How to do a Glow in the Dark Party?!

A glow in the dark party is one of the best ways to make your party visually spectacular. In this complete guide to glow in the dark parties we will talk you through everything you need to know about setting up, or attending a glow party, to make sure your glow party is the Greatest Of All Time!

glow in the dark party theme

How to set up a glow in the dark party - Table of Contents

You can click the links below to jump ahead

  • What is a glow party?
  • Which black lights are best for glow parties?
  • How many black lights do I need for a glow party?
  • Where to have a glow in the dark party?
  • How to decorate a glow in the dark party?
  • Where to buy glow party supplies?
  • Can I have a glow party without black lights?
  • What to wear to a glow party?
  • How to do a glow party for kids?
  • Glow in the dark party ideas
  • How to have a glow party during the day?
  • Drinks that glows under black lights
what is a glow party black light party neon party

What is a glow party?

A glow party, also known as a glow in the dark party, neon party or black light party, is a party theme in which everything glows or fluoresces. Usually the more things that glow the the better. The best way to set up a glow in the dark party is using UV black lights and neon colored decorations. Ultra Violet light makes white and neon colored items fluoresce (glow). Once the blacklights are in place it is simply a matter of adding as many fluorescent objects as possible to the room and making sure your party guests dress in their most colorful neon outfits. When the uv black lights are switched on, all the neon colors will pop with a magnificent glow. 

Which black lights to use for a glow in the dark party?

For glow in the dark parties our Glow Party World Glowave Black Light Glow Party kit is the best choice. Each blacklight strip kit comes with 4 long length LED black lights. These blacklights strip lights are designed to surround the glow party in UV light, with one on each wall, so that people, items, and decorations will glow from all angles. The LED black lights stick to the wall with an adhesive backing, making them super easy to set up. LED black lights are more powerful, more energy efficient, and longer lasting, than other black light types, such as black light bulbs or fluorescent tubes. The LED black lights are reusable and pack away into a small box for future use. Click here to learn more about the best black lights for glow parties.  

Buy the best black lights for glow parties here

which black lights are best for glow in the dark parties usa australia
which lights for glow in the dark parties
how to set up a glow in the dark party?

Each Glow Party World ® Black Light kit contains four black lights to make sure you glow bright from all directions.

How many black lights do I need for a glow in the dark party?

We always recommend a minimum of 4 black lights so you can position one on each wall of your party space to surround your glow party in UV light.  The Glowave kit comes with four long length black lights per box.

One Glowave Blacklight kit is great for a living room, lounge room, single or double lock up garage, bedroom or most outdoor patio areas.

The larger the party space the more black lights you will need to cover the area in UV light.

For bigger rooms of about 22ft x 22ft (7m x 7m) up to 50ft x 50ft (15m x 15m) you might want to consider purchasing two Glowave glow party kits to ensure you have vibrant glowing colors in every corner of the room.

Four Black light kits (16 black light strips) is a great amount of UV light for a basketball or tennis court sized room, like a school gymnasium or a church hall.

Where to set up a glow in the dark party?

 Choose an area to set up your glow in the dark party that will be fairly dark. The darker the room or party space the brighter things will be able glow. Ensure that there will be no sunlight or white light shining into the room. You can do this by covering windows with black builders plastic. If you need to cover a doorway but still use it as an entry or exit, you can hang black plastic over the doorway, and then cut thin vertical lines from the bottom up towards the top to create a dark walkthrough curtain. 

How to do a glow in the dark party?
can I have a glow in the dark party outside?

Can I have a glow in the dark party outside?

If you don't want people in the house, it is possible to have a glow in the dark party outdoors. To make the area a little darker it is usually best to keep the party undercover especially on nights with a bright moon. Having a glow in the dark party in a garage, shed, large tent, or marquee could be a good option. Large sheets of black plastic can be wrapped around patio areas or gazebos to make them darker spaces. The black plastic can then be used to spray paint fluorescent party decorations. If you want to have an open air glow party chose a darker night with a smaller moon to ensure things glow as brightly as possible. Not all black lights are weatherproof so you may need to bring the blacklights inside if the weather turns bad.   

How to decorate a Glow Party?

How to decorate a glow party room?

 The next step is to find neon colored items that will glow underneath the black lights. When decorating for a glow party the more neon color you can add to the room the better.

Party GOAT, has a range of glow party decorations. These bright neon decorations will transform your party space into a visual feast! 

Our black light party decorations include three large, bright colored party banners -"Happy Birthday, Glow Party and Let's Party" and neon peace and flower cut outs.

Please note that not all brightly colored objects will glow. Some plastics do not fluoresce the way that neon colored paper, paints and fabrics usually do.

You can find a great range of neon garland decorations, balloons, neon streamers and more on amazon. Just be sure to read the reviews to make sure the items actually glow underneath black lights. We have listed a few examples of good black light party decorations below. 

glow in the dark party decorations for glow party

How to decorate glow party furniture?

Decorate your glow party space by using fluorescent colored fabrics to cover furniture, tables and chairs. Neon coloured confetti can be sprinkled over display tables for added color. 

Neon colored tape can be used to mark out an illuminated dancefloor. 

You can also create awesome wall art using fluorescent pens (highlighter pens), or neon paints. Making their own glow party posters prior to their glow in the dark party is a great activity for kids.  

where-to-buyblack-light-glow-party-supplies-australia-usa
black light party decorations neon peace and flower packs
glow-party-supplies
Black lights for glow party decorations UV party

Where to buy glow party supplies?

For an epic glow party buy black light kits here. Black light glow party kits are available in USA, Canada and Australia. For a large range of black light party decorations and accessories use the links below from Amazon. 

Liquid error (sections/pf-e124bca9 line 143): product form must be given a product

Can I do a glow in the dark party without black lights?

It is possible to do a glow in the dark party without black lights however it is not recommended. Some phosphorescent materials absorb light during the day and then slowly release it as visible light at night. These materials are sometimes made into t-shirts and glow in the dark stars. They usually glow a green color. To add extra color to a glow in the dark party without black lights most people use glow sticks. Glow sticks when cracked create a chemical reaction that causes them to glow in a range of colors. To ensure the widest range of bright glowing colors, decorations and costumes at your party it is highly recommended that you use black lights. 

can i do a glow party without black lights

What to wear to a glow in the dark party?

what to wear to a glow in the dark party

Which outfits to wear to a glow party?

When deciding what to wear to a glow in the dark party you need to first find out what type of glow in the dark party the host is having. If you are attending a glow in the dark party with black lights you will have far more clothing choices. Most neon colored and white fabrics will glow. To give the best effect it is a good idea to try and include as many colors as possible into your outfit. For example wear a fluorescent orange hat, green tie, yellow belt, white t-shirt,  pink pants and so on. Fluorescent paints also look amazing underneath black light so don't forget to have your face and body painted with neon paints. 

If there are no black lights you will need to look for clothing with glow in the dark designs built in (these designs are usually a green color).  These are harder to find and you should maybe suggest to the host that they should have a black light party instead to make it easier to select a glow party outfit. 

Glow party paints

One of the best things about a glow in the dark party is covering each other in creative artworks using neon pens and paints. Neon paints look amazing but can get messy so if you are worried about the mess stick to using highlighter pens.

Neon makeup also looks amazing under black lights. Click here to check out our blog on black light make up ideas

glow party paints what to wear to a neon glow party
what to wear to a glow in the dark party neon party
glow party costumes what to wear to a neon blacklight party

How to do a glow party for kids?

If you are planning a glow in the dark party for kids we have put together a guide with kid friendly games and activities such as how to make play dough that glows in the dark. Click here for the guide to kid's glow in the dark parties

kids birthday glow party
how to do a glow party for kids

Glow in the dark party ideas

• Neon sticker dots can be placed around cups and plates to make them glow. 
• Use rolls of neon fabric as table cloths or to cover furniture.
• Use fluorescent poster paint to make glowing party signs.
• Use thin strips of neon fabric and hang them around the ceiling. They will glow better than streamers. 
• Buy coloring books with pages that have black backgrounds. Have your kids color them in using highlighter pens. 
• Use fluorescent body paints to decorate your guests.
• Organize a sick music playlist.
• Black lights were popular in the 70s and 80s, so you could have a 70s disco themed party, an 80s workout themed party or a 60s Hippie theme. 
• Buy and hand out lots of glow sticks!

How to have a glow party during the day?

A daytime glow party is a good idea for kids as it allows them to experience the wonder of a glow in the dark party without staying up past their bedtime. To have a daytime glow in the dark party you need to start by creating a dark room inside your house. Cover any windows or door with blackout curtains or black builders plastic to block out any sunlight coming through.  You may need to tape the edges down to ensure that the light does not creep in around the edges. Once you have a darkened space you can put up your black lights and party decorations for a day time glow party!

what to wear to a glow in the dark party

Glow party drink recipes

If you want to wow your party guests with glow in the dark drinks you can add the following ingredients -

Energy drinks - Most energy drinks such as monster energy will glow under black lights.
Vitamin B tablets - vitamin B glows under black lights. Add some vitamin B to any drink and it will start to glow.
Tonic water - tonic water will glow a faint blue color under black lights.
Milk - As milk is white it will glow underneath blacklights. 

Glow in the dark fundraiser

A glow in the dark party can be a great fundraising idea for schools, churches and other non profit organizations. Click here to learn more about glow in the dark fundraisers and lots of other fun and unique fundraising ideas.

Glow in the dark party paint and highlighter pens

Crazy games from Party GOAT

Liquid error (sections/pf-e124bca9 line 180): product form must be given a product

Slimageddon contains more than 20 epic slime party games in one huge pack. A must have addition to a slime party or backyard games day, and the ultimate present for kids of any age! 

INSTANT MUD! (Bulk 230 Litres)
INSTANT MUD! (Bulk 230 Litres)
INSTANT MUD! (Bulk 230 Litres)
INSTANT MUD! (Bulk 230 Litres)
INSTANT MUD! (Bulk 230 Litres)
INSTANT MUD! (Bulk 230 Litres)
INSTANT MUD! (Bulk 230 Litres)
INSTANT MUD! (Bulk 230 Litres)

INSTANT MUD! (Bulk 230 Litres)

$89.00
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
Buy-Jello-wrestling-mix-for-jello-wrestling-ring
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)
jello wrestling supplies crystals instant jelly

JELLY WRESTLING JELLO! (380 Litres)

$104.99
Instant Slime powder Slime fundraiser slime fundraising ideas slime bucket challenge slime supplies gallons of slime usa
Instant Slime powder Slime fundraiser slime fundraising ideas slime bucket challenge slime supplies gallons of slime usa
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
slime-the-teacher-slime-the-principal-slime-fundraising-ideas-slime-bucket-slime-the-pastor
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
fun-run-slime-safety-information-slime-color-run-battle-color-war-slime-party-goat
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)
BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)

BULK INSTANT SLIME (Makes 95 Litres)

$43.99

How to throw a Color Party

What is a Color Party? Why is a Color Party great for kids and adults? What to wear to a Color Party? How to decorate for a Color Party? We have a full guide on how to throw an epic Color Party and why it's a fantastic party theme.

Best Obstacle Ideas for Fun Runs

The best obstacle course ideas for fun runs. We have included a detailed guide to inflatable obstacle courses, obstacles you can make yourself, wet obstacles, obstacles made with slime, mud, jello, foam and more.

Fun Youth Group Games - A Huge List of Hilarious Games 

The Best Youth Group Games! Let's make unforgettable memories at your next youth event. If you are a youth ministry leader, a camp counsellor, a church youth pastor or the coach of a youth sports team this list of youth group game ideas includes exciting ice breaker and team building games for kids.

Fun Summer Camp Games - The Ultimate List

This is the ultimate list of fun summer camp games for kids, teenagers and adults. The best list of summer camp activity ideas that everyone will love. Click to discover outdoor games, indoor games, games for large or small groups, nighttime games and more.

STAY IN TOUCH

Subscribe for news and special offers!