Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean the face paint is put away. Most children LOVE having their faces painted and will use any activity as an excuse to do so.

Make sure you are reading all the packaging and choosing safe products to put on your child’s skin. This Halloween, Wal-Mart sold a package of six make-up crayons for $1.00. There are two warnings on the package. One proclaims, “This product contains LEAD”, the other proclaims that they may be a choking hazard for children under 3.

Do they get bonus points for telling us there is lead in the face paint? The bigger question is who in the world would knowingly include a toxic substance in an item marketed toward children? And what kind of corporate responsibility allows their buyers to order such an item and stock it on the shelves? Just one more reason to NOT shop at Wal-Mart.

For an option you know is safe, use the following face paint recipe.

1 1/2 Tablespoons shortening (we use Earth Balance) or the same amount of natural cold cream

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

Food color (we use India Tree Natures Colors)

Combine the shortening (or cold cream) and the cornstarch until you have a thick paste. Divide into a paint dish, egg carton, baby food jars, etc… Add a small amount of food color to each container until desired shades are achieved. Apply to the skin using small paint brushes, make up brushes or organic cotton swabs. This recipe will take a while to dry on the skin, so warn the kids to keep their hands clear of the design for a while.

Now you have a fun activity for the next birthday party, sporting event, school spirit day, or just an afternoon at home.

Image from Dreamstime.

Other Posts You May Like About DIY Kids Fun:

• DIY Kits for Kids
• Fun Activities and DIY Finger Paint
• DIY Matching Game