Laser tag is a fun pastime that can get you exercising and enjoying yourself in no time, but it is often thought of as a children’s game.
You might think you’ll be frowned upon for playing laser tag as an adult or senior, but this isn’t true.
Keep reading to find out the age range for playing laser tag, who it is appropriate for, and how you can prepare for a laser tag game.
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Is It Weird for Adults to Play Laser Tag?
Whenever you see an advertisement for a laser tag center or a laser tag set, it usually has many kids enjoying themselves and blasting each other. This might persuade you that laser tag is a children’s game, but in reality, some of the most avid laser tag players are adults.
Many adults play laser tag, and laser tag arenas even try to take advantage of this. This study on laser tag demographics shows how many laser tag arenas try to target those who play video games to give them an immersive, real-life gaming experience—and the average age of these gamers is 35 years old.
Many laser tag sets you see online and in-store may be targeted toward children, but that’s because they’re more likely to play games at home than adults. If you’re still skeptical about adults playing laser tag, then check out the May Maneuvers Laser Tag Festival.
May Maneuvers is a festival and competition held in Russia every year that attracts hundreds of serious laser tag players—most of which are adults. These players battle on a huge field full of obstacles, play out tactical scenarios and compete for cash prizes.
Laser tag might be an industry that constantly targets children when advertising, but adults are some of the biggest fans and most skilled players of the game—and it’s not weird for them to play at all.
What is the Maximum Age to Play Laser Tag?
There isn’t a maximum age to play laser tag—it all depends on the person. The rules of laser tag are easy enough to grasp, but the deciding factor is the exertion that laser tag requires.
While playing laser tag, you’ll be running from your opponents, crouching behind obstacles, and ducking to dodge enemy fire. No matter which game mode of laser tag you play, you’ll be moving for almost the whole round.
If you feel you can handle the activity that comes with laser tag, and are comfortable with running, crouching, ducking, and jumping, then your age doesn’t matter. You’ll be able to pick up a blaster and start playing laser tag right away!
What is the Minimum Age to Play Laser Tag?
As stated above, whether you’re able to play laser tag depends on you. However, there is a general minimum age when playing laser tag.
Little kids are full of energy and won’t have a problem with the fast-paced activity that laser tag requires, but some younger children might have trouble understanding the rules of the game. Children 5 years of age and older will most likely be able to grasp the rules of laser tag and will have a blast battling other players.
How Can Those of Old Age Prepare for a Laser Tag Game?
Wear the Right Attire
Wearing the right clothes while playing laser tag is very important since you’ll be moving around most of the time while you play. That means you should choose clothes that will give you a wide range of movements, such as sweatpants and a loose shirt.
Avoid wearing sleeveless shirts or tank tops as they may allow the laser tag vest to rub on your skin, which is uncomfortable and may cause chafing.
As for shoes, you’ll want to pick a comfortable closed-toe shoe that will allow you to run and jump comfortably. That means you should go with running shoes or tennis shoes instead of sandals or slippers.
An easy trick to get an advantage over your opponents is to wear dark clothing while playing laser tag. This will make you harder to spot in the darkness of the laser tag arena, and will be useful when you’re trying to set up a sneak attack or hide from other players.
Warm-Up Before Playing
Warming up is essential before playing any sports. ShapeFit states that warming up increases blood flow throughout the body and raises muscle temperature, improving your reflexes and preventing tendon or muscle injuries.
Here are a few easy stretches that will help you warm up your whole body before playing:
Lunges
Lunges are a great lower-body exercise that can be done virtually anywhere. Doing lunges has many benefits, including increasing your balance, leg strength, and agility, which will all help you warm up for laser tag and become a quicker player.
To perform a lunge, you’ll want to start standing with your feet hip-width apart. Next, you’ll want to take a large step forward, and place most of your weight on your front foot.
Now you should lower your body by bending your legs and bringing them closer to the floor. While doing this, your front foot should be flat on the ground, while the heel on your other foot should be lifted.
Try to lower your body until both legs are bent at a near 90° angle and your back leg is close to touching the floor. Then you can come out of the lunge by driving the heel of your front foot into the ground and return to your starting position.
You can switch between lunging with your left or right leg, or complete a full set with one leg before switching to your other leg. Lunging for 2–3 minutes will be enough to warm up your legs and get them ready to handle the high activity needed to play laser tag.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks are a fun way to get moving and will raise your heart rate in no time. Jumping jacks are one of the easiest stretches to do and provide the same benefits as running on a treadmill.
To do a jumping jack, you should start with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms hanging down at your sides. When you jump, you should spread your legs out beyond your hip-width and raise your arms over your head so they are almost touching.
Keep repeating this range of movements. It may seem easy when you’re doing the first few, but you’ll start breathing harder and feeling the strain as you continue.
Waist Twists
Waist twists are very easy to do and are an easy way to engage your core and get that full-body warm-up.
To do waist twists, you’ll need to place your feet firmly on the ground, hip-width apart. You can also perform waist twists while sitting down, but the back of your chair may restrict your movement when twisting.
Next, you should hold up your arms in front of your chest, and twist side-to-side. When twisting, make sure you only turn your upper body and not your legs to reap the maximum benefit from your stretches. If you choose to do sitting waist twists, make sure you don’t shift around in your chair while doing them.
Face forward when you start, then twist your upper body until you are facing to the right or left. Next, turn in the opposite direction. Repeating this for a minute or two will help you release tension in your core and allow you to duck and crouch with ease.
Toe-Touches
Toe-touches are an old classic when it comes to stretching exercises, and they’ll work your abs, calves, hamstrings, and shoulders.
For standing toe-touches, start standing with your feet slightly less than hip-width apart and your toes facing straight ahead. Pull in your stomach by working your abs, but don’t hold your breath.
As you start to move downwards, stretch your arms and try to keep your back as straight as you can. Breath out as you come down to touch your toes, and try to get as close as possible to touching them.
As you move back up towards a standing position, breathe out, keep your back straight, and keep your abs contracted.
For sitting toe touches, you’ll want to perform all the same movements while sitting on the ground with your legs stretched out straight in front of you.
Keep repeating these motions for two to three minutes to loosen up your legs and core, and you’ll be ready to play laser tag in no time.
Why is it Important for Older People to Exercise?
According to the National Institute for Fitness and Sport, regular exercise provides many benefits for aging adults.
Exercise can help lubricate the joints, which can help with stiffness or arthritis. Exercising daily can also reduce your risk of getting heart disease, high blood pressure, or cancer, which are some of the most common ailments present in elderly Americans.
However, exercise doesn’t only have physical benefits—getting daily exercise is also a proven method to fight depression. Studies show that participating in group exercise classes can reduce depression symptoms by around 30% in older adults.
Exercise doesn’t get any less important as you age, and just because you’ll be breaking a sweat doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while doing it. Laser tag is arguably one of the most fun ways to exercise, and a single 15-minute round can burn 100–300 calories depending on your weight and activity level!
Conclusion
Laser tag is a sport meant for fun and exercise, and that means anyone can play it. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get in on the fun!
So what are you waiting for? Laser tag is an exciting game that is beneficial for your mind and body—put on a vest, grab a laser gun, and hop into a battle!