tricks for getting little ones to hold still?

I read on the face paint list about someone using a "pool pillow" to help steady little ones. Do you use one? Something else? What are your tricks for getting wiggly children painted fairly quickly? I have been having my daughter rest her head on the kitchen table (where I practice) but that's obviously not going to work at an event!

First and foremost..... I always paint my face vibrantly. BRIGHT COLORS. If I am a Cat - I am a NEON cat. They stare at me. LOL. Other than that - I have one hand on top of their head and usually the "good" parents are coaching them to sit still.

I have painted a few ones that start off still, but then get bored with you and way more interes... look over there! And a black line appears across the cheek! Ahhh ADHD.

Little ones are okay. I can usually get the sponging done while I have their attention. If I notice that they are getting bored with me, I hand them a clean sponge (sometimes two to keep both hands occupied), they look at that a little bit. I have painted from behind so kids can look out and around better. Last resort, I let this one little boy paint on me while I painted on him. I had black lines all over, but he was a fabulous tiger! (Mind you, none of these children were protesting getting painted, they were busy looking around or wanting to watch my brush as I paint!)

It's the 10 year old boys that I have a tougher time with.

Sometimes I give my 4-year-old a "wiggle break." He gets his jitters out, then knows that he has to sit still again.

I paint my eyes for gigs, so the rest of my face is free. If I get a real wiggly one, I will paint a dot on the end of my nose and ask them what colour it is? How big is it? What does it look like to them? they have to look at you and focus in order to ask those questions. *however, it doesn't ALWAYs work

I threaten death...JK
I was so fortunate to have wonderfully still children at the last gig I did, I really was asking myself, "are these the stepford children?" No tricks here--just do it fast, and quick for me. good luck!

I had really crazy bright earrings at one gig and the littler kids seemed mesmerized by them!!!

If they get too wiggly....I stop, look them straight in the eye and say, "I just messed up your face painting a little bit when you *did whatever they did* (turned head, talked, or shook their head)....I can fix it, but you have to hold still long enough to let me fix it so it's perfect again!"

Then I ask them if they want the most awesome face paint of the day....when they nod or say yes, then I remind them to hold still 'just a little longer'. Usually they can hold still for a few more strokes. Then I remind them again, and get in a few more strokes.

I just keep saying ok, here comes the 'best part', just hold still a few seconds more. You can go a bit 'horse' in the throat, but it works for me. They usually turn out really nice and they are so happy and proud they 'held still' for such a long time! haha

Sometimes they are trying to hard to hold stilll they start shaking! I usually stop, crack a joke...let them laugh, then have them hold still (and they are much more relaxed).

If they are still being too wiggly for nice line work, I just super simplify it on the spot and don't try to do the usual detail and just 'over glitter' the design to make up for the lack of nice line work.

I usually start out with any of them saying that they are so good at holding so still they must be a professional at getting their face painted. If necessary, I hold their chin so I can steer them where I need them to go or at least get a little warning before they start going somewhere. When I'm doing Spiderman, I always make sure before I start doing the webs that I tell them that they have to hold REALLY still because spiderman looks silly with wiggly webs.

But then, I also have silly makeup on my face and have recently been wearing my rubber chicken earrings, so that can help to. If you can tell ahead of time that they're going to be antsy, you could suggest doing it on their arm. Someone once told me that when she does this, if they move their arm, she says "Whoa! did you see that? Your unicorn just moved!! Watch closely, maybe it'll do it again!"

I have a bright shiny palette brooch on my apron that the younger kids LOVE! They all want to touch it. If it's a young child I will ask that the parent hold them in their lap, and rest the child's head back against their shoulder. That helps a lot for toddlers. I sometimes give young ones a sponge to hold while I paint, and that keeps them distracted. If they are constantly moving their head to look around, I ask them to keep their eyes closed. Different things work for different kids.

I just talk to them.. don't really ask questions cuz then they will talk or nod to answer.. I say things like, "you're really good at this" "see, it doesn't hurt at all! it just tickles a little!" I describe what i'm painting as I'm painting it. I also use a directors chair, so I have them lay back with their head against the back and tell the to relax.. sometimes they fall asleep!

also, being fast really helps!

Tonight I just painted an austic child and it helped allowing him to look in the mirror as I painted him. I normally do not let the children watch as I paint. I also paint my face colorfully , wear fun earings and talk to them as I paint. I like the dot on the forehead and pin idea.

Now that you mention it, once I wore a necklace. The pendant part had a neat scrolly picture of a lady. Not sure what it was, but the kids were mesmerized. Not shiny, not jewels, just a lady. I should wear that more often.

I use a different tactic with every little wiggler. I use a lot of praise for small kids...like "Wow, you sit more still then most ten year olds"......

For very small children I sponge my hand first, then ask them if I can sponge their hand...then say " See that's not so bad"....

With children with special needs. Patience is the key most of the time. Taking time in between to let them relax.

For those who just cannot be tamed...You get the best I can give you.

I have told kids kindly that...For a good job sit still...bad job keep wigglin.....Well that's the jist of it anyway..And I most definitely use my hands to hold their head firmly. No mercy. One of me against tons of them

Duct tape.

Isn't there some sort of tranquilizer shot that also causes the body to stiffen?

Second Shannon!!!!!!! ROFLMBO!

Benadryl! LOL! Put em to sleep! LOL

Shannon Fennell wrote:Duct tape.

Now is that duct tape cosmetic grade? Remember...safety first... I'd opt for that medical or sports tape myself...that stuff could hold the planet off it's rotation if applied correctly.

But you can get PINK Duct Tape... that negates any issues with "cosmetic" grade...

Shannon... you are wise beyond your years....

...and how many would that be?

Ah Grasshopper.... you too will soon be wise...

I think they have orange for the upcoming Halloween holiday....

Need to stay festive, you know.

You could learn from the hospital crowd.... there's Kerlix for those of us who react to the adhesive. Even better. When my son got stitches in his mouth, they wrapped him up in a sheet like a pit-in-a-blanket (HA!) and taped him to the bed. We could try that.

I think we should get/use clear duct tape...cause if no one sees it...you haven't done anything wrong.....

straight jackets are good...