What Is a Glowing Disc? Is It a Frisbee?

Spring is one of the best seasons to be outside. Temperatures are pleasant, parks fill up and sports such as tennis, surfing and hiking come back into the weekly routine. A stroll in the sunshine, a barbecue with friends or a team game all feel better when the weather turns kind, and nature is at its greenest.

Longer days, shorter evenings

As the days stretch, there is more time to spend outdoors with family and friends. Even so, sunset eventually arrives and games have to stop. That is the moment a glow-in-the-dark disc is meant to address.

So, is it a frisbee?

Sort of. A flying disc such as the classic frisbee is thrown and caught between players. The disc described on the archived site, the Lumi-Niter from Chicago-based Xtraordin Air Toys, follows the same basic idea but adds channels on the top where glowsticks are placed. The glow comes from chemicals, not batteries, so the disc keeps working in very dark places. The company describes the design as patented.

Where it fits

A glowing disc suits any activity with wide, open space:

• outdoor music concerts
• camping trips, including scout outings
• Ultimate Disc games
• Spring Break trips
• college campus activities
• family holidays

Beyond dusk

With a disc that can be seen, a game does not have to end when the sun does. Evening sessions are also a gentle way to begin a fitness routine, since throwing and running add up to light aerobic exercise. There is no need to wait for summer to start, and the evenings of early spring suit a brisk game well.

Learn more about glowsticks and where to play.