Where to Buy Cheap Glow Sticks (It's Not Walmart or Dollar Tree)

I don’t know about you, but my kids love glow sticks. And now that Halloween activities are slowly creeping up, I’ve shopped around to compare prices, so here are the cheapest places to buy glow sticks. Prices are pretty consistent, but slight variations of cheap glow sticks occur and are noted where possible. Two things you should know first about finding cheap glow sticks:

• Glow stick bulk pricing starts at a cost of about six cents per stick. Compare unit cost carefully; many bulk packs of glow sticks list the total number of pieces at 300, for example, when there are only 150 sticks in the pack and 150 connector pieces that are counted toward the ‘pieces’ printed on the front of the package. This varies by manufacturer, so read carefully.
• Glow sticks come in a variety of sizes, from the classic 6″ fat stick to the newer 4″, 8″, and 22″ flexible sticks. The 8″ lengths are good for glow stick bracelets, while the 22″ lengths are good for glow stick necklaces. I personally love the 8″ sticks. They’re the most versatile for creating endless glowing accouterment.

Download the KCL app and toggle on notifications before you start shopping. You can also text HACKS to 57299 for money-saving tips.

 

Where to Buy Cheap Glow Sticks

1. Amazon has the best price on glow sticks, as low as $0.06 each.

Amazon is the best all-around place to buy glow sticks. No other retailer competes with Amazon’s cost per stick, especially if you’re buying in bulk. There are hundreds of sellers to choose from. Check it out:

RELATED: Where to Get Reusable Water Balloons for Cheap

 

2. Walmart glow sticks take second place at $0.10 each.

Walmart carries glow sticks year-round under the brand name Way to Celebrate. Find glow sticks near stationery and party supplies. Walmart also carries seasonal glow sticks around the 4th of July and Halloween in the seasonal section.

Place your glow stick order online and use Walmart grocery pickup to save time and money. And don’t forget Walmart+ is the $98 annual membership that gets you free Walmart delivery.

 

Bulk Glow Sticks at Walmart

 

3. Dollar Tree glow sticks are $0.13 each, and you don’t have to buy in bulk.

Dollar Tree glow sticks come in many of the same sizes and quantities as Walmart. I find inventory is consistently available at Dollar Tree when my local Walmart will often be low on glow sticks. Dollar Tree carries four- and eight-packs of solid colors, and around the 4th of July, they carry red, white, and blue packs.

Check out the creepy glowing spider luminaries in this Dollar Tree Halloween DIY or the glowing cooler in this 4th of July Party Hacks.

Pricing for glow sticks at Dollar Tree is just three cents more than at Walmart.

• 4 6″ fat sticks $1.00 ($0.25 each)
• 8 8″ sticks $1.00 ($0.13 each)
• 4 22″ necklaces ($0.25 each)

 

4. Target glow stick variety packs also cost $0.13 each, but for smaller-sized sticks.

Target also carries Spr!tz brand glow stick variety packs year-round in their party favor aisle. This brand is one of the many that states the total number of pieces (not the total number of glow sticks) on the packaging, so be careful. The pack that says over 220 pieces actually contains only 109 mostly 8″ glow sticks and 92 connector pieces.

 

5. Party City glow sticks are mostly overpriced, but the glow stick necklaces are a decent deal.

Glow sticks at Party City are also way overpriced, but they’ve got some unique inventory — some of which is actually a good deal. Make sure to join the Party City email list for 15% off your purchase.

 

 

6. We don’t really recommend buying glow sticks at Oriental Trading Company.

Glow sticks at Oriental Trading aren’t the best deal. While there are occasionally promo codes for free shipping on any order, that doesn’t outweigh the rather hefty price tag. And, in my humble opinion, it’s not a good deal to pay more than $0.25 per glow stick. Instead, opt for less expensive options if you can.

 

Glow stick shopping FAQ:

Are glow sticks toxic?

Glow Sticks are definitely slightly toxic and possibly really toxic. Phenol is the byproduct in the glowing liquid that can irritate the skin, burn your eyes, or even cause nausea in extreme cases. An ingredient in some glow sticks, dibutyl phthalate, is potentially more dangerous. California put it on a list of suspected teratogens, which is a science-y way of saying it can cause birth defects.

 

How do glow sticks work?

Inside the hard plastic glow stick is a small glass inner tube that breaks when you bend the stick in half, causing two chemical agents to mix and produce light through a process called chemiluminescence.

 

How long do glow sticks last?

Glow sticks last up to 24 hours, but begin to dim after the first eight hours.