Why We Cannot Paint Children Under 3 – Keeping Little Faces Safe

At Mini Marvellous Faces, we love bringing joy to children through face painting!
There’s nothing better than seeing their excitement as they transform into superheroes, butterflies, or roaring tigers.

But one question we often get asked is:

"Why can’t you paint little ones under 3?"

We completely understand how tempting it is—especially when your child is almost three! However, as professional face painters, we follow strict industry regulations, manufacturer guidelines, and insurance policies, all of which state that we cannot paint children under the age of three.

This isn’t just a preference—it’s a standard rule designed to ensure the safety and well-being of young children. And as a company that truly cares, we always put safety first!

 

The Science Behind the Rule

1. It’s Not Just Our Rule – It’s an Industry Standard
   All professional-grade face paints come with a clear age restriction from manufacturers, stating they are not designed for children under 3.
   
   Additionally, our insurance does not cover painting children under three, meaning that if a younger child were to have a reaction or experience any issues, we wouldn’t be covered.
   
   Even if your little one is just a few months shy of their third birthday, we must strictly follow this policy to remain compliant and ensure every child’s safety.
   
   
2. Under-3s Have Extra-Sensitive Skin
   A toddler’s skin is still developing and much more delicate than that of older children. Even high-quality, hypoallergenic face paints can cause irritation, redness, or rashes on super-sensitive toddler skin.
   
   We never want to put a child at risk of discomfort, which is why we wait until they’re a little older and their skin is more resilient.
   
   
3. Allergic Reactions Are More Likely
   A toddler’s immune system is still developing, making them more prone to unexpected allergic reactions—even if they’ve never had one before.
   
   Since face paints aren’t tested or approved for under-3s, we simply can’t take the risk of exposing younger children to something their skin may not be ready for.
   
   
4. Toddlers Love to Touch (and Taste!)
   Let’s be honest—toddlers love to explore with their hands and mouths! Face paint, even though non-toxic, isn’t meant to be ingested or rubbed into little eyes
   
   Under-3s are much more likely to smudge their designs, leading to messy faces, irritated eyes, or paint ending up in their mouths. We want face painting to be a fun and safe experience, but for younger children, it often causes more stress than joy!
   
   
5. Keeping Little Ones Happy!
   We always want kids to have a great time at parties, but under-3s often struggle to sit still long enough for a detailed design. Face painting requires patience and stillness, and younger children may find the experience overwhelming.
   
   We believe every child should have a fun and enjoyable experience, and waiting until they’re 3 ensures they can fully appreciate and enjoy their face paint!

 

What Can We Offer Instead?

We know younger children still want to be part of the fun! While we can’t paint under-3s, we’re happy to offer:

Fun stickers – A safe, mess-free alternative to brighten up little faces!

A promise to paint them when they’re ready! – We’d love to welcome them back as soon as they turn 3!

These options allow younger children to join in the fun while keeping them safe!

 

Why Choose Mini Marvellous Faces?

At Mini Marvellous Faces, we’re not just about painting faces—we’re about creating magical, memorable experiences while keeping children’s safety our top priority

We take pride in using only high-quality, professional, and skin-safe paints, following strict hygiene practices, and ensuring that every child we paint has a wonderful time.

When you book with us, you’re choosing a company that is:

• Fully insured and compliant with industry safety standards
• Experienced and professional in working with children
• Friendly, fun, and passionate about bringing joy to every event

So, while we can’t paint under-3s, we’d love to be part of your little one’s celebrations as soon as they’re ready!

Got questions? Ready to book? Get in touch—we’d love to bring some colour and fun to your next event!

 

Thank You for Understanding & Supporting Safe Face Painting!

We truly appreciate your understanding of why we follow these guidelines. Our goal is to ensure that every child has a safe, magical experience, and we can’t wait to paint some happy little faces at your next event!

Mini Marvellous Faces – Where Smiles & Sparkles Come to Life!