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5 Top Tips for Making Glow-In-The-Dark Jars

4 minutes
Glow-in-the-dark jars are great for children who like to sleep with the light on. They're also a great way to decorate your house for a party, or maybe just a fun DIY project for a rainy day.
5 Top Tips for Making Glow-In-The-Dark Jars
Last update: 25 July, 2019

Are your children scared of the dark? Do you need to decorate your home for a party? Do you wish you had a nightlight in the corridor in case you need to get up in the night? Then this is the article for you! Today, we’ll give you some tips and ideas for making some beautiful glow-in-the-dark jars.

How to make glow-in-the-dark jars?

Glow-in-the-dark jars make for great decorations. Whether for a bedroom, a balcony or even a party, their fluorescent colors will really bring your rooms to life. Plus, if your kids are scared of the dark, or you have a tendency to get up in the night, these jars the perfect way to light up your room at night.

1. Glow stick jars

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Glow sticks and glow bracelets are as popular as ever and are used at parties and even weddings. It just so happens that they’re also a great way to decorate glow-in-the-dark jars. You’ll need:

  • Glow sticks
  • Scissors
  • Glass jar with lid
  • Latex gloves
  • A sieve (not the one you use in the kitchen)
  • Newspaper

First, lay down newspaper to protect your table or work surface. Put on your latex gloves and place the sieve over the top of the jar. Cut the glow sticks into small pieces, and place them inside the jar. Close the jar and shake well. They should glow for around 3 hours.

2. Fluorescent paint

If you have children, you probably already know all about fluorescent paint and may have even used it for decorating. Well, it’s also great for making glow-in-the-dark jars. You can buy it in most decorating and arts and crafts stores. You’ll need:

  • Fluorescent paint
  • A paintbrush
  • Glass jars

Wash out the jar, and decorate the inside with small dots of paint. Let it dry and then add more dots in a second color. You don’t need to create a specific pattern or design. The idea is simply to create multicolored dots. They will look white during the day, but a night, they will look truly magical.

3. Glow-in-the-dark shapes

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Generations of children have decorated their bedroom ceilings with glow-in-the-dark stars, planets, and comets. While they may not be quite so popular today, but you can still find them in some arts and crafts stores. You’ll need:

  • A glass jar
  • Glow-in-the-dark shapes
  • Glue

The simplest option is to spread glue all over the inside of the jar, and then stick your glow-in-the-dark shapes to the glass. Another option is to glue the shapes to a piece of cardboard (such as a toilet roll tube). Place the cardboard inside the jar and put the lid on. Then, simply turn off the light and watch them light up the room.

4. Fluorescent marker pen jars

This next idea is similar to the first one we looked at, but in this case, you’re going to use fluorescent marker pens or highlighters instead. You’ll need:

  • Fluorescent markers or highlighters (yellow, pink, green, orange…)
  • Cutters
  • A glass jar with lid
  • Newspaper
  • Latex gloves
  • Water

First, lay the newspaper on the table and put on your gloves. Take the lid off the highlighter and, using your cutters or a pair of scissors, cut the tip off the pen. Remove the inner ink tube, and place it inside the jar.

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Fill the jar with hot water (not boiling), place the lid on your jar and shake well. Leave the cartridge in the jar for at least six hours. Then, open the jar and take it out (making sure you put on your gloves first). Throw out the cartridge, and place the lid back on the jar. Place it under an ultraviolet light, and watch it glow for hours.

5. Glow-in-the-dark drawings

Many stores sell tubes of fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark paint. It’s really easy to apply, and you can use it to create pictures on the outside of your jars. For this last idea, you’ll need:

  • A glass jar
  • Glass marker pen
  • A tube of fluorescent paint
  • Water

This is really simple. First, sketch out your drawing using the glass marker, then go over it again in fluorescent paint. Next, leave it to dry, then fill your jar with water. Then simply, put on the lid, and wait until it gets dark.

Making glow-in-the-dark jars is a great DIY project to do with your children. It’s also a fantastic way to recycle any old jars you’ve got lying around the house.