15 Fun Glow in the Dark Black Light Projects

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Updated on February 20, 2019

There are numerous exciting science projects that you can try where you'll make things glow in the dark using a black light or ultraviolet lamp. Here are some fun glowing projects to try. Most of these projects glow due to fluorescence, though some projects involve phosphorescent materials that glow on their own, but much more brightly when exposed to a black light.

Glowing 'Neon' Sign

Form your name or any word you like with plastic tubing filled with a glowing chemical you prepare yourself. This is a safe and economical alternative to a neon sign.

Glow in the Dark Mentos Fountain

This is a lot like the Mentos and soda fountain except you replace the diet soda with a common drink that glows when exposed to black light.

Glowing Water

There are a couple of different ways you can make water glow under a black light. Give it a try and then use the glowing water in a fountain or to use in other black light projects.

Glowing Jell-O

Some foods glow in the dark. Regular gelatin will not glow when exposed to a black light, but you can substitute another liquid for the water to make a treat that glows while you eat it.

Glow in the Dark Crystal Geode

This crystal geode that you make from common household materials will glow as soon as you turn off the lights. If you add a black light, then the glow will be much more intense.

Glowing Slime

Glowing slime is non-toxic and easy to make. The glowing slime is phosphorescent, meaning it will glow for several minutes to several hours after you turn out the lights. However, it will glow very brightly when exposed to ultraviolet light, such as from a black light.

Glowing Alum Crystals

Alum crystals grow quickly and easily. While some crystals can't be made to glow, these will pick up a luminescent chemical so that they will respond to a black light.

Glowing Crystal Ice Ball

There are several ways to make ice that will glow when illuminated by a black light. If you freeze the ice into a sphere, you'll get a sort of glowing crystal ball.

Glowing Bubbles

If you can blow bubbles, then you can blow bubbles that glow under a black light. Standard bubble solution will not glow, but that is easy to fix!

Glowing Jack-O-Lantern

What's creepier than a flickering jack-o-lantern? How about one that emits a ghoulish glow without the fire? Make a pumpkin glow; recharge or brighten the glow with a black light.

Glow in the Dark Ice

It's easy to make ice cubes that will glow bright blue under a black light, plus the ice is safe to use in drinks.

Glowing Printer Ink

Make homemade glowing ink that you can use in your printer to make glow in the dark letters, signs, or pictures. It's easy to do and works on all kinds of paper or even for making iron-on transfers for fabric.

Glowing Flowers

Have you ever wanted to make a real flower glow in the dark? Now you can! There are multiple ways you can make a flower glow using common everyday materials.

Glowing Hands

Make your hands glow bright blue! There are a few different ways to do this, plus the same technique works on other skin, too.

Tiger Stripes on Your Body

Humans can have tiger stripes! Unless you have a certain skin disorder or are a chimera, you can't ordinarily see the stripes. They become visible under ultraviolet light.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "15 Fun Glow in the Dark Black Light Projects." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/black-light-projects-607639. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). 15 Fun Glow in the Dark Black Light Projects. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/black-light-projects-607639 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "15 Fun Glow in the Dark Black Light Projects." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/black-light-projects-607639 (accessed May 30, 2023).