Glow Ball

Name and Purpose

• Glow Ball transforms a familiar game into a unique night event using light and movement.
• Players practise spatial awareness, teamwork, and reaction speed in a low-light environment.

a.k.a.

• Night Dodgeball, Blackout Ball

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 16-40 players | 20-30 minutes | Large gymnasium or flat outdoor field; lights off or very low

Materials

• 6-10 soft foam dodgeballs with 2-3 glow sticks taped to each
• Glow stick necklaces (one per player, thin flexible type)
• Glow tape or glow stick strips for boundary lines and centre line
• Staff flashlights (one per staff member on duty)
• Portable speaker and music
• First aid kit within reach of staff
• Duct tape to secure glow sticks to balls

Quick-Run Card

1. Set up glow tape boundaries and centre line before play. Staff check space for hazards with lights on first.
2. Tape glow sticks to balls. Give each player a glow necklace.
3. Divide into two teams on either side of the centre line.
4. Lights off. Staff switch on flashlights and take positions at boundaries.
5. Play two-team glow dodgeball. Tagged players move to the sideline Second Circle and complete a simple task to re-enter.

Setup and Boundaries

• Lay out glow tape boundaries and centre line before the lights go off
• Staff must walk the full space with torches while lights are on to check for hazards: tripping risks, wet patches, equipment left out
• Signal: staff shout “FREEZE” and shine flashlights up as a stop signal; never shine lights into players’ eyes
• Keep lights-off play to the gymnasium or a flat, known outdoor space only
• At least 2 staff members on duty, positioned at opposite corners with flashlights

How to Play

1. Divide players into two equal teams. Each team takes one side of the centre line.
2. Place dodgeballs along the centre line.
3. On the start signal, teams collect balls from the centre and try to gently hit players on the other team below the shoulder.
4. A player hit by a ball steps to their team’s sideline Second Circle zone.
5. Second Circle players stay active: they count their re-entry task (10 arm circles or 5 squats), then rejoin their team.
6. If a player catches a ball thrown at them, the thrower moves to the Second Circle instead.
7. Round ends on the “FREEZE” call. No last-player-standing elimination: run timed rounds instead.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Play on the main court, throw and dodge balls
• S (Support): Manage the Second Circle zone, count re-entry tasks, pass balls back into play
• Q (Quiet): Walk-pace player or boundary watcher who tracks glowing balls that leave the court
• O (Observer): Assist staff with a flashlight, watch from the side, choose when to join

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players with light sensitivity may wear a glow bracelet only (not a necklace) and participate at the boundary
• For players uncomfortable with low light, a “night vision helper” role with a staff flashlight is available
• Note: this activity involves low-light conditions. Staff will be aware of any campers who need accommodations.

Stewardship Moment

• Glow sticks are single-use. Collect all glow sticks and used tape after play and dispose of properly. Do not leave glow material on the ground.
• Reflection: “Glow sticks give light once and then they’re done. What in the natural world gives light? What makes that different?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game happens in the dark with music and moving lights. For those not comfortable with low light or close-quarters dodging, we have sideline and helper roles that are just as important.”
• Mid-game check: After the first round, pause, bring up lights briefly. “How is everyone feeling? Any adjustments?”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Step to the wall at any time. Tap in with a staff member to rejoin at the next re-entry moment.

Risks and Mitigation

• Collisions in low light: keep player count manageable (max 40); walk the space first; staff use flashlights to monitor edges
• Tripping over boundary markers: use flat glow tape, not raised objects
• Ball thrown at the face: remind players below-the-shoulder rule firmly before play; foam balls only
• Overexcitement in the dark: staff use “FREEZE” command clearly; practise signal once with lights on before play begins
• Glow stick chemical contact: if a glow stick breaks, lights on immediately; rinse affected skin with water

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Glow Handshake”: with lights still on, each player greets three others using a silly handshake before necklaces go on
• Practice round: play one 60-second round with lights on so everyone understands the boundaries before lights go off

Debrief Questions

• What? “What was different about playing in the dark compared to the light?”
• So What? “How did you communicate with your team when it was hard to see each other?”
• Now What? “When do you have to work with others in situations where you can’t see the full picture?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Turn lights back on before cleanup
• Collect all glow sticks, tape scraps, and ball tape
• Remove glow tape boundary lines
• Check floor for any glow stick residue or broken pieces
• Return all balls and equipment