Paintballing is an extreme sport using guns to battle out various games in stunning natural settings. It’s a fast-paced, high octane, thrilling experience that can also be played by children. Why should adults have all the fun?

Here are some of the reasons why you should be heading to your nearest paintballing venue this weekend…

Phones Not Required

Time spent outdoors is at an all-time low with the rise of technology in our homes and recent global events. Children have spent more time than ever sitting indoors, when in fact, many of them longed to be outside playing with friends.

However, if you’re struggling to prise tablets or controllers out of their hands, then the sheer mention of paintballing might be enough to incite a voluntary surrender.

So, time to explore a combat environment and discover the excitement and thrill of paintballing. Time to disconnect from technology and breathe in that fresh forest air!

It Increases Fitness Levels

Making the move from virtual gaming to real-life sporting action has obvious benefits, such as increased physical fitness and better mental health.

In fact, a paintballing session is a full body cardiovascular workout. As the games are often so fast-paced, players don’t realise just how much exercise they are really doing. Dodging the paintballs requires running which leads to better flexibility and lung capacity.

Players usually take part in around 10-12 different games over the course of a day so expect stress levels to be reduced and lots of energy to be expended.

It’s Safe!

Admittedly, letting children shoot at each other might not seem like the best idea, but junior paintball holds around the same risk as playing a game of football.

If you’ve ever been paintballing, you’ll remember that those little pellets of paint can sometimes sting when they hit. But fear not, as the kids’ guns use a reduced velocity and smaller paintballs, which burst harmlessly when making contact. Throw in some anti-fog masks and padded combat uniforms - and they’re ready to go!

It Promotes Teamwork

During paintballing games, teams will learn to work collaboratively to meet their objectives. Need to catch the other team’s flag? Children will need to communicate effectively to achieve a win.

Levelled games are introduced over the course of the day, to build skills and confidence.  Before each game begins, teams consider tactical strategies to tackle the challenge most effectively.

Game variations range from taking over the opposing team’s base, capturing their flag, and elimination – just watch out for the spy! They’ll have to problem solve, think critically and possibly save the President. All in a day’s work.

It’s Ideal for Birthday Parties

So, you’ve done Marvel, exhausted unicorns, and gave up on getting anyone to perform because of social distancing measures. Why not suggest paintballing for their special day? It may be somewhat different to previous birthdays, but then isn’t that the point?

Paintball centres have gone all out to ensure kids step into a world of action. Life-size props include military helicopters, pyramids, shuttles and burnt-out cars, to name but a few. The kids will feel like they’re taking part in a big budget Hollywood style movie.

Food is usually provided, and players can pose for group snapshots to commemorate their day.

You can either join in or sit back, relax, and let them burn off all the energy. Just make sure you ask discretely for the Wi-Fi password.

Photo by ketan rajput on Unsplash