What age can kids start laser tag?

It depends on the venue. Many set a minimum age or height because of the weight of the vest, so ask before you book. At home, toy laser tag sets suit children from about six with an adult running the game.

How long should a video game party be?

Two to three hours. That allows a tournament, a food break away from the screens and a final. Longer than that and the waiting between turns starts to drag.

How many guests can a laser tag party take?

At a venue, ask how many players fit in one game and invite up to that number, so nobody sits out. At home, the number of blasters sets the limit. Two teams of four is a good backyard game.

The venue charges per player. Does Blast charge per guest?

No. A Blast invite is free, with no limit on the number of guests, so it makes no difference whether you invite six players or twenty.

Laser Tag and Video Game Birthday Party Ideas

Laser tag party: venue or backyard

At a venue, the arena, vests and a referee are provided. Ask about the minimum age or height, how many players fit in one game, how many games are included and whether you can bring your own cake.
At home, sets of toy blasters with sensors work in a yard or a park. Cardboard boxes and garden furniture make cover. This suits ages six to nine, who may be too small for arena vests.
Play two teams with a simple goal, such as guarding a base, and keep games to ten minutes. Short games mean a bad round is soon forgotten.
A laser maze for the wait between games: tape crepe paper across a hallway and time each player through it.
Hand out team wristbands at the door and mix the teams yourself, so the birthday child's closest friends are not all on one side.

Laser tag party: what parents need to know

Arenas are dark and often use flashing lights and fog. Say so on the invitation, so parents of children with photosensitive epilepsy, asthma or a fear of the dark can decide.

Venues want a final head count ahead of time, often a week before. Send the invitation about four weeks out and set your RSVP date a couple of days before the venue's deadline.

Laser tag party: invitation wording

"Suit up! Jake is turning 9. Two games at the laser tag arena, 55 Station Road, on April 12, from 2 to 4 pm, then pizza. Wear dark clothes and closed shoes. The arena is dark with flashing lights. RSVP by April 2."
"Red team or blue team? Backyard laser tag for Omar's 8th birthday. May 30, from 4 to 6 pm, at 2 Field Close. Blasters provided. Pick-up at 6."
"Priya is 12 and booking the whole arena. October 5, from 6 to 8 pm. The venue needs our numbers, so please reply by September 26. Drop-off at the front desk."

Video game party: setting up the tournament

Choose games with short rounds and four players at a time: racing, sports, dance or party games. Check the age rating of every game against the youngest guest and stay with games rated for that age. Keep it to local play, so no guest needs an online account.

Draw the bracket or points table before the party and post it on the wall. Rounds of about five minutes keep the wait short.
Use a points table instead of knockout for ages seven to ten. Everyone keeps playing to the end.
For ages ten and up, add a final, a small trophy and a commentator chosen from the guests.
With teens, let the birthday child pick the games. Keep the food coming and stay nearby without hovering.
At an arcade instead of at home, give each guest a game card, reserve a table for food and set teams a challenge list, such as the highest score on one machine.

Video game party: the players who are waiting

With one screen and eight guests, half the room is always waiting. Plan for them. A second activity in the same room works better than one down the hall: a card game, a tabletop game or a table for building the snack plate.

Stop the screens in the middle for food and cake. Tell parents in advance roughly how long the children will be playing, since families have different screen rules.

Video game party: invitation wording

"Player one is turning 10. Join Ethan's tournament on February 21, from 3 to 6 pm, at 19 Pixel Lane. Racing and party games, all rated for everyone. Pizza provided. Drop-off party."
"Game on for Mia's 11th birthday at the arcade. September 27, from 1 to 3 pm. Game cards and lunch are on us. Reply by September 20."
"Sleepover and tournament for Dan's 13th. November 8, from 6 pm, pick-up at 10 the next morning, 40 Console Court. Bring a controller if you have one, and a sleeping bag."

Food, decor and favors for either party

Both parties need less decoration than most. If the venue supplies the food, pass on any allergies guests report. If you are cooking, tell those parents what you are serving and let them decide, as a home kitchen can't guarantee allergen-free food.

Pizza cut into small slices, so players can eat between rounds.
Water bottles with a neon "health potion" label. Players get thirsty.
Black tablecloths, neon cups and a scoreboard on a large sheet of paper.
Pixel art on the wall made from square sticky notes.
Favors: a glow bracelet, a printed scorecard and a medal for each team, not only the winners.

Sending a laser tag or gaming video invitation

The arena is waiting for a number, and nine-year-olds do not pass on paper invitations. Blast is an animated video invitation with music, in laser tag, arcade and gaming themes, that you send to parents as a link by text, WhatsApp or email. They RSVP from the invite without an account, which helps you meet the venue's deadline. Add the dark-arena warning or the screen-time plan as a short note. Blast is free to create and send.