Before You Buy Temporary Tattoo Kits

Kids of all ages love temporary tattoos and play body art. With its ever-increasing popularity, more and more kits and home studios are popping up on store shelves. But not all kits are appropriate for all ages, both genders or all kinds of children. Here's a quick look at some of the fun activity sets currently available.

Stick-On Temporary Tattoo Kits

These are the most widely available kind of temporary tattoo. You place them against the skin, soak the back of the paper with water and wa-la! Instant tattoo and happy kid. But not all of them live up to their expectations.

Henna/Mehndi Kits

Henna is recommended for older kids, particularly girls. Henna art allows a lot more creativity on the part of the child-artist, and a little bit goes a long way. Don't be fooled by claims of "colored" henna - it all stains the skin one color - orange-brown. Fresh henna is vital for good results, so it's important you purchase a product that hasn't been sitting on a shelf too long.

Body Paint, Pencils & Crayons

This can be great fun for kids of all ages (including both boys and girls), but tend to be a bit on the messy side. They allow for great artistic creativity, and most of them just wash off with soap and water. These items usually have to be replaced more quickly as they can break, dry out or run out.

Stick-on Body Gems, Jewels & Glitter

These can look pretty, but they sure lack much imagination. They make a nice accesory and most girls love shiny, sparkly things. They also don't make much of any mess, which is a plus. They are supposed to be reusable, but most of them lose their adhesive quality after one use.