It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, and my youngest, Ellie, stood by the window, arms crossed, sighing like the world had ended because “there’s nothing fun to do.”
We’d already built a blanket fort, baked banana bread, and watched Frozen (again). I needed a win—and fast.

That’s when I remembered a little project I’d seen floating around online: DIY Glowing Moon Rocks.

“Want to make rocks that glow in the dark and bounce like rubber balls?”

Her eyes lit up. “Like… from space?!”

Within minutes, we were elbow-deep in glue and glitter, and just like that—the storm outside didn’t matter anymore.

Now, I’m sharing this magical little craft with you.

Table of Contents

What Are DIY Glowing Moon Rocks?

Think science meets playdough meets outer space. These rocks are soft, moldable, bouncy, and best of all—they glow in the dark. They’re a mash-up of slime chemistry, sensory fun, and pure imagination.

Perfect for:

Rainy day rescues
Space-themed parties
STEM learning at home
Or just because your kids need a cool distraction that doesn’t cost a fortune

Ingredients (a.k.a. Stuff You Probably Already Have)

You’ll need:

½ cup white school glue (like Elmer’s)
¼ cup warm water
1 tbsp cornstarch (for texture)
½ tsp baking soda
1 tbsp glow-in-the-dark paint or phosphorescent powder
¼ cup liquid starch (found in laundry aisle)
Black or gray food coloring (optional, for moon-like color)
Mixing bowl + spoon
Glitter (if your inner child insists)

How to Make DIY Glowing Moon Rocks (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Mix the Glue + Water

In a bowl, stir the glue and warm water until it’s smooth. This is your moon rock base.

Step 2: Add the Magic

Stir in baking soda, glow paint, and a few drops of food coloring (optional). Your mixture should start to look like gooey, alien goo. Cool.

Step 3: Thicken with Cornstarch

Add the cornstarch and stir again. The texture should begin thickening—this is where it starts feeling like dough.

Step 4: Stir in Liquid Starch

Pour in the liquid starch slowly. As you stir, it’ll pull away from the bowl and turn into a sticky blob.

Step 5: Time to Knead!

Use your hands (kids love this part) and knead for a minute or two. Add a pinch more cornstarch if it’s too sticky, or a tiny splash of warm water if it’s stiff.

Step 6: Shape into “Moon Rocks”

Form the dough into uneven clumps or craggy balls. Make them lumpy, like actual moon rocks—not perfect spheres!

Step 7: Let Them Glow

Charge them under a light or in sunlight for a minute or two, then flip off the lights. Boom—your DIY Glowing Moon Rocks are now lighting up like tiny celestial buddies.

DIY glowing moon rocks glowing blue with crater textures, surrounded by candles in a dark ambient setting — Handcrafted glowing moon rocks bring a dreamy, space-inspired glow to any cozy corner or kids’ craft project

Budget Tips from One Mom to Another

No glow paint? Use glow-in-the-dark slime pigment (available online for a few bucks).
Want it less messy? Lay down a plastic tablecloth or do it on a baking tray.
Let the kids mix two colors for a galaxy rock effect!

What Your Kids Secretly Learn (Shhh… It’s Educational!)

Polymers & Chemistry – The glue + starch mixture forms a squishy polymer.
Phosphorescence – The glow paint stores light and slowly releases it.
Sensory Skills – Kneading, shaping, and bouncing the rocks keeps little hands busy and happy.

FAQs – Because I Know You’ll Ask

Q: How long do they last?
A: A few days in an airtight container. They’ll eventually dry out but still look cute on a shelf!

Q: Safe for toddlers?
A: Yep! All ingredients are non-toxic, but not edible. Supervision always helps.

Q: Can I skip the glow paint?
A: Sure, but then they won’t glow. Still fun, though!

Final Thoughts

Whether your kid is obsessed with astronauts or you’re just looking for something screen-free and cheap, these DIY Glowing Moon Rocks are a total win. They light up, they bounce, and they bring a whole lot of “wow!” into your living room—without costing you a rocket launch.

So next time the skies are gray and the kids are restless, remember:
A little glue, a little glow, and a little imagination goes a long way.

🌙✨ Happy moon rock making!

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Glowing DIY moon rock ball with crater texture glowing blue in a dark room surrounded by candles and stones

DIY Glowing Moon Rocks

Soft, moldable, bouncy moon rocks that glow in the dark—part slime, part dough, and 100% outer-space fun! Perfect for STEM play, rainy days, or themed parties.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings: 1 batch

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

½ cup white school glue like Elmer’s
¼ cup warm water
1 tablespoon cornstarch for texture
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon glow-in-the-dark paint or phosphorescent powder
¼ cup liquid starch found in the laundry aisle
black or gray food coloring optional, for moon-like color
glitter optional
mixing bowl and spoon for combining ingredients

Method

In a mixing bowl, stir together the white glue and warm water until smooth. This forms your moon rock base.
Stir in the baking soda, glow-in-the-dark paint or powder, and a few drops of food coloring if using. The mixture should begin to look gooey and alien-like.
Add the cornstarch and stir again. The texture will start to thicken, turning more dough-like.
Slowly pour in the liquid starch while stirring. The mixture will begin pulling away from the sides of the bowl, forming a sticky blob.
Use your hands to knead the mixture for 1–2 minutes. If too sticky, add more cornstarch. If too stiff, add a splash of warm water.
Form the dough into lumpy, uneven shapes to resemble moon rocks. Avoid perfect spheres for a more realistic look.
Place the rocks under a light or in sunlight for 1–2 minutes to charge. Then turn off the lights and watch them glow!

Notes

Store your glowing moon rocks in an airtight container to keep them soft. Avoid overexposure to air, which can dry them out. Recharge them under any bright light source when the glow fades. Add glitter for extra galactic flair.