Sam's Blog: How to Make Your Own Glowsticks

Glowsticks adorn the necks of children and adults at sporting events and other celebrations. People also use them to wave as a show of spirit at a ballgame. Glowsticks can be held or wrapped around as jewelry. While you can buy them, the following steps will demonstrate how to make your own and will allow you to make a large supply for friends if wished!

Edit Steps

Buy the necessary supplies listed in 'Things You'll Need' below. Also read the 'Tips' to see where to buy the items from.

Buy the necessary supplies listed in 'Things You'll Need' below.
Put on the protective glasses. In addition, wear gloves to protect your skin.

Put on the protective glasses.
Combine 50 milliters of hydrogen peroxide and a liter of water in the first mixing bowl.

Combine hydrogen peroxide and a liter of water in the first mixing bowl.
Mix the.2 grams of luminol, 4 grams of sodium carbonate, .4 grams of copper sulfate, .5 grams of ammonium carbonate and the 1 liter of water in the second bowl.

Mix the luminol, sodium carbonate, copper sulfate, ammonium carbonate and the other liter of water in the second bowl.
Clean the containers and dry them thoroughly.

Clean the containers and dry them thoroughly.
Set the correct lid next to each container. This enables you to seal the containers quickly after filling.

Set the correct lid next to each container.
Pour equal amounts of the first solution with equal amounts of the second solution in each container and close the bottles.

Pour equal amounts of the first solution with equal amounts of the second solution in each container and close the bottles.
Watch as the chemical compound creates a colorful glow. Take your glowsticks to the party!

Watch as the chemical compound creates a colorful glow.

Edit Video

Edit Tips

Luminol is the chemical that makes blood glow. It can be found at a scientific store, on the Internet or in a kid's spy kit.
Sodium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, and copper sulfate pentahydrate are white powders. They can be found at a science store.
This process can be messy. Lay down newspaper or do this in an area you can easily clean when done.

Edit Warnings

Always wear protective glasses when working with chemical substances.
Wear gloves. Do not touch luminol or consume it.^[1]
Children should be supervised when using glowsticks. It may be tempting for them to break the stick apart and play with or ingest the contents, which can cause serious injury.
Copper sulfate is toxic.^[2]

Edit Things You'll Need

2 large ceramic mixing bowls
Plastic containers like test tubes or shampoo bottles
2 liters (67 fl oz) of distilled water
50 milliliters (1.7 fl oz) of hydrogen peroxide
0.2 grams of luminol (do not touch it; use the container to pour from and wear gloves)
4 grams of sodium carbonate
0.5 gram of ammonium carbonate
0.4 gram of copper sulfate pentahydrate
Protective eyewear