It’s hard to describe just how epic black light drawing is. Neon colors + squeals of excitement + everything around you glowing? This couldn’t be cooler if it tried.

Why you should try black light drawing
Picture this: kids sitting around a large piece of white paper with highlighter markers in hand.
Together, we count down from 10, and when we get to one, I switch the lights off.
However, instead of the room going dark, it’s illuminated with a bright, glowing light because a black light is on and ready.
PANDAMONIUM. GIGGLES. SHRIEKS. JOY.
And guess what? It’s electric every single time you use a black light.
Related: Kick this up a notch by using your blacklight on one of our giant 10-foot coloring banners.
Black light drawing materials
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- Black light bar – this bar is fabulous and will light up a normal-sized room
- White paper
- Highlighters – all colors work, but yellow is the best
- Neon tempera sticks – I was mind-blown when I learned these came in neon
- Neon oil pastels
- Neon tempera cakes
NOTE: You don’t need all the drawing/painting supplies and can start with just one type. If you pick just one supply, I’d recommend yellow highlighters.
Directions
When using a black light, you want height and darkness.
Height
You want your black light above your drawing surface so it can shine on your paper.
Here are some ideas to get you started for black light placement for common areas in your home or classroom:
- Kitchen table: set your black light on the counter closest to the table, propping it up for extra height if needed
- Garage floor: set the blacklight on the seat of a chair next to where you’re coloring
- Classroom table: set your blacklight on any counter closest to your tables
Darkness
You want your room to be as dark as possible to get the best glowing effect.
Make sure to:
- Close the blinds of the room you’re in
- Close doors if necessary
- Turn off all other lights, such as overhead lighting, lamps, and night lights
Now you’re ready!
Provide your child with your neon drawing or painting supplies of choice + white paper, and go to town.
This is a perfect activity for you to join in as well! Grab a paper, pull up a seat, and prepare to be amazed.
Note: a black light shouldn’t be stared into, so provide appropriate adult supervision to make sure kids don’t stare directly at it. While it’s not as bright as the sun, treat it the same way by not staring at it.
What else can you do with a black light?
A black light is a fun, versatile addition to your learning and can be used in many other fun ways.
- Body art: Yellow highlighters aren’t easily visible on skin under standard lighting, but they look SO COOL under a black light. We love letting our preschoolers draw on their arms and legs with highlighters because you can barely see it once the activity is over (and kids think this is the coolest thing to ever exist in the world).
- Glow hunt: Invite your child to go around the home or classroom and find materials they predict will glow, then test them out.
- Letter scavenger hunt: Write letters on white paper with yellow highlights so they’re hard to see with the lights on but glow with a black light. Hide the letters around a room and invite your child to find them.
A black light drawing activity is perfect for spur-of-the-moment fun
Because the black light drawing setup is as simple as making a room dark and turning on your black light bar, this is the perfect activity when you only have a few moments to prep.
Rainy day? Black light drawing.
Need to jump on a phone call? Black light drawing.
Making dinner? Black light drawing.
No matter the question, black light drawing is the (super awesome) answer.
Have kids that love to draw? Here are some of our other favorite drawing activities:
- Marker and Foil Prints – could be done with highlighters
- Paper Bag Leaf Art – could be done with neon oil pastels or tempera sticks
- Dinosaur Directed Draw – how fun would this be neon?
- Glowing Neon Art with Black Light Flashlights – this is incredible
FAQ
Any that can safely use the materials. Remember, black lights shouldn’t be stared at, so make sure to use appropriate adult supervision when using the black light.
White and neon. Kids love finding things that will glow, especially things they’re wearing.
Yes! The black light linked under “Materials” can fully illuminate a standard sized room.
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