We all know that we can play laser tag in the dark. There are neon lights and paintings everywhere, and all you can see is the bright red laser from other people’s guns and their glowing vests.
Playing in the dark is a real experience, but playing outdoors in the sun is also really awesome. Whether you’re at home or at a fair, laser tag can be just as fun and rewarding when played in full daylight.
Let’s look at some reasons why playing laser tag in the sun might be better in some cases, how it works, and some of our favorite laser tag products!
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Benefits to Playing Daylight Laser Tag
Kid-Friendly
Playing in the dark can be scary and overwhelming for young children. They might be worried about losing their parents, getting lost themselves, or just taken aback by not being able to see their surroundings very well.
Daylight and/or outdoor laser tag is a great way for kids to have fun playing. There are no navigating dark hallways by playing this way, trying to identify faces in the dark, or getting overwhelmed by loud music.
This is also a great way for children (and even adults) to practice their aiming and tagging skills because you can clearly see the targets.
Easy to DIY
Since you don’t need a professional arena to play daylight laser tag, it is super easy to DIY at home! You can easily set up a game in your backyard and miss out on any big features that a professional laser tag establishment might have.
This also ties in with the first point of the game being kid-friendly. By playing at home, and in a setting the children are comfortable in, you’re able to keep everyone happy and having fun in the sun.
There are lots of fun ways to jazz up playing laser tag at home. You can get snazzy equipment (we’ll get to that soon), make themed food, and even have everyone dress up!
If throwing a laser tag party sounds right up your alley, you can read our articles on How to Throw a Laser Tag Party.
Affordable
Nature is as budget-friendly as it gets, but that doesn’t mean it’s not as fun!
Laser tag establishments can get expensive. The intricately designed arenas and everything it takes to maintain them can add up, and those costs are obviously passed down to the customer.
The cost of running and playing daylight laser tag is typically lower — so it’s the perfect compromise for people on a budget, and as we mentioned, it’s easy to DIY which makes it even more affordable!
Do laser tag guns work in daylight?
The short answer to this question is yes. The red laser that shoots out of a laser tag gun is aesthetic, not functional, and just because the player can’t see that the gun is shooting doesn’t mean it’s not working.
The only downside to playing laser tag outdoors and in daylight is that you won’t get that red laser to help as a guide when aiming at your targets. But on the bright side (no pun intended), it’s a great way to practice your target skills and see how good you are at free-handing.
How does a laser tag gun work?
Laser tag guns use infrared lights, this light can also be invisible but it doesn’t have to be. The sensor, which can either be in a vest or in the gun, picks up on the light beam and counts it as a hit.
A common misconception is that a laser tag gun shoots real lasers. This would be dangerous since lasers can really damage your eyes — so don’t worry, laser tag guns are completely safe!
Think about the light that shoots out of your remote control to communicate with your television; nothing visual comes to mind, right? That’s because infrared lights are completely invisible, and they can work completely fine in pure daylight.
Imagine only being able to watch TV at night — that would be awful!
Does Laser Tag involve running?
You don’t necessarily need to run to play laser tag, but you do need to be mobile. While I’m sure a few laser taggers specialise in finding an awesome hiding spot and taking out their opponents one by one from there, the average laser tag player needs to move around the arena.
Will you have more fun if you’re able to run around playing laser tag? Probably! One of the best parts of the sport is being able to chase your opponents, delegate with team members in secret hiding spots, and try out new positions to get as many kills as possible without getting tagged.
The good news is that playing laser tag during the day limits the risk of tripping since you’re playing in full daylight. It’s also a safer option for anyone with visual impairments.
If running sounds like it would be an issue for you, talk to your fellow laser tag players and set up some playing rules to avoid a disadvantaged player. Maybe play Capture the President with you as the president, or everyone could have fun with different camouflage.
Get creative and have fun!
Recommended Products
1/ ArmoGear Laser Tag Guns with Vests
This set of four laser tag guns with vests is a high-quality well-reviewed option for playing at home. It has a 150 foot range and can be played during the day or at night!
The guns have vibrations and sound effects that make the game even more fun and realistic. You can play as individuals or pair up and take down your opposing team. If you’re looking to buy a reliable laser tag kit for your family, this one is it!
2/ ArmoGear Laser Tag Spider Target
This is such a fun add-on when playing laser tag! You can shoot this little robot spider from up to 15 feet away, and an unlimited number of players can join in on the fun.
The crazy part of this spider is that it can shoot back. It’s the perfect training buddy or a bonus component to a great game. Just keep in mind that this bug only works with a few specific ArmoGear products, so check ahead before buying!
3/ Kidzlane Laser Tag Guns
These are the perfect laser tag guns. They’re colorful, have sound effects, and come with four different gun settings to choose from: pistol, shotgun, submachine gun, and rocket.
You can tag people with these guns from up to 130 feet away, and we love how you can customize the guns to fit your games perfectly. The infrared laser used is completely kid friendly and works indoors and outdoors!
4/ ArmoGear Portable Laser Tag Guns
This is the most affordable — yet still well-reviewed — option. These laser tag guns are super simple, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing!
They are perfect for young children who want to play with their siblings and friends in the garden or around the house, and because they’re so tiny, you can take them anywhere. There’s even a voice recording to guide kids through a game.
5/ Skywin Obstacles for Nerf
Every outdoor daytime laser tag game needs accessories, and this is where inflatables come in. This pack comes with four large inflatables to hide behind, jump over, and duck under that are shaped like things you might find scattered across a wasteland during an apocalypse; a lone tire, a wooden crate, a stretch of fence, and a barrel dripping with green goo!
It also comes in red, so you can choose which color fits your outdoor arena best — or get both!
6/ Combat Arena Inflatable Battle Obstacles Set
This inflatable set is made from durable materials and once again, goes with the apocalypse theme.
This set comes with a bright yellow barrel, a giant tire, and a red call box. All inflatables are designed to look like they’ve seen better days and have spent the last good part of a decade sitting in the elements. Kids and adults alike will love them!
Get Out and Have Fun!
So what are you waiting for? Forget trying to find the perfect indoor laser tag place and try playing outside.
It’s also a great way to experiment with a tactical laser tag which is so much fun to play in a forest or other outdoor natural environment.
What’s your favorite way to play? And if you have kids, which do they prefer, indoor or outdoor? We’d love to hear what our fellow laser taggers like most!