10 Best Glow in the Dark Paint for Kids Reviewed in 2024
Brian Price
Angeline Mirenda
Don’t be afraid of the dark; embrace it! With these awesome glow in the dark paints, lights-out is just an opportunity to make something fun and new. We’ve gathered ten of our favorite products for you, from UV activated bodypaint to acrylics meant for a canvas or portrait. All of these paints are well-received and great for kids to utilize!
In a Hurry? The test winner after 14 hrs of research
Washes out of clothes
Eight different colors
A little bit of paint goes a long way due to pigmentation
Safe for face and body, made from nontoxic ingredient
10 Best Glow in the Dark Paints Reviewed
1. Neon Nights 8 x UV Body Paint
Washes out of clothes
Eight different colors
A little bit of paint goes a long way due to pigmentation
Safe for face and body, made from nontoxic ingredient
Works better under blacklight specifically, weak under UV lights
Will not withstand sweat or water
If you’ve been hesitant to buy any of the other products on the list, knowing the mountain of laundry that is going to pile up and the difficulty of getting paint stains out of clothes, look no further: Neon Nights now provides an eight-pack of UV and Blacklight colors that wash out of fabrics.
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We all know paint gets everywhere when little ones are feeling particularly inspired, but this lets you buy with the peace of mind that any soiled fabric can easily be washed and remedied so that your artists can paint and play with no bounds.
Materials
The set comes with .7 fl oz each of yellow, red, green, orange, pink, blue, white, and violet. It washes off of skin with soap and water (though some customers claimed it came off easily with nothing more than water and a washcloth). Free from harsh chemicals and fun for all ages, this set is a great starter kit to get your glow on.
Safety
These non-toxic paints are easy to apply and remove thanks to their quality ingredients. Simply wipe down gently with soap and warm water for clean up at the end of the day. Obviously, as most paints, these are not intended for ingestion so watch small children around them. But they’re perfectly safe for use on skin!
2. UV Glow Blacklight 6 Tubes
Six different skin-safe colors
Can be used indoors and outdoors/in light or in dark conditions
Water wash only
Glow under UV light and black light reactive
Long-lasting
May wash off accidentally due to sweat or other
Not guaranteed to glow under black light only (without UV)
Picture it: The day is Halloween, the setting is a perfectly pitch-black basement, and your guests are aglow with the most fluorescent looking neons that you have ever seen. Do you know who else would enjoy that? Your kids!
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It’s a plethora of rainbow, that’s what we adore about these paints. The more vibrant choices the better! Of course, the big draw of these paint is the fact that they are a soap-free necessity for any kids who love to glow without the mess.
Materials
Did we mention they’re easily washed off with only water? That’s right -- a paint that you can willingly let your kids go crazy with.
Safety
Blacklight parties are completely within reach with Neon’s Face and Body paint. They are completely skin-safe, insanely bright both during the day as well as in the dark under UV and/or black lights, and are easy to paint on.
3. Tulip 29025 Dimensional 6-Pack
Squeeze bottle makes handling easy for all ages
Non-Toxic Paint
Six different colors to play with
Dries permanently without cracking
Glows under black lights as well as UV
Can’t be used on face or hands
Significant dry time is necessary to make permanent creations
Someone once said, “why fit in, when you were born to stand out?” Hint: It was Dr. Seuss, and the creative artist and writer had a wonderful point to make. We find ourselves wondering something similar, why fit in when you were born to glow up?
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A common misconception about any kind of fabric paint is that it will crack when washing or over time due to wear and tear. Fortunately, Tulip has found a way to stop that, which guarantees that all of your painted clothing can get washed without getting ruined in the process.
Materials
Tulip Dimensional Glow Fabric Paint has the key to unlocking all of your colors coordinating (or not) glow-worthy dreams, all compact into a reasonably sized easy to handle squeeze bottle. With a choice of six different colors, there is no way your child will be able to resist coloring in a fresh pair of white tennis shoes or writing out the lyrics to their favorite songs on an old t-shirt.
Safety
This Tulip Dimensional Glow in the Dark Paint Set is nontoxic and safe for everyone to use! The paint is intended to be for permanent fabric decoration, so make sure you’re wearing clothes you don’t mind getting messy when you’re applying these to your project. They also work on canvases, glass, wood, posters, and more--but they wash right off of skin!
4. Moon Glow Blacklight Intense Neon
Quickly drying
Wash off easily with water
Nine colors to please the most indecisive kids
Vibrancy is long-lasting
The tube makes application simple
Colors such as the black may not show up without additional UV exposure
The product inside the tube is limited to only one or two applications
Here we go with the face and body paint again! Moon Glow offers a range of nine different colors and we can hardly contain our excitement over these pigments. They come out as intense neons during the day, and after exposure to UV light, they glow as if you have a light on the inside.
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The most obvious draw of these paints (pun completely intended!) is the color range. The benefit of so many colors is that they all work flawlessly to create a glowy, vibrant look that’s sure to spark commotion among your child and their friends.
Materials
These glow in the dark paints are easily washed off with water but hang on all day or night to create long-lasting, beautiful designs. Whether your child wants to be a butterfly or a skeleton, Moon Glow gives them the power to glow as whatever fantasy creature they want to be!
Safety
Made with a kid-friendly (and safe!) formula, the Moon Glow in the Dark Paints appear as bright, beautiful neons in the daylight. To get them glowing, simply activate them with a blacklight/UV light! They work well on skin as well as on household surfaces such as wood or posterboard, and they can even be used in your hair! They wash right off of your skin and out of your hair!
5. Splashes & Spills Variety Pack
Six neon colors
Easy to dispense
Look great in daylight or UV light
Moisturizing formula
Gentle on the skin
Some colors are brighter than others
Difficult to wash off
It’s time to get colorful with this vibrant six-pack! A UV formula, these beautiful tones come to life with a special kind of glow. They’re comfortable to wear and safe to use as they are extremely gentle on the skin.
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The moisturizing formula is a huge plus in our book. Face and body paint looks great but it often doesn’t feel great as it becomes stiff and uncomfortable once it dries. Not so with Splashes and Spills!
Materials
A squeeze tube allows you full control over the paint as you dispense it. Get creative with pink, yellow, orange, blue, green, and purple! You can wear them regardless of the time of day: these neon hues will show up in sunlight or in the dark! And with a little extra moisturizer added to the formula, these paints glide on and don’t feel sticky or stiff even after hours of use.
Safety
Painting is a creative way for children to express themselves and explore what their imaginations hold. Body paint is all the more fun as it allows them (or you!) to be a walking canvas. These paints are safe and comfortable for families to enjoy together.
6. Midnight Glo Face & Body Reactive
Six fun, bright colors
A sustainable formula can withstand sweat
Washes off easily with soap and water
Customers reported bright, solid glow
Small sample sizes
Will stain clothing
Midnight Glo’s UV Body Paint Set is one of the most popular on the market. This kit contains eight tubes (.75 fl oz) of different colors. Premium quality ingredients and a well-balanced formula make these paints bright and durable. They’re a top-notch body/face paint that washes off easily and is safety-certified, conforming to ASTM D-4236. There’s no chemical odor or pungent fumes to deal with; paint with comfort and confidence!
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This kit seems to have struck a nice balance between being durable and yet not difficult to get off. It will hold up through playdates and dance parties, but you won’t have to spend hours scrubbing residue off of you and your kids.
Materials
Paint the town pink, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple with this UV Neon Face and Body Glow Paint Kit. While it doesn't strictly glow in the dark, this set includes six premium paint colors that will light up the night when putting under a UV or Blacklight. (UV flashlights are available for roughly seven dollars on Amazon, and bigger UV/Blacklight kits start around $30 if you don’t already own one and are looking to invest.)
Safety
The paint is made from nontoxic ingredients, free from harmful chemicals, and doesn’t give off that nasty fume-y odor some paints do. The set includes .75 oz bottles of each color and is suitable for both daytime and nighttime activities. Safe for both your face and body, you and your family can model your own or each other’s artwork when you step out in this and then easily rinse the paint off when the fun is through. The paint is also suitable for clothing, wood, and paper, though it will stain.
7. Mehron Face and Body Formula
20-70 applications per 1 oz
Smudgeproof
Lasts longer than many competitors
Creamy texture
Water-based formula
Not all colors in this series are glow in the dark so check the descriptions
Mehron has been making quality makeup products in the USA since 1927. This glow in the dark face and body paint is no deviation from their usual standards: it holds up for long periods of time and a little bit goes a long way! Just one ounce provides approximately 20-70 applications.
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This little bottle goes a long way. You don’t need much in terms of coverage and it’s a high-quality formula. You’re buying professional-grade paint here, so you know it won’t cause skin irritations or come out looking cheap.
Materials
The formula is highly pigmented (meaning the color will show up vibrantly) and water based. It’s great whether you’re doing quick face art or full body paintings. Smudgeproof, this little bottle of paint is also the solution for sporting events, carnivals, long parties in the sun, and more. It will last longer than your everyday liquid makeup as it holds a thicker, creamier texture that stays put.
Safety
Mehron is a professional-grade liquid makeup. This paint comes in many different colors, including a glow in the dark option. It’s highly pigmented and smudgeproof but also non-toxic and made to be safely worn for long periods of time on skin of any age. Since this is makeup, have a few removal wipes handy in case you need more than soap and water!
8. Neon Nights Luminescent Set of 8
A permanent color on walls and decorations
Nontoxic formula makes it safe for use around kids
Supercharged color vibrancy
Multiple colors for increased creativity and fun
Long-lasting for long-term glow
Not safe for use on the body which means supervision for children under 12
Suggested use over a pre-lightened surface for best results
If drawing on your kids is a little too intimidating for you, then may we suggest painting on walls instead? Neon also makes wall paints that are just as easy to use and just as vibrantly glowing as their face and body paint.
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The professional grade paint can be used indoors and outdoors and is UV light reactive which means it will glow for days in the dark without being re-exposed to any UV source.
Materials
Wall paints come in eight different colors, which will allow -- and completely inspire -- you and your kids to create works of art on any surface that doesn’t belong to a body part.
Safety
The paint is non-toxic but is specifically made for use as regular paint. The best part is their dual usage, as well as glowing after exposure to a UV light source, they’ll also stand out in neon during the day! The fact that these paints, while not meant for the body, are still nontoxic is a big part of why we love them. They put a whole new glowing spin on safe decorating.
9. Mehron Makeup Liquid
18 highly pigmented color options
Easy to apply
Easy to remove
Smudge-proof
Professional-grade UV light makeup
May crack after a few hours; have a stash on-hand for touch-ups
Mehron has proudly been making high-quality makeup products in the United States since 1927. These products are not your run-of-the-mill knock-off face painting kits; Mehron is dedicated to providing professional-grade products at affordable prices.
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This smudge-proof, water-based makeup is high in pigmentation, so you won’t have to layer it on the kids for a bright, vibrant effect. It lasts for hours, so kids can run around to their heart's content without sweating all of their makeup off. The formula can crack, especially when applied over other paints, but a little retouching takes care of that.
Materials
This liquid UV make-up is highly pigmented and water-based, meaning that it appears bright without having to apply multiple layers, and can be washed off with soap and water when the day is through. It’s smudge-proof and can be diluted with Mehron’s Mixing Liquid if your family is dressing to the nines this year and intends to use airbrush techniques. There are 18 total colors available, and while the price per pot is a little steeper than competitors, it’s because you’re paying for higher-quality materials in larger portions.
Safety
Made with the same quality, nontoxic ingredients as the larger volume of Mehron makeup, this mini size is perfect for smaller projects or to test it out before committing to the bigger jars of product. It’s long-lasting and totally safe to apply to your skin!
10. DecoArt Acrylic
Can be used alone or mixed with other paints
Non-toxic formula
Great on many different surface types
Recharges quickly in light
Easy application
Takes a few coats to really glow strongly
Tired of being the canvas--or putting the canvas in the bath after he/she is done modeling their latest masterpiece? If you’re looking for good old fashioned acrylic paint instead of bodypaint, this DecoArt Acrylic Glow in the Dark might be just right for you.
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You can decide what level of glow you want with this as you’ll have to layer it for a more pronounced effect. With less layers, it’s practically invisible, so depending on the aesthetic you’re chasing, this paint is good for lots of different styles and projects.
Materials
This acrylic paint can be used alone or in a 1:1 ratio with other light acrylic paints. It has glow in the dark properties but isn’t very colorful, so if you’re looking for something that pops, definitely consider spicing it up by mixing it with another DecoArt hue. It’s not intended to be used on the skin, so don’t try or you’ll wind up with very uncomfortable subjects! Acrylic dries stiffer than face and body paint, so save this option for your DIY and non-human art projects.
Safety
DecoArt’s Glow in the Dark Acrylic Paint is nontoxic and safe to use on many surfaces, including but not limited to walls, plastic, paper, styrofoam, candles, pumpkins, and ceramics. Acrylic will wash off of skin but it may take a little more elbow grease or something besides just soap and water to get it out, as it’s not intended to be used as a body paint.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Entertainment Value
Multi-use is our middle name, and these glow-in-the-dark paints have them in spades. Most of the can be used not only on paper, walls, canvases, and windows but can also be used on the face and body.
Materials
There’s nothing more disappointing than when you finally get that glow-in-the-dark paint, design a masterpiece, leave it under direct light for a full 24 hours and then when you finally shut the lights off the entire room stays dark.
We know the disappointment that comes with products that simply do not work, and we’re here to spare you that same sinking feeling, especially where kids are concerned! Every paint that made the list is guaranteed to shine in its own light so that you’ll be excited to shut the lights off rather than stalling to keep them on.
Safety
The term “glow in the dark” immediately warns parents and caretakers alike of the wariness that comes with their child handling any kind of paint that sheds a fluorescent light in a dark room.
All of the paints we’ve listed are, indeed, nontoxic. In fact, most of them are safely used on the face and body! The only paints that should never go near a skin surface are fabric paints–and that applies whether the paint is phosphorescent or not.
Therefore, you can rest assured that your child can safely handle all other paints without having to worry about the potential smear on the face because inevitably, kids will be kids! Please note that any kind of art supply should always be used with adult supervision when dealing with kids 12 and under.
Entertainment Value Materials Safety 
Everyone has heard horror stories about glow sticks and children, and at Born Cute we want to make sure that no parent or caretaker should ever fear to give their child a gift, and then spend the duration worrying about how safe it is. Coinciding with that, as long as the product is safe, we want to make sure that it actually works, in addition to how many times it can be used and how many different ways it can be used.
Art is versatile, paint should be too! Our three criteria for evaluating these products are simple but thorough: safety, quality of the actual paint and effectiveness, and finally, versatility and usage.
Other Factors to Consider
Durability
Turn your face painting up a notch, compromise with your child’s premature tattoo requests with a temporary glowy one, or just simply hand your child a piece of black cardstock and a paintbrush and let their imaginations run wild while they redesign their room.
The only paints that are not included in the body art fun are the fabric and writer paints; fear not because they are plenty versatile as well! You and your family will get miles of fun while painting fun and unique designs on t-shirts, old jeans, even sneakers, and handbags.
There is no end to the fun you can have with glow-in-the-dark paint, you’ll be surprised at how many glow-in-the-dark creations you can come up with when you only have four colors!
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Does the paint simply glow in the dark, or is a black light necessary?
Finding plain old glow in the dark paint can be tricky these days. All of these paints do glow in the dark: that’s for sure! But some need a little charging. Boost your blacklight paints by shining a UV light over them for thirty seconds to a minute before turning out the lights. This pumps up the glow and the colors! Many of these sets include a small UV flashlight just for this purpose. Make sure you read the full details and instructions of each product carefully to distinguish which of the paints are stand-alone glow in the dark formulas, and which need a UV/blacklight charge to get the party started!
q: Can this product be used on walls?
All paints can be used on walls, depending on the formula and whether you are going for a textured, 3D look or just a smooth look.
q: Can you use this paint on the bottom of knit socks to make them non-slip?
The dimensional fabric paints can be used to paint the bottom of socks to reduce sliding when allowed the proper dry time–at least 24 hours.
q: Can you explain the “charging” process?
To “charge” glow-in-the-dark paints, simply leave them under a light source whether it be a bright artificial light, or even more foolproof, out in bright sunlight for a few hours to activate the glow-in-the-dark properties of the paint.
q: Do these colors glow their respective colors, or will they all look the same?
All colors will glow the color they are, some may be similar but all will be slightly different.
q: Can I use this paint during the daytime, or will the color not show up unless it’s dark?
Unless stated otherwise as an “invisible” paint, colors will show up neon during the day, and glow at night.
Sources
- , How does glow-in-the-dark stuff work? , Informative Article
- , Glow in the Dark The science behind glow in the dark products, How Stuff Works Guide
- , How Do Things Glow in the Dark?, Informative Guide
- , What is “glow in the dark” and how does it work?, Informative Guide
- , Glow in the Dark: 10 Neon Birthday Party Ideas , How Stuff Works Guide
