This painting party for kids is such a fun activity! Everyone goes home with a one-of-a-kind party favor—a painting for their bedroom.
You might also like our paint your own pottery party for kids.
Painting Party for Kids
When Kaylee was deciding on a birthday theme last year, she wasn’t sure what she wanted. She’s very creative, so we settled on a painting party—and it turned out to be perfect. Painting parties are popular for adults and can be just as much fun for kids. You can even host a virtual version, but for this celebration we kept it simple: a quick trip to Hobby Lobby and a few Amazon orders and we were ready to go.
The canvases served as both the activity and the party favor, which made planning efficient and gave each child a special keepsake to take home.
We called it a “Pastries and Painting Party.” Kaylee wanted donuts instead of a cake, which fit the theme perfectly, and she picked colors that matched a unicorn decoration she found in the store. Letting the birthday child help plan made the party feel personal and fun for everyone.
Painting Party for Kids Supplies and Instructions
Supplies (suggested):
- Foam paintbrushes
- Sponge brushes
- Aprons
- Canvases (11×14” packs are affordable at craft stores)
- Paint palettes
- Plastic tablecloths
- Acrylic paint (small bottles in coordinating colors)
- Paper towels or wet wipes for spills
Simple setup:
Cover the work surface with a disposable plastic tablecloth and arrange small paint kits—palettes, brushes, and paint—for each guest. Offer aprons so kids can paint comfortably without worrying about their clothes.
To create a simple guided project, cut out the first letter of each child’s name from vinyl and stick it to the canvas as a mask. If you don’t have a vinyl cutter, contact paper or hand-cut shapes work well too. Kids paint over the entire canvas, and once the paint dries, removing the vinyl reveals a clean monogram or silhouette beneath.
Tip: Use shapes like hearts, stars, or animals if you prefer not to use letters.
How the Party Went
The selected colors matched the unicorn piñata and decorations, giving the party a cohesive look. At one point the house was completely quiet—ten-year-old kids focused intently on their canvases—which was a delightful surprise for the adults. With no strict rules, the activity encouraged creativity and was a great fit for beginners.
Each painting came out unique. Some children preferred sponge brushes for texture, while others used foam brushes for smooth strokes. By the end of the party many canvases were dry and ready to transport—no messy take-home bags required.
Cleanup was straightforward: roll the disposable tablecloth and toss it. The canvases became instant bedroom art for the guests, and everyone left excited about their creations. It was an easy, memorable party that balanced structure and freedom, and it gave each child something personal to keep.
Kaylee is already planning her next painting or craft party, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she chooses.
More easy birthday party ideas include ballerina brunches, DIY stuffed animal parties, and themed celebrations that let kids get creative while having a great time.