These glowing water beads are the coolest thing ever. They are so much fun for children of all ages, and adults too! They can be used for sensory play, Halloween, imaginative play and more.
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Glowing Water Beads
We love playing with water beads and have used them in a variety of ways. I have to say, glowing water beads are our favorite, with frozen water beads as a close second. To make the glowing water beads I first made glow water. Glow water is simple to make, and my boys even like to help. To make glow water you need yellow highlighters. I prefer to use non toxic highlighters since my kids will have their hands in the water created from the ink. As with all sensory activities we wash our hands after play.
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How to Make Glow Water
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Supplies:
- non toxic yellow highlighters
- scissors
- water
- clear water beads
- black light
.jpg "How to make glow water")
Directions: Break open a yellow highlighter. Use caution while breaking it, because little bits of plastic can go flying. Next run water through the inside of the broken pen to get all of the yellow from inside then run the spongy part under the water. JZ (4) wanted to help, so he held the sponge and squeezed the yellow out.
*Update* The first time I made glow water I held it under running water. The second time I made it I smarted up and cut the spongy part open. The glow rinsed into the water in seconds. Easy peasy.
.jpg "How to make glow water")
To make glowing water beads soak clear water beads in glow water for several hours. I have made glowing water beads both from brand new water beads and from already hydrated water beads. If they soak in glow water long enough they will absorb enough of the glow water to glow.
.JPG "Glowing water beads")
.jpg "Glowing water beads")
JZ has an obsession with anything that glows, so these beads were probably the highlight of his entire week, maybe even his month. Water beads are cool enough on their own, and these babies really GLOW! He rolled them back and fourth in the bin over and over, mesmerized.
.JPG "Glowing water beads")
*Update* We love glowing play and have used glow water in many ways. While it is okay for kids to touch as long as it is made with a non toxic highlighter, I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that my good friend over at Fun at Home with Kids came up with a 100% safe recipe for glow water. It is pediatrician approved and even edible. How cool is that?
.JPG "Glowing water beads")
.JPG "Glowing water beads")
More awesome ways to use glow water:
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Thanks for linking this up on our Adventures in Water Beads page! I have yet to make the highlighter infused water and this post makes it look so easy I am definitely going to try it soon :) We will be sharing this on FB, and pinning to our Water Bead board!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and am DEFINATELY considering it as a project for my class of preschoolers!:) However, you said something about using a blacklight, and I was wondering if that was necessary to see the glow, or if it would still glow in just a darkened room.
ReplyDeleteThanks!:)
Chelsea
A black light is necessary to see them glow. You can find inexpensive ones on Amazon or Walmart. This is the one we have: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GATTMY/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=trupach-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000GATTMY
DeleteI've seen these glow in the dark water beads that do not require a black light: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005BEUGR2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=trupach-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005BEUGR2
I'm not personally recommending them, because I've never tried them myself. I wanted to let you know, so you can look into them. :)
Hi Allison, I love this variation of the glow water! TY. I DID want to tell you that you can just leave the cut open insides of the highlighters in a bowl of hot water & let them sit for a few hours & then squeezing the rest out is simple. This will help you & your fans to not have to work so hard at it. <3
DeleteI really need this for my school project, but we don't have black light so... Can it glow even without the black light ???
ReplyDeleteNo these require a black light. I've seen these ones on Amazon that do no require a black light, but I haven't tried them myself to know how they would work.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005BEUGR2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=trupach-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005BEUGR2
I have yet to make a light table (or rather nag my husband to build it) I might just need a table that can also hold a black light. You have me convinced!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! Thanks for sharing! I hope you will join us for The Weekend BLOG Hop on Friday!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/
BTW ~ I love MFW Kindergarten!
What are water beads and where can I get them ? Awesome
ReplyDeleteYou can purchase them here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GF9WVO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=trupach-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B003GF9WVO
DeleteThey are a polymer intended for keeping flower arrangements hydrated. They retain water and make for wonderful sensory play. Enjoy!
Thank you!!
DeleteHave you tried using tonic water instead of the highlighter?
ReplyDeleteWe have! Tonic water gives off a cool, blue glow under a black light. I wrote about using tonic water here: http://trainupachildlearnaswego.blogspot.com/2012/05/glowing-ice.html
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant!! I love using water beads in my classroom, and the kids love exploring with them. I'll have to try the glow water next time!
ReplyDeleteThe new kids Orbeez will also work the same way.
ReplyDeletehow long does the glow last? an hour? a day?
ReplyDeleteTracy, with these beads need a black light to glow. With a black light the glow lasts forever. We had a glow batch for almost a month one time. Even though we added regular water to keep the beads hydrated it they still glowed brilliantly under the black light. :)
DeleteWhere do you get the water beads?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GF9WVO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=trupach-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B003GF9WVO
DeleteDo I need water beads if I want to make ice cubs? do I just mix it up the same and put it in an ice tray and freeze? Is it safe to put in a punch?
ReplyDeleteTonic water glows under a black light and is safe in punch. Glow water should definitely not be used in punch. Water beads are not necessary for frozen glow water. Here is my post on glowing cubes. http://trainupachildlearnaswego.blogspot.com/2012/05/glowing-ice.html
DeleteI know this is a post meant for kids, but I'm 36, and childless, and I think it's brilliant (glowing pun not intended... ok, maybe a little). Used them as decoration in a "Mad Scientist's Lab", in this year's haunted house. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteAwesome thank you! :)
DeleteWOW! Very cool. We love Water Jelly Marbles and all things that glow. Instead of using a highlighter for glow, you can also use Glow Powder which does not require a black light to glow in the dark. http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/1586
ReplyDeleteWe also sell Water Beads - http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/jelly-marbles-jar
So I completely blanked and thought I was supposed to put the beads in the water to grow first. Realized that they probably need to grow in the glow water so they soak the glow water in? Hoping they will still glow.
ReplyDeleteEven if you've hydrated them in plain water first, add some glow water and let them soak for a bit. They should still glow. :)
DeleteThanks! Also, do you store the beads in water? How do you know when they need to be hydrated if you don't store them in water?
ReplyDeleteI do store mine in water. If you don't, it will be obvious. They shrink when dehydrated. :)
DeleteSince you are using a black light you might try soaking them in tonic water as it glows under a black light.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy water beads at dollar tree .com for a dollar per bottle and if you order online and have them shipped to a store near you the shipping is FREE but if you have them shipped to your house fee applies or just go to dollar tree in your town and pick some up
ReplyDeleteUmmm…Allison where can I get the water beads besides the Internet,I'm in el cajon
ReplyDeleteI love being an artist I'm ten I'm turning 11 soon but I got my moms permission to be here and post a comment
But I would really like to know where I can buy some
: )
You can find them at Wal-Mart or Michaels in the floral arrangement sections. They might be called water crystals or something else. They are tiny in the packages and get big when you add water. You can also find them at Dollar Tree in the floral section already hydrated. I hope that helps. :)
DeleteDollar Tree-1 dollar
DeleteWhere can I fInd the water beads ?
ReplyDeleteMichaels, Walmart, or Dollar Tree near the floral arrangement supplies. I get mine on Amazon.
DeleteCould you break open a glow stick and empty into water and then soak the beads to glow without having to buy a black light? I saw that glow stick liquid can be placed in a bottle of bubbles to get "glow in the dark" bubbles (although I haven't tried that yet).
ReplyDeleteI think you could, but I wouldn't recommend it. I don't think you are supposed to touch the insides of glow sticks. Even once the water is absorbed into the water beads it still comes in contact with skin. I haven't tried them, but Amazon sells glow in the dark water beads. You could try those. :)
ReplyDeletewill the beads glow forever, or does it eventually wear off?
ReplyDeleteThe glow does not wear off. Waterbeads eventually dehydrate and require more water. I usually add regular water to our beads unless I happen to have more glow water handy. After adding a lot of water they could get diluted a bit, but they still glow.
ReplyDeleteWould you be able to put these in a pool after they are made? My daughter is having a blacklight party and would lovee these in our pool!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't put these in the pool, although they certainly would look cool! You could try but be sure and scoop ALL of them out when the party is over. I don't think I would do it. What about glow sticks in the pool? Those would be easier to clean when it's over. Have fun!
DeleteHow safe are these with the kids - What if they eat them??
ReplyDeleteThey should definitely NOT be ingested. Neither the water beads nor the glow water is safe to eat.
DeleteI've been asked to develop a Activity for a community event which sees the children somehow decorating Easter Eggs (either Hard Boiled, Polystyrene, or the little ones you could put something glowing inside would be great) - however it must be safe project too - any suggestions?? Thank you I appreciate you knowlegable help :)))
ReplyDeleteYes! You could put either glow sticks or submersible lights into the plastic eggs and hide them in bins of water similar to what we did here in the tub: http://trainupachildlearnaswego.blogspot.com/2012/03/glowing-easter-egg-hunt-in-tub.html
ReplyDeleteThank you Allison - that sounds like fun - I might price it up and suggest it! The kids could crack the bracelet and twist it into the egg as part of the activity I suppose. Is there a paint that glows in the dark without a black light that you know of? BTW Thanx again for these great ideas :)))
DeleteYou are very welcome. :) Yes there is glow in the dark paint, but I think it would get pricey depending on how much you need. http://www.amazon.com/DecoArt-DS50-10-Glow-in-the-Dark-Paint-4-Ounce/dp/B002LHCXS2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361348010&sr=8-1&keywords=glow+in+the+dark+paint
DeleteBe careful with black lights. Warn the kids not to look directly at a black light, the UV can damage their eyes if they look at it for too long. And prolonged exposure to the UVA that is in black lights can cause skin cancer. Black lights are fun as an occasional thing, but I wouldn't use it very often.
ReplyDeleteHi, this is brilliant and so easy. but can I use glow water as base for making colors for either glass painting or any other?
ReplyDeleteI'm not really sure, sorry.
DeleteHave you tried breaking open a glow stick into that water?
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't tried it. I have read stories about tiny pieces of glass inside of glow sticks. I don't know it is it true, but it's not something I want to risk with my kids.
Deleteyou can buy those polymer beads in most garden centers for very little, but the dollar tree has them in a smallr version already wet in jars.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy the polymer beads at most garden centers or at the dollar tree discount stores.
ReplyDeleteCan you put the water beads at the bottom of a fish tank in place of rocks or will the beads kill the fresh
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't recommend it. The beads are non toxic, but in not sure they are okay for a fish to ingest.
ReplyDeleteHow flipping cool are these?! I want to play with them...maybe I'll let the kids join in too. ;) Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love this, Allison! This is great any time of the year, but I thought it would be especially fun for Halloween! I featured your post and photo in my Fall Activities with Water Beads post at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2013/10/03/fall-activities-with-water-beads/
ReplyDeleteThe "spongy part" is called a reservoir, I used to work for Sanford, markers of Sharpie, just as an FYI. This looks like a lot of fun, I'll have to try it out with my little guy!
ReplyDeleteI LIKE THIS!...
ReplyDeleteBut I am curious, does this work with other colors like green or blue highlighter?...
Please and Thank you! :)...
Yes, but they will not glow brightly. They come out much, much darker than the yellow. :)
DeleteI love this! My kids are going to think I'm a rock star! Thank you for sharing this. I will be pulling it out the next time we get stuck in the house. What a great way to turn a day around!
ReplyDeletePretty neat but it does make me sad that they are not actually glow in the dark but just black light reactive. Title is kind of misleading.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of your wonderful posts. They really help me with my early childhood education classes. DO you know if this would work with a DIY blacklight? (I think they are made with blue purple and black sharpies drawn over clear plastic wrap.)
ReplyDelete