Face paints are a favorite among children's events.
School carnivals have always been an exciting event that students, parents and siblings can enjoy together. One of the big staples of school carnivals is face painting. Children especially seem to enjoy the idea of having their favorite character or cool design painted on where everyone can see it. However, for the people planning the event, a lot of different variables should be considered with deciding to include face painting, including who's going to do it, what kind of paints to use, what kind of designs to use and logistics such as pay or tickets.
Painters
Event coordinators really only have a couple options when it comes to face painters. Get someone you know involved or hire out a professional face painter. Getting someone you know may be great because you may not have to pay him or can pay him in means other than money, and quite possibly he'll be a part of the school, so they'll know and be comfortable with the children. Unfortunately the disadvantage is him having to learn quickly or wing it, resulting in face paintings that don't quite look like they're supposed to. Depending on the children's ages, this may not matter. While professional painters do a great job, you will probably also have to pay them. Try finding a faculty member who's done it in the past or does it as a hobby.
Paints
Choosing the right paints is extremely important, especially with working with children. The only truly safe face paint is FDA-compliant, water-based face paint. The package you buy should actually have the words, face paint. Acrylic, craft or tempra paint is not made for for skin and can cause serious allergic reactions. Craft paints can also stain the skin, whereas face paint dries quickly and is easy to clean off with soap and water.
Designs
There should be many designs for children to choose from.
You should consider several things when deciding on the design you want to use for the carnival. First off, the amount of paint you have access to or the number of children who are going to be waiting to have their faces painted will determine whether you want to do full face paint designs or stick to painting something on their cheek nose, or forehead. The skill of your painter or painters is also something to think about when choosing designs. To show what you have available try to have a poster or a book that shows what designs the children can choose from. If you can, include some of their favorite comic book or cartoon characters.
Logistics
The logistics can be the more boring part of planning, but need done either way. Ask and answer your own questions about how do you track how many kids are getting their faces painted, should you limit them, if it requires payments or tickets. When figuring out the area you're doing the painting, be sure to include enough room for a line of children. Also, make sure a parent is there and gives the OK for the child's face to be painted.
