DIY Ribbon Wands: Glow-in-the-Dark Parade Wands

Make your Fourth of July parade or fireworks experience even more special with these glow in the dark ribbon wands or parade wands! Kids love them!

Do you have your Fourth of July plans in place yet?  I do not.  I have no idea what we’re doing except that we will be watching fireworks at some point, somewhere!

I’m always a little nervous about the Fourth of July because my husband wants to set off like a million fireworks, despite the fact that we live in a congested area, and practically on top of our neighbors.  

He also thinks that it’s okay for our little kids (ages 2 and 4) to use sparklers and those things you throw on the ground that snap, crackle and pop (no – not Rice Krispies . . . those weird smoke things).

Anyway, I can barely light a candle without freaking out, so I am not into my kids playing with sparklers and all that jazz.  So . . . I made them some safe ribbon wands (or “firework wands”) that GLOW IN THE DARK!  Perfect for use while watching the fireworks displays!

These patriotic DIY ribbon wands are also PERFECT for that 4th of July parade (or Memorial Day parade) you may be heading to! Of course any parade will probably be during the day, so you won’t need the glow in the dark feature for that.

DIY Parade Wands Supplies

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• Wood dowels
• Acrylic paint (I used red craft paint and bright blue craft paint)
• Glow in the Dark craft paint
• Red, white, and blue ribbon OR scrap fabric
• Small screw-in eye hooks
• Foam stars
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun

How to Make DIY Ribbon Wands for the 4th of July

These were super easy to make and my kids are really excited about them!  My daughter wants to “share them with all of her friends.”

Paint the Dowels

Start by painting wood dowels the colors of your choice. I went with red and blue because, America.

Once that paint is dry, cover the dowels with the glow in the dark paint. And don’t worry – this glow in the dark craft paint dries clear, so it won’t distort the color of your parade wands!

Attach the Ribbon or Fabric

Next, carefully screw one eye hook into the top of each dowel.

Cut the ribbon or fabric to the desired length (and width, if necessary).

Then, push the ribbon strips or fabric strips through the eye hook, and tie all of the pieces into one knot.

Embellish the Parade Wand

Finally, fire up that hot glue gun and attach a patriotic embellishment to cover the knot in the ribbon or fabric.

I used foam table scatter stars, and they were perfect for making these ribbon wands extra festive!

Aren’t they cute?

I love that I was able to use up leftover fabric for these, but I think they’d be adorable with patriotic ribbon, too.

Have a safe, happy, and fun Fourth of July!