To book a face painter in Singapore, work out how many children will want a design, book enough painters and hours for that number, give the painter a shaded spot with a table and good light, flag allergies, and book 2 to 6 weeks ahead depending on the season. The steps below take ten minutes and prevent the two problems that spoil face painting: a long queue and rushed designs.
Step 1: count the children, and their ages
Count the children, not the guests. Then note the ages. Toddlers take longer per face, because they wriggle and need small designs. Children of six to nine sit still and know what they want. Teenagers often prefer a glitter tattoo on the arm.
Step 2: book enough painters and hours
One painter does about 12 to 15 detailed faces an hour, or 20 to 25 simple ones.
| Children | Painters and hours |
|---|---|
| Under 20 | 1 painter, 1.5 to 2 hours |
| 20 to 40 | 1 painter for 2.5 to 3 hours, or 2 painters for 1.5 hours |
| 40 to 80 | 2 painters minimum, 2 to 3 hours |
| Over 80 | 3 or more painters, or a rotation with another station |
The single most common mistake is one painter for 50 or more children in two hours. The queue grows, the last children get rushed designs and the parents of the birthday child hear the complaints. A balloon artist next to the painter gives the waiting children a second line.
Step 3: pick the spot
The painter needs a small table, a chair for the child, good light and a flat surface. Indoors, choose a corner away from the food table and the door. Outdoors, choose shade: direct midday sun makes paint dry patchy and wears the painter out. At a void deck, plan for rain. Hotels and some venues ask for vendors to be registered in advance, so check the house rules.
Step 4: check the paint and flag allergies
Face paint for children should be cosmetic grade, skin safe and hypoallergenic, never craft acrylic. Ask which paint the painter uses. Put any allergy, eczema or sensitive skin in the brief, and on the day a parent can ask for a quick patch test or for an area to be skipped.
Step 5: write the brief
Send these in one message:
- Date, start time and how many hours.
- Venue name and area, indoor or outdoor, and where the table can go.
- The number of children and their rough ages.
- Any party theme, such as dinosaurs, mermaids or superheroes.
- Allergies or sensitive skin in the group.
- Add-ons: glitter tattoos, a balloon artist, a clown.
Step 6: book early enough
Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead for a normal weekend. For the June, November and December school holidays and Chinese New Year, book 4 to 6 weeks ahead, because painters get booked out. A deposit holds the date. You get a quote within one working day of the brief.
On the day
The painter arrives 15 to 20 minutes before the start with paints, brushes, wipes and a picture menu of designs. Each child points at a design and is painted in a few minutes. At the end the painter packs up and leaves the area as they found it, so there is nothing for you to clear. Start face painting as soon as the room fills, or right after the main show, and keep the cake for the end.
See the face painting price guide for the costs, then send the brief on WhatsApp or through the quote form.
