Ideas for kids

http://www.learnplayimagine.com/2012/02/glow-in-dark-water-beads.html

Glow Water and Water Beads

Posted on 10:00 AM by Allison Sonnier

Glowing Water Beads

These glowing water beads are the coolest thing ever. They are so much fun for children of all ages, and adults too! They can be used for sensory play, Halloween, imaginative play and more. To make the glowing water beads I first made glow water.

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Supplies:

non toxic yellow highlighters
scissors
water
clear water beads
black light

Directions: Break open a yellow highlighter. Use caution while breaking it, because little bits of plastic can go flying. Next run water through the inside of the broken pen to get all of the yellow from inside then run the spongy part under the water. JZ (4) wanted to help, so he held the sponge and squeezed the yellow out.

*Update* The first time I made glow water I held it under running water. The second time I made it I smarted up and cut the spongy part open. The glow rinsed into the water in seconds. Easy peasy.

To make glowing water beads soak clear water beads in glow water for several hours. I have made glowing water beads both from brand new water beads and from already hydrated water beads. If they soak in glow water long enough they will absorb enough of the glow water to glow.

My kids thought these were the coolest things ever. J-Bug (3) kept turning the lights on and off to see the difference in the water beads.

JZ has an obsession with anything that glows, so these beads were probably the highlight of his entire week, maybe even his month. Water beads are cool enough on their own, and these babies really GLOW! He rolled them back and fourth in the bin over and over, mesmerized.

*Update* We love glowing play and have used glow water in many ways. While it is okay for kids to touch as long as it is made with a non toxic highlighter, I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that my good friend over at Fun at Home with Kids came up with a 100% safe recipe for glow water. It ispediatrician approved and even edible. How cool is that? From now on all of our glowing activities will be made using this edible glow water.