Dressing your tot up as an adorable cat is an easy and fun idea to do at Halloween, as well as any other time of the year. Plus, if you're wanting to paint their face too, there are plenty of easy cat face paint ideas to have a go at.
We've put together a list of our favourite cat face paint ideas for Halloween and beyond to give you some inspiration as well as step-by-step instructions on how to to cat face paint on your little ones face. They are purrfect for parties, festivals and trick or treating and are a lot easier to achieve compared to pumpkin face paint designs.
From the simple nose and whiskers to a full feline-looking face with ears and fur there are plenty of options to have a go at, no matter your skill level, including lions, cheetahs and even the iconic Cheshire Cat and Hello Kitty... Don't forget to pair your face paint with a spooktacular kids' Halloween costume to complete the look!
The best cat face paint ideas
1 of 20Simple cat make up
This is a great one if you don't have any face paint to had as you can simply use some basic make up products such as eyeliner or eyebrow pencils to draw the nose and whiskers.
2 of 20Cute cat face paint
We love this adorable make up look that should be fairly easy to achieve as most of the face is left bare. Use a sponge to dab on the white background then draw on your detailing with brushes.
3 of 20Simple cat face paint
Another simple cat face paint design that really focuses on that cat eye look which can be achieved with eyeliner. The small design means that it should be easier to wash off than a full-face of paint.
4 of 20Baby cat face paint
If you're keen to use minimal paint on their delicate skin, this is an excellent idea. Simple black and white paint flicks can create a subtle look, plus it can encourage you to have a go at different techniques.
5 of 20White cat face paint
If you're fairly confident with the face paint, try this more complex look using a mixture of black, white, pink and grey face paint. It's a look probably more suited to older children who won't be tempted to rub their faces!
6 of 20Lion cat face paint
This adorable lion face paint design is "purrrfect" if you're looking for something more safari themed. We think the patterns are brilliant to have a go at if you're looking to work on neatening up your designs; pair it with some animal print clothes and they'll certainly look the part.
7 of 20Simple cat face paint idea
In a rush to head out trick or treating or going to a last-minute Halloween event or gathering with friends and family? Grab your eyeliner and do this simple cat make up design. It'll take just a minute to create.
8 of 20Lion face paint
How roar-some and adorable is this Lion make up? It's not too complicated so should be fairly easy to achieve on a moving target like a toddler!
9 of 20Alice in wonderland make up
We love this Alice in Wonderland themed make up featuring the Cheshire cat. It's rather detailed so you might need some patience to achieve the this, but the results will be worth it.
10 of 20Cheshire cat face paint
Look closely and you'll see this child's eyes are actually closed. We love this unique Cheshire cat make up, perfect if your child is dressing up as the Alice in Wonderland character. It's definitely spooky!
11 of 20Fluffy cat face paint
If you're going for a fluffier cat look, this one might be just the style you're looking for. Use small brush strokes over the eyebrows, between the brows and on the chin to create the fluffy effect.
12 of 20Pink cat face paint
Who says your cat has to be scary? We love this fun pink themed cat face paint look, complete with little ears and even some glitter for a super fun finish.
13 of 20Hello Kitty Face paint
Hello Kitty is a really popular character, so it's understandable why your little one might be keen to dress up as her. You'll need a steady hand for this face paint, especially on the bow, making it a good idea to do a rough guide to get you started.
14 of 20Cat design face paint
It can sometimes look really effective when you concentrate your artistic skills to just one small area of the face, especially if you're doing something a little more detailed in design.
15 of 20Fluffy white cat
We love this adorable white fluffy kitty face paint. Most of the detail is focussed around the mouth, with a tiny pink lip for added cuteness. We also love that the eyebrow paint is sitting just above the brows (getting paint out of brows can be a nightmare).
16 of 20Glittery cat face paint
If your little one is all about going OTT on the glitter then this pink and white glitter cat face paint look is for them. If you're worried about them ingesting any glitter on their lips, you might want to opt for some edible glitter to use around the mouth area.
17 of 20Leopard print cat face paint
Add some fluffy ears and a cosy leopard print coat to complete this leopard print face paint look. Although it looks fairly detailed to begin with, a leopard print face paint look isn't as complicated as it seems, and you only need some brown and black paint.
18 of 20Black cat design face paint
This is a great idea if you're wanting to dress up as a black cat but you're not keen on painting your whole face. It's also a great one to try if you're keen to add a pop of colour to the look. It's also a great one for grown ups if you don't have a costume but want to get into the spirit.
19 of 20Simple black whiskers and nose
Grab the eyeliner and simply draw on an adorable set of whiskers and little cat nose for this look. Add some cute ears and maybe a fun tutu to complete the look. This one is great for a last minute Halloween Party and need to think of a costume in a hurry.
20 of 20Blue cat face paint
We love the blue and purple tones of this spooky cat face paint look. Complete with paw prints, spider webs and a moon, we also like the effect of the purple lip for added spook!
Cat face paint: Step-by-step instructions
For a simple cat face paint design, follow these steps.
- Start with a clean face and make sure you have some black and white face paint handy.
- Use a sponge to dab some white paint in the area between the nose and upper lip.
- While this area is drying, move onto the eyes. Depending on your child, use a black eyeliner brush to create a feline flick at the edge of their eyes to create a cat eye effect. Above the eyebrows, add some painted on ears using black paint filled in with white paint, adding three small black hair strokes from the inner corner of the ears.
- Use the black paint to fill in the end of your child's nose, covering the end of their nose in black paint.
- Use a thin brush in the black paint to add a line from the nose to the top lip. You can even use this paint to line the top of the lip and flick out at the ends.
- Finally, add three whiskers either side on the cheeks as well as some little dots on the white painted area.
Cat face paint not for you? Give witch face paint a try instead.
Lorna White has been a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby since 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics, from potty training and nutrition to baby names and maternity fashion.