Laser Tag in the Classroom

My students really LOVE using these "Loco Lasers" to play laser tag in the classroom. They're easy to find in the pet section of most discount stores or pet shops. (I found these at Walmart for only $3.97 each... which is a lot better than at an office supply store where they can easily cost between $14 and $30 dollars!)

I usually use them in a small group setting as a warm-up activity, but I've used them with the whole class, giving one person per team a laser and then having them take turns using it to respond to the questions.  

Right now, I'm working with a small group of children who are learning how to recognize and name the letters of the alphabet. I placed letter cards randomly on the wall and then gave each a laser. I can simply say:

"Tag the letter K."

Or I can elevate the challenge a little and ask:

"Can you tag the letter that makes the sound /t/?"

Or I might say:

"Tag a vowel."

"Tag the letter that comes after O."

"Tag the letter that makes the sound at the end of the word mop."

You can really "tag" anything though. We often play "Word Wall Laser Tag" where I challenge the kids to tag certain words on our word wall:

"Tag the word have."

"Tag the word that rhymes with bike."

"Tag the word that makes sense in this sentence." 

(Provide a sentence with a missing word.)

You can write numbers on the board and ask kids to tag the answers to quick math facts:

"What is 3+4? Tag the answer."

"What number comes before 9?"

"How many sides does a triangle have?"

Want a low-prep idea? Students can tag objects you already have in the room:

"Tag an object that rhymes with rock."  

"Tag an object that begins with the /d/ sound."

"Tag an object that has 3 syllables in it."

"Tag an object that is shaped like a circle."

Be creative... the options are endless. But definitely get a few of these for your classroom. You won't believe how engaged the kids will be for these activities!

Happy teaching!