Glow-in-the-Dark › IV: Best Glow Games and How to Play Them

IV: Best Glow Games and How to Play Them

Feeling overwhelmed by the number of glow-in-the-dark games out there? We’ve broken it down by category to help you choose the one that’s best for you. Whatever you play, you’re sure to have an unforgettable glow-in-the-dark experience.

1. BEST OUTDOOR GLOW GAMES

A. GLOW-IN-THE-DARK CORN HOLE / RING TOSS

Get outside and no one can resist throwing things at targets, and playing these types of backyard games doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. There’s still time after dark for fun with glow-in-the-dark corn hole boards and glow-in-the-dark ring toss. You can either paint a set of corn hole boards with fluorescent paint, or you can purchase a set complete with glowing bean bags to toss. You can also make your own ring toss by connecting long glow sticks to make rings, or you can find inexpensive sets to purchase online. Either way, your competitive side can glow on way into the night as you toss for hours under the stars.

B. CAPTURE THE FLAG REDUX

It’s the classic Capture the Flag game revolutionized with futuristic glow-in-the-dark lights. Bring your backyard to life at night as you team up to break players out of jail, sneak into enemy territory, protect base and steal the glowing flag to win. Each game box includes two glowing orbs to use as the “flags,” color-coded LED bracelets to differentiate team members, glowing jail markers, and a rulebook. As an extra bonus, each kit includes 12 game variation cards that offer even more ways to play Capture the Flag, as well as other games.

C. GLOW STICK VOLLEYBALL

You can make just about any outdoor game more fun with a package of glow sticks, and volleyball is no exception. Give all of the players four glow sticks – one for each wrist and ankle. You can purchase a glow-in-the-dark volleyball or activate a few more glow sticks and insert them into a blown up beach ball. You can play with a net like a real volleyball game or just in your yard where you have space. Watch their excitement as the teams pass the glowing ball back and forth to each other while trying not to let it touch the ground.

D. BACKYARD GLOW TWISTER

Increase the wow factor when you create a giant twister board on your lawn with neon spray paint in different colors. Cut a 10 to 12 inch circle on a piece of cardboard and use that as a stencil to spray paint your neon circles. You can make as many rows of each color that you want depending on how many people will be playing. Then, you can either make a spinner like the game, or make cards with the different options – for example: Right Hand Yellow or Left Foot Orange. If you have teens and adults playing, make the circles bigger and further apart. For smaller kids, make smaller circles that are a little closer together. Whatever the age, Glow Twister will fill the backyard with fun and laughter.

2. BEST INDOOR GLOW GAMES

A. GLOW BATTLE

This light-up battle game can be played outside, but is great fun indoors, too. Simply clear some space, dim the lights and hand out the glowing batons. Next, identify your teams with different colored glowing bracelets – you can play with two, four or more players. Then, use the harmless, glowing weapons to attack your opponents and send them running back to their base to “recharge” before they get hit again. Players use strategy, teamwork, and their own warrior instincts to team up and take down their opponent. Plus, they use up a lot of energy while you kick back and relax.

B. HOVER SOCCER BALL

This exciting indoor soccer game can turn your basement or hallway into a fun and festive field. The Hover soccer ball lights up with LED lights that makes playing in the light or the dark easy and fun. Since it easily floats across any surfaces, the hover soccer ball is suitable for indoor play on almost any type of flooring and the foam edges take away the worry of the ball banging into furniture or walls. It even comes with two easy to setup goals so that you can play anywhere at anytime. It’s available online or at major retailers.

D. TIC TAC GLOW

If you love strategy, a Tic Tac Glow tournament is a fun game to play indoors. Simply activate glow sticks and connect a few to form a large tic-tac-toe board on the ground. Then, use connectors to shape more glow sticks into X’s and some into O’s. Players take turns going head-to-head to place their X’s or Os just like a normal game of tic-tac-toe. The winner of each round goes against the winner of the next round until you determine a champion.

3. BEST GROUP AND PARTY GAMES

A. GLOW & SEEK

When you have a big group that you need to entertain, hide and seek is a fun and inexpensive way to get everyone in the game. If you want to make that game truly legendary, bring out the glow-in-the-dark body paint or fabric paint. Painting the players’ arms, legs and clothes is just part of the fun. Once everyone is covered in glowing war paint, let the hide and seek begin. The trick is to find really good hiding spots that cover your painted parts. It makes hiding trickier and seeking even more exciting!

B. WIZARDS & WEREWOLVES

Wizards & Werewolves is an epic glow-in-the-dark game that pits two mythical forces against each other in an exciting backyard battle of speed, skill and wits. It’s like an exciting combination of hide and seek, tag and scavenger hunts. Play as a wizard and embark on a perilous journey to capture glowing magical crystals. Or bare your teeth and howl as you join the werewolves, stalking prey, guarding the crystals and hunting down wizards.The game comes with 12 light games pieces and offers three levels of play ranging from easy-to-play for beginners to highly strategic for advanced game play. This game is sure to be a crowd favorite as werewolves howl, hide crystals and hunt wizards, while the wizards use their mystical powers to avoid the werewolves and destroy the dark side.

C. BLACK LIGHT DODGEBALL GAMES

A great game for youth groups, neighborhood block parties or young adult get togethers, black light dodgeball has become so popular that many groups hold annual tournaments. All you need are neon colored dodge balls or soft fluorescent balls, some black light bulbs and some room to play. Players can dress up in bright clothes or use neon paint to war paint their clothes and faces. Then, let the regular rules of dodge apply, and glow for it.

E. LIGHT-UP LIMBO

How low can you go when you limbo under the lights? This is a fun glowing game that will bring loads of laughs to your next party. First, put on some festive and upbeat music. Next, find a flashlight and turn out the lights. Then, hold the flashlight so the beam shoots out horizontally. That’s when the limbo begins. Challenge participants to limbo under the light without running into the beam. When everyone has gone under it once, then lower the beam for the next round. When someone gets hit they are out, and the last person standing is the Glow Limbo Champ!

4. DIY GLOW GAMES

DIY GLOW GAMES

It’s easy to make inexpensive glow games by taking a traditional game and brightening it with glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark tape. Be aware that most of these games are single use. While ready-made games last longer and send less waste into the environment, sometimes you need an activity in a pinch. Here are some of the easiest DIY indoor glow games.

A. GLOWING TREASURE HUNT

This is a fun and inexpensive way to entertain kids for hours. Simply purchase a bundle of different colored glow sticks, activate them and hide them anywhere in the dark. Then, let the hunt begin! It’s a great game for all ages, and you can make the hiding places as easy or as challenging as you want. 

B. TIC TAC GLOW

You can easily form a large tic-tac-toe board on the ground by activating and connecting glow sticks. Then, use connectors to shape more glow sticks into X’s and O’s. Players take turns going head-to-head to place their X’s or Os just like a normal game of tic-tac-toe. The winner of each round goes against the winner of the next round until you determine a Tic Tac Glow champion. 

D. FLASHLIGHT TAG

This classic game is an undeniably fun way to have a blast and also instill some thrill into your group event. Players go around hiding from the person shining their flashlight. When the beam catches them, the flashlight switches hands, and they’re it. There are endless variations on this game. For example, you can either play that each player has a flashlight which is turned on and play by the regular rule of tag, or divide into teams and play freeze tag, trying to freeze as many players as you can on the other team until there’s only one team left standing. Regardless, this classic game is a great way for the whole group to have fun!

5. HOW TO CHOOSE GLOW GAMES BASED ON AGE

Choosing the glow game for your group begins by asking who your group is. What are you trying to do with your game? Have fun? Promote group bonding? Encourage teamwork and strategic thinking? Since glow games are the lit up version of regular games, consider what you want to explore. For example, if you’re putting together an office bonding exercise, you may want to stress teamwork and strategy. However, if you’re at a birthday party, you’re probably just looking to have some fun. 

Think of glow games that are more contained and simple like glow hopscotch or glow swords for younger kids. For older kids, bringing the games outside can be a great way to really spread out the fun. You can consider games with more complex rules and more players such as Capture the Flag REDUX, or Glow Tag. 

Also consider accessibility as a part of your games. If some players are older, consider changing the rules of the game to make it easier for Grandma and Grandpa to join in. For example, having an elder as a stationary flag guard in Capture the Flag: REDUX can be a great way to make an adjustment that includes fun for everyone.

5. A LITTLE ABOUT US…

If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably noticed us pitching ourselves throughout. Yes, we admit it! But we truly believe you’ll love our games.

Why? Because we encourage people of all ages to set aside their screens, open up their imaginations and do something active! But, most importantly, we want people to interact together, form memories and share experiences. We pride ourselves on doing this in an innovative and exciting way:

• Bring people of all ages together
• Motivate physical activity
• Inspire teamwork
• Provide a unique gift that feels good to give
• Offer a thrilling group activity

Whether you’re entertaining a youth group, hosting a birthday party or planning a family get-together, Starlux Games promise a dynamic activity that everyone will love doing together.

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