Make Easy Glow in the Dark Balloons with Glow Sticks

Making simple glow in the dark balloons has never been easier. Here at Kids Activities Blog we are adding two of our favorite things together: glow sticks and balloons and the resulting glow balloons are awesome! Glow in the dark balloons are simple to make with this easy technique perfect for kids of all ages (obviously younger kids need supervision anytime you are using glow sticks or balloons!).

Glow in the Dark Balloons

Are you ready to make some super awesome glow in the dark balloons! If not get ready, because that’s what we are doing today! This glow balloons are perfect for kids of all ages and can double as a sensory activity or be used as glow in the dark decorations. Plus, these glow in the dark balloons are a budget-friendly craft and that always makes me happy!

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Related: Or if your child enjoys balloon painting, here are 22 balloon painting activities.

Watch Our Short Video on How to Make Glow in the Dark Balloons

How to MAke Glow Stick Glow in the Dark Balloons

I got a pack of 25 assorted color balloons for $1.99 and a pack of 15 glow sticks for $1.00. You can find this at the Dollar General, Walmart, Target, or my favorite place the Dollar Tree. We can help you find them down below as well!

Supplies Needed to Make Glow Balloons with Glow Sticks

Directions to Make Glow in the Dark Balloons

Step 1

First, have the kids crack all of the glow sticks and shake them as needed to get them glowing brightly. I used the long skinny bracelet size sticks but the short stocky glow sticks would work well too.

Notes:

We tried inserting the glow stick into the balloon before blowing it up. While it did work, it was hard to blow up the balloon. We found that it was easier to start with blowing up the balloon alone.

Step 2

Once the balloon was inflated, my son wet the tip of the glow stick and wiggled it down into the balloon while holding the open end of the balloon tightly closed around the stick to keep the air from escaping.

Step 3

Once the glow stick dropped down into the balloon, he tied off the balloon.  

What Glow Sticks Worked Best?

We made lots of these balloons with different colored glow sticks and different colors of balloons. We found that the yellow and green glow sticks were the brightest and the light colored or even clear balloons let the light shine through the brightest.  

In a few balloons we even added two glow sticks to them to make them extra bright.

These glow balloons were not as bright as the LED balloons that I purchased. However, they were much cheaper and my kids had so much fun with them. They kicked them, played volleyball with them, and even jumped over them in some new game they made up.

Glow balloons would also make for a fun decoration at an evening party.

Favorite LED Glow in the Dark Balloons

LED Glow in the Dark Balloons

Let’s have some glow in the dark balloon fun…I recently went to the store to shop for party supplies. One of the items I wanted was a bag of balloons. I found the balloons but also discovered a fun new kind of balloon – LED balloons!  

They have a little light in them that is activated when you pull out the tab. Then you blow them up like usual and they glow from inside. I had to get some and the kids had a lot of fun with them.

Finding a Glow in the Dark Balloon Alternative

However, LED balloons are a bit pricey at $5.00 for a pack of 5. That’s a dollar a balloon! It seemed like a simple “why didn’t I think of that!” kind of concept so I wondered if I could re-create the idea on my own with some regular balloons and glow sticks.  

MORE GLOW IN THE DARK FUN FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG

How did your glow in the dark balloons turn out? Did you make them with glow sticks or did you buy them or created them with LED lights? Tell us below!