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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. The object of both games: Get to your opponents before they get to you by strategically shooting, running, and hiding from cover to cover. 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's no long-lasting effects.

Laser Tag at Bowlmor Chelsea Piers – Chelsea

Pier 60 at 23rd Street and the West Side Highway
This sleek, high-end bowling alley added an aerial ropes course and 3,000-square-foot laser tag arena to its attractions several years ago. 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. Children need to be at least 44 inches tall to play. Proof of vaccination is currently required for all guests ages 12+.

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

Cousins Paintball – Staten Island

2727 Arthur Kill Road
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. One option for the kid-set: Splat ball; a twist on the traditional game that uses a spring-loaded gun for a lower impact. 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.

Fun Station USA — Staten Island

3555 Victory Boulevard near Crane Street
A modest laser tag course 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 gated toddler area are also offered. Check Fun Station's website for cool coupons to snag laser tag deals.

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

Funtopia USA – Middle Village, Brooklyn

Metro Mall-Middle Village, 66-26 Metropolitan Avenue
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, a bowling alley, and video games. Parking is complimentary, and admission includes a voucher for a FREE return visit.

Area 53 – Dumbo and Williamsburg

Visit the website for locations.
Area 53 NYC is home to a ton of action-packed adventures spread over two Brooklyn locations, including laser tag and indoor and outdoor paintball. 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 3-feet-4-inches. You can play indoor paintball at Area 53's Williamsburg location, where you must be 12 years old to play.

A version of this article first published in 2015, but it has since been updated.

Photos courtesy of the venues