Whether it be a plastic gun with an orange tip, a gun that sparked, a Nerf gun or even a stick, most kids (especially boys) have owned some type of toy gun. They’ve all run around pretending to shoot everyone and everything. Some even went on to become soldiers.
Our Kids became familiar with guns at an early age so what better way than to keep their enthusiasm going and introduce them to the safe world of Airsoft?
Airsoft is very safe for kids as long as they are well-educated about weapon use and its dangers. An Airsoft event is one of the safest, most controlled environments available for both kids and adults to shoot each other. Kids can learn much more than just shooting guns by playing Airsoft. However, there is an age limit at most events. The minimum age for children to play Airsoft is 12 Years Old.
Airsoft is an excellent day out for kids and parents. It’s a place where dads and lads (and mums) can spend some quality time. However, there is some concern as to whether or not Airsoft is safe for kids. So below are some answers to your questions that should put your mind at rest.
What Is The Minimum Age For Airsoft?
Legally there is no minimum age to play airsoft in the US, though individual fields and events will have their own local rules regarding the minimum age of players.
Most fields will allow anyone 12 or older to play the sport. In some situations, players at a younger age are welcome to play, but they must play with direct adult supervision from a parent or guardian. In other words, the adult must play alongside the player.
Structured events are usually 15 years of age or older. Large events and scenarios are typically 18 years or older. But generally speaking, the minimum field ages are 12, though some fields have set the age even lower.
The only legally minimum age restrictions around Airsoft revolve around the purchasing of Airsoft guns and a few select accessories. You must be 18 years old or over.
Are Airsoft Guns Safe For Kids?
Letting kids run around with guns might seem like a scary thought. But with the right level of education from parents or adults who are familiar with guns, Airsoft guns can be just as safe for kids as they are for adults.
Airsoft guns are very safe for kids as long as they are taught how to use them correctly. As parents, it’s up to us to choose the right Airsoft gun and supervise our kids when using them. Airsoft guns have various powers, speeds, weights, and other various specifications, so it’s our responsibility to choose the right gun for our kids.
It’s not always the weapon that is dangerous, it can also be the user.
One thing to consider is buying your child an airsoft gun appropriate for their age. For example, I would recommend a spring powered gun for a child aged between 10 -12. This is because firstly, they are generally cheaper and secondly, they are the least powerful.
Here’s an example of an experiment I did with my 10-year-old nephew;
I gave my unloaded Glock pistol to my 10-year-old nephew. This brought a huge smile to his face. What’s the first thing he did? Point it straight at me, then his sister, then their two dogs. Pew pew, he shouted as he ran off into the back garden. It was like a scene from Platoon.
I shouted my nephew back into the house and took the gun from him. I explained what he had done wrong and the dangers of Airsoft and weapons. These same rules apply to anyone at any age;
- Never point a gun at anybody (unless you actually playing Airsoft)
- Always check if the gun is loaded and showed him how to remove the mag
- Always check the safety is on
- Don’t keep your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to fire
- Never look down the Barrel
A couple of days later I visited my nephew again. I never mentioned anything, I just handed him the gun again and gave him a stern look. This time, he asked me if it was loaded. I said, check. He did. He released the mag, flicked the safety on, carried the gun outside, flicked the safety off, and fired the gun at the floor to clear the barrel. As a reward for this, I let him fire some BBs off.
So, the point of this? Education and familiarization make Airsoft guns safe for kids.
Does Airsoft Hurt?
Airsoft guns do hurt if you are shot directly on the skin or in one of the softer places like your face. However, generally speaking, it doesn’t hurt that much. It feels like a quick sting that lasts a few seconds. But, from a child’s point of view, it may feel like it hurts a lot more. Being shot by Airsoft BBs will leave a mark behind but it will disappear in a few days.
The amount of pain you experience playing Airsoft comes down to three main factors:
- How close is the shooter?
- Type of weapon you’ve been shot by
- What type of protection you’re wearing
This is where I’ll talk about protection. I always strongly advise anyone playing Airsoft to wear basic protection. This would include goggles and a face mask.
But when it comes to kids, I would advise you to buy them even more protection. I would recommend the following protection for kids playing Airsoft;
- Goggles or full face mask
- Half-face mask if goggles are used
- A helmet
- Full clothing – full sleeves to help protect the arms and no shorts
- A good pair of boots
- Thin gloves to protect their hands – Thick gloves can be a problem when pulling the trigger
- Optional – Knee and elbow pads and maybe a vest
The list might seem a little overkill but you want your kids to be safe when playing Airsoft. And if your kids feel safe, they will enjoy playing and want to go back for more.
Benefits Of Airsoft For Kids?
Airsoft can be an exciting experience for kids and offers much more than just shooting guns. Below is a list of the main benefits of Airsoft for kids.
Physical Activity
Airsoft is not the most extreme sport there is, however, it does involve a lot of running around. The aim of the game is to not get shot and this can mean moving from one location to another. If you’re playing outdoors and depending on the game type, you may find yourself moving around quite a lot.
We are in a time when child obesity is extremely high in the US. According to CDC, around 14.4 million children and adolescents are affected.
It’s hard these days to get kids away from a screen, but offer them a chance to shoot weapons in a field and I’m pretty sure they will snatch your hand off.
Physical activity not only keeps kids healthy but also helps with sleep and mental state of mind.
Mentally Active
When your child attends their first few Airsoft games, they will just want to shoot, so let them. But as they continue playing, they will begin to develop tactical skills. They’ll work out ways not to get shot. They’ll fathom how to communicate with others. Some will even develop leadership skills and others will learn discipline.
Another mental ability they may gain is to solve problems. Airsoft can be an analytical game sometimes and you have to overcome certain problems to continue or to win. These problems can range from weapon failure to trying to get past opponents to collect a flag.
Team Building Skills
Team building is a great skill to have and is high on the list for employers (further down the line). It builds relationships, forces kids to work together to get the job done, and can also provide long-lasting friendships.
Working as part of a team helps develop skills such as communication, motivation, reliability, problem-solving, and leadership.
Some of the Airsoft games require you to work as part of a team and you don’t want to let the side down do you?
Social Interaction
Social skills are an essential building block in life and in my opinion, are a must-have in life. Social interaction has rapidly fallen since technology took over our lives. Kids (and adults) have their faces stuck on mobile screens and forget to look up every once in a while to see what’s going on around them.
Airsoft is a great way to enhance kids’ social interactions. To be fair, they have no choice when playing Airsoft. Everyone is so friendly and wants to chat about everything. Plus, being part of a team requires you to interact.
Conclusion
Airsoft can be a safe and enjoyable activity for kids as long as certain precautions are taken. Parents should always supervise their children during airsoft games, ensure that appropriate protective gear is worn, and make sure that the guns used are appropriate for the child’s age and skill level.
It’s also important to teach children about responsible gun use and ensure that they understand the potential dangers of airsoft guns. With proper safety measures in place, airsoft can be a fun and exciting hobby for kids to enjoy while developing important skills such as teamwork and strategic thinking.
Ultimately, it’s up to parents to decide whether airsoft is an appropriate activity for their children, but by taking the necessary precautions, kids can enjoy this popular sport in a safe and responsible manner.
