kidsz |

You can hire a face-painter to come to your party, often for $30 or less, by checking local bulletin boards or online resources. Or, you could call your local high school drama teacher or community theater to see if they can recommend someone who is handy with make-up. There is also the option of doing it yourself, and there are many books and Internet sites with step-by-step instructions for how to create animal faces and other designs. One set of costume makeup will decorate a whole roomful of kids, so it is not too expensive.

Invitations: You can make your own invitations with a picture of a well-painted face, say something from the play “Cats.” If you’d rather use a purchased invite, consider finding a picture of a face that you could include, and make copies to send to each guest so even the little ones will know what to expect. If you will provide “bibs” to protect your partygoers’ clothing you should say that in the invitation. Otherwise, caution them not to wear their best outfit.

Arrival: As guests enter, try to have some pictures available for them to choose from as they decide what they want to look like. Kids could draw a number from a hat, which tells the order in which they will be painted.

Main Event: Provide a few activities for the children while they wait their turn. Little ones would love to draw faces with finger paint on paper, or “paint” right on the table top with shaving cream. Older kids could draw funny or scary faces on previously inflated balloons. Provide plenty of mirrors near the face-paint chair so that kids can see how their appearance changes. As each child’s face is done, take her picture and promise to send it to her. Better yet, take a digital photo and print it on your home computer so she can take it home as she leaves.

Refreshments: Colorful snacks like Jell-O Jigglers will fit right in to your painting theme. Or allow each child to decorate a cupcake with candies and sprinkles to make yet another face.