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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

Original poster

Is face painting at a kids party ok?

26 replies

katierocket · 08/09/2005 09:39

Thinking of getting professional face painter for DS's 4th birthday party but suddenly occured to me that some parents might not be happy about it. Can't really think why but thought I would conduct a Mumsnet straw poll.

OP posts:
morningpaper · 08/09/2005 09:40

Yes sounds like a great idea!

I'd do it myself though - I bought a face-painting kit with a booklet for £10 about 2 years ago and it's very easy - I've done it for charities etc. since with the same box! Good value for money and you/a friend are more likely to know the kids and get them to sit still, which is 90% of the battle!

RTKangaMummy · 08/09/2005 09:41

I would feel happy about it

But DS hated having his face painted

so would check with the parents if the children like it then deffo brill idea

What will the other children be doing while one child is being painted??? iyswim

foxinsocks · 08/09/2005 09:43

yes most kid's love it (mine certainly do!) but you'll have to check with the parents first in case of kids with eczema/allergies who can't tolerate the paint on their faces

basketcase · 08/09/2005 09:44

Great idea - my DD is allergic to a lot of face painting so have stopped letting her have it done (she gets very itchy and skin goes red, happened twice, thought first time was just heat but now stopped) so worth putting it on the invites so parents can let you know in advance. maybe worth organising an alternative "treat" if any don?t want it done on the day to keep them included in the fun - a party hat?
Agree about worth thinking how to keep the others interested. Some will want to watch and queue up, others will need occupying with another activity.
Sounds lovely - worth doing

littlerach · 08/09/2005 09:45

DD1 went to a friends 4th party in the summer and they had face painting, nail painting and temp tattoos.

Needless to say, all the little girls loved it nd said ti was the best party!

They also had a bouncy castle and trampoline to play on.
More like a fete!!

gigglinggoblin · 08/09/2005 09:47

we went to a party where they did face painting. the face paints came out around food time along with modelling balloons so there were three things they could be doing and it meant everyone wasnt queueing for stuff.

womba1 · 08/09/2005 09:48

I think it sounds like a lovely idea too but why don't you stipulate on the invites that you're getting a face painter and for the parents to let you know in advance if they don't want their children to have it done?
I always wanted to get my face painted when i was younger, but any type of face paint bought me out in a severe rash.. even the super sensitive paints.

womba1 · 08/09/2005 09:50

Whoops Basketcase... that'll teach me for being soooo slow in replying!!!

ninah · 08/09/2005 09:53

course it's OK! we went to one where you just queued up if you wanted it. ds had some tiger stripes and tear tracks where she had started painting him but he got bored halfway through.

basketcase · 08/09/2005 10:02

womba
I am always repeating previous posters as I take ages and have a little distraction running around! lol

liandme · 08/09/2005 10:20

when i did face and body art at college we where told to apply a moisturiser first and it acts as a barrier for allergys and doesnt stain the face
my dd is allergic and after i took it of her face was raised in the shape of a butterfly(dp didnt believe me that she was allergic and thought it was cos i hated he woman doing it)

Original poster
katierocket · 08/09/2005 10:22

thanks ladies.
Good idea about putting it on the invite. The allergy thing is a good point. If the weather was ok i was going to get bouncy castle too but if it's raining I think we'll do party games, pass parcel etc.

No way could I do it myself MP, I am utterly useless at anything like that!

OP posts:
vickiyumyum · 08/09/2005 10:23

i would put on the invites that there will be face painting and if anyone had any objections they could say so. they will also then be aware not to put little evie/jake in their best burberry/diesel as it might get paint on it!

(this happened to a friend of mine, at her dd's birthday party. one of the little boys was wearing aburberry t-shirt and wiped his face with his sleeve after having his face painted and his mum went mad and demanded that my friend pay £35 for a new t-shirt!)

Original poster
katierocket · 08/09/2005 10:23

crikey vickiyumyum how ridiculous. This stuff does just wash off with water.

OP posts:
bobbybob · 08/09/2005 10:23

Yes, but ask first. I would say no for my ds, buut have no objection to the other kids having it done - it's not their fault he's sensitive.

Katemum · 08/09/2005 10:23

Lovely idea but as others have said make sure the parents know. My ds is another one that is allergic to face paints.

Original poster
katierocket · 08/09/2005 10:24

but is it a bit mean if some of them can't have it done?

OP posts:
Katemum · 08/09/2005 10:25

Not mean at all. My ds is quite happy not having his done but loves to see all the others painted. Really does not seem to bother him at all, far too busy running around with friends like a manic thing.

vickiyumyum · 08/09/2005 10:25

appently it didn't come out of the t-shirt (left a pinky red stain, barely visible but then if you are really clothes proud you would notice it)

needless to say the 2 mums are no longer speaking!

so i would just warn them that there will be face painting, it saves any unfortunate incidents.

Katemum · 08/09/2005 10:26

As you have said, you will have other things for them to do as well. Bouncy castle also a brilliant idea.

tazzababe100 · 09/09/2005 23:43

my dd has been to many parties where they have face painting, they have never told me that they were going to do it. It's definatley a good idea to mention it. I never let her have it on her face-just in case she gets a rash. What I do say is that she is allowed a design on her hands and wrists, that way she doesn't feel left out.

misdee · 09/09/2005 23:46

good idea, but dd1 and 2 wouldnt be able to have it done. dd2 wouldnt tolerate it anyway, she just woul,dnt let u near her face, but dd1 is allergic to colourings andshe knows this, and would probably tell anyone who tried to paint her face.

Skribble · 10/09/2005 00:01

I think it is a great idea to put a note on invitation so parents can object.

sharklet · 12/10/2005 13:36

I know this party must have been a while ago but just to say any professional facepainter worth hiring will tell you to warn parents before hand and let you know in advance so that they can make the decision - you never know if they might have sensitive skin or be going somewhere afterwards!

Other important things for hiring a facepainter - insist on seeing thier public liability insurance. If they are working professionally they should be covered. Ask about the type of paints they use and what hygeine procedures they follow. If they sound confused by this honestly don't hire them!

I've been a professional facepainter ow for 17 years and there are so many people doing it as a sideline and potenitally spreading around lots of bugs and nasties from poor hygeine. I hate to see people get ripped off!

Hope the party went well.

Emma xx

ScarySkribble · 13/10/2005 02:06

My DD got a very nasty eye infection after getting her face painted at a softplay centre party. No warning it was going to be offered, DD had no problems before with face paints wasn't an allergic reaction it was an infection. It was one of the designs that goes right over the eyes (I don't like this for this very reason). DD now knows to say not near my eyes please. I've seen the sponges and brushes some use are very manky and used for child after child with no washing and brushes rinsed in dirty water .