Couple of years ago, I played Paintball for the first time as part of a corporate team bonding retreat. While it was fun and unique, the outdoor experience where we had to run around to dodge paint balls high and low fired by fellow colleagues was quite rigorous for a regular bloke like me…I felt ‘spent’ at the end of it. So when I heard that I would be accompanying my 8 y/o daughter for the Laser Tag experience at Tag Team, my first reaction was, ‘will it be like Paintball? ‘
Well answer to that is No, No and No. In fact, I find laser tag much, much more enjoyable and more family-friendly.
Tag Team uses the concept of Laser Tag to ‘shoot’ your opponents. The laser is not visible to the naked eye and it does not ‘harm’ any part of your body (unlike when you’re ‘hit’ by the Paintball). A sensor on a sash that you wear will vibrate and record the number of times you’re ‘hit’ thus making it very safe, even for young kids. Moreover, laser tag is played in an indoor environment. At Tag Team’s newest outlet at Downtown East, both arenas are fully air-conditioned.
I was intrigued to find out more so I gamely ‘tagged’ along (Pun intended!) with my daughter and her friend Val.
Before the game started, we were briefed on the rules and regulations. I was impressed that the staff explicitly emphasized on safety (i.e. no running, no pushing) and they also educated the players to play fair.
Next, we were given our ‘Laser Gun’ which incidentally can be switched over to be used as a Laser Sword too! We were each given a sash to wear. On the sash is a sensor (which is effectively a sensor to keep track of the number of times you are ‘hit’ by your opponents). The sash is very light and in fact, I hardly noticed it. Our gun was not like a regular gun but more space-age, fantasy kind of weapon that is lightweight and does not shoot anything except light beams meant for the targets.
After the safety briefing, we were led to one of the arenas for practice. We were trained to shoot at the sensor on the wall and points would be accumulated. Next, our gun is transformed into a laser sword and we were then practicing ‘slashing’ the target – the same sensor on the wall. At this first stage, we were practicing on static targets and getting acquainted with how the laser guns/swords work.
Next, we were ushered into a new arena where, this time, we face other players and were told to practice ‘shooting’ and ‘slashing’ each other. Sounds violent but it’s actually quite harmless fun. There were more laughter and giggles than screams!
Finally, we were led into the larger arena – a space somewhat slightly larger than two school classrooms with random large foam walls placed in between. Here is where things get more ‘serious’. We were split into two teams – Parents vs Children. The mission is to shoot your opponents and accumulate as many points as possible. Before we started, the friendly staff reminded everyone again of the safety rules: No running, no pushing and to play fair.
So, off we went! The 15 mins seem to last forever as we had to dodge the frisky and far more nimble kids who could just weave in and out of nooks and corners with ease. Finally when I got my ‘mojo’, I was having a whale of a time just ambushing the kids alongside the other parents. It was seriously fun! When the mission ended, we all wanted to play more! Unknown to us, we worked out quite a bit of sweat while having fun! There was also no rigorous bending up and down so it is certainly friendlier for families (yes even for non-sporty parents). Do note that it is rather dark in the arenas so some younger kids may take some time to ‘acclimatize’.
In the same venue, there’s the Reza Wall where, as a winding down activity, the teams got to stand and shoot or slash at animated targets to score points. You can shoot or slash at your opponents’ targets to score points for yourself too.
I must commend the staff at Tag Team, Downtown East for being extremely friendly and helpful. They were very hospitable and even stepped in as reinforcements to help us (i.e. the adults) during the Missions. Tag Team @ Downtown East has a small private room(with a capacity for 40 pax) suitable for birthday parties or as a room for corporate teams to unwind and reflect. Yes, there are corporate and community organizations who hire the venue for team bonding events as well. Check out Tag Team’s website for more information if you wish to make such bookings.
Here are some FAQs for those who are new to Laser Tag / Tag Team:
1. Is Laser Tag safe?
Any sports activity carries risk but here at Tag Team, a safety briefing is conducted and safety rules are emphasized frequently. Staff are there to supervise and are never far. The laser beams emitted are not harmful to us.
2. How heavy are the equipment and gear?
Actually they are very light. There’s no need for a helmet and you could hardly notice the sash across your body. The ‘gun’ is lighter than most Nerf gun so not to worry.
3. What’s the minimum age to play?
Generally it’s about 4 years old but do note that if the other opponents are adults then it may not be suitable for the 4 year old to be playing alone. But if there’s a party of kids, then it’s perfect.
4. Can girls play Laser Tag?
Yes of course! This is a gender-neutral activity. Both Dana and Val were playing it for the first time and they absolutely LOVED it! Actually we think laser tag is an ideal indoor family bonding game too.
5. How long is each Laser Tag mission?
Each mission is about 15-30 minutes.
6. What are the charges?
TAG TEAM @ DOWNTOWN EAST
1 Pasir Ris Close
#04-103, Downtown East E!Hub
(next to Cathay Cinema on Level 4)
Singapore 519599
OPENING HOURS
Wednesday to Friday: 12pm-8pm; Weekends & Public Holidays: 11-7pm
Peak: Fridays after 6pm, Weekends and Public Holidays
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
SPECIAL GIVEAWAY!
Thanks to Tag Team Inc, we are giving away two sets of 5 Tickets Family Pass to 2 loyal readers! Each ticket entitles one person to one mission at Tag Team @ Downtown East. To participate, follow these 3 simple steps:
- Like Life’s Tiny Miracles Facebook Page
- Like Tag Team INC‘s Facebook Page
For bonus entries, follow the steps in the online widget here:
The giveaway ends 10 April 2016, 11.59pm and is open to readers in Singapore. The winner will be contacted using the contact particulars provided when entering this draw and will have 24 hours to respond, failing which a new winner will be drawn. All incomplete and unverified entries will be disqualified. All entries will be verified before the winner is announced. Please note that all fake Facebook and Instgram accounts (e.g. accounts set up purely to take part in contests with no authentic posts or very few real friends) will be disqualified. All the best!
Name: Lin Xiao Tian
My family like to go to the beach to unwind and bond as is an outdoor activity for everyone in the family. The kids like to run in the sand and the adults can enjoy the breeze. I would like to win as my kids have not played this before, my 3 kids will certainly be thrilled to play this!
Name: Serene Leow
Email: [email protected]
Our family enjoys a dip together in the pool. My 3 kids enjoy being in the water alot.
We have not try laser tag before and will like to try it out as my 2 boys loves playing ‘guns’.
Our favourite bonding ways are playing Indoor games like Monopoly or Scrabble with kids on a hot weather as well as switch off our electronic gadgets for a while, I would really like to win this family pass as it will be great adventure for my kids to experience something new as they are growing up faster and i want them to be familiar with all the new activities in and around Singapore!
Name: Adeline Tan huixiu
Email:[email protected]
We like to go to playground, swimming and shopping together.
We have not try laser tag before so hope to give it a try.
I will like to win this giveaway because it is going to be my 1st born son’s 6th birthday and i know he will love to play laser tag.
We like to unwind by bringing the kiddos to Pasir Ris Park playground or going for walks at the Punggol Waterway.
Swimming is the most frequent activity that we do together as a family. It gets us to move and exercise also the water is great for escaping the heat!
The laser tag sounds like an awesome activity for the parents to let down our hair and play with the kids 🙂 Thanks for recommending this fun activity.
As a family we enjoyed doing everything together from cycling in the park to swimming. My boys would be absolutely thrill if we manage to win a session of lasertag!
The kids love to skate scoot.. And we adults jog after them! Healthy way to bond as a family!
My 2 lively kids simply love playing nerf guns at home and they will be ecstatic to be able to play laser tags at Tag Team @ Downtown East. Hope that we can win the family passes and we can have a terrific family bonding day playing together. Thank you lifestinymiracles and Tag Team @ Downtown East for the wonderful giveaway. ??
Usually we will go picnic or jogging to unwind & bond as a family. Chat & laugh together about anything under the sun
Hope to win as my kids are active! They will love this.
Chengling
[email protected]
We will go to the beach where we can cycling in bulid sandcastle together
Julie tan
[email protected]
Jingxian Liang
[email protected]
Chill out with good food and chat with family n friends
Hope to win it as it is something new for the family to try and have fun.
My favourite ways to bond as a family would be to go on an outing together, engaging in interesting activities and games, and Laser Tag would be a great idea, hence I would love to win this pass!
My family will loved this! It’s a great time for us to have fun and learn about teamwork!
One of our favorite ways to unwind and bond as a family is a day out at the beach…and it was late one night we passed by Tag Team @ East Coast Parklane, that we said we’ll be back one day!
And it would definitely be icing on the cake for us to win this Family Pass!!!
Karen Low
[email protected]
Name: jamie chaw
Email Address [email protected]
At the end if the day, the whole family chill n let the 2 kids pick a story book n each parents will take turns to read to them…
Would love to win this Family Pass as we are soon celebrating our daughter’s birthday and I’m sure she’s up for an adventure filled birthday ?
Would love to be able to bring my family of 4 (including yours truly, keke) for this Xciting “mission” together! Am sure it will be a FUNtastic time of bonding and engaging with one another (which we hardly have time to do, sad to say, boohoohoo). Am sure it will leave sweet memory in my kiddos lives as they remember their dad & mum PLAYing with them. “Family that plays together, stays together!” Hope to win! 🙂
Our favourite way of unwinding and bonding with the family which is sad to say we will spend most of time doing window shopping and going around aimlessly which could be a waste of time and in actual fact not much bonding could be done. My kids love to shoot using the nerf soft bullets and would be shooting and aiming everywhere in the house which could be a hassle and not much fun as its being restricted in a confide space. If I managed to win this lovely gift to our family it will definitely be a great surprise and more interactions and cooperation can be achieved. We’d so going to sweat it out and ready on our mark! Aim and shoot! Woo Hoo!!
My family favorite ways to unwind and bond as a family will be strolling in the park, picnic and cycling.
My 9 years old son, husband and I never try this activity before. Would like to win this family pass to try out new thing
Name: Andy Neo
Email: [email protected]
Normally at home, the whole family unwind through tv programmes such as Barney, Elmo etc. Let’s face it, unwind is more for the parents to take a short rest! ha! But at the same time, the kids can enjoy a good show on telly without anyone telling them they are watching too much tv shows.
We would love to win this family pass as its an activity that we have never tried before!! Your blog pictures just serves to ramp up the excited mood!