Halloween Face Painting Ideas for Kids & Teens

Spooky Halloween Makeup for Children – Skulls, Pumpkins & Vampires

© Rachel Wills

Oct 12, 2009
Halloween Make Up Painting, Flissphil
Creating a look by using a face painting kit is a great addition to the Halloween costume and gives a more complete look to the spooky character portrayed.

Face painting Halloween characters onto kid’s faces is an ideal way of building anticipation to the Halloween party. Kids will enjoy acting the part of a vampire or witch whilst taking part in Halloween games. Under creepy lighting, the face paint will look even more effective.

Halloween Party Ideas for Kids

When using face paint to set the scene for a children’s Halloween party, a few things must be borne in mind:

  • Adequate time is required prior to the Halloween party to apply the face paint
  • It is best to avoid obscure brands when purchasing face paint. Snazaroo is a well-established producer of face paint that is free from toxins, perfumes and is suitable for sensitive skin.
  • Care must be taken with applying make up near the eyes
  • Ensure there is adequate choice of face paint designs available, including vampires, skulls, witches and werewolves.
  • Designate a quiet area to do the face painting.

Halloween Face Painting Supplies

Craft outlets that supply face paints, such as Little Crafty Bugs and Face Painting Designs stock all manner of items required for face painting and associated Halloween props, such as a face painting kit for ghosts, skulls, witch’s cat, wicked witch, creepy monster and a spiders web. Special effects can be incorporated with moulding wax, different shades of blood, glitter, vampire teeth and a witch’s finger.

Instruction on Halloween Face Painting

Halloween face painting often requires but a few colours, which can be blended into each other. These are usually: Black, grey, white, red, green, orange and brown. A few sponges, a blending brush and an illustrating brush will come in handy for lines and detail. Additional props such as wigs, fangs and fake scars will complete the look.

Painting a Halloween Skull

To paint a skull face, the following instructions will help:

  • With a sponge, stipple the face including the lips with white paint until even
  • Draw thick black lines around the eyes for a panda-like look
  • Draw black vertical lines over the lips
  • Draw two black inverted triangles from above the nostrils and tapering towards the bridge of the nose
  • Reinforce the skull shape with black shadows along the jawline
  • Draw a dribble of blood emerging from the lips
  • Draw black lightning on the forehead

How to Paint a Halloween Pumpkin Face

  • Stipple the face with bright orange excluding the lips
  • Paint black inverted triangles emerging from above the eyes and tapering on the forehead
  • Paint the nose black
  • Paint large black lips, including the area outside the lips

How to Paint a Vampire’s Face

  • Stipple the face with white until even
  • Paint the lips bright red
  • Apply grey eye shadow over the eyelids and towards the eyebrows
  • Draw swirling lines across the cheeks with black sweeping strokes
  • Wear fangs for a complete effect

Halloween Face Painting for Kids

Painting kid’s faces as spooky characters will really get them in the mood for a great Halloween party. Most Halloween characters can be portrayed via a few bold colours, black and white. Special effects such as scars, fangs and blood will add authenticity, as will Halloween costumes, wigs and props. Under spooky lighting, kids can have fun scaring each other and taking part in Halloween games.


The copyright of the article Halloween Face Painting Ideas for Kids & Teens in Kids Holiday Activities is owned by Rachel Wills. Permission to republish Halloween Face Painting Ideas for Kids & Teens in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Halloween Make Up Painting, Flissphil
Halloween Skeleton, Don Scarborough
Halloween Novelty Ideas, D'arcy Norman
Kids in Party Face Paint, InPhonic Customer Service / InPhonic
A Pumpkin Face Effect, Infrogmation of New Orleans


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