Do you have a favorite game? Maybe you’re the best in your family at checkers or chess. Perhaps you prefer to play hide and seek. Or you might just be a fan of the game at the center of today’s Wonder of the Day! That’s right! Today, we’re learning all about laser tag.

Have you ever played laser tag? If so, you know there’s nothing like it. Darting through the fog, dodging lasers as you aim for members of the other team, it’s easy to see why the game is so popular. Today, it’s a common choice for birthday parties and team-building activities. But have you ever WONDERed how laser tag started?

In the 1970s and 1980s, one movie franchise took the world by storm. It used special effects like none viewers had seen before. The films showed space craft zooming through the universe and a hologram message from a desperate princess. Audiences watched, amazed, as actors shot lasers at each other from futuristic blasters. What are we talking about? Star Wars, of course!

The Star Wars films also helped usher in a new type of entertainment—laser tag. In Dallas, Texas, inventor George Carter III wanted to bring traditional kids games, like tag, into the future. Inspired by the blasters he saw in Star Wars, Carter opened the first laser tag arena in 1984. He named it Photon.

Photon was a huge hit. As Carter opened more locations, other laser tag businesses joined the market. Soon, the game began to evolve. Originally designed for young adults, it caught on with children as well. Today, laser tag exists in many forms, including traditional, tactical, and toy laser tag.

How do you play laser tag? Start by gathering a group of friends and family. Then, you split into two teams. Laser tag can be played at home or in an official arena. If you’re playing at home, make sure you have the right equipment. Every person will need their own laser tag vest and phaser. 

Finally, it’s time to play! Players score points by hitting the other teams’ vests with lasers. You’ll know you’ve been hit when you feel your vest vibrate. Many vests also make a noise when they sense laser impact. While playing, it’s important to remember that laser tag is a no-contact sport. It’s okay to be competitive, but always remember to follow the rules and respect other players. When everyone does so, laser tag can be a great team-building activity.

If you’re a big fan of the game, you might want to visit the Laser Tag Museum. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, it hosts a variety of artifacts to help you learn about laser tag through the decades. 

Have you ever played laser tag? If not, does it sound like fun? Today, the game continues to evolve. In recent years, George Carter even helped create a laser tag app for smartphones! As technology advances, it may provide even more ways for people to play the game together.