How to Make a Glow Light in a Soda Bottle

Turn an ordinary soda bottle into a cool science experiment.

Empty two-liter soda bottles can be saved from the trash and turned into a science experiment for adults and children alike. All that is required to turn an ordinary pop bottle into a kid-friendly activity is glow-in-the-dark powder and a black light. Combine the ingredients to create a safe, glowing effect that a child will marvel at for hours.

Things You'll Need

• 2 liter soda bottle
• Soapy water
• 1/2 cup clear acrylic paint medium
• Plastic container
• Glow powder
• Wooden spoon
• Smaller objects
• Paintbrush
• Paper towel
• Black light

Instructions

1. Remove the label from a two-liter soda bottle. Wash out the inside of the bottle and the bottle's cap with soapy water.

2. Allow the bottle to dry completely and set it aside.

3. Pour 1/2 cup of clear acrylic paint medium into a small plastic container.

4. Add 1/4 tbsp. of glow powder into the paint. Stir the ingredients together with a wooden spoon until they are well incorporated. More glow powder can be added to paint to create a brighter effect, if desired.

5. Gather together any smaller, hard objects in the home that can fit into the hole at the top of the plastic soda bottle. These could include small marbles, uncooked pasta shells, small children's toys and twigs gathered from outdoors.

6. Paint each of these objects with the glow in the dark paint and a small paintbrush. Ask the child to assist you with this step. Also paint the soda bottle's cap.

7. Place the items onto a piece of paper towel and allow them to dry completely before placing all of them into the clean soda bottle.

8. Seal the bottle with the painted cap.

9. Set the soda bottle under the black light and watch as the items inside glow in the dark.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint designs or the child's name on the outside of the bottle for an added glow-in-the-dark effect.

References

• Steve Spangler Science: Glow Party