Toy paint applicators for creating the illusion of picking up paint and applying it to a surface. The present invention includes a toy paint applicator having a handle; a simulated paint receiving element having a translucent portion for simulating a paint receiving area of the applicator; a color imparting member movably disposed with respect to the translucent portion for movement between a coloring position for simulating the presence of paint on the paint receiving element, and a noncoloring position for simulating the absence of paint on the paint receiving element to create the effect of picking up paint and applying it to a surface. The toy paint applicator includes a first preferred embodiment of a paint roller for creating the illusion of applying paint to and from the roller and a second preferred embodiment of a paint brush.
