Sensory help with face paint stamps

You know how some kids come home from school and the evidence of their hand printing is half way up their sleeves?  And then there's the kids that will don't do stuff that involves not getting wet or painty?  Yep - I have both of those.  Both my boys are autistic and them and their neuro-typical sister have very different sensory systems that means some activities can be very challenging.

Take for example face painting. Jane loves it.  She is the very first in line at every single birthday party where there is a face painter.  Putting paint on Jane's face is easier than toothpaste on a toothbrush.  The brighter the better.  She likes pretty things and as far as she's concerned butterflies, crowns,  flowers, sparkles and anything else only makes life 'all the more pretty mummy'.

She loves it so much we've been trying it at home.  Now generally I'm not a big fan of face paints - one of my favourite tops has a blue mark on it following a sweaty smeared butterfly incident. And although Anthony understands face painting - David is not so sure.  He's a bit confused by how Jane looks and doesn't like spills.  It's a bit different to the fear Anthony has when people are in make-up or costume, but in some ways it creates a similar feeling of things being different. 

Of course the solution is to help David get used to the sight or even get him involved in face painting.  Not so easy for a child who wipes everything clean.  The boys sensory systems are complex.  David barely notices a change in temperature but stick a bubble on him in the bath and he'll wipe it off immediately.  What we have had some success with paint stamping. 

We got a Snazaroo face paint set in our Weekend Box and it included a set of face painting stamps. Stamping is a great way to practice fine motor skills so it's something David has done before.  And although he wasn't that keen on stamping his own hand.. he was happy to stamp me.  He could use the paints as they don't need much more than a damp sponge to work. It wasn't messy so he didn't get upset about that either.   And if I was allowed to stamp him, taking it off was an easy as a wipe with a baby wipe and all trace was gone.  

At the end of our stamping I also had to rinse most of my stamps off under the tap.  However, Jane has been allowed to wander around like a lion, princess and covered in pretty cupcakes since.  So I'd call that a win.  He may even stamp himself soon.

We were gifted a Weekend Box containing Snazaroo face paints.  

I'm delighted to share our experiences of them with you - I hope you find it useful.

More craft and motor skills posts:
Read more - Autumn's coming tree craft 
Read more - Rock pool craft activity
Read more - Make Gruffalo's Child Mini Pancakes