My 1st grader went to her first last year, for a friend turning 9. She was 6, and I think she had fun, but was the youngest there.

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.

Anonymous wrote:I would allow it but not be thrilled with it. The bigger issue is at that age my son couldn't do it alone as the equipment and guns were too heavy for him and we had to go in and help. It kinda sucked as a few parents didn't go in and their kids needed help so we were trying to help them all and our kid didn't get much play time.

This was our experience. We had a laser tag birthday for my son's 9th bday and it was great for that age. We brought my then-6 year old along, and she played with us and had fun, but the equipment was waaaay too big for her, and she needed a lot of help getting it on and handling the gun.
DD is a little smaller than average, but not teeny-tiny for her age, so I'd suspect that a lot of the 1st graders would need help

If you can hold off and do it in 2nd grade, do that. While it is fine for 1st graders, the 2nd graders are better able to handle the equipment. My DS would have done this in 1st grade for a REALLY good friend and in 2nd for anyone. DD will never go to a laser tag party! I think it is one of those parties where kids just say no, which is absolutely fine.

Anonymous wrote:My son went to one for a 7th birthday and had a blast. I think it’s fine. No party can appeal to every kid.

+1. We held on to doing one last birthday party at the nature center which my 1st grader loved but next year it will be a ninja course or laser tag

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.

My son went to one for a 7th birthday and had a blast. I think it’s fine. No party can appeal to every kid.

I would allow it but not be thrilled with it. The bigger issue is at that age my son couldn't do it alone as the equipment and guns were too heavy for him and we had to go in and help. It kinda sucked as a few parents didn't go in and their kids needed help so we were trying to help them all and our kid didn't get much play time.

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.

Yes it’s fine.

This seemed to be the go to bday party for first & 2nd grade for both of my ds grades. I never saw anyone not want to do it - maybe those families just rsvp’d no? They all loved it

Expect at least one if not more kids who will be too scared to do it at that age. It's dark, loud, and the atmosphere is a little intense. The staff that run it aren't that usually skilled with young kids either, they're more used to dealing with older kids and teenagers. They aren't there to ease kids into it or encourage/cajole them.

DD went to one in first grade. A lot of kids loved it and had fun, a couple like DD didn't do the laser tag (there were other things like video games and air hockey too). DD tried it, went into the room and got freaked out by the darkness and the glowing lights and the idea there would be people shooting her. It was alright.

I have no issue with the concept of laser tag (that there will be "shooting") but she wasn't ready for it at that age (actually she was 6, but in first grade). Maybe some people will decline or the kids will not join -- as long as you're ok with that.

Anonymous wrote:Was about to book a party for our 7 year old 1st grader who has played laser tag a few times, but then I realized not everyone might be comfortable with this? We will be inviting boys and girls.

I had one for my 7 year old after she had been to a couple others. Everyone came except for someone who was out of town (and whom I had seen at another laser tag party).

Was about to book a party for our 7 year old 1st grader who has played laser tag a few times, but then I realized not everyone might be comfortable with this? We will be inviting boys and girls.