SKU: UVB250 (250 Pack – assorted colors)
UV Color-Changing Beads From Steve Spangler Science
Learn about the presence of ultraviolet light with amazing UV Color-Changing Beads from Steve Spangler Science. Just because we can’t see ultraviolet rays doesn’t mean that they aren’t there. With our special UV beads, kids will learn that ultraviolet rays are indeed present, even on cloudy and overcast days. Our special UV-sensitive beads are a fantastic activity for older elementary children, and they’re guaranteed fun for kids and adults alike.
UV Beads + You = Hours of Colorful Fun
With our UV detector beads, you can string together bracelets or necklaces with the white beads. When you step outside, the ultraviolet-sensitive pigment will change the beads’ color from white to an assortment of orange, purple, red and yellow. Our UV detector beads are so sensitive that they will detect the presence of UV rays, even on a cloudy day. Your budding young scientist will learn that UV light is all around them, even when they can’t see it. Bring the color-changing beads inside, and they will revert back to white once they are no longer exposed to UV rays. These solar beads will change over and over again without fading and will make for unforgettable arts and crafts projects.
The Science Behind Our UV-Sensitive Beads
Ultraviolet (UV) light is the invisible radiation that will give you a sunburn and injure your eyes if you’re not careful. UV Color-Changing Beads harness the power of ultraviolet rays to change colors right before your eyes. Use the UV beads to teach kids about ultraviolet radiation and begin a discussion about the care that needs to be taken to prevent skin damage caused by the sun.
Choose UV Beads for Your Science Fair Project
To turn the UV beads into a science fair project, you have to change something (identify a variable), run some tests and make comparisons. For one UV bead test variable, you could find several different types of medicine bottles and test to see which bottle is the most effective in blocking the color-changing beads from the damaging UV rays. Another UV bead test variable idea is to examine the UV-blocking powers of different sunglasses. As a final test idea, you can test different sunscreens by placing the color-changing beads in a zipper-lock bag and covering the bag with sunscreen.
Remember that you have to keep all other factors the same. Use the same light sources and the same number of color-changing beads. There are many other ways to use these UV beads for a science fair project. We have written up a sample science fair experiment called Revealing UV with Color-Changing Beads, which walks you through this project step-by-step. If you are interested in a simple, straightforward and quick science fair project, be sure to check it out. The experiment is a great way to explore our UV color-changing beads, as well as learn how to follow the scientific method with controlled variables. When running these UV bead experiments, don’t forget to document your discoveries!
Easy Experiments With Steve Spangler Science
Don’t miss our collection of exclusive online experiments that bring the signature Steve Spangler Science wow factor to your classroom, home or STEM club. We’ve dedicated ourselves to providing fun, hands-on and exciting experiments that will make STEM subjects accessible to kids of all ages. Don’t miss our other all-in-one science kits.
Essential for Teaching the Science of the Sun
UV Color-Changing Beads are the perfect tool for testing sunscreen and sunglasses or creating beautiful works of art using the science of the sun. It’s no surprise that these color-changing beads are hugely popular with both science teachers and summer camp leaders — there is just nothing like them.
How Many Bracelets Will the 1000-Pack Make?
In general, a good bracelet requires at least 12-15 beads, which means you can make about 65-85 bracelets with the pack of 1,000 UV detector beads.
Do the UV Beads Fade Over Time?
Like any scientist would, we tested it. After we left the UV beads out for the entire day and brought them inside, they returned to white. What about a longer amount of time? No problem. Over time, the color-changing beads will still change into bright colors when exposed to sunlight and return to white indoors. Even if you’ve had them for a while, they work fast and are just as fun as the first experiment.
How do color-changing beads work?
Our color-changing beads are UV-sensitive, and when exposed to sunlight, they will turn from white into a spectrum of different colors. When returned indoors or kept away from UV light, color-changing beads will return to white.
How do you use solar beads?
Once you order your package of UV-sensitive solar beads, string them into a necklace, bracelet or however you want to display them. Then, just go outside! The solar beads should change colors right before your eyes!
What are the dimensions of a UV bead?
Each UV bead is approximately 6mm x 9mm and the hole size is approximately 4mm.
How long do the UV beads last?
We still have some of the original batch from a couple of years ago that are still going strong. Suffice to say, UV beads will last a long time!
Can you put sunscreen on UV beads?
Putting sunscreen on individual UV beads can be extremely messy. In one of our science experiments mentioned above, we detail how you can place UV beads into different bags and coat the bags in sunscreen. This is a quicker and cleaner way to run the same science experiment with color-changing beads.
Are the colors in the assorted packs packaged separately?
No, the colors you get are mixed together with red, orange, yellow and purple!
Safety Information
Toll Free: 800-223-9080
Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 5:00 pm (MST)
Steve Spangler Science
5 Research Drive, Suite 150
Shelton, CT 06484
[email protected]
Tornado Tube Science Experiment
Jane –
It was like magic before my very eyes. Worked perfectly. Not sure what the other person from Texas was talking about.
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Question
Erin Anderson –
How much are these beads?
As i am doing an experiment for my science fair and i have a cost limit, (All the other beads are really expensive)
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Staff lisabrooks –
A package of 250 assorted beads is $6.99. To see the price on our website, you need to select the multi-color pack square and the 250 square.
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Salma Casab –
I’m in Mexico and I’ve bought color changing beads for years and making bracelets for girls and boys and the love it.
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Question
Jolyne Zigler –
What material are the beads made of?
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smack2021 –
The UV beads are made of plastic.
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Cassie (verified owner) –
My son loved them he made lizards out of the beads and gave them to his friends. I had my lizard for 1 year still goes white after you bring back in.
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Krissy –
I’ve owned UV beads from Keychains I’ve made as a child for over 20 years now. They still turn bright colors in the sun, and return to white indoors. Don’t worry about them fading! They work fast, and are just as fun as watching new glowing beads.
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Question
Savannha –
Does it detect both UVA and UVB?
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Staff lisabrooks –
To the best of our knowledge, it does detect both.
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Question
Sean –
Where are these color changing beads made?
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Staff lisabrooks –
In the USA.
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Question
sd –
Where are your color changing beads made?
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Staff lisabrooks –
The beads are produced in the United States.
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D. Elder –
My after school students and teachers were intrigued by the beads. We tested UV protection in sunglasses and they were surprized to see the results. Everyone had fun!
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Nan (verified owner) –
I’ve used these for a couple years now and they are the best. The colors are strong. I have used an off brand, but had to be careful to use white or clear string because you could still see through them. The Steve Spangler beads change to a nice dense color so you can use them on anything. We build shade structures and put animals made of these beads under them to see the effectiveness of shade. Of course we make bracelets, too. The first time the kids see the beads change their faces light up. Adults love them too.
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Faith –
My students had a great time with these while practicing the scientific method. Thank you!
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Marie W. –
I am teaching 3 multiage summer school classes with K-6th grade kids in every class. Now that’s crazy! All my students were engaged in this lesson & many students came back the next day sharing experiments they did at home with sunscreen! When kids are excited about learning more after they leave my classroom, I know I have a lesson that was successful! Thanks Steve!
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Weird Science Teacher –
These beads are awesome! In addition to the experiments suggested with suntan lotion, sunglasses and various kinds of bottles, I had also read The Mixed-up Chameleon by Eric Carle as suggested in the Story Time Slime class. We discussed the myth of camouflage vs. the true reasons chameleons change color: emotions, heat and mating. As suggested in the class I had made a key-chain lizard and used your portable black light to activate the beads. The kids were WOWed by them since we were in a windowless classroom and the fluorescent lights didn’t do anything to them. Being in the dark a few minutes with the black light brought quick results though we didn’t activate the beads fully due to time. This gave them a good idea that there were various kinds of lights and not all emitted UV light….more experiments to try at home!
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Jacob Peter Deavern –
These beads made my kids have fun in the sun! It’s always sunny here so obviously my kids can play with them in winter! Thanks again Steve, your the best!
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C. Blaine –
Great chance to show kids that polymers not only absorb water but light. Huge hit with the kids! The surprise on their faces when they went outside was priceless. I will definitely buy more. Parents also asked wear to find these.
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Andrew –
I use these beads with my 1st graders to talk about sun safety. During the testing phase, we discovered that some of the beads started to turn a faint color under a lamp with a 100 watt bulb. I thought they only changed colors when exposed to UV light.
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Thelma –
I wanted to let you guys know that I’ve bought UV beads from you in the past that were awesome; however, I tried to save money and bought some from educational innovations
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Linda Bolyard –
This order was a restocking! I have a class on 19 7th graders and I use the UV beads as an activity when we talk about the UV being blocked by the ozone but that some still comes through. This year, I had the chance to treat some beads with sunscreen before we went outside. It was a hurried coating but it prevented some of them from turning and others turned very slowly. A most successful and enjoyable activity for my class. Love the fact that you now have all the spectrum colors!!
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steve –
We had a Harry Potter party for our kids and their buddies. We used the blue and orange beads to make necklaces that the kids reached inside the magic hat and picked out a necklace and then went outside to see which team they were on for the Quiddige match. They were absolutely amazed! All were so excited to show their parents when they got home.
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Joy –
I did not see the rainbow package on line when ordering. However, the kids love them.
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Dawn Hardy –
We used the yellow and blue beads for making ten facts. Each student put 10 beads on a bracelet then we went outside to see what 10 fact they had. Then we made a human picture graph of the results. Great fun!
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Brittany –
We separated the beads into 3 bags. First, we showed what happens to the beads when they come out into the sun. Then, in one bag, we had chidren apply new spray-on sunscreen to the beads and hide them from the sun. When we brought them back out less than 30 seconds later, they didn’t change! The sun screen protected them! With the 3rd back we did the same as the second, but we used a year old spray-on sunscreen bottle…it was an interesting outcome! Based on what we saw, I will be purchasing a new bottle of sunscreen each year!!!
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Question
Salma Casab –
I’ve bought bags with more beads before, 500, even 1,000, even in separate colors. Haven’t those presentations any more?
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smack2021 –
Sadly, we no longer carry a larger size bag. We do not sale individual colors.
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