Nerf Phoenix LTX Laser Tag Set, 2-Pack

Anyone looking for an active game that involves the whole family (or a group of competitive friends) should check out laser tag. Most people have their first laser tag experience at a game center, ducking behind corners and outrunning competitors to earn a coveted high score. However, you don’t have to plunk down a bunch of cash to play at a dedicated laser tag space anymore. There are plenty of affordable laser tag sets on the market, and you can enjoy the game in your backyard for a fraction of the cost of regular play at an indoor arena.

Laser tag sets typically come with multiple laser guns that use infrared signaling to track where you fire your laser beam. Some sets place their laser sensors in the blaster. If you hit an opposing team member’s blaster, you’ll earn a point for your team. Other sets place their sensors in wearable vests. These let you hit an opponent with your laser on the back or front of your vest to earn points.

When you play laser tag, you’ll break into teams and try to earn the most hits on opposing teams to win the game. The number of teams you can have depends on the laser tag model you buy. Kidzlane’s 4-Pack Laser Tag Set comes with four different colored blasters for up to four players. Nerf’s 2-Pack Laser Tag Set only comes with two guns, but you can purchase extra blasters or switch off with other people to create larger teams.

Whichever team has the most surviving members or the most hits on the opposing team wins the game. Many laser tag sets have extra options to switch up your gameplay. Some sets feature an invisibility mode for sneak attacks. Kidzlane’s 4-Pack Laser Tag Set has four separate gun settings (pistol, shotgun, submachine gun and rocket) with fun sounds and realistic vibrations.

Whether you’re playing outdoors or indoors, laser tag can help you and your team take a break from your screens and work up a sweat. Before you pick your set, check out our tips and advice to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your laser tag bucks.

• How many people are you going to challenge in your laser tag battles? If the whole family is teaming up, you might want to buy a four-gun set. If you’ve only got one other player in your sightline, a two-gun set (with expansion options) like Nerf’s 2-Pack Laser Tag Set might be more up your alley.
• How much space do you have to play your laser tag games? This will determine how wide of a range you need on the laser guns. If you only have a small area to play in, like a fenced-in backyard, a 50-60 foot range should be just fine. If you’re taking over the whole neighborhood, you may want to invest in ArmoGear Multi Player Laser Tag & Vest Set, 4-Pack, which has a whopping 150-foot range.
• Will you have younger players setting up strategies and ducking to avoid the opposing team’s shots? Some sets are suitable for ages 10 and up, while others are appropriate for ages 8 and up. Although some sets are approved for younger players, kids might have trouble aiming their laser guns or keeping up with teens and adults. Try having some practice sessions with younger kids, altering the rules or slowing the game down to make sure everyone has a fair shot at winning.
• Make sure that you’re playing in a well-lit area or in a spot that’s familiar to all of your players and doesn’t have debris on the ground. Many laser tag sets have plenty of lights to help guide your shots, but they don’t provide much ambient lighting to see your way around. ArmoGear Multi Player Laser Tag & Vest Set, 4-Pack comes with a built-in LED flashlight to help you see, but it may tip off other players and put you in their crosshairs.
• Laser tag is generally a very safe game, but young children (or accident-prone adults), might need additional safety equipment. Knee pads can help you safely duck and roll to avoid enemy fire, and wearing supportive, closed-toe shoes can prevent stubbed toes and help you move more quickly.