Face Painting
Paint butterflies, tigers and superheroes at markets, parties and community events.
- Ages
- 9–12
- Startup budget
- $113–$213
- Time per week
- About 3 hours
- Parent involvement
- Moderate
- Preparation
- Some prep
- Type
- Service
- Where to sell
- In person
- Time to start
- 2–3 weeks of practice
About this idea
Face painting is pure joy: a line of excited kids, a bright menu of designs and a big reveal in the mirror. It’s a creative service kids can offer at markets, fairs and parties.
It builds art skills, speed and confidence, because every customer is a little audience.
A great fit for
- Confident young artists
- Kids who love making other kids smile
- Families who go to fairs and events
What you’ll need
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic-grade face paint kitMade for skin. Never use craft paint or markers | $30 |
| Brushes and sponges | $10 |
| Baby wipes and cleaning supplies | $5 |
| Hand mirror | $8 |
| Design menu board | $5 |
| Subtotal | $58 |
Assumes: A starter kit for about 100 faces, plus a market table setup.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Market table feePer event. Kids’ markets typically charge $10–50; some are free | $25 |
| TableclothA bright color makes the table stand out | $10 |
| Display stand or risersGives products height so customers notice them | $15 |
| Sign and price cards | $5 |
| Pop-up tentOptionalOnly for outdoor markets without shade. Borrowing one works too | $100 |
| Subtotal (without optional) | $55 |
Bring about $20 in small bills and coins for change. You get it back, so it isn’t counted as a cost. Selling to family and friends first? You can skip these until your first market.
Total to start selling at a market
$113$213 with optional extras
What parents do
Parent involvement: ModerateRegular help with some steps, printing or online sales
- Buy cosmetic-grade face paints
- Book events and ask organizers for permission
- Help manage the line and handle money
Your child: about 3 hours a week making, selling and planning once it’s up and running.
Step by step
Learn five designs
Practice five quick designs (like a butterfly, a tiger, a heart, a star and a superhero mask) on paper, then on family.
Get faster
Aim for 5 minutes per design. A long line moves quicker with simple designs.
Make a design menu
Paint or photograph each design on a board with the price, so kids can point and choose.
Set up a hygiene routine
Clean sponges and brushes between faces and wipe hands every time.
Book a first event
Ask a market or fair organizer for permission, or offer to paint at a family party.
Costs & pricing example
Cost to make one face
$0.45
Example price
$5
Profit per face
$4.55
How we worked out the cost of one face
- Face paint$0.30
- Sponge$0.10
- Wipe$0.05
If your child sells 30 faces at $5, that’s $150 in sales and about $136.50 profit after materials. The $113 startup cost, including a first market table, is earned back after about 25 faces.
Small cheek designs can be $3; full faces $7–8.
These numbers are illustrative examples, not guaranteed earnings. Prices vary by supplier and location.
Where to sell
Markets and fairs
Ask the organizer first. Face painting draws families to the whole event.
Birthday parties
Families you know may book you for an hour.
School and community events
Fundraisers often welcome face painters.
Skills your child will build
- Art and brush control
- Working quickly
- Customer service
- Hygiene and care
Common challenges
- A long line
- Try this: Keep a short menu of quick designs and let a parent manage the line.
- A wriggly customer
- Try this: Ask them to close their eyes and count to ten; it’s magic for keeping still.
Safety & parent notes
- Adult supervision
- Allergens
- Check local rules
- Use only cosmetic-grade face paints made for skin, never craft paints or markers.
- Ask about allergies, and don’t paint over cuts, rashes or near the eyes.
- Clean brushes and sponges between customers. Events may require the organizer’s permission.
A note for parents
Face painting is a confidence machine: a shy child holding a brush suddenly has a reason to talk to everyone in the line.
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