Example invite from Etsy of the one we purchased.  You can purchase and customized this invite here at this great shop!

 

 

This was done by activating and cutting open a light stick (not skinny glow stick) and flicking it on the floor.  It is a clear non-filmy liquid and when it quits glowing, you can’t see it was ever there.  Still, I wouldn’t do it on light carpet and definitely not on tile because I’m sure it would be slippery due to wetness.  You need to do it a few times to sustain glow for a 2 hour party.  SUCH a cool detail to even have the floor glowing!!!!

You can’t tell in this picture BUT, they were hanging in 2 circle pattern.  There was one large shorter hanging circle of balloons with a smaller lower hanging circle from the center.  See the balloons at the actual party below in my really short Blair Witch execution style video.

This lighted wire is sooo cool and could be used for so many things beyond this party!  It also had different settings like strobe and slow blink as well.  I think this added a wow factor and an unexpected personalization to the party.  I simply curved each line and used clear packing tape to secure it as I went.

To make galaxy jars, we used Tulip’s Glow Puff Paint in the color of natural (the only color I learned will truly glow after research) to make these jars by making tons of little dots on the outside.  It was a party activity for the kids plus one cool take home.  The jars charge in the daylight and glow at night in the dark in their rooms.  If you want to see them in action, check them out here.

Thank you Shelly Griffin Photography for these pictures!!

Party Breakdown

Time invested:  12 hours

•  6 hours of set up over 3 days (moving and setting up chairs/tables, opening all packaging,   organizing, activating 450 glow sticks and turning them into bracelets, centerpieces, etc., blowing up balloons, hanging things from the ceiling, arranging table arrangements and cleaning up the mess that ensued
• 2 hours invested at actual party helping and leading
• 4 hours of shopping, returning, looking on the internet for invitations, glow products needed, researching what really works, running errands for cupcake pick-ups etc.

I could replicate this party much faster, as could you, versus doing it from scratch as I did this time.  However, the set up will always be time consuming with this type of party.

Pros To A Glow Party

Glow gear serves double functions, decorates your party and each kid gets to go home covered in glow as a favor.

The party atmosphere itself is part of the fun and kids can largely entertain themselves.

Glow when done right is an easy wow factor.

Glow sticks are inexpensive (Cost of every glow item shown here was $141 on Amazon for a party with 15 kids, 35 total people including adults. )

Cons To A Glow Party

Set up is tedious

Set up can only be finished within 2 hours of the party which causes a bit of a mad dash, because glow sticks have a glow life and can’t be done hours or days in advance like other party details

Tips

Don’t skimp on glow or your party will be a flop because if ain’t glowin’, you just in the dark, y’all.

This party had about 35 people including adults, 15 of which were kids.  This party was achieved with 450 glows stick and that is what you will need.  That included all glow for the decor and for the kids to wear and create.

DO YOUR RESEARCH!  There is a difference between glow in the dark and other products that are black light reactive!  If you don’t read, you can end up with things that are neon and for black light only.  People easily get the 2 glows mixed up.  ALSO, READ REVIEWS!  Just because a product says it will glow, doesn’t mean it will glow long or well.  You need bright, long lasting items to really create a good glow party.   Glow is especially difficult to find in paint when quality is concerned.  The most effective glow paint I found was Tulip’s Glow Puff Paint in Natural color only.  They sell many colors but really, only this one glows.  The glow is very short though and it is good for a take home craft or as a favor but will not give you a glow adequate for decor for a party by any means.

Use LED balloons and LED accessories and fiber optics. Using few flashing/color changing and constantly lit accessories will give you a big bang for a little buck and help to “light” the party a tad more.  My LED accessories all had at least a 15 hour light life, too!  Can’t beat that!

When you figure how many glow sticks you need (I’d use my reference above) BUT, overshoot. There are always plenty of duds in a pack no matter where you buy them.  Also, acitivate and assemble glow decor in a dim room so you can see which are really glowing and how well!

 

I had always wanted to do a glow party and I highly recommend them!  They are unique, which I love and are an easy pleaser for everyone because it is such a cool effect!  I could shave off time my next round and do this party much faster and using my images and sources, you can too!

 

Here is all the glow I got on Amazon for 141 for the whole party!  Enjoy, pin the poop out of this ,and share a lotta bit too!  Thank you so much and thank you Courtney for letting me plan your daughter’s party!

Source List

Led flashing jelly rings

50 Glow Avaitor Glasses Kit

100 count Lumistick Bracelets

300 8 inch Lumistick Wholesale Bracelet pack

Electroluminescent Wire

Fiber Optic multicolored flashing Led hair strands/barrette clip

LED flashing multicolored balloons

Glow stick party cups 24 pack

4 packs of neon colored ping pong balls

Invitations