Kids' Face Painting in NYC for Birthday Parties & Events
✨ About Our Face Painting Services✨
Kids face painting NYC is what we do best and we've been doing it since 2009. At Illuminated Faces, our professional face painters transform children ages 3 and up into butterflies, tigers, superheroes, unicorns, princesses, and anything else their imagination can dream up. We work fast, keep the line moving, and make every child feel like the star of the show.
The paint we use is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, water-based, and safe for sensitive skin. FDA-compliant products only, never craft paint. Our team is fully insured, professionally trained, and trusted by thousands of NYC families for birthday parties, school events, block parties, holiday parties, and festivals across all five boroughs.
Planning a bigger birthday party? Our face painters typically accommodate 12–15 children per hour. For larger celebrations, we'll recommend the right number of artists for your guest count so the experience feels effortless and everyone who wants to be painted gets their turn. We serve Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, and the Hamptons.
Learn the best practices for keeping your tools clean and safe with our guide on how to sanitize face paint brushes.
Kids' Face Painting NYC: Birthday Party FAQ
Planning face painting for a birthday party? Here are the questions NYC parents ask us most—from how many face painters you'll need to what ages work best, what we bring, and how to make sure every child gets their turn.
🎨 What is the history of face painting?
Face painting has been practised for thousands of years across many cultures for ceremonial, spiritual, and artistic expression. From ancient tribal markings to modern festival art, it has evolved into a creative form of entertainment enjoyed at events worldwide. If you’d like to explore more, read our full guide on the history of face painting.
🖌️ What kind of paint is used for face painting?
We only use professional, cosmetic-grade face paints that are FDA-compliant and designed specifically for use on skin. They’re water-based, hypoallergenic, and gentle — never acrylic or craft paint. Our team relies on a short list of trusted professional-grade, cosmetic face paints. For a full list of approved brands, contact us directly.
🌈 How do I remove face paint after the event?
Our face paints wash off easily with warm water and mild soap. For stubborn colors like blue or red, gently rub with lotion. (And while it’s tempting after a big day, it’s never recommended to sleep in face paint!) Read More on our blog
💧 Is face paint safe for sensitive skin or kids?
Yes! All of our products are dermatologically tested, vegan, and free from common allergens, making them safe for both children and adults. In all our years of painting, we’ve never seen a bad reaction. For extra comfort, we can paint on the arm or hand instead of the face.
🎭 How many children can a face painter paint per hour?
For party planning, we generally estimate 12–15 children per hour, per face painter. That's a guideline—not a goal that requires artists to rush. Our painters use a curated menu of high-impact designs created specifically for live events, so kids still get something they’re excited about while the line keeps moving.
Have a larger guest list? Don't worry about doing the math—that's our job. Tell us your guest count and event length, and we'll recommend the right number of artists.
🎨 How many face painters do I need for my child's birthday party?
It depends on your guest count and how long you'd like face painting to be available. For a smaller birthday party, one face painter may be perfect. For larger celebrations, we'll recommend multiple artists so children spend their party playing—not standing in line.
When you inquire, just tell us approximately how many children you're expecting and we'll help you figure out the rest.
🌤️ Is face paint sweatproof or waterproof?
Traditional face paint is water-activated and can smudge in heavy rain or heat. For long-lasting, sweatproof results, we recommend airbrush tattoos — a fan favorite at outdoor NYC events and festivals.
🧴 How do you sanitize your face painting kits?
Cleanliness is everything. We disinfect our tools and thoroughly sanitize kits before every event. Our artists follow professional hygiene practices throughout the event, and you can see exactly how we care for our tools in our brush sanitizing guide
🎨 Can you customize the face painting to match our birthday party theme?
Absolutely. Dinosaurs, outer space, under the sea, enchanted forest, superheroes, favorite colors—we can curate designs that complement your celebration. You don't need to find a face-painting menu yourself. Give us the theme and we'll take it from there.
⏰ What ages are best for face painting?
We recommend face painting for children ages 3 and up, but readiness matters more than a birthday. A child should be comfortable sitting with an artist and able to choose whether they want to be painted.
For younger or hesitant children, we're always happy to offer a design on the hand or arm instead. Comfort and consent come first.
🌟 Can you provide face painting for a large birthday party or family event?
Yes. Large events are one of our specialties. We can build teams of professional face painters for larger birthday parties, school celebrations, family days and festivals so hundreds of guests can participate without sacrificing the quality of the artwork or the experience.
Tell us your attendance, event schedule and what you're planning, and we'll recommend the right team size.
⏰ How far in advance should I book a face painter for a birthday party?
As soon as you know your date is always best. Weekends and popular holiday dates can book well in advance, especially during busy seasons.
That said, last-minute availability does happen, so it's always worth asking. Monday–Thursday generally offers the best chance for availability. Pro tip: a Sunday evening can be a hidden gem.
🚫 Who shouldn’t get painted?
We love painting faces of all ages, but some guests should wait. Children too young to ask for what they want, or too young to understand face painting, should skip it for now — they’ll have a better experience next time. Comfort and consent are always our priority.
🌍 What areas do your face painters travel to?
We're based in New York and provide kids' face painting throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island, as well as Long Island, the Hamptons and select surrounding areas.
If you're not sure whether we travel to your party location, send us the address or neighborhood when you inquire.
💰How much does kids' face painting cost in NYC?
Pricing depends on your guest count, event length, location and how many artists your party needs. Rather than simply selling you a set number of hours, we help determine the setup that makes sense for your celebration.
Send us your date, location and estimated number of children, and we'll recommend the best option and provide pricing.
📅 How do I book a face painter for my child's birthday party?
Send us your event date, location, hours and estimated number of children through our inquiry form. We'll check availability and recommend the package and number of artists that make the most sense for your party.
she has a warm and engaging energy that makes kids flock to her"
Maureen p., Brooklyn Mom
"Tommi May is FABULOUS!! We hired her for face painting and balloon twisting for my daughter's 8th birthday party and were AMAZED by her level of skill, energy, and professionalism. She's not only a phenomenal (and fast!) face painter and balloon twister, she has a warm and engaging energy that makes kids flock to her. Her balloons are adorable and complex, like nothing we've ever seen before. Scheduling and communication was straightforward and easy. She arrived EARLY and seems to truly love what she does. She was the highlight of the party and a great conversation piece!! Everyone loved it."