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For the uninitiated, laser tag is a high-energy game of tag meets hide-and-seek that’s played with infrared laser guns in a darkened arena. Paintball pelts participants with small dye pellets that explode on contact. The object of both games: Get to your opponents before they get to you by strategically shooting, running, and hiding.

Don't worry: The laser guns emit harmless, invisible rays that register a "kill" by lighting up a spot on your adversaries' vests, and paintball pellets might sting for a few seconds, but there are no long-lasting effects.

Best Laser Tag and Paintball Arenas in NYC

1. Area 53 – Dumbo and Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Area 53 NYC is home to a ton of action-packed adventures spread over two Brooklyn locations, including laser tag and a two-level paintball arena. The laser tag arena is located in a cavernous, refurbished Dumbo factory where there's plenty of space to run and shoot. There's no age requirement, although you have to be at least 42 inches tall. You can play indoor paintball in a 20,000-square-foot arena at Area 53's Williamsburg location, where the recommended minimum age is 12, though parents can bring younger children at their discretion.

2. Laser Tag at Bowlmor Chelsea Piers – Chelsea

This sleek, high-end bowling alley is home to a 3,000-square-foot laser tag arena. The laser tag arena has an NYC theme with replicas of landmarks like the Washington Square Park Arch and the Statue of Liberty. My son really loved the laser guns, which are less realistic than other local spots and shoot a visible beam of light.

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At Cousins Paintball, kids chase and dodge opponents in an outdoor arena.

3. Cousins Paintball – Charleston, Staten Island

The only exclusive paintball facility in NYC, this Staten Island spot has an outdoor paintball arena where guests can play on a variety of different themed fields. Organizers recommend not bringing kids younger than 10, though they have hosted parties for kids as young as 7. Be forewarned: This spot is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, though parties of 10 or more may rent out the facility seven days a week. Reservations are recommended on the weekends, though not required.

4. Fun Station USA – Bloomfield, Staten Island

A modest laser tag arena is just one of many attractions at this one-stop romping spot that's been around since the 1980s. Video games, batting cages, small carnival rides, ball courts, a virtual reality simulator, and a toddler play area are also offered. Check Fun Station's website for coupons to snag laser tag deals.

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Get your agility going in the Laser Runner at Funtopia USA.

5. Funtopia USA – Middle Village, Queens

This old-school arcade and play center offers a black-light laser tag game called Laser Runner. There are lots of additional attractions including a three-level play structure, indoor bumper cars, and video games.

6. Laser Bounce – Glendale, Queens

Laser Bounce boasts a unique LED laser tag arena where kids hit their targets during flashes of strobe lights. When you've finished the round, there's plenty more fun including, an arcade, virtual reality, a laser maze, and a regular bounce arena.

Originally published in 2015.

Photos courtesy of the venues