Glow-In-The-Dark Fun With A UV Flashlight

Here’s some Glow-in-the-Dark Fun
kids can have with a UV Flashlight,
from neon name signs to glowing scorpions.
Also, a list of things you maybe didn’t know could glow in the dark!

What is a UV Flashlight?

It’s amazing what you can see with an Ultra Violet (UV) Flashlight that you can’t regularly see. The rays from what is often called a “black-light” start beyond the purple on the rainbow. Your regular eyes can see anything that fits on the color spectrum from red to purple. Remember ROYGBIV? Also, you can see white, which is no color, and black, which is all the colors. But did you know there are colors beyond the spectrum that you can see with special lights?

One special light is a UV flashlight. Ultraviolet light can be good and it can be bad. You probably put sunscreen on when you’re going to be in the sun. That’s to protect you from the bad effects of ultraviolet light that the sun gives off. You can’t see it, but, boy, do you feel it after you get a sunburn. And too many sunburns can result in skin cancer. That’s a bad side of ultraviolet light.

Now let’s talk about the fun side of ultraviolet light. If you turn on a UV flashlight in a bright room, you won’t even see that it’s on. That’s why they call it a black flashlight. To actually see black light, you have to be in the dark. Then, certain things will light up and glow like ghostly images.

Some things that glow in UV Light:

• Scorpions. Note: if you go outside to find them, make sure you wear good shoes so you don’t get bitten!
• Laundry soap.
• Toothpaste with whitening agents.
• Some white paper.
• Antifreeze. I hope you never play with antifreeze. It’s a special chemical used in cars to keep the water in the radiator from freezing when it’s really cold. But if your dad has some in the car, ask if he’ll show you how it can glow. You can see if your car has an antifreeze leak with the black flashlight.
• Saliva.
• Your fingernails and toenails. If they’re healthy.
• Your pet’s accidents in the house. Oops!
• Another “ewww!” is bedbugs.
• Some cosmetics, even those that aren’t made to glow in the dark!
• Contact solution that contains boric acid and sodium borate, like Renu brand
• Some inks, which allows you to make secret messages that can only be read with the UV flashlight.
• The watermarks on dollar bills. Do you know why they have these hidden marks? To make sure they aren’t fake.

Can you add more things that glow in ultraviolet light to this list?

5 Glow-In-The-Dark Fun Projects to try with a UV Flashlight

Here’s some fun things to try with an ultraviolet flashlight. Some of the projects you can do with things you already have in the house, and some you’ll have to put on your family’s shopping list.

Items with an asterisk are affiliate links.
They’re a short cut to the stuff you need, and doesn’t add anything to your cost.

Fake Neon Sign

You need:

• flexible clear plastic tubing*, like aquarium tubing
• glue gun. Note: only use a hot glue gun with an adult’s permission
• cardboard
• laundry detergent
• water
• UV Flashlight*

How to do it:

1. Dissolve the laundry detergent in water.
2. Glue one end of the tubing shut with hot glue. Use a small funnel to drip the laundry detergent water into the tube. Glue the other end shut.
3. Write a word on the cardboard, then glue the tubing onto the word, attaching it with hot glue.
4. Shine the ultraviolet flashlight onto the fake neon sign.

Fluorescent Ice Cubes

What you need:

• Fluorescent highlighter marker. Not all of them glow in the dark. Shine the black light on yours to be sure before you ruin it with this project.
• Steak knife and cutting board.
• Water and ice cube tray.
• UV Flashlight*

How to do it:

1. Ask one of your parents to help you cut the marker in half with the steak knife.
2. Add the insides of the marker to a cup of water. Let it sit till the chemical is leached into the water.
3. Pour the water into an ice cube tray and freeze.
4. Put the ice in your glass, and shine the flashlight on it. If the room is dark, it really glows.

Invisible Ink

What you need:

• milk or vinegar
• cotton swab, like a Q-tip, or a paintbrush
• white paper
• UV Flashlight*

How to do it:

1. Pour some milk or vinegar into a small bowl.
2. Dip the cotton swab in the liquid and write on the paper.
3. Let it dry.
4. Light it up to read your invisible message with the UV flashlight.

Glowing Slime

What you need:

• Elmer’s glow in the dark glue* and warm water
• Contact solution* Note: you need a solution that contains boric acid and sodium borate.
• Baking soda
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Zipper top baggie
• UV Flashlight*

How to do it:

1. Pour 5 oz. of glow in the dark glue into the zipper bag.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of warm water to the zipper bag.
3. Add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
4. Close the baggie and squeeze until everything is well mixed.
5. Open the baggie and add contact solution one teaspoon at a time until the slime is the right consistency. Add up to 1 tablespoon. Too much will make it hard and less stretchy.
6. For slimier slime you can add more water, up to 1/4 cup.
7. Shine the black flashlight on the slime and watch it light up!

Glowing Bubbles

What you need:

• Bubble solution*
• Glow in the dark solution (use washable glow paint* or make the glow solution from highlighter pen and water.)
• Bubble wand*
• UV Flashlight*

How to make glowing bubbles:

1. Mix bubble solution with ​​the glow solution.
2. Try a 50:50 mix to start. Then add more glow liquid or more bubble solution, depending on your results.
3. Good to do this outside, as the soap in the bubble solution leaves residue wherever the bubbles burst. One thing, though. When you use the black flashlight you can find the spots you need to clean up!

Want more UV Flashlight Glow-In-The-Dark Fun Ideas?

We have an even bigger list of fun glow in the dark ideas in a printable you can staple into a booklet!

Here’s how you get it:

Go to this page and fill in the form. This adds you to our email list, or, if you’re already on it, verifies you’re still one of our GIFTees.

Then comment, “Glow In The Dark Fun Ideas printable” and we’ll zip the two options over to you.

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UV Flashlight Glow-In-The-Dark Fun