Make Glow in the Dark Balloons with Glow Sticks

We are adding two of our favorite things together: glow sticks and balloons because they belong together. 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!).

Let’s have some glow in the dark balloon fun…

Glow in the Dark Balloons

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!  

This article contains affiliate links.

LED Glow in the Dark 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.

Favorite LED Glow in the Dark Balloons

• 32 pack LED balloons flashing 8 colors last 12-24 hours for glow in the dark party
• 12 pack LED clear balloons with 3 mode flashing string lights
• Or just grab the balloon lights in this 100 pc pack and fill your own balloons
• Pssst…I like this one too because they are reusable 16 inch inflatable LED light up beach balls

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.  

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.

Supplies Needed

• Glow sticks
• Balloons

Directions

Watch this Short Video We Made on How 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.

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.

MORE GLOW IN THE DARK FUN FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG

• Make a glow stick!
• Play glow in the dark kickball!
• Or play glow in the dark basketball.
• Have you seen glowing dolphins? It is really cool.
• Glow in the dark dinosaur wall decals are so very glow in the dark fun.
• Make this glow in the dark dream catcher for kids.
• Make glow in the dark snowflakes window clings.
• Make glow in the dark bubbles.
• Glow in the dark stuff for kids…we love these!
• Make a glowing bottle – star in a bottle sensory bottle idea.

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!