# Glow-in-the-Dark Drawing Box
> Fit a black light flashlight snugly into a hole in a big cardboard box, then let kids draw inside with fluorescent markers on white paper and watch their pictures glow. A quick, low-mess invitation to play with the lights dimmed.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/glow-in-the-dark-play-quick-play-idea-in-a-box/
- Ages: 2–8 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: low
- Time: prep 15 min, activity 30 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group
- Skills: art, fine-motor, sensory-exploration, creativity

## Materials (one batch)
- 1 piece Big cardboard box (household)
- 1 piece Black light (UV) flashlight
- 2 piece Fluorescent markers
- White paper (household)
- 1 piece Scissors or box cutter (household)
- Glow-in-the-dark washable activity paint (optional)

## Safety
- Adult cuts the flashlight hole in the box with scissors or a box cutter.
- Don't shine the black light flashlight into anyone's eyes. Keep it fixed in the box hole pointing down at the paper.
- Dim the lights rather than going fully dark, and keep the floor around the box clear so no one trips.
- If you use permanent markers (the author mentions Sharpies), supervise closely and keep them off hands, clothes and walls.
- Supervise younger children at all times, especially with markers, paint or play dough.

## Before you start
- Cut a hole in the top of the box just big enough for the black light flashlight to fit snugly.

## Steps
1. Adult: cut a hole in the top of the box just big enough for the flashlight to fit snugly.
2. Push the black light flashlight into the hole so it shines down into the box.
3. Lay white sheets of paper on the floor of the box and set out a couple of fluorescent markers.
4. Dim the room lights and switch on the black light.
5. Call the kids over to check out the "groovy" box.
6. Scribble right on the cardboard first to see how the light makes the marker glow.
7. Draw on the white paper for an even brighter, more dramatic glow.
8. Stand back and admire the glowing pictures.

## Tips
- "Snug" is the operative word: the flashlight hole can't be too big.
- Drawing on the white paper was so much more cool to look at and admire than drawing on the cardboard.
- We were simply hanging out in the kitchen with the lights dimmed, and she felt she was camping!
- Save it for dinnertime whining and sibling fights: dim the kitchen lights, haul out the box, turn on the flashlight and hand over the markers.
- It was amazing to see how a simple marker, a black light and a box got her excited and kept her attention for a long time.

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2013)

Super easy fun kids glow in the dark play idea. Welcome to another week of quick play ideas.This week's activity is tremendously fun- glow in the dark play fun. We have a big box and we have been having fun with it. We have used it as an **[art studio](https://www.funlittles.com/recycled-crafts-art-studio-in-a-box/), for** **[splatter painting](https://www.funlittles.com/art-activity-throw-ball-painting/)****,** as a store and the obvious gross motor play. The other day however I surprised them with this simple invitation to play.

 I have a black light flashlight purchased from Amazon. Click on the following image to take a look.
I cut out a hole big enough for the flash light to fit snugly. "Snug" being the operative word- the hole can't be too big.

 I set out couple of fluorescent markers and a white sheets of paper and called the kids to check out the "groovy" box. Keep in mind that this is our first glow in the dark play activity. So something as simple as this one elicited a big excited squeal from the kiddos.  It was great to see the excitement on the kids' faces and to hear my 4 year old's constant reminder that the " marker looks really pretty" . My 4 year old started off drawing and scribbling just to check out the light's effects right there on the cardboard.

 To give it a more dramatic look I encouraged to try drawing on the paper and of course that was so much more cool to look and admire. It was amazing to see a how a simple marker, black light and a box got her excited and kept her attention for a long time.



She started drawing an elaborate scene and ofcourse with some animals in here. We love animals and [**animal activities.**](https://www.funlittles.com/earth-day-activities-sandbox-savannah/)



This is what she created.



The glowing effect does really capture the kids. To top it off, we were simply hanging out in the kitchen with the lights dimmed. She felt she was camping!



To make play time more fun inside the glow box consider setting up a **glowing play dough party** like Four little piglets.



If you are willing to risk paint ( washable paint) purchase some glow in the dark activity paints here. Click on the following affiliate to take a look.

Everything is fun inside a box you know.

I have already thought of a GREAT time to use this glow in the dark play box - during dinner time whining and sibling fights. Dim the lights in the kitchen, haul the box, turn flashlight on and hand over sharpies and may be if you get around to making the glow in the dark play dough, hand over that as well. Hopefully this doesn't get old too soon. Anyway I really think this glow box will come in handy quite often.

Thanks for reading

**Previous installments** [](https://www.funlittles.com/quick-play-idea-with-rainbow-rice/) [](https://www.funlittles.com/quick-play-idea-with-colorful-oobleck/) [](https://www.funlittles.com/fine-motor-activity-for-the-baby-stack-up-towers-quick-play-idea/) [](https://www.funlittles.com/farm-in-your-backyard-quick-play-idea/)

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