Glowstick FAQ: Activation, Colours, Shelf Life and Safety

Glowsticks are the light source in glow-in-the-dark discs, and a few simple facts make them easier to use. This FAQ is based on the care notes archived for the Lumi-Niter disc and written as general guidance.

How do I activate a glowstick?

Bend the stick until you feel the thin glass ampule inside snap, then shake it to mix the two chemicals. The mixture glows within moments. For a disc with channels, push each stick into a channel starting at the centre until it seats fully. You can mix colours to make your own pattern.

How do I remove used sticks?

Push each stick from the rim end of its channel towards the centre until it slides out, then pull it free. Spent sticks can go into ordinary household waste.

Are glowsticks safe?

The chemicals are described as non-toxic and non-flammable, and the sticks are waterproof, so they can be used in pools, the ocean, rivers and streams. If a stick breaks, contact with skin is not expected to cause harm, but swallowing the liquid or getting it in the eyes may cause irritation. Rinse with plenty of water straight away. If the liquid reaches clothing, dilute it with warm soapy water, because dried liquid can stain.

What colour is best?

Green and yellow appear the brightest, because the combination of chemical light and fluorescent dye works especially well in green. Before activation you can often predict the colour from the liquid in the ampule:

• Blue sticks contain a clear, watery liquid.
• Green sticks look bright fluorescent green.
• Red sticks look ruby red.
• Yellow sticks look golden yellow.
• Pink sticks look rosy red.

How long does the glow last?

A typical stick glows for roughly six to eight hours. Warmth makes the light stronger but shorter, while cool temperatures make it dimmer but longer. Putting an active stick in a refrigerator slows the reaction, though it does not stop it.

How should I store unused sticks?

Keep them cool and dry, preferably in their sealed foil packaging, which protects them from light, heat and humidity. All three shorten shelf life.

How can I tell whether a stick has already been used?

Hold it up to the light and turn it upside down. In an unused stick the air bubble rises in a straight line. In a stick that was activated before, the bubble rises in a jagged pattern.

Is the disc suitable for pets?

No. It has small parts that can become a choking hazard if an animal chews and swallows them. Check the play area for holes and obstacles before you start.

More ideas

See throws and catches and where to play.