87 designs

Easy Face Painting Ideas for Kids, Sorted by Cheek, Forehead and Time

Three designs at a time, each with its colours, where it sits on the face and a rough time. Let the child point at one, then take away the other two.

Show all 87

Ladybird on the apple of the cheekRed, black. One red oval, black head, a centre line and six dots with the brush tip. About 1 minute.
Cat ears, nose and whiskersBlack, pink, white. Ears above the brows, pink nose tip, three whiskers on each cheek. About 3 minutes.
Shark fin cutting through wavesGrey, blue, white. Fin on the cheek, two blue wave lines under it, white foam dots. About 3 minutes.

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All 87 designs

Cheek 34

Acorn pair on the cheek Tan, brown. Two ovals, a cross-hatched cap on each, joined by a short twig. About 1 minute.
Bumblebee with a dotted trail Yellow, black, white. Bee on the cheek; its dotted loop trail curls up towards the temple. About 3 minutes.
Candy cane on the cheek White, red. White hook on the cheek, red diagonal stripes across it. Round brush. About 1 minute.
Cherry pair on one stalk Red, green, white. Two red dots on the cheek, green stalks joined at a leaf, a white highlight on each. About 1 minute.
Christmas tree with dot baubles Green, yellow, red. Three stacked triangles on the cheek, yellow star on top, bauble dots. About 3 minutes.
Daisy chain along the cheek White, yellow, green. Five daisies from cheek to temple: fingertip centres, teardrop petals. About 5 minutes.
Dinosaur footprints walking up the cheek Green, black. Five three-toed prints from jaw to cheekbone, each a blob with three teardrop toes. About 3 minutes.
Dragon curled round the cheek Green, yellow, red. S-shaped body curls round the apple of the cheek; a tiny flame towards the ear. About 5 minutes.
Flower from five fingertip dots Any colour, yellow. Five fingertip dots in a ring on the cheek, a yellow dot in the middle. No brush. About 1 minute.
Football on the cheek White, black. White circle, one black pentagon in the middle, five short lines out to the edge. About 3 minutes.
Ghost with an O mouth on the cheek White, black. White teardrop shape with a wavy hem, two dot eyes and an O mouth. About 1 minute.
Goldfish with three bubbles Orange, white, blue. Fish swims towards the nose; three bubbles rise to the cheekbone. About 3 minutes.
Holly sprig with three berries on the cheek Green, red, white. Two pointed leaves and three berry dots; a white highlight on each berry. About 1 minute.
Ice cream cone with one drip Tan, pink, white. Cone on the lower cheek, scoop above it, one drip running down the side. About 3 minutes.
Initial in a coloured circle Any two colours. Coloured circle on the cheek, the child's initial in white on top. Round brush. About 1 minute.
Ladybird on the apple of the cheek Red, black. One red oval, black head, a centre line and six dots with the brush tip. About 1 minute.
Lightning bolt on the cheek Yellow, white. One zigzag from cheekbone to jaw, a white line along one edge. Flat brush. About 1 minute.
Maple leaf in three oranges Yellow, orange, red. Five-point leaf on the cheek, colours blended on the brush, a fine stalk. About 3 minutes.
One balloon on a string Any bright, white, black. Oval on the cheek, white shine mark, string wiggling down to the jaw. About 1 minute.
Planet with a ring and two stars Purple, white, yellow. Round planet on the cheek, tilted white ring, two four-point stars beside it. About 3 minutes.
Pumpkin on the cheek with a curling vine Orange, green. Three overlapping ovals, green stalk, a vine curling up to the cheekbone. About 3 minutes.
Puppy paw print Brown or black, white. One large pad and four toe dots on the cheek; a white highlight on each. About 1 minute.
Rainbow over the apple of the cheek Red, yellow, blue, white. Arc over the apple of the cheek, sponge edge; a white cloud at each end. About 3 minutes.
Rocket with a flame trail down the cheek Red, white, yellow. Rocket points at the temple; the flame trails down towards the jaw. About 3 minutes.
Shark fin cutting through waves Grey, blue, white. Fin on the cheek, two blue wave lines under it, white foam dots. About 3 minutes.
Single heart with a highlight Red, white. Two teardrop strokes meeting at a point on the cheek; white highlight on one lobe. About 1 minute.
Small skull on the cheek White, black. White skull shape on the cheek, two black sockets, a nose notch, four tooth lines. About 3 minutes.
Smiley on the cheek Yellow, black. Yellow circle, two dot eyes, one curved smile. Round brush. About 1 minute.
Snowman on the cheek with stick arms White, black, orange. Two stacked circles, carrot nose, hat and stick arms; snow dots round it. About 3 minutes.
Strawberry with seed dots Red, green, white. Heart-shaped berry on the cheek, green leaf crown, white seed dots. About 3 minutes.
Sugar skull on the cheek with petal sockets White, pink, turquoise, yellow. Small skull; petal rings round its sockets, a heart nose, brow dots. About 5 minutes.
Three raindrops under a small cloud White, blue. Small cloud on the cheekbone, three blue teardrops falling on to the cheek. About 1 minute.
Tiger stripes across both cheeks Orange, black. Sponge orange on each cheek; three black teardrop stripes sweep in from the ear side. About 3 minutes.
Two team-colour stripes on each cheek Your two colours. Two finger-width stripes side by side on each cheek, sponge edge. No badge needed. About 1 minute.

Forehead 17

Bat with wings spread across the forehead Black, white. Body between the brows, scalloped wings out to each temple, two white dots for eyes. About 3 minutes.
Bunny ears rising from the brows White, pink. Two tall ears from above the brows to the hairline, pink inside. Add a pink nose tip. About 3 minutes.
Crown across the forehead Yellow or gold, red. Five points above the brows, the centre one tallest; a red jewel dot in each. About 3 minutes.
Flower garland along the hairline Pink, yellow, green. Seven flowers along the hairline from temple to temple, leaves between. About 5 minutes.
Headband of diamonds and dots Turquoise, white, gold. Row of diamonds from temple to temple; dots above and below. About 5 minutes.
Monster stitches across the forehead Black, green. One long line above the brows crossed by seven short stitches; a green bolt dot each side. About 1 minute.
Pirate bandana with a knot Red, white, black. Red band across the forehead with white dots; knot and two tails at one temple. About 3 minutes.
Quarter sun at the hairline Yellow, orange. Quarter sun tucked into one corner of the forehead, five rays fanning inwards. About 1 minute.
Rainbow arching over both brows Red, yellow, green, blue. One wide arc from temple to temple, well above the brows. Sponge. About 3 minutes.
Robot control panel on the forehead Grey, red, yellow. Grey panel with a bolt dot at each corner, red and yellow buttons in a row. About 3 minutes.
Shooting star across the forehead Yellow, white. Star above one brow, a three-line tail sweeping to the other temple. About 1 minute.
Spider dangling from the hairline Black, white. Thread drops from the hairline to mid-forehead; round spider, eight legs, two white dots. About 1 minute.
Star badge in the centre of the forehead Black, yellow. Black circle centred above the brows with a yellow five-point star inside. About 3 minutes.
String of lights across the forehead Black, four brights. Looping wire from temple to temple, teardrop bulbs hanging in colour order. About 3 minutes.
Sun rising from between the brows Yellow, orange. Half sun sits just above the nose bridge; rays fan up towards the hairline. About 3 minutes.
Tiara with a teardrop jewel White or silver, blue. Fine loops across the forehead, a blue teardrop jewel at the centre. About 5 minutes.
Unicorn horn with a flower either side White, gold, pink. Horn rises from between the brows to the hairline, spiral line, a flower each side. About 5 minutes.

Beside the eye 18

Art deco fan on the temple Gold, black. Fan of five ribs opening towards the hairline, a dot on each tip. Suits adults. About 3 minutes.
Butterfly on the cheekbone Purple, pink, black. Wings open on the cheekbone, body pointing at the temple. Nothing on the lid. About 5 minutes.
Constellation of seven stars White or silver. Seven dots on the temple and cheekbone joined by fine lines. Suits adults. About 3 minutes.
Crescent moon and one star on the temple Yellow or white. Crescent on the temple opening towards the hairline, one star inside the curve. About 1 minute.
Dragonfly on the temple Blue, green, white. Thin body angled to the hairline, four teardrop wings, white highlights. About 3 minutes.
Fairy wing sweeping to the hairline Lilac, white. One wing from the cheekbone to the hairline, fine veins, white dots at the tips. About 5 minutes.
Falling leaves from the temple to the jaw Red, orange, yellow. Seven small leaves tumbling from the temple down the cheek, one stroke each. About 3 minutes.
Feather lying along the cheekbone Blue, teal, white. Quill from cheek to temple, short strokes out either side, a white centre line. About 3 minutes.
Heart trail from the temple to the cheek Red, pink. Five hearts shrinking from the cheekbone down to the cheek. Round brush. About 1 minute.
Laurel branch along the cheekbone Green or gold. Curved stem from cheek to temple, paired teardrop leaves along it. Suits adults. About 3 minutes.
Leopard spots fading from the temple Ochre, brown, black. Ochre sponge patch on temple and cheekbone; broken black rings over it. About 3 minutes.
Mermaid scales fading from the temple Teal, purple, white. Rows of small U shapes on the temple and cheekbone, fading out to dots. About 5 minutes.
Musical notes drifting to the hairline Black, white. Wavy stave from the cheekbone to the temple with three notes on it. Fine brush. About 3 minutes.
Row of dots along the cheekbone White plus one colour. Seven dots from cheek to temple, large to small, made with the brush handle end. About 1 minute.
Snowflake on the temple, two on the cheekbone White, pale blue. Six-arm flake on the temple, two smaller flakes on the cheekbone, dots between. About 3 minutes.
Spider web fanning from the temple Black or white. Five spokes fan from the temple over cheekbone and forehead; scalloped lines between. About 3 minutes.
Star cluster on the temple Yellow, white. One large star and four small on the temple, dots between, fanning to the hairline. About 1 minute.
Swirls and dots from the temple Two colours, white. Three curls sweep from the temple on to the cheekbone, dots tapering off each. About 3 minutes.

Full face 18

Bunny with ears, nose and chin teeth White, pink, black. Ears on the forehead, pink nose tip, whisker dots, two teeth below the lower lip. About 5 minutes.
Butterfly with wings on forehead and cheeks Pink, purple, black. Body down the nose, wings on forehead and cheeks, kept clear of the eyes. About 5 minutes.
Cat ears, nose and whiskers Black, pink, white. Ears above the brows, pink nose tip, three whiskers on each cheek. About 3 minutes.
Clown with cheek circles Red, white, blue. Red nose tip, a red circle on each cheek, a blue triangle above each brow. About 3 minutes.
Dragon with scales up the forehead Green, gold, red. Scales up the nose and forehead, gold horns above the brows, a cheek flame. About 5 minutes.
Fox with white cheeks Orange, white, black. Orange forehead and nose, white cheeks, black nose tip, ears above the brows. About 5 minutes.
Freckle stars across the nose and cheeks Gold or brown. Fifteen tiny stars and dots scattered over the nose bridge and both cheeks. Fine brush. About 1 minute.
Frog with a wide smile line Green, yellow, black. Green cheeks, forehead and chin, yellow chin patch, smile line over the cheeks. About 5 minutes.
Lion with a mane round the hairline Yellow, brown, white. Mane strokes round hairline and jaw, white muzzle, brown nose tip, whisker dots. About 5 minutes.
Pirate with a bandana, stubble and a scar Red, black, white. Bandana on the forehead, sponge-dot stubble on the jaw, one scar line on a cheek. About 5 minutes.
Puppy with one brown patch White, brown, black. Brown patch on one cheek, black nose tip, freckle dots, a pink tongue on the chin. About 5 minutes.
Reindeer with a red nose and forehead antlers Brown, red, white. Red nose tip, antlers from above the brows to the hairline, white cheek freckles. About 3 minutes.
Robot faceplate with a chin grille Grey, red, black. Panel on the forehead, rivet dots down each cheek, a grille of lines on the chin. About 5 minutes.
Scarecrow with a stitched cheek patch Orange, brown, red. Orange nose tip, stitched patch on one cheek, stitch lines out from the mouth. About 5 minutes.
Skeleton jaw from the cheekbones down White, black. White from the cheekbones down, black nose tip, tooth lines above and below the lips. About 5 minutes.
Sunflower with the face as its centre Yellow, orange, green. Petals all round the hairline and jaw; one green leaf on a cheek. About 5 minutes.
Tiger with a white muzzle Orange, white, black. Orange cheeks and forehead, white muzzle, black stripes; clear of the eyes. About 5 minutes.
Whiskers and a nose tip, nothing else Black or brown. Dot the nose tip; three whisker lines on each cheek, three dots above the lip each side. About 1 minute.

How it works

A face blinks, grins and will not sit still, so where a design goes and how long it takes matter more than detail. These easy face painting ideas for kids are 87 designs sorted by placement: cheek, forehead, beside the eye (the temple or cheekbone) or full face. Nothing goes on an eyelid or along the lashes.

Read the full guide

Start on the cheek

A cheek is a wide, soft patch you can steady with your free hand, so face painting ideas for beginners belong there. Ladybird on the apple of the cheek is one red oval and six dots. Cat ears, nose and whiskers is two ears, a pink nose tip and six lines. Sponge anything wider than a thumb; brush the lines.

Quick designs for a queue

With a queue of children, the kids face painting ideas that work are the ones finished before anyone wriggles. The 1 minute group holds 25, such as Lightning bolt on the cheek. For an autumn fair, look under Seasonal: Acorn pair on the cheek, Maple leaf in three oranges.

Use the apple of the cheek as a frame: Strawberry with seed dots sits inside it, one of 34 easy face painting ideas for cheeks.
Keep a one-minute design ready for December: of the Christmas face painting ideas, Candy cane on the cheek and Holly sprig with three berries on the cheek are the quickest.
Go small on the temple for a grown-up: Constellation of seven stars and Art deco fan on the temple are face painting ideas for adults.

Questions and answers

What paint can I use on a child's face?

Only face paint sold for use on skin; craft paint, acrylics and markers are not for faces. The US FDA says not to decorate your face with things that are not intended for your skin. Follow the label, including any warning about the eyes, try a dab on the arm for a couple of days first, and wash it off before bed.

Which designs are for boys and which for girls?

Neither: every design is for whoever asks for it. For something bold, try Shark fin cutting through waves or Robot faceplate with a chin grille; if he wants a butterfly, paint the butterfly. Show two or three designs at a time, not all 87.

Are there skull and Dia de los Muertos designs?

Yes, clear of the eyes. The skull face painting ideas are Small skull on the cheek and Skeleton jaw from the cheekbones down. Sugar skull on the cheek with petal sockets borrows from the decorated sugar skulls of Dia de los Muertos. Skull face paint is a recent addition to Day of the Dead, not an old custom.

Notes

The tool on this page picks from fixed lists that were compiled and edited for this site. Nothing is generated live, and nothing you save or type leaves your browser.

For drawing or painting on skin, use only products that are labelled for use on skin, such as cosmetic-grade face paint or body markers. Ordinary markers and craft paints are not made for skin. Wash the design off and stop using the product if your skin becomes sore or itchy.

Projects for young children need an adult close by, especially when they involve scissors, small parts, an oven, glass or paint that does not wash out.

More notes about this page

Ideas on this page are starting points for your own artwork or writing. Bend them, combine them or ignore them. They are not professional advice of any kind.

Names, terms and facts on this page were checked against the reference sources named under the list. If you spot a mistake, please tell us through the contact page.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Designs, colour lists, placements and rough timings are our own suggestions; each detail line gives the colours first, then where the design sits and how, then a rough time. 'Beside the eye' means the temple or cheekbone: no design goes on an eyelid or along the lash line, and full-face designs stay clear of the eyes. Facts were checked on 2026-09-18. US FDA, 'Novelty Makeup', https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/novelty-makeup (page says content current as of 11/22/2022): do not decorate your face with things that are not intended for your skin; follow all directions; believe a label that says not to use a product near the eyes; test a dab on the arm for a couple of days first; do not go to bed with makeup on, and remove it the way the label says. That face and body paint is applied with brushes and with synthetic or natural sea sponges, and that products not formulated for the body should never be used for face painting, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_painting. That skull face paint is not a traditional Day of the Dead practice except for Catrina impersonators and has become popular in recent years, and that sugar skulls are decorated with coloured foil, icing and beads with a name across the forehead, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calavera. We do not test face paints and make no claim that any product is safe for skin: read the label on yours. Licence: own work