My family made a great discovery this weekend… we found an activity that (1) all of us enjoyed, (2) is close to home, (3) we were able to do spur-of-the-moment, and (4) didn’t break the bank. Laser tag!
If, a few months ago, you’d asked me what I thought of the game, I can tell you that it wouldn’t have been much. I assumed laser tag was the exclusive domain of teen and pre-teen boys, too scary for the younger set and not exactly family-friendly.
Yes, the majority of the 35 competitors in our game this weekend were pre-teen boys. But a surprising number of them were competing alongside or – more accurately – against their parents and/or younger siblings. Our family of four fit right in, and each of us had a “blast.”
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Our battle took place at Laser Quest in Danvers, in a large, multi-level arena with funky lighting and lots of mirrors. At first, it seemed as though there were plenty of places to hide. But I soon realized that my boys (and all the other kid competitors) were geometry geniuses, using the many mirrors to bounce their lasers around corners and tag their father or me with ease.
I learned it was best to keep moving – which I did! And though the players’ code clearly states no running or jumping, there’s still plenty of ducking, bending, stretching, and hustling required to tag other competitors. (I refuse to believe I was the only one sweating and breathing a little hard by the end of the game.)
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In the end, I’m proud to say I more than held my own. I bested the rest of my family members and came in a very respectable 6th out of 35 competitors over all. I’m resting my trigger finger for now, but I see a rematch in our future, probably over April vacation.
For information on laser tag arenas close to home, visit:
