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Fatwa CenterChildren Dressing as Opposite Sex in a Play and as Animals
Question
The permissibility of children in a play: girls dressing as boys or vice versa, and dressing as animals and painting their faces.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
1) Girls dressing similar to boys or vice versa is not permissible whether it is in a game or else. Ibn ‘Abbaas 
said: “The Prophet cursed men who imitate women and cursed women who imitate men.” [Al-Bukhari]
This Hadeeth proves that it is forbidden for both sexes to imitate each other in the manners of dressing, talking, walking, acting, etc., regardless whether it is done seriously or in play. The prohibition applies to all times.
Imam Ibn Hajar 
said: “It is agreed upon that for women to imitate men or vice versa is forbidden if it is done willingly and intentionally.” [Al-Fath vol. 10, page: 322]
2) Wearing clothes with the images of living beings is not permissible in the Sharee'ah. The Fiqh Encyclopedia reads: “Dressing with the pictures of living souls is forbidden; this is the most correct opinion. If a vital part without which one cannot live, like head, etc., is removed from a picture then it becomes permissible.” The same thing is mentioned in 'Kash-Shaaf Al-Qinaa' (a Hanbali Fiqh book).
We conclude that if dressing with the images of living beings is not permissible, then with greater reason, it becomes forbidden to wear costumes of animals.
3) Using colors for any lawful purpose is permissible as soldiers dye their hair black to camouflage themselves and women use make-up for their husbands.
Know that coloring the face is permissible only if there is no imitation by men of women, or vice versa, or imitation of dissolute persons or non-Muslims; in addition, it should not cause any disfigurement or leave any scars on the face.
Other than the above lawful reasons, the face should be respected, rather than blackened or made yellow or plied with different colors as practiced by the frivolous at the time of sports matches, etc. The face is the most honorable part of a human body. Hence, the Prophet forbade striking it. The ancient Muslim scholars differ regarding punishment of a criminal with coloring his face black or any other color. If that is the case, then how could it be permissible to color one's face for amusement. A Muslim should be far from such silly matters and should enjoy games and play within the limits of the Sharee'ah only.
For more benefit on the prohibition for men to imitate women and women to imitate men, please refer to Fataawa 366976, 428278, 62934, and 85748.
Allah knows best.
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