Is Acrylic Paint Safe for Kids? – Getting to know

The extent to which parents want the best for their kids is relative to how much they want them to have fun. For example, you may worry about your kids messing up the whole place during art and craft and putting some paint in their mouths, skin, or eyes. Also, you must watch your kids closely to prevent them from splashing the home appliances or furniture in the room with paints.

You are not just worried about your kids messing the whole place but about their safety with acrylic paint. Then you ask, is acrylic paint safe for kids? It solely depends on their age and mode of application. So, keep reading as we talk about the safety of your kids with acrylic paint.

Is Acrylic Paint Safe For Kids?

Acrylic paint is safe for kids above three years old. The paint is non-hazardous when used for art projects, such as painting because as they are water-based, they are safe. They are easy to clean with a cleanser, soap, or water, meaning the use of harmful cleaning agents is not necessary. They are a long-lasting and water-proof choice for craftwork, and it is commonly the choice most painters select for long-lasting artwork.

We all know the risks of using lead in any paint; we find it in certain acrylic paint brands, but not all. Kids should be instructed that acrylic paint is intended only for the material or paper and no other place. The safety of acrylic paint relies on how you use it, and that’s your answer: Is acrylic paint safe for kids?

Is acrylic paint toxic?

Acrylic paints have varieties, some of which are toxic and others not. If the question in your mind is, “is acrylic paint safe for kids?” then you need to make your choice carefully. They produce acrylic paint with polymer emulsions, perfect for kids. However, some acrylic paints have harmful substances, and you should know what kind of acrylic paint to buy.

We have found out that most acrylic paints are not harmful to kids since they are water-based. Acrylic paints containing poisonous synthetics, additives, and pigments are listed on their label.these incorporate cadmium, cobalt, manganese, chromium, and lead. They possibly become poisonous when used for enhancement, when sanded, or if large amounts are accidentally ingested. However, when you use them for an acrylic painting (by applying them with a brush to the material) at that point, they will not be unsafe for you.

If your primary concern is your well-being, acrylics are safe to use when used appropriately. Harmful cleaning agents are not needed since they are water-based and easy to clean with cleanser, soap, and water. If you are concerned about your surroundings, you need to carefully take your time using paintbrushes to ensure that they don’t splash.

How toxic is acrylic paint?

When some acrylic paint comes into contact with a child’s skin, quickly wash it off, and it is safe. It may be toxic when you don’t wash it off and allow the skin to absorb it. So it depends on your reaction to the contact. Even though some acrylic paint is not toxic, it is still not ideal if it touches the skin for an extended period. Also, it is harmful when inhaled or swallowed.

The reason is that everyone has different skin. Those whose skins are sensitive, especially those with eczema, should always put on hand gloves to ensure the safety of their skin. Kids are not to be left out, and their skin is also more sensitive, so if you see any drop of paint on your child’s skin, endeavour to wash it away immediately.

The harsh fumes and odours of acrylic paints make them more toxic when they dry. If you want to avoid the toxicity of acrylic paints, it is ok to ventilate your room so that air can radiate it. To prevent inhaling its strong fumes, you can also put on a protective mask.

Kids under three years old love sucking and experiencing new things in their mouths. However, be careful not to let their curious nature get their better because it is extremely dangerous for them to swallow paint.

Read Also:Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Face?

Types of Acrylic Paint

Knowing the type of acrylic paint to buy as an amateur can be overwhelming, with countless brands, tones, and varieties to select from. When looking for acrylic paint, you must consider the following: quality, shading, permanence, cylinder or container, drying time, and brands.

1. Heavy body Acrylic Paint

Heavy body acrylic paint is the most popular paint for artists who love thick textures. These paints are incredibly richer than liquid paint, and they are highly pigmented with a satin finish. Its thickness makes it act like buttery oils and can be used by students, beginners, or professional artists who hope to keep the surface of their brush strokes.

The best substantial and heavy body paints should contain no additional extenders, opacifiers, fillers, or colours. They should have exceptional light fastness and show no cracks when intensely added, but can also be reduced in texture with fluid medium or water.

The harder the hair of the brushes you use, the more thick the texture is in each stroke. Lastly, heavy body paints can be applied with a brush or a knife blade to give your work a practically sculptural quality.

2. Soft Body Acrylic Paint

Soft Body Acrylic paint has a smoother texture related to heavy body paint. Their low thickness implies that the shading application will be smooth. They offer a similar shade load as Heavy Body, so your tones will be brilliant and sparkling. This paint will hold unobtrusive brush strokes, but the impact isn’t articulated as it seems in heavy body acrylic paints.

They are great for a wide range of procedures, whether you use them directly from the can or blend them in with mediums. They are well known for using liquid art procedures, for example, acrylic paint pouring. Their liquid feature makes it simple to mix and paint in a smooth detail.

3. Acrylic Ink Paint

Acrylic ink paint is an extreme version of acrylic paints with a finely smooth surface with no fade or dye. This ultra-fluid acrylic mostly comes in a container, is ideal for smooth brushing or staining impacts, and is suitable for coats and finely detailed work. You can apply it to a surface using a pen, brush, or airbrush, and when it is applied on any surface, it permanently dries fast with a soft gloss finish. Also, it does not bleed when retouched or layered.

4. Fluid Acrylic Paint

Fluid acrylic paint is another type with a runny or flimsy consistency, intended to stream and spread effectively without forfeiting its colour strength. Fluid acrylics are great for pouring or spilling paint rather than applying it with a brush. Most manufacturers of paints sell it. However, suppose you need it for a small craft then, in that case, you can produce it yourself with heavy body acrylic paint and water.

5. Open Acrylic Paint

Unlike the other paints that dry quickly, open acrylic paint dries slowly. It has a lighter consistency than heavy body paint, making it simple to paint wet-into-wet and mix colours on the outer layer of your work of art. It is an excellent solution for painters who need to use the paint over time. Since it dries slowly, it saves paint wastage because painters who tighten their palette can use the same paint colour for several weeks.

6. Acrylic Markers

Acrylic Markers contain a bright, bold, and free flow of acrylic paint. Acrylic markers permit you to combine colours. These markers are ordinarily designed to work with a siphon action press and release the nib repeatedly. Its colour will soak the nib then, you can also apply strokes of colours. You can design expressive splashes and sprinkles by over-immersing the nib with painthese markers bond to most surfaces, like paper and metal.

7. Acrylic Spray paint

Acrylic spray paints are liquid paints sold in cans. It can have a spray-able button that you use to control when you want it to dispense. This method is an alternative to traditional brushwork. Spray paint permits you to cover up a huge amount of surfaces quickly, making it an effective way to retouch or layer new paint on surfaces. The acrylic spray might require a primer on the surface before applying your spray paint, depending on the spray paint you want. Some acrylic sprays contain dissolvable particles. For this cause, it is fitting to wear a mask or spray it in a very well ventilated environment. On the other hand, others are water-based and don’t produce harsh fumes, so they are ok to use inside.

What Paint Is Ok For Kids?

Finger paint is the safest for toddlers and babies, making it the most recommended paint for little kids. When you wash the paint with water, it fades away quickly and doesn’t irritate the skin. Additionally, it is safe for your kids if they get so curious and taste their paint.

Acrylic marker paints are great for kids. They dry rapidly on porous clothing surfaces and can be removed from the skin with just water. Acrylic marker paints are manufactured with a non-toxic formula, which deems them safe for kids. The medium size of its tip is supple for drawing and colouring. They are great for drawing or writing and come with various materials to bring out the artist in your kid. Best utilized on paper, wood, and materials.

However, because it is water-based, it may not dry quickly on a non-absorbent surface and may tend to wipe away easily. Also, when kids are into handprint project crafts, acrylic paint is not ideal because they are prone to sticking their hands into their mouths.

Is acrylic paint washable?

Acrylic paint can wash out of clothes easily if you notice the stain immediately. If the paint is still wet, it can be cleaned with several washing agents. When acrylic paint gets dried on clothes, it will make it too difficult to wash off, slightly fade away, and maybe create uneven colour dots on your clothes. Moreover, different techniques could help in washing acrylic paint off your clothes.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Baby Skin?

To remove acrylic paint from your baby’s skin, you have to find a suitable method to clean it quickly. Firstly rinse the paint with warm water. The paint will loosen or completely clean off due to the heat of the water. Then you can use a soap that won’t affect your baby’s skin (mild soap). Rub the soap gently on the stain while the hand remains in the water. Do this until the paint begins to create a lather.

If the soap washes out the stain completely, you can rinse and dry the hand, but if not, you should continue the process. You can also try pouring a drop of baby oil on the skin and massaging gently with cotton wool until it breaks and dissolves the paint.

Final Thought

When buying acrylic paint for your kids, always make sure it is non-toxic, does not contain any harmful ingredients, and is approved by medical practitioners. Doing this will positively answer the question, is acrylic paint safe for kids? Also, please do not get distracted by other things. You need to monitor your kids well so they won’t lick or eat paint.

However, if you notice that they have swallowed or rubbed it in their eyes, quickly contact your doctor.

Related:

• Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Nails?