There’s something about turning off the lights in a library that instantly makes a program feel exciting.
Add neon paint, black lights, music, and a room full of creative tweens and teens, and you’ve got a program that participants will be talking about long after the paint dries.
Glow Painting was one of those programs that looked incredible, felt special, and was surprisingly easy to run. While I hosted this as a tween & teen experience, it could easily be adapted for children, families, or even adults.
Why Glow Painting Works
Not every participant considers themselves “artistic,” but glow painting removes a lot of that pressure. Under black lights, even simple brush strokes look impressive. The atmosphere feels more like an experience than an art class—and that’s exactly why kids loved it.
The combination of dim lighting, glowing paint, music, and the freedom to just create turned the room into a relaxed, creative space where participants could experiment without worrying about making something “perfect.”
It also works great as:
- an after-hours library event
- summer reading programming
- a family night
- a teen “paint & sip” event
- a Halloween or neon-themed program
The Setup
I transformed our activity room into a mini glow studio by:
- turning off the overhead lights
- plugging in several black lights around the room
- covering tables for easy cleanup
- set up canvases and filled paint pallets
- played music in the background throughout the event
The music honestly made a huge difference. It helped fill quiet moments and gave the entire program a relaxed, creative energy. A simple playlist with upbeat pop, lo-fi, or instrumental tracks works perfectly.
If you want to lean into the experience even more, invite participants to wear white or neon colors so they glow under the lights too. I also provided blacklight temporary tattoos!
Supplies (links to my favorites)
Here’s the basic setup I used:
Essential Supplies
- Black lights
- Neon or fluorescent acrylic paint
- Small canvases or canvas boards
- Easels or tabletop easels
- Paintbrushes
- Water cups
- Paper towels
- Table coverings
Optional Extras
- Neon painter’s tape for geometric designs
- Stencils
- Disposable aprons
- Bluetooth speaker
- Glow sticks
- Temporary blacklight tattoos
Paint & Sip Drink Ideas
One of the most fun additions was creating a simple “paint & sip” vibe for the teens. No fancy setup needed—just colorful drinks and snacks that matched the glow theme.
Some easy ideas:
- neon-colored lemonade
- blue raspberry punch
- glowing tonic water mocktails
- colorful sports drinks
- rainbow sherbet punch
- Glow-in-the-dark ice cubes under black lights
- Glowing cups
You could also add:
- popcorn
- candy
- cookies
- themed snacks in neon colors
Tips for Success
Use Multiple Black Lights
One black light usually isn’t enough for a larger room. Spread several around the space to help the paint really pop. I had my room set up with tables making a large square (empty in the middle) with everyone facing in and blacklights shining towards their backs/canvases. The linked lights above are pretty bright, but I used 8 total.
Test Ahead of Time
Set up the room and lights ahead of time to make sure you get a good “glow”.
Keep the Lighting Dim — Not Pitch Black
Participants still need to see their canvases and supplies. A little ambient light helps.
Play Music
This helped create a calm atmosphere and kept the energy flowing throughout the event. I chose to play lo-fi electronic music – it went with the vibe!
Emphasize Process Over Product
Some participants painted detailed artwork. Others just experimented with glowing colors and patterns. Both approaches were equally successful.
Easy Adaptations for Different Ages
Younger Kids
- Pre-draw simple shapes or outlines
- Offer stencils
Families
- Create collaborative family canvases
- Add glow dance breaks between painting
Adults
- Turn it into a full paint night
- Offer themed mocktails or coffee drinks
- Pair with seasonal themes
- Offer a more structured paint class
Final Thoughts
Glow Painting ended up being one of those programs that looked high-effort but was actually very manageable to run. The setup created an immersive experience without requiring complicated instructions or expensive supplies.
Sometimes all it takes is:
- turning off the lights,
- turning on some music,
- and giving kids permission to create.
Watching the room light up with glowing artwork was pretty magical!
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