I'm not a fan of laser tag (due to 1970s physics lessons, I suppose) and have not allowed my daughter to go yet. But of course, she has another opportunity to go this Sunday. Would appreciate advice on risks, etc or experiences you may have had. Btw, I have allowed my daughter go rappeling and some questionable stuff (like riding bike when there are scooters on sidewalk) when we lived in China, so please, no helicopter mom comments! No offense intended! :D Thanks! She is 16 and has exercise-induced asthma.
Thank you ladies, so much, for your informative answers. I did feel a little better about her going, because now I understand more about it (still don't like the fact that you need goggles to do this new game; obviously goggles needed in other "sports.") As it turned out, she decided not to go (I think either her friend isn't going or her choir, which she can't wait to join, runs late). However, the info about strobe lights reminded me that she gets migraines very easily, so that's another factor. Pretty soon, she will be 18 and making most of her own decisions. Thank you again!!!
Laser tag is so much fun! I'm going with my boyfriend this Monday and I'm 33 weeks pregnant. It's no different than playing with water guns. Just make sure she has her inhaler with her and she should be fine.
My best friends 42 birthday party was at one of those places that have laser tag, go carts, mini golf, arcade, etc. I had never played laser tag, was a little nervous as I tend to be with new things and around people I don't know well. (She lives in another state now and has friends there too). I had a BLAST. I also have excercise induced asthma, but didn't have a problem. Most of the time I was peering around corners looking for the others, ducking from "gun fire", or shooting at a competitor. I didn't spend a lot of time running as you are sure to run into an "enemy" if you are going to fast to be warry.
Make sure she has the inhaler, just in case and my vote is let her see if she likes it. (In case you didn't know, the vest you wear is what is "shot" at)-I didn't know until I went
My daughter just turned 10 and has played laser tag 3 times. She absolutely loves it!
I am assuming by the physics comment you are worried about the effect of laser going directly into your eye. If you go to a reputable place they will wear glasses (similar to sunglasses) to protect the eyes. That was one question I asked.
I don't know that much about asthma, but I would assume this is the same level of excercise as say, playing hide and go seek where you might run from base to base while hiding. From what I understand the kids aren't active the whole entire time (but I've never actually played - just heard my daughter talk, ad naseum, about her experiences). There is lots of hiding and jumping out at people (but you know to expect it). The place my daughter goes is 2 levels, so they may also go up and down stairs.
I would say if she is used to managing her asthma and she knows her limits and what her individual on-set symptoms look like and you think she's responsible then I don't see why she couldn't go and play. I know there are a couple girls with asthma that go to my daughter's camp and they have all played laser tag with no problems.
The other risks are - well, just basic kid play risks. They are in a dark-ish area lit with strobing blacklight (I assume this is the same no matter where you go). My daughter and her friends got some blacklight makeup and painted designs on their face, hands and legs for their team.
They also can run into each other (or, ya know, the wall), if they aren't paying attention. But mostly they aren't going at a high enough rate of speed to do any real damage.
If she needs to rest, but doesn't want to say that she needs to rest just tell to her to get shot. You have to sit out for 3 or 5 minutes or whatever before you can get back in the game. Thus giving her 'rest' time, but not making her feel like she has to draw attention to her asthma or her need to rest.
