Fun Freetime: Glow Sticks

I don't know what it is about glowsticks, but kids of all ages love them. We went camping last Friday with our church, and there were kids from my toddler daughter to 8th grade using them as frisbees or jewelry, swinging them around, and more. They're non-toxic (which makes them safe for all kids), and usually quite inexpensive (which makes them easy to get for special occasions). Even when I was in high school, I remember using glowsticks at dances, skating parties, post-prom, and more. It's amazing how something so simple can be fascinating (I still enjoy watching people play with them in the dark, because of the light patterns and the way they catch my eye). Sites such as this one that sell glowsticks (this is based in the UK but they ship anywhere and promise fast delivery) offer packages of all sizes and colors. Glowsticks last up to 36 hours, too, so they can be used for two days (although they're a little fainter the second night). I've seen a lot of people use them around Halloween as a safety thing - not only are they fun for kids, but they provide some extra visibility for walking around streets when it's dusk or later. They're great on the fourth of July for the same reason - a fun way to make kids more visible to cars when they're crossing the road after fireworks. In fact, the site highlights the safety features by having a specific safety section with cones, vests, gloves, and more. Other glow products include solar-based keychains and decorations, and flashing toys and novelties.

So if you're looking for some summer night time or campfire fun, or a way to make trick-or-treating or other night time activities safer if they involve the necessity of crossing streets, glowsticks can be an inexpensive way to make safety fun.