Imagine a shy little girl opening a birthday gift and finding one of the art pads for kids. The other children at her party separate into their little cliques and once again she is content to stand aside and watch the others play. The adults encourage her to play with the other little girls; the other little girls wave her over, but the girl is too shy to make a move. She doesn’t want to move. She cannot speak. She smiles and sits down, watching the kids enjoy her party. Sometime during the chaos of Pin the Tail on the Donkey and the call for cake and ice cream, she pulls the art pad over, grabbing a stubby pencil from the table. The girl sketches what she sees all around her. They are rough because she is young, but anyone can see that there is something magical happening here. (more…)

Carnivals, fundraisers and other events that feature face painting designs for kids typically do just a little better at the end of the day, even if nothing is charged for the face painting itself. The kids see other kids going by with little tigers or sports logos on their face and they just have to have one, too. Mom and dad head over to the booth where the free face painting is going on and while they are standing there waiting for the kid to choose and then get his design, are staring at delicious cakes and cookies or beautiful arts and crafts. It doesn’t matter what is being sold at or near the face painting booth, the longer the parents are standing there, the more likely they are to buy, especially at a charity event. It is simple psychology. (more…)