If you are a parent, you can surprise your child's birthday party with a face painting session. But, instead of hiring somebody to do it and spend extra $200 for an hour or more, why don't you learn the craft on your own?

Daunting and tiring it may seem, face painting is a craft that would not only act as a delightful treat for your kids, it can also serve as stress buster for you. And, once you get hold of the trade, you can even make it a lucrative hobby for you and for the whole family.

Introduction to face painting

Face painting children should require utmost care in the part of the face painter. If you are learning how to face paint kids for birthday parties, make sure that you familiarize yourself with the basics of face painting. These include the materials to be used and the proper application of the face paint itself. You should also familiarize yourself with the common face paint designs that are used for kids during birthday parties.

The first thing to consider when learning how to face paint kids for birthday parties is the type of the face paint that should be used. This is a major consideration because it will avoid any allergic reactions and skin complications when applied to the child's face. Make sure that in buying face paints, you choose those that are water based and FDA approved to ensure good quality.

When it comes to colors, it is advisable to purchase a small palette of face paint that contains 4 to 8 colors. Make sure that you have the primary colors along with black and white. With these colors, you can combine and mix colors that you want for the designs.

You will also need brushes and sponges in face painting. When it comes to brushes, make sure that you choose good quality ones with soft and elastic bristles to avoid causing any marks and bruises on the child's face. Choose at least four different kinds of brushes with different length and width so you can work on the details of the face paint design. Also, get a good quality sponge that will help you a lot in covering large areas of the face and of the body as well.

When it comes to designs, stick to the simple ones that would appeal to kids. For little girls, use colorful hues and choose designs that are "girlie" like fairies, princesses, and female cartoon characters. You may also use animal prints such as tigers or insect patterns such as butterflies, dragonflies, and ladybugs. (TIP: You can use special glitter gels and face paints to add shimmer to the design.)

For little boys, opt for simple designs with subtle tones. Sure-fire hits when it comes to face painting boys include designs of their favorite sport, favorite cartoon characters or superheroes, and even animal designs. Common face paint designs for boys include soccer ball or basket ball, Superman, Spiderman, baby tigers, dragon, blue bird warrior, devil, alien, gothic, clowns, pirates, skull and vampire.

After the child has chosen a design, now is the time for the actual face painting session. Before painting a child's face, make sure that pay attention to hygiene and cleanliness. Make sure that you wipe the area to be painted with a soft damp cloth or tissue. You also have to make sure that you use clean sponges and brushes for each child to avoid any skin irritation. And, don't face paint a child who has an open cut or sore on his or her face to avoid further skin complications.

After making sure that everything is clean for face painting, always pay attention to proper and safe face paint application. Make sure that you are very careful in applying the face paint to avoid any skin irritation or minor accident. After the party, teach the kids how to remove the face paint you have applied.