Glow sticks have been around for over 25 years, but their popularity continues to grow. The light-emitting sticks come in many sizes and colors, and have been used for a variety of activities. They are best sellers during Halloween, serving as both a safety item and tool for casting an eerily glow in haunted houses. Glow sticks can also be found on the race scene, where they are integrated into complex dances. Even SCUBA divers and campers use the sticks as makeshift lamps.

Glow sticks are fairly cheap and can be purchased at many places. Individual glow sticks can be purchased at convenience stores and, during Halloween at food and drug stores. Year-round, glow sticks can be found online or at specialty stores. Regardless of where they are purchased, glow sticks are relatively inexpensive. Of course, this has everything to do with the fact that they are very short-term, disposable items. Even the best glow sticks, when frozen, can only last a matter of days. More commonly, a glow stick will completely burn out within a few hours. Before breaking, however, most commercial glow sticks can last up to two years.

The colorful sticks, which glow as the result of a chemical reaction, can be purchased as large sticks, mini sticks, necklaces, bracelets, and more. For haunting, dancing, diving, or camping, glow sticks can be both fun and useful.