I saw this hack several years back when my son and I were doing a science experiment, from a kit that he had gotten for his birthday. One of the experiments needed a black light, and we didn’t have one. My son had misplaced the small one that had come in the kit. So I googled how to make your own blacklight and found a wonderful tutorial. It’s been so long ago that I can’t remember who to give the credit too, but I thought I would share the knowledge. If you are in a pinch, then I hope that you can enjoy this quick and easy DIY.
Supplies to make your own blacklight
- a smartphone or tablet with a flash
- clear tape (scotch is great)
- highlighter
- blue & purple sharpie
- piece of white paper or notebook to write on to test out your light
Step 1:
First, take a piece of tape and cover the LED flash on the back of your phone. If you are afraid that you will get marker on your phone you can tape over the camera as well. Next, color over the entire LED flash on this tape with blue marker.
Step 2:
Next, take another piece of tape and put it on top of the last piece,. Color it with blue marker in the same way you did above.
Step 3:
Then, take a third piece of tape and put it on top of the other two pieces. Next, color this piece with the purple marker.
Test Out your Blacklight
Finally, time to test it out. Write something on your paper in yellow highlighter (I wrote the word TEST). Turn on your phone’s flashlight and shine it at the paper. It should fluoresce!
You have made a make shift black light. It’s quick and easy and a wonderful hack in a pinch! This light is PERFECT if you have something you want to fluoresce. It was seriously that easy.
Check out these Oil & Water Sensory bags for a cool way to use your blacklight!