better able to withstand a little moisture,
This is also true of the paints themselves, oil-based won’t dry in between uses and therefore will need to be stored in a way that it isn’t touching and smearing all over each other. Being stored in the heat can also make oil-based melt or become squishy. Water-based will remain dry until you add water.
Getting oil-based paint off is a little trickier as it requires soapy water and scrubbing. Some brands are harder than others and a makeup remover will be needed. You may even need to repeat the washing steps a few times before the residue comes off the skin fully.
But oil-based stays on longer than water-based and doesn’t flake off or wear off over time so it’s better for adherence. It’s also incredibly opaque and doesn’t need to be applied multiple times for excellent coverage.
What kind of paint is safe for your face?
Using washable paint is recommended over other things like food coloring or acrylic paint for example. Especially when applying to your face, you want something extremely gentle and washable.
Watercolor paints are safe for the face as well however because they are not makeup grade quality or hypoallergenic these are not the best option. The colors will be very runny and transparent, not great if you are using a stencil. Also, as with any paint, keep away from the eyes and mouth and don’t use at all if they don’t say non-toxic.
Food coloring is not a good option for your face or skin. While it’s food-grade quality, it will stain and no amount of soap will be able to remove it. Plus food coloring contains dyes that a lot of people are allergic too and can have a reaction with. So best to steer clear of all food coloring as a way to paint your skin.
Is face paint safe for toddlers?
Yes, most face paint on the market today is an extremely safe option for your toddler’s skin. Be sure to check that non-toxic is listed on the box since toddlers and young ones put things in their mouths. All the kits listed are considered non-toxic. More info here.
Another factor to consider with toddlers is that some of the crayon style paints can pull the skin slightly when you apply it and that may be uncomfortable on toddlers and younger children. A better option would be to apply water-based paint with a brush.
Can I make my own face paint?
Yes, there are safe ways to paint the skin. Using a washable paint diluted with water is one way, just be sure to avoid the eyes and mouth.
You can also go into your kitchen and whip up some good old fashioned face paint with these recipes using cornstarch, vegetable oil, and lotion. You can color it with makeup color, washable paint, or diluted food coloring
What should I consider when exploring face painting?
Face painting can be a fun way for your child to express themselves and it makes a great gift for kids. It is a great activity for you to learn as well so that you can paint your child’s face, whether it is for a holiday or just rainy day fun.
Even if you’ve never explored the world of face painting, there are plenty of stencils and booklets to help you along the way. Hey, you may find that you love it and want to expand into more professional kits. The Create-A-Face kit is a wonderful one for starters. It’s small but has everything you need to start and have a good time. Starting small and working up is a good way to find out if you enjoy face painting.
Be sure to consider all the features when looking into buying some. While the price is an issue, safety is ultimately the most important thing. Always check the box for a list of ingredients and only use non-toxic products on your skin. Remember, if you’re not sure you should always do a patch test first.
