Is a laser tag birthday party appropriate for a 7 year old/1st grader?

[Anonymous]

No. We are at a very liberal public school (W feeder, MCPS if it matters) and the laser tag parties began at ages 9 and 10. Putting aside the controversy of parties with "guns"/lasers, it's very dark and chaotic at the venues and if your child has any friends who are sensitive you could have a crying kid on your hands which is fun for no one.

I am not against these parties. DD and DS have been to several and enjoyed them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we went to one laser tag party in 1st grade. Both DS and I were overwhelmed just walking into the building. He did one round but opted out of the 2nd round - he played the games out front instead.

Same thing happened to the child of a friend of mine except he was older, in 3rd. He did it once and really didn't feel comfortable. He then left the party on his own to wait in the lobby. The hosts were besides themselves when they noticed he was missing.

[Anonymous]

My kindergarten girl went to a pre-school boy's laser tag party (pre-school boy has an older brother who I guess had gotten him into it), and, after a bit of trepidation, wound up having a good time. K honestly seems a bit young to me, but first graders should definitely be old enough, and the ones most likely to have issues are the ones most likely not to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had one with 7 and 8 year olds recently. One girl’s parents emailed to let me know she was scared and couldn’t come. Everyone else showed up and there were more girls than boys. We invited a lot since we figured some wouldn’t come but we had a larger turnout than we expected. They loved it and it was a good venue for that age, even with a large party.

I’m quoting myself and a PP makes a good point. I’d wait until 2nd grade if you can since the lasers are heavy. We had 4 adults and an older sibling helping out the kids inside. The equipment wasn’t that heavy but some had difficulty with the coordination of where they had to place their hands to get them to shoot. Our party of 7 and 8 year olds were 2nd graders. Make sure you have a small number of kids or others there to help you. Again, they loved it and it was much more mild than when the older kids go racing around (if you have gone). I also suggest booking the morning or noon time slot so you won’t have older kids there.

[Anonymous]

Definitely appropriate. We had one at that age and the kids had a blast. Everyone participated.

[Anonymous]

Yes, appropriate for the age, but I wouldn't go younger.

[Anonymous]

IME, hugely popular from K to 4th. In contrast to other PPs, my youngest had no problems in K. It is SUPER chaotic but the staff somehow manages it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I shuddered to see little kids with guns at that age..but I know I was minority. I allowed my kids to attend but refused to host them.

Me too.
It only works of you don't think too hard about the activity. Otherwise it's kinda messed up.

[Anonymous]

i've seen parents cajoling kids to go in, kids who looked upset. Some will love it, but you run the risk that you'll be stuck with a couple who can't handle the loud noise, darkness, and fear of pursuit.

I'd wait at least a year or two.

[Anonymous]

Ugh no. We have been to half a dozen of these over the years across several kids and I really hate them. I don't even ask if they want to go anymore--I just decline.