Glow Party Ideas: Games, Decor and a Shopping Checklist
Quick answer
A glow party works best in a darkened room with glow sticks, light-up wands and novelty glasses. Plan a few simple games, such as glow ring toss and glow hide and seek, then hand out glow accessories as favours. Check the pack instructions for how long glow sticks last.
Key takeaways
- Darken the space and ask guests to wear white or neon.
- Glow ring toss, hide and seek and a dance-off need almost no setup.
- Use glow items as favours so the party goes home with the guests.
A glow party is one of the easiest themes to pull off: dim the lights, hand out glowing accessories and let the party do the rest. This guide covers glow party ideas, a handful of games and a shopping checklist built around our glow and light-up toys.
Setting the scene
Choose a space you can darken, such as a living room with the blinds closed, a garage or a covered patio after sunset. Clear the floor so everyone can move around, string up a few lights and put snacks on a table at the edge. A glow party suits birthdays, end-of-term parties and New Year's Eve at home, because it needs very little preparation. White and neon clothes show up best in low light, so mention the dress code in the invitation.
If guests arrive before dark, start outside with bubbles and bring everyone indoors once the lights go down.
Glow games to play
- Glow ring toss: set a few bottles on the floor and toss glow bracelets over them.
- Glow hide and seek: hide glowing items around a dark room and send teams to find them.
- Glow dance-off: hand out wands and light sticks and play a few songs.
- Glow treasure hunt: hide a few glow sticks around the garden for a twilight search.
- Photo booth: hang a dark sheet and let guests pose with glasses and headbands.
Most of these games work with a mix of bracelets, sticks and wands, and each one lasts about ten minutes, so you can chain three or four together for an hour of play. Split guests into teams for hide and seek and ring toss to keep things lively, and award a glow prize to each team, and finish with the dance-off while the glow is still bright.
Your shopping checklist
| Item | What it is | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 20 piece glow stick party pack | Over 20 pieces with connectors | Bracelets, rings and earrings |
| Glow sticks 15 pack | 15 sticks, 20cm each, in a tube | Games and favours |
| Jumbo LED glow stick | 48cm, batteries included, 3 flash functions | Dance floor wave |
| Jumbo glow flower wand | 8 inches (about 20cm) | Dress-up and dancing |
| Heart shaped glow glasses | Novelty party glasses with connectors | Photo booth |
| Unicorn light up headband | Horn and ears, one size | Dress-up |
Start with the 20 piece glow stick party pack as your base, since it already covers bracelets, rings and earrings for a group. Add the jumbo LED glow stick for the host or the dance floor, then choose a few extras, such as the glow flower wand, the heart shaped glasses and the unicorn headband.
Easy glow party decor
You do not need much decor, because the glow items do most of the work. String lights along a wall, hang white sheets or paper as a backdrop and clear a space for the dance floor. Place a few glow sticks in clear cups on the snack table so guests can find the food in the dark, and lay out a basket of glow accessories by the door so everyone can grab one on arrival.
Keep the playlist upbeat, and plan a loose schedule: arrival and photos first, games in the middle, then a dance-off before cake. If you have a few helpers, give each one a job, such as handing out glow accessories, running a game or taking photos, and the host gets to enjoy the party too.
How long do glow sticks last?
Glow time depends on the brand and the pack, so check the instructions on the pack rather than relying on a number. As a general rule, activate glow sticks close to party time so they are bright when guests arrive, and keep a few spares in reserve for a later game.
Glow party favours
Glow items double as favours. Hand out a bracelet or a small wand as guests leave, or add one to a goodie bag. The 15 pack tube is handy here, because the sticks come with connectors and can be split between several bags. Our party bag fillers have plenty of small extras to fill the rest, from bouncy balls to bubble wands.
Common questions
How do you throw a glow party?
To throw a glow party, darken a room, ask guests to wear white or neon, and set out glow sticks, wands and novelty glasses for games and favours.
What games can you play with glow sticks?
Glow stick games include ring toss with glow bracelets, hide and seek in a dark room, a dance-off with wands and a twilight treasure hunt.
How long do glow sticks last?
How long glow sticks last depends on the pack, so check the instructions printed on the packaging and activate them close to party time.
What do you need for a glow in the dark party?
For a glow in the dark party you need a dim space, glow sticks, light-up wands or glasses, a few games and some favours for guests to take home.
Products mentioned in this guide
Glow Stick Party Pack 20+ Pieces with Bracelets
