Cheek painting is a simple and inexpensive activity at birthday parties and picnics. Cheek painting is less complicated than painting an entire face and requires less planning and technical skill.
Keeping It Simple
If you're trying to make the face painting go quickly, or you don't trust your own painting skills, offer the child only a few simple choices. Don't attempt anything that involves complex irregular shapes. Horses, unicorns, Pegasus, zebras, realistic people, cartoon characters, race cars, hand prints and hearts with wings should all be avoided. Paint your ideas beforehand and display the choices for each child to see. This should help the decision-making process go more quickly and will help alleviate confusion.
When possible, pat down your paintings with a little glitter to spritz up your designs.
Animals
Animal shapes will satisfy most kids. Stick to things that can be made mostly out of circles, ovals and simple lines. Bears, bumble bees, koalas, snakes, butterflies and bunny rabbits are all relatively simple.
Iconic and Well-Known Shapes
Hearts, stars, bats and baseballs, peace symbols, rainbows, shining suns and smiley faces are almost universally understood and enjoyed by children. Outline the shape with a colorful border to add a level of complexity and to deepen the child's satisfaction.
Flowers
Flowers are great for satisfying little girls, and their shapes are relatively basic. Sunflowers, daisies and tulips in particular are quick and easy. Allow the child to pick the colors of the flower and then pat down the final product with a little glitter. Four leaf clovers, although they are not technically flowers, are also fun and relatively easy.
