My Shopping Cart
They are fun and engaging.
But they also encourage team building, camaraderie, and school spirit.
When it comes to fostering an engaging and dynamic environment in school physical education (PE) programs, few activities capture students' enthusiasm like laser tag.
We’re big advocates of laser tag here because it’s not just fun—it’s a tool that brings numerous physical, cognitive, and social benefits that go beyond the game itself.
Laser tag encourages team building, promotes camaraderie, and invigorates school spirit.
This is why forward-thinking schools like Kimberley College are weaving it into their PE programs.
it is a way that leading private schools like Kimberley College are encouraging students to get outdoors and stay active.
Imagine this: The sun was shining brightly across Laser Skirmish at Karingal Scout Park. (Full disclosure, Laser Skirmish Mt Cotton is our sister biz.)
Oh, let me get back to the story: picture this.
The Year 7 students from a well-known non-denominational, co-educational Prep to Year 12 College were buzzing with excitement.
Surprisingly, twelve-year-old Cooper was eager to get started for his Term 3 physical education class.
His mate, Jack, was also keen. Instead of the usual soccer or rugby matches, something different was happening today.
A new activity had taken the field by storm: outdoor laser tag.
Friends Sophie and Ruby were, at first, a bit unsure.
But when the other students’ laughter and cheers filled the air as they darted between the trees and across the undulating embankments, strategizing with teammates and trying to outwit their opponents.
The girls quickly got into the spirit of the friendly matchup.
For students like Michael and Stephen PE had never been so thrilling!
It was clear from the smiles on their faces—this wasn’t just another PE class; it was an unforgettable experience.
This scene is becoming more and more common as schools look for innovative ways to engage students in physical activity.
Traditional sports like soccer, basketball, and rugby certainly have their merits.
But activities like outdoor laser tag offer unique advantages, particularly for high school students.
Laser tag’s emphasis on strategy, teamwork, and individual achievement makes it an ideal complement to the traditional PE curriculum.
Laser Tag is a game that seamlessly blends physical exertion with strategic thinking and cooperative play, offering a break from traditional sports while adding depth and diversity to PE curriculums.
Read our other blog about laser tag and Essential Maths.
And Laser Tag is fun!
Here's why outdoor laser tag is a great alternative to conventional sports and why savvy Teachers and Educators are adding it to their programs.
Some say outdoor laser tag is an avant-garde addition to the physical education program.
At Kimberley College, the PE program featured a dedicated 8-week outdoor laser tag curriculum designed to build students’ skills in teamwork and strategy.Each week had a featured laser tag game.
Here’s what the program looked like:
The proof is in the results: the students (and teachers) loved it!
“Teaching and learning are all about balance, and it begins with relationships. Building a foundation of trust and respect with students is crucial for creating an environment where learning can truly thrive. It’s not just about helping students succeed academically—it’s about enriching the experience for teachers and students.
But how do we foster these relationships in today’s fast-paced world, where students are constantly exposed to the overwhelming influence of online interactions? The answer is simple: get outside! Find engaging, enriching activities students love, and use these experiences to build the skills you want them to develop.
Last term, I took a group of students to the beautiful bush setting of Mt Cotton, where we partnered with Laser Skirmish Mt Cotton for weekly sessions. The activities challenged the students to collaborate, think strategically, and work alongside new people. They had to engage physically, socially, and emotionally, all while developing critical skills like patience, resilience, sportsmanship, self-esteem, and teamwork.
The most important outcome, however, was the connection we built between students and teachers. This bond directly transferred into the classroom, creating a positive and supportive learning environment.
The value of establishing strong connections with students cannot be overstated. As students become more disconnected from traditional education in their later years, schools must adapt and find ways to stand out.
One thing technology cannot replace is the human connection that makes students feel valued, safe, and cared for.
Our teens crave connection, especially as they navigate the challenging journey of adolescence. They need to feel a sense of belonging to stay grounded and engaged in learning. I encourage all teachers to try something different—step outside the classroom, build those meaningful connections, and watch how it transforms your students and the learning environment.
The impact is truly priceless.”
Jenni Van Der Walt, Head of Boat Jagera (Middle School) Kimberley College.
Laser tag is not about individual performance. Rather victory comes from how well players can communicate and collaborate with their teammates.
Most laser tag game modes, like Team Elimination, require a high level of coordination and strategy.
Players must constantly relay info, devise plans, and adapt their tactics on the fly.
This team-oriented environment helps build strong communication skills, which are transferable to other team sports and even classroom activities.
Research shows that activities that promote teamwork and communication help students develop better social skills and increase their sense of belonging.
In traditional sports, roles are often rigid, with clear distinctions between offence and defence.
In contrast, laser tag allows students to switch roles quickly, providing a dynamic setting where everyone can contribute to the team's success.
Team Elimination is a great ice-breaker. Divide the group into two teams.
A “Battle Box” game prop is placed at opposite ends of the playing area.
One box is for the red team base and one box for the blue. Each player gets 5 hit points, when they’ve been tagged down to zero they need to return to their starting point.
The students need to stand next to their base for a few seconds, and then the computer inside the box re-activates them. And then they’re back in the game for a bit of “payback!”.
The team with the least number of reactivations wins.
This level of calorie burn is comparable to other forms of cardiovascular exercise like jogging or playing basketball.
Laser tag also engages cognitive skills such as problem-solving, strategic thinking, and quick decision-making, making it a well-rounded activity for young minds.
Laser tag also improves both fine and gross motor skills through its dynamic gameplay.
The constant need to run, aim, and shoot helps refine hand-eye coordination, balance, and flexibility. As a result, students participating in laser tag experience overall fitness improvements, both physically and mentally.
Capture & hold is a dynamic game. The group is divided into two teams: red vs blue.
A game prop (aka “Battle Box”) is placed in the middle of the map. When the red team tags it, the box flashes red. When the blue team tags it, the box flashes blue.
The team that holds the box longest wins.
The game modes used in laser tag, such as Heist, require players to think on their feet and adapt strategies based on the ever-changing dynamics of the game.
In a study comparing laser tag with traditional physical education activities, students demonstrated improved problem-solving abilities and quicker decision-making times after participating in regular laser tag sessions.
Heist is a fast-paced, strategic laser tag game where teams compete to collect the most virtual money.
Money can be collected in three ways
• either you shoot the money drop (while it has cash),
• kill an opponent who is carrying money, or
• steal money from the opposing team's vault.
The team with the most money at the end of the game wins!
One of the reasons laser tag is gaining popularity is its non-contact nature, making it a safe alternative for students who might be reluctant or unable to participate in more physically demanding sports. Traditional contact sports like football or rugby have a higher risk of injuries due to collisions and physical tackles.
Laser tag eliminates this risk while still allowing players to engage in a fast-paced, competitive environment.
The equipment used in laser tag, which employs infrared technology, is safe.
The guns emit a harmless beam of light that is picked up by players’ sensors. There are no physical projectiles, reducing the chances of injuries compared to paintball or airsoft.
Of course, no activity has zero risk. Read our Risk Assessment pro-form for more info. Laser tag is also an inclusive sport that is great for a wide age range. Kids as young as five years old can understand the rules and participate, making it a versatile option for schools looking to engage students across different grades.
This accessibility ensures that more students can enjoy the benefits of physical exercise and teamwork without the limitations posed by traditional sports.
The 3-point Capture & Hold game spreads the group out. The goal of the game is to "capture" and then "hold" the box (it's in the name!). Here's how that works:
• the players must get to the box
• tag the box (aim at the sensor at the top!) When they do this the box flashes their team's colour (red or blue), every second it flashes their colour, their team wins one point, so the longer the kids have it the more points they have.
At the end of the game, the box works out which team had it for the longest and announces either "Blue Team is Victorious" or "Red Team is Victorious".
The collaborative nature of the game fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among players. In many school camps, laser tag is used as an ice-breaker to help teams develop better working relationships and improve communication. (It often is also the activity that is the finale of the program.
This is because not only is it thrilling, but with outdoor laser tag, you can engage very large groups. So, the cohort will be all in one place ready to get on the bus and head off home!)
For students, the benefits are even more profound. Engaging in laser tag can help shy or introverted students come out of their shells, as the game’s structure encourages participation from all team members.
Teachers have reported that integrating laser tag into their curriculum has helped increase class participation and improve overall student morale. The V.I.P. Escort is a classic laser tag game. It is one of the oldest in our portfolio! This is a great team-building game.
The playing field needs to have plenty of cover and places to hide. After all, this is high-tech hide-and-seek!
One team lies in ambush and the other team tries to escort a VIP to a special place on the field. In this case, the Teacher was the V.I.P.!!
The special forces team needs to escort their VIP to the far end of the field. The ambushers' objective is to eliminate the VIP.
This variety of movement is beneficial for heart health and helps students develop agility and stamina. In traditional sports, only certain players are active at a time (e.g., goalkeepers in soccer).
Schools often have four houses, so being able to divide into four teams is great.
Laser tag, on the other hand, ensures that every participant is engaged throughout the game. Hot Spots is one of our newer games.
In the Hotspot mission, there are several targets scattered around the field.
Every so often these targets light up. The first gamer to shoot the box while the lights are on gets a point.
The team with the most points wins!
Learning to handle setbacks, adapt to changing situations, and celebrate successes are valuable lessons learned on the laser tag battlefield. Rest assured; the software settings can be subtly tweaked to even out the teams.
After all, you want to keep up the challenge even if the team's talents are lop-sided.
A great game is called "Battle Royale". It is inspired by the popular video game, FORTNITE.
In the live-action version, instead of every gamer for themselves, the cohort is divided into squads.
Or you could divide up the group into smaller squads of duos or trios.
In this case, we divided the group into four teams. Each team had roughly 11 or 12 members.
If you are renting a laser tag box and playing at home, then it is a good idea to play the Battle Royale game last. (Because that way you only have to change the team settings once.)
In the centre of the field, there is a battle box.
Just like in the online video game the system gradually shrinks the playing area. This forces players into each other's paths as they struggle to stay within the ever-shrinking Safe Zone.
If a gamer is caught in the Storm, they will take damage every second until either they escape the Storm or get deactivated. Because there are usually no re-activations in these games we play a series of short scenarios.
The objective of the Battle Royale game is to be the last squad standing.
Outdoor laser tag offers a level playing field for students of varying athletic abilities and social groups.
It's an inclusive activity that encourages interaction and collaboration between different personalities and cliques.
Sometimes it is good to reprise the same mission or scenario.
This can break down social barriers and foster a sense of community within the group.
The Heist game was familiar and fun.
Outdoor laser tag offers a fresh and engaging way to encourage physical activity.
It combines the benefits of traditional sports—teamwork, communication, and physical fitness—with added cognitive benefits and a focus on inclusivity and safety. For schools like Kimberley College incorporating innovations into their curriculum has not only made physical education more enjoyable but has also created a more inclusive environment where every student can participate and benefit.
As you can see from this College example, there are many games of laser tag to choose from.
Laser Tag missions have the power to boost engagement, even for very large cohorts.
If you're looking to diversify your school's PE offerings or searching for a new way to engage students in physical activity, outdoor laser tag might be the perfect solution. With its unique blend of physical, cognitive, and social benefits, laser tag is more than just a game—it's an opportunity for students to learn, grow, and, most importantly, have fun. If you want to try something new for your school contact us today.
©2025 All rights reserved
