Glow in the Dark Halloween Candy Hunt for Kids

I surprised my kids with this glow in the dark Halloween candy hunt after dinner, and even my teenager was excited to join in! They could see the bags glowing in the grass from our patio and could hardly wait for me to say “Go.”

For our treat bags, I used Halloween bags with a picture on the front and a white back. The glow from the bracelets showed right through them, making the bags easy to spot in the dark.

With four siblings hunting for candy, I knew we needed a limit! I hid an equal number of bags for each child and told them how many they could collect before we started. Once they found their share, they stopped so everyone had the same amount. It made our backyard Halloween game simple and fun for all four kids.

Supplies for a Glow in the Dark Scavenger Hunt

• Halloween treat bags: Choose bags that let the glow shine through. Mine had a Halloween design on the front and a white back. Clear cellophane bags are another option.
• Twist ties: These often come with the treat bags.
• Glow bracelets: One for each treat bag, with connectors.
• Halloween candy
• Optional: Small Halloween prizes
• Optional: Larger bags for kids to collect their treats

How to Set Up Your Halloween Candy Hunt

• Before sunset, activate the glow bracelets and attach the connectors to form bracelets.
• Place one glowing bracelet and one or more pieces of candy in each treat bag. Add small prizes if you are using them.
• Close each bag with a twist tie.
• Just before dark or once it gets dark, hide the bags around the yard without letting the kids see where you put them.

Note: Glow bracelets usually hold their light for several hours, so you could do this in early afternoon

How to Play This Halloween Candy Hunt

• Explain that the game works like an Easter egg hunt. When you say “Go,” kids search the yard and collect the glowing treat bags.
• They can hold their finds or place them in larger collection bags. Once the hunt is over, everyone can open their treats!
• Want everyone to collect the same amount? Hide an equal number of bags for each child and tell them how many they may collect before starting. Once they reach that number, they stop hunting so there are enough bags for everyone. This worked well for my four kids!

Melissa’s Halloween Candy Hunt Tips

• Activate the glow bracelets before placing them in the treat bags.
• Use bags that allow the glow to show through.
• Keep the hiding spots a surprise.
• Wait until it is dark enough for the glowing bags to stand out.
• If you want everyone to collect the same number, explain the limit before starting.
• You can also set up the candy hunt indoors.

Watch Our Glow in the Dark Halloween Candy Hunt

What Glow Sticks Glow the Brightest?

• I found that green and yellow glow sticks glow the brightest followed by orange

More Halloween Games and Activities for Kids.

• The Spider Race Game
• Halloween Ghost Bowling
• Making a Haunted Gingerbread House 
• Dirt Cup Recipe
• How to Make a Lava Lamp
• Halloween fine motor activities

Happy Halloween!

~Melissa – Kid Friendly Things To Do