If you want to throw an unforgettable birthday celebration filled with vibrant colors and glowing fun, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s how I pulled off this incredible event, packed with tips, tricks, and DIY ideas that’ll inspire you.
As a parent, I’m always on the lookout for unique ways to celebrate my children’s birthdays. With my oldest daughter (who is now 23 years old) I threw a Candy Land Themed Party and a Mission Impossible Theme Party – both were super fun to plan and even more fun for all the kiddos. For my other daughter (7) and son’s (5) latest bash, I decided to go all out with a Glow In The Dark Party, and it was a total hit! It was such a hit that we had an unexpected 80 guests show up! I combined this party because I knew the amount of work I put into setting up and only wanted to do it once — WIN WIN!
Setting the Scene: Party Planning Essentials
The first step in throwing an epic Glow In The Dark Party is to create the perfect atmosphere. We have a spare room in the front part of our home that is sort of a catch all room, so it was perfect for the party space! I also invested time in planning and gathering supplies, and I recommend you do the same. I have added links to the supplies I used and do receive a small commission to help support my journey of sharing my life tips with you. Here’s what you’ll need to kick off the preparations:
Choose the Right Space: Aim for a dark room, like your basement or a space with minimal natural light. We do not have a basement so to achieve this in our lightly lit home, I covered our spare room windows and walls with black sheets and black plastic sheeting, creating a pitch-black environment that heightened the glow-in-the-dark effect. Now, I know this can make it pricey so you may need to put on your creative hat (since as mom’s we wear so many hats). If you want to brainstorm ideas together, reach out, I love collaborating!
Select a Date and Time: I chose an afternoon party from 4 PM on because the age of the kiddos. A later time would be better for older kids since it will be dark which will naturally amplify the glow and provides an exciting atmosphere. Research shows that evening gatherings keep kids energetic and engaged, my research shows that this party is an absolute hit that they will talk about for weeks after!
Create a Guest List: Decide how many friends your child can invite. Based on the space we had, I way underestimated how many invites we sent out. I created a Facebook event, printed out invitations and had both kids hand them out to their friends. This resulted in 80 people showing up!! Next time, we have to throw the party at another location due to space and parking. Any amount of guests will be sure to create a core memory for all.
Lighting Up the Night: Fun Decorations
Once I had the essentials sorted, it was time to bring the glow to life! Here are my favorite ways to light up the party space:
Neon Decorations
I discovered that neon balloons, streamers, neon tape, neon garland, and black tablecloths made fantastic decorations. I even placed glow in the dark tape to the floor for that extra touch. The kids loved playing with various party supplies, creating their own masks with highlighters (blue didn’t really show up), and playing with glow sticks! These simple additions transformed our room into a vibrant, glowing wonderland.
Black Lights
Investing in blacklight bulbs proved to be a game-changer! I placed them strategically around the room to illuminate our decorations. The glowing effects created a magical ambiance that captivated the kids.
Activities That Will Make Them Glow
With the room all set, I needed to ensure the kids had plenty of activities. Here are some favorites I organized:
Glow Stick Dance Party
As the kids arrived, they went straight to the table with all the party supplies and got creative! I had the kids create a play list on Spotify and let them dance their hearts out. It was a fantastic way for the kids to burn off energy and bond over rhythm.
Glow Painting Station
A huge hit was the glow painting station. I provided black construction paper and neon glow paint. The kids painted their masterpieces, which they proudly took home as party favors. This activity allowed their creativity to shine!
Food That Glows in the Dark
No celebration is complete without delicious snacks! I ensured our menu was both appealing and visually striking:
Glow-in-the-Dark Gelatin Treats
These treats were an absolute crowd-pleaser! I made them with tonic water, which glows under black light. Shaped with cookie cutters, they were not only tasty but also fun and exciting for the kids.
Neon Cupcakes
I did a test run on this Neon Galaxy Cupcakes and it was an epic fail (plus I realized how much I already had on my to-do list) so I decided to order a surprise cake and cupcakes instead! They were a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds!
Refreshments
To keep the energy up, I served “glow” drinks—lemon-lime soda in clear cups that glowed under the black light. Tonic Water is the secret ingredient to light the drinks up!
Safety First!
When you are dealing with darkness and glow materials, safety is key. Here’s what I did to keep everyone safe:
- Clear the Floor: I made sure the party area was free from any obstacles that could lead to trips or falls. A safe environment is essential for a fun gathering.
- Non-toxic Paints and Crafts: I only used non-toxic materials for all the arts and crafts activities since the children would be handling everything. Safety is always a top priority.
- Supervision: I kept a close eye on the kids during the party. Keeping watch ensured that excitement didn’t turn into chaos. Most of the parents stayed for the fun so this helped with supervising also! I highly recommend encouraging the parents to stay and visit to fellowship and create memories together!
Wrapping Up: Sending Them Home with a Bang
As the festivities wrapped up, I made sure each child left with a goody bag full of glow-in-the-dark items—including the glow party supplies from the table, mini neon toys, and stickers. Seeing the thrilled faces on their way out was the best feedback I could ask for!
What an Unforgettable Experience!
Throwing a Glow In The Dark Party was a truly memorable experience! With just a bit of creativity and some DIY projects, I created a magical night for my kiddos and their friends and family. If you’re thinking about throwing a birthday party, I highly recommend a glow theme! Remember to embrace the fun and the noise—it is all part of the joy. After all, laughter and excitement are the brightest lights of all!
Now, what are your favorite Glow In The Dark party ideas? Feel free to share in the comments below!
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