Halloween Face Paint Ideas For Kids

Halloween is a holiday that has changed over time. It used to be a pagan celebration, and today it's an excuse to dress up and have fun.
Halloween Face Paint Ideas For Kids
María José Roldán

Reviewed and approved by the psychopedagogue María José Roldán.

Last update: 27 December, 2022

Whether your child wants to get dressed up for Halloween or a friend’s costume party, these face paint ideas are great and easy to do at home.

When Halloween is coming, shop windows fill up with decorations just for the occasion. Spirits, demons, witches, goblins and other magical beings and creatures of the night walk among the living, popping up everywhere.

Schools have also embraced the festivities as a chance for kids to dress up and have fun. Halloween is a night off from children’s academic routine, especially for the little ones.

To get into the holiday spirit, children often want to wear a costume. What kind of costumes you choose will depend on your child’s interests and how much time is available.

Whatever you go for, face paint can make for a quick and easy Halloween look, or be the perfect complement to a more elaborate disguise. Here are some ideas:

Halloween face paint ideas: traditional

  • Witch
  • Mummy
  • Demon
  • Zombie
  • Goblin
  • Vampire
  • Pumpkin
  • Ghost
  • Skeleton
  • Bat
  • Werewolf
  • Characters and monsters from myths or horror stories

Halloween face paint ideas: modern

  • Animals
  • Disney or other children’s characters
  • Fairies and other mythical creatures
  • Queen or princess
  • Superheroes or other characters from the Marvel universe
  • Warriors (Roman, medieval, musketeer or others)
  • Celebrities: singers, actors, scientists and other well known figures
Halloween Face Paint Ideas For Kids

Although the variety on offer is enormous, the good news is that Halloween face paint ideas are often not as complicated as they might seem.

In fact, you don’t have to be an expert to apply face paint and keep your kids happy. With a little creativity and patience, you and your child will enjoy both the process and the result.

For some Halloween face paint ideas, you’ll need many different cosmetics. But others can be done with just a little vegetable-based food coloring (yes, the same one you use for desserts) and a couple of face paints.

You might see some ideas for Halloween face paint using common tempera paints. These are not recommended for use on skin. They can contain harmful or toxic substances and can even cause skin reactions.

It’s also important to take your child’s age into account. For example, for toddlers (12 months to 2 years of age), avoid going over the top with costumes or makeup, as they may be uncomfortable. However, some children love getting their faces painted, and will love the results.

Now we’ll share a few simple Halloween face paint ideas for young children.

Puppy face paint

What do you think of this cute, funny puppy? This is a very easy look to achieve, and most children will be pleased with the result.

Use it as a finishing touch for a disguise, or on its own for a cheap and easy Halloween look. The materials you will need are:

  • Face paint in black, brown, red and white
  • Brushes
  • Glitter (optional)

Watch the video to find out how to recreate this puppy face paint step by step. Don’t miss it!

Lion face paint

Rawrr! This creative lion makeup will make your child’s costume look even more wild. The materials you will need are:

  • Face paint in black, brown, yellow and white
  • Brushes
  • Latex sponge

Don’t miss the tutorial video.

Batman face paint

Batman is one one of the most famous superheroes. And this is one of the easiest looks to recreate without spending too much. You’ll only need a few materials:

    • Face paint in white, black, yellow and orange
    • Brushes
    • Glitter gel

Witch face paint

At Halloween, villains take center stage. Witches are a good option for an evil look, perfect for the spooky festivities. Although it might look complicated, painting your face like a witch is quite simple. You will need:

    • Face paint in black, green, purple and red
    • Latex sponge
    • Brushes
    • Water

Panda face paint

Pandas are an animal that kids love, and make a great costume. This Halloween face paint look is cute and cuddly, and makes the perfect final touch to a disguise. You will need:

  • Face paint in black, white and red
  • Brushes
  • Latex sponge

Have fun painting with this video tutorial.

What kind of face paint to use

Although all of these looks are easy to do yourself, at home, be careful with the materials you use. Ask for face paint or makeup with skin-safe ingredients that won’t cause irritation.

Regular paints may contain toxic compounds that can harm your child’s skin.

 

 


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.