How to Activate a Glow Stick

Glow sticks have a variety of uses, both fun and practical. They are popular as children's toys and as party favors, as well as decorations during celebrations and holidays. But they can also provide a little light in dark places for campers and outdoorsmen. Young adults decorate their bodies with them to emphasize hand and body movements at parties and clubs. Glow sticks can provide a safety light for children, bikers and runners who are out at night, making them visible to cars. But to utilize glow sticks properly, you musty know how to activate them.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Hold the glow stick with one hand on each end.

   • 2

     Place the thumb of each hand on the bottom of the glow stick; your thumbs should point toward each other. It will look like a horizontal or sideways thumbs-up.

   • 3

     Pull the ends of the glow stick down in a U shape until you hear a cracking sound. This cracking sound is the breaking of the glass vial holding two chemicals, hydrogen peroxide and phenyl oxalate. The breaking allows the chemicals to mix, creating the glow.

   • 4

     Shake the glow stick to produce a brighter light.