*This post contains gifted products. All opinions are my own*
What Have We Got
Now both of the boys are at school it feels as though all of our free time is so much more valuable. Every morning we’re packing in activities. Most evenings there’s always something we have to do. Every weekend we’re going somewhere. It’s hectic but we love it.
Earlier in the week I surprised the boys. As Mummy had to go to Manchester for the night (for work-related activities) I used it as an opportunity to surprise them with some fun once they got home from school.
We did the usual routine:
- I pick them up
- They have a snack
- They get changed
But then… game on!
I whipped out a pair of lasers, told them to gear up and get ready for a battle in the garden.
My boys were given a Laser X Revolution set – all they needed to get going and play a game of laser tag right here at home. The boys are extremely competitive, so this was exactly the kind of parent-approved combat for my 4 and 5-year olds that we can get behind.
Set Up
There is no assembly required for the lasers. All you need to do is get a small Philips screwdriver to get to the battery section, then fill each of them with x3 AAA batteries and you’re off and away. It’s very simple to pick up and play and doesn’t require anything else.
From there all you need to do is:
- Strap up with the receiver vest
- Turn on each laser
- Choose your team
- Lock and load
I’m always apprehensive with electronic toys that it will be complicated or that something won’t work, but It’s extremely straightforward and intuitive. By the way, you will know if the laser’s working because it immediately lights up and beeps.
Play
You have a laser and a receiver attached to your vest. When you fire the laser directly at the receiver, it indicates that you have been hit and logs it. Each person has eight lives before they are eliminated. Go it? Simple.
After a quick demonstration both boys understood exactly how it worked and couldn’t wait to try to take each other out. Note that if you cover over the receiver the sensor won’t be able to count the point, so watch out for little cheaters that don’t want to play fairly.
It can be played at any time, anywhere and I’m telling you now that you’re going to be gagging to have your turn.
The laser is able to fire to up to 90 meters, so there’s no reason why you couldn’t take this to the park to play a long distance version. The only we haven’t taken it there yet is because I know it would be a lot better once the evenings are just that little darker, so they can feel like they’re having a late night laser experience.
In the garden my boys have been taking advantage of the various obstacles, hiding places and furniture to create their own laser tag combat zone.
Customisation
My boys are very familiar with scarcity. They recognise that whenever the options are limited, it’s an opportunity to irritate the other one. It’s for that reason I am eternally grateful that the lasers aren’t just red and blue. If there were only two options, I’d have a fight on my hands before the laser combat had even begun.
A great touch is that the kids have full control over the colour of their individual laser. They have a whole rainbow’s worth of options for them to go through and select the right one for them. It avoids the drama, so they can just focus on having fun.
Plus – the colour change dial means that they could even be the same colour (with a slightly different tone) so they avoid yet another potential disagreement before they get into their game.
Summary
Laser X Revolution brings laser tag to your home in a simple, easy to use set that’s suitable for kids 4 and upwards. It’s ridiculously quick to set up and gets the kids for literally hours of fun.
I’ll admit it: I get properly bored of refereeing the boys’ board games, so much prefer when they take part in active games like this, where they can play inside, outside and at their favourite places.
The next time we go away in the next few months we’re definitely bringing this with us. It’s functional, intuitive to use and great practice for future laser tag parties they’re bound to find themselves at in the future.
Find the Laser X Revolution set here at Smyths Toys.
