(Gulp) Running a Face Painting Booth. Need Suggestions!

Offer about 12 that you can reasonably do. Put examples on cards so you can pass them out and have the kids choose before they get to the front. Get two lines if you can. Remember mirrors for looking at them. Make sure that the paint (whatever you get) will be washable with just water or water and soap. Nothing requiring cold cream.

For Halloween, consider things like pumpkins (easy) or cat faces (just the nose and whiskers) or ghosts. This video might help, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I8uwL8TgjY - YouTube offers other video tutorials as suggestions, too.

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Just a suggestion, but don't forget to ask about teenagers that would like to help out. There are many very talented teenager artists out there that would love this kind of thing.
Just an idea,
R.

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I did this once. I had cards with designs painted on them that the kids could pick from. I stuck to just those (so I could practice them ahead of time).

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Get a list from the parent volunteers as to what they're able to each do (some, like me, may have a list of over 50 things they can do right quick, others this may be their first go)

Ask how many have their own supplies. I'd be willing to bring my own supplies (for my own use, but NOT to share/ have it be general use). Face paint is expensve. So if people are willing to bring their own, it will allay YOUR costs, but by supplying the basics, you're making sure that volunteering isn't costing them $200 in gear being used by 5 moms on 300 kids.

Decide on SIZE as a group. Some will be thinking 'cheek' others will be thinking full face. Nix the full face, because those take a LOT of time. Caveat that nose and whiskers sort is fine, but no clowns/skeletons/butterflies for the full face UNLESS you want to have a separate line and charge for them. They take 3-4 times as long as partial face or cheeks.

LOCALLY (seattle) our best place for face paint year round is a costume supply store. During halloween, the prices drop/mad sales go on. Google in your area.

REMEMBER YOU NEED BABYPOWDER (or pixie dust), and a LOT of it. Get the grease based paint. Water based is a PAIN to use, and the kids sweat it off all over their clothes, other people's clothes, etc. almost immediately. Babypowder or Pixie Dust over grease paint, though, SETS it. It doesn't rub off, even on fingers or clothes for several hours. Reapplying baby powder or pixie dust will keep it set until you're ready to babywipe it off (babywipes or cold cream work best at removing face paint).

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At our school carnival, we asked for volunteers from the high school National Honor Society.. They usually need hours as part of their memberships.

Choir or Band. We even planned the Carnival on a Friday that was not a football game for the high school..

We never had a problem. We scheduled them in 45 minute shifts.
Since it was a Halloween carnival, they mostly did pumpkins, bats, initials, cats, Witches hats. .. Some of the kids were actually artistic and really did amazing all over face painting for a larger cost!

Yes, Michal's usually has sales on their paints so we purchased the fro there. We used paper plates as the palette for the dobs of paint. At the end of the night you just trow them away.. Remember you will need cups of water to rinse the brushes in and some paper towels to wipe up with.

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My daughters do face painting at local events. We just buy the multi color pack at good old Walmart. It's in the craft section and runs about $10. Get a few paint brushes, some water, wipes and a hand mirror. Come up with some designs prior to the event and have the children pick out a predetermined design. Charge by how complicated the design is. We always make sure to have some glitter too. I usually find the right kind at Dollar Tree in the eye make-up section. That way we know it is safe for faces. You can also find it in any cosmetic section of the super stores. Temporary tattoos are fun too. Boys like cars, basket balls, footballs etc., and girls like butterflies, flowers and ladybugs. Stars are always good too. A few jewel gems (stick on kind can also enhance the design. Make sure you charge more for these items) Check out Oriental Trading for the tattoos and jewels. You can also use small stencils available at Hobby Lobby and Michaels however, I don't know that rubber stamps would work.

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Glitter paint is a big hit and helps the not so hot artwork look a little better ;)

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Here's a website for ideas:
http://www.snazaroo.com/your-face-painting-pictures/
Hope you have a blast! :)

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I LOVE the Klutz face painting kit. It is a booklet attached to the paint and it gives you step by step how to paint different animals, flowers etc... I would practice on someone and pick a few designs that you're comfortable with and can do relatively quickly.

Believe me, I am not artistic either, yet they somehow turn out great. AND I am working on preschoolers who are wiggly and impatient. Good luck! Sounds fun!

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At ours, the older kids did some of the face painting! That might work well there as the artistic 5th/6th graders might love getting to paint!

I'm a pro face painter. Older kids love face paint and temporary tattoos. Dragons, butterflies, interesting designs...

Most older kids or parents can man the face paint booth. While I'm a pro and can do most designs and have a large book of designs kids can choose from, it's a good idea to draw up a piece of paper with just 6-10 simple cheek art designs, (easier and faster to do than full face).

ghost, pumpkin, spider hanging from spider web, dinosaur, elmo face, bat, hello kitty face, butterfly, heart (I like to put angel wings and a halo on it), school mascot, tiara, stars, ladybug, flower, rainbow... then of course a puppy/cat nose and whiskers.

Use make-up grade glitter. Craft glitter can irritate and even cause tiny cuts on skin and worse if it gets in the eyes. Glitter can make a so-so design adorable.