Having a party and need some fun activities to do? Why not try these glow in the dark games? They’re great for kids of all ages, teens, older kids and adults. Whether you’re having a birthday party, a sleepover or just want some fun glow stick games to play, you’re going to have so much fun. (We love the capture the flag glow in the dark game and the minute to win it glow in the dark game!)

Glow in the Dark Game Supplies

First, let’s talk about the supplies you might need for glow in the dark games. It goes beyond just glow sticks! Here are some ideas (and links on Amazon) to get you started.

Glow in the Dark Balls

Glow in the Dark Beach Ball
Glow in the Dark Spike Ball

Glow in the Dark Arm Bands
Glow in the Dark Frisbee / Flying Disc
Glow Sticks
Glow in the Dark Party Cups

Other glow in the dark supplies that can be a lot of fun

Unfortunately, they don't make Glow in the Dark Water Balloons, but these regular glow in the dark balloons are super fun!
Glow in the Dark Bubbles
Glow in the Dark Paint
Glow bracelets

We Love Glow in the Dark Games!

Nothing is better than an evening outside hanging around the fire with the fam. These nights are even more fun if Even Steven and I get to enjoy the fire while watching the kiddos run around the lawn happily playing together.

I’ve found the play can last even longer if they have some glow games to keep them occupied. Here are some of our favorite lawn games with a glow in the dark twist.

Our Favorite Glow in the Dark Games

Glow-in-the-Dark Keep it Up: A cooperative game

Number of players: at least 2

Materials needed: round balloon and glow stick (or glow in the dark balloons)

Prepare your balloon:
Step 1: Put a “lit” glow stick in a balloon
Step 2: Blow up the balloon (old school blowing up with your mouth works just fine)
Step 3: Tie it off and you’re ready to play

How to play:
All players stand in a circle (or across from one another if just 2).

One player throws the balloon up in the air and the goal is to keep the balloon of the ground or “Keep it up” in the air.

Players yell out “Mine” when they go to hit it up.

Players can count how many times they hit the balloon up in the air before it hits the ground.

Keep track of how many hits and try to do better than your last number.

Glow in the Dark Minute-to-Win-It: Glow stick scavenger hunt

Number of players: at least 2

Materials needed: glow sticks (pack of 20 or more–the more the better), timer

This is a simple yet fun game to get your adrenaline going on those warm summer nights. It can be played in a backyard, front yard or even large basement… as long as it’s dark!

One person hides 20 or more glow sticks. Make two teams (can be as few as one person per team). Once glow sticks are hidden, the teams have one minute to find as many glow sticks as they can. At the minute mark, both teams stop searching and come back to see who found the most sticks.

Glow in the Dark Capture the glow stick (or glow ball)

Number of players: 6 or more (the more the better)

Materials needed: 2 glow sticks or glow balls (can be anything that glows and easily seen)

What’s more exciting than sneaking around the backyard on a summer night?! Playing this capture the flag game in the dark. This game has two teams– each team should have at least 3 players.

Split your yard or play area into 2 sections– a tree or other natural divider can be used (no need for rope or tape!) Each team selects a captain to place their glow stick on their side in plain sight (or hidden in the shadows if kids need more of a challenge).

You’re now ready for play!

Each team tries to sneak to the other side to capture the glow stick and bring it to their side. When you’re in the other team’s space– you can get tagged by a member of the opposite team. Once tagged, you need to freeze. The only way you can be unfrozen and run again is to be tagged by your teammate.

It’s a game of speed and strategy.

Which team members will try to grab the glow stick and which ones will stay back and try to tag the opposing team?

The glow stick cannot be guarded– in other words you must leave about a 5 foot area of space between the glow stick and yourself and no barriers can be made around it either. Once you have the glow stick you can toss it to another teammate to try to get it as quickly as possible to your side of the play area. The first team to do so wins the game.

If all of the players on one team get frozen, play stops and the other team automatically wins.

Glow in the Dark Twister

Head to a craft store and pick up some glow in the dark paint in at least four different colors. Paint posterboard squares (or your lawn!) to create a twister board. Grab your spinner from your twister game and you've got glow in the dark twister! (You may need to have a flashlight on hand for the person calling out the cues.)

This game can be especially fun if participants wear glow in the dark bracelets or glow necklaces.

Glow in the Dark Treasure Hunt

Head on over to Amazon and grab a bunch of glow in the dark treasures. Hide them all along the lawn (like eggs on Easter), and send the kids out for a night of treasure hunting.

Here are some fun items to hide.

Modify some classic games to make them Glow!

Head to your nearest craft store and grab some glow in the dark paint (could also be called glowing paint) or some neon paint and a few black lights. Use your purchases to modify some of your favorite classic games to impress your guests. Like...