Three year olds

It depends what they6 are ike/ what they want - some 3 yo's are amazing and sit better than older kids - look at Heather's wee girl!

If they are 1st timers or wriggly, i do a 4o second 'animal' face- 3 dabs of a pink spponge (nose, cheeks) and 3 whisks for whiskers on each side of the lip. If they still sit, a wee curvy 'w' on the top lip and some whisker dots too.

that way its enough for them to feel painted and means they will act as any creature they -fancy from tiger to mouse!

Quite often they just want something on their hand they can then see, like a fan brush butterfly...

cat x

That's a really great idea! Fast and easy. Gotta love it.

I love the Face painting stamps from Snaz, they make painting the little ones so much easier. Also Oriental Trading has tons for glitter tattoos, just be careful of some of the really cheap ones (they are cheap for a reason). I also agree that the Parents just make things worse. Sometimes I feel like saying "Who wants to be face painted you or your kid?" LOL

I got some glitter tattoos from Walmart as suggested above and some of the pink stencils from Silly Farm for quick cheek/arm/leg art.

I'm definitely going to add the 3 splotches/whiskers to my arsenal.

I got some of those pink stencils too. They are pretty stiff. I'm going to spray the backs with some of that 'skin safe' tac stuff that is designed to help hold them to the skin.

So, when they say not to paint those under 3 yrs old it is due to them squirming or safety? I thought it was about their skin. I'm going to be painting at a mall event and I'm sure there will be plenty 3 year-old children there. I'm not too worried about the squirming since I have had kids older than that squirm. It's the skin I'm worried about. Thoughts?

It's just a squirmy issue. I paint kids under 3yo all the time. If a child has sensitive skin, a patch test should be done regardless of age.

I usually stick to my snazaroo painting with the littlies.. and often avoid black as it looks worse when smudged.

I don't have many rules when it comes to age, but if a child wont sit still in my chair its not worth trying to paint anything on them.. if they want it they will usually sit still.
I have plenty of quick designs like one stroke butterflies or flowers for the little ones (they are usually girls.. I have not had many little little boys want their faces done)

I find 3 year olds are fine.. my main model is a 3 year old... the most difficult age is under 2's where they just don't understand.

I've only had a few who were just way too wriggly to be painted. And since I'd already started, I did it anyway. I figure, if it looks terrible, they will know why. And if they wanna pay for something terrible looking, I'll take their money.

I find that the youngest ones often sit very still because they are feeling the texture of the brush on their face. The worst problem is having them swipe a hand across it during the process, but I've gotten really quick about grabbing any hand that even looks like it wants to head in that direction, and pulling away instinctively with my brush if they look like they are going to move their head.

I have some cute scrapbooking stamps, a swirly heart and a butterfly, I can just paint rainbow colours on it and stamp their hand, it makes them and their parents happy so win-win situation!

I took my 1 and 2 year old to an indoor play place last week. They offered "face painting" so of course, snooped. They were using a technique I found quite interesting. It took less than 20 seconds to do and looked like a glitter tattoo on the child's face. They took glitter eye liner and made a couple swirls on the cheek. Then they took a bit of Vaseline, put a thin layer about the size of my fingertip, in between the swirls. They dipped a star shaped hairpin in glitter and placed it on top of the Vaseline. It looked beautiful and was absolutely effortless. They place was charging $5 for them. It got my wheels turning with using the technique with our stencils so we could do facial glitter tattoos. we could dab on Vaseline instead of glue. Anyway, I was thinking it would work nicely for the little ones. Oh, and it stays put quite nicely. Mine played for 3 hours in the play place and still came home with a glitter tattoo on her face.

Cool idea, thanks!

wmeventservices wrote:I took my 1 and 2 year old to an indoor play place last week. They offered "face painting" so of course, snooped. They were using a technique I found quite interesting. It took less than 20 seconds to do and looked like a glitter tattoo on the child's face. They took glitter eye liner and made a couple swirls on the cheek. Then they took a bit of Vaseline, put a thin layer about the size of my fingertip, in between the swirls. They dipped a star shaped hairpin in glitter and placed it on top of the Vaseline. It looked beautiful and was absolutely effortless. They place was charging $5 for them. It got my wheels turning with using the technique with our stencils so we could do facial glitter tattoos. we could dab on Vaseline instead of glue. Anyway, I was thinking it would work nicely for the little ones. Oh, and it stays put quite nicely. Mine played for 3 hours in the play place and still came home with a glitter tattoo on her face.

This is an awesome idea!! Thanks for sharing.

Ok. I TOTALLY understand how frustrating it can be to paint little squirmy kids. (especially if they don't want to be painted). BUT... it makes me sad when people say they won't paint anyone under 3. Some of my sweetest experiences have been with tiny kids. Sometimes I tell the parents "I will do my best" and then I am SHOCKED that the baby just smiles at me and holds completely still while I paint. (and like others have said, some 8 year olds make you want to pull your hair out).

I have a 3 year old. (Just barely turned 3 last month). He LOVES to be painted. BEGS me. Granted, he is a little wiggly, but that's part of being a face painter. I got some tag pearls last night (thank Metina)... and wanted to test them. Here is the result. LOVE them!!!



MY baby girl let me paint her a couple of months ago. (she was 8 months here). Just sayin... don't count babies out. Sometimes they LOVE it. If they WANT to be painted, you can at least try! One stroke designs work great.

I think it all depends on the child. Some want to be painted and will sit and some dont. I have found it easier to paint on the childs hand or arm if they wont sit for long. I think it also helps if they can see what your doing while you paint.
P.S. Kat, I love your pics of the little ones

With the littlest ones I tell the parents I will try to put flower or baseball on the cheek and if it's not successful I don't charge them. They usually tip you for trying. Also if you lightly hold their chin instead of "death gripping" their head and talk to them about what your doing they sometimes wiggle less. Also you could find some small stickers like ladybugs or spiders and put one on your nose and tell them to watch that and make sure it doesn't crawl away while I'm painting you. I do realize sometimes it doesn't matter the age 5 or 20 they still need the "death grip".

LOL. So true. I have also found letting them sit on the parents' lap helps.. the mom can hold the mirror while they watch.

Also you could find some small stickers like ladybugs or spiders and put one on your nose and tell them to watch that and make sure it doesn't crawl away while I'm painting you.

I love this idea! I'm so trying that!

And Kat, I love the little tiger paws on his hands!

I just recently completed 2 separate 3 year old birthday parties. The kids were wonderful and those who wished to be painted sat quite well, a little movement and my lines were off, but they were so excited. I did lots of butterflies and dragon masks . By the end everyone was painted and the parents and kids were overjoyed. I do not want to replace my skilled painting for tats or stickers that anyone could do, and I love to paint and see the

I have mixed opinions on the three year old crowd. Usually get a halfway decent face on them but within fifteen minutes it starts to show signs of chocolate milk chins (Hello Kitty pic) or runny muzzles and wiping/picking at the paint (white kitty) or I'm so squirmy I won't even hold still for a pic much less a face paint (pink kitty). Occasionally though I get a little sweetie who wants to look like her dog and is willing to sit oh so still while I try to figure out what said dog looks like by her young description. All is worth while when the face lights up and I GOT IT!

Whitney! My mind is really zooooooming. Do you have a pic? just vasaline?

Not to gross anyone out...but you know what would work? KY. Yes, cover the lable or put it in an aplicator bottle...but it would actually dry like glue, and you would have a quick glitter tattto that was face safe. Water souble.


Call them....Babytoos and Toodlertoos. Hey Kat...What really sweet little things would you put on a babies cheek? If you cut them, I will buy your new line of babytoos! Do you need any clown make up or split cakes

Hmm... tattoos for babies. well.. butterflies... ladybugs. Seems like they would want the same thing that older kids would want?? I dunno. Maybe I can create a little "baby" dragon tattoo. (cartoon style) *wheels turning* I think the key would be to cut them round instead of square to accommodate the cheek and avoid sharp points towards the eyes

And...it is sellable...the "Babytoo Goo" is dematogist tested, and safe for the most sensitive skin! BWHAHAHAHAHAHAH...water souble, easy to remove and cosmetic glitter and babytoo goo won't stain clothing, irritate skin, or upset baby when applied to cheek, sholder, or arm.

I think...you could even get Babytoo Goo in flavors

LMAO Martha!