Paintball is a favorite pastime among adults and kids alike, offering hours of outdoor fun. While many people have heard of the sport, it may surprise them to learn how many different types of paintballs and paintball guns are on the market.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know so your kids can play paintball like pros, including the different types of ammo and the most popular guns and equipment.
If your kids are ready for hours of paintball fun, you’ve come to the right place!
- Looking for more great outdoor action-packed ways to get outside with your kids? Check out our favorite electric dirt bikes for kids!
In this post:
- Understanding Paintball for Kids
- Benefits of Paintball for Kids
- The Two Types of Paintballs
- The Different Types of Paintball Guns
- Our Top Picks
- FAQ
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Understanding Paintball for Kids
Before we delve deeper, let’s define “paintball for kids.” In essence, it’s a scaled-down version of the adrenaline-filled game enjoyed by adults. It employs smaller and lighter guns that fire low-impact, washable paintballs, making it safe for children.
It’s typically suitable for kids aged eight and up, and it’s an enjoyable way to encourage outdoor play, teamwork, and strategic thinking.
The Fun Factor
Paintball games are designed around fun and excitement, and the kids’ version is no different. It’s an adventurous outdoor game that lets children experience the thrill of a friendly battle while splashing colors around.
What child doesn’t love the idea of being a part of their favorite action movie, running, ducking, hiding, and ‘shooting’ at their friends?
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Benefits of Paintball for Kids
• Teamwork
One of the most significant benefits of paintball is the development of teamwork skills. This game requires strategy, coordination, and cooperation. It encourages kids to communicate effectively, plan together, and work towards a common goal.
• Physical Fitness
In an era dominated by screens, getting kids to participate in physical activities can be a challenge. Paintball for kids is a great solution. It requires running, crawling, ducking, and dodging, promoting cardio fitness, flexibility, and agility.
• Building Confidence
Paintball also helps children build confidence. As they learn and master the game’s strategies, their self-esteem gets a natural boost. Moreover, the game encourages problem-solving under pressure, enhancing their decision-making skills.
• Social Skills
Paintball is a social game that requires interaction with teammates and opponents. This environment encourages kids to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships, which helps enhance their social skills.
Safety First
While paintball for kids is designed to be safe, safety precautions are still crucial. Make sure your child is equipped with the proper protective gear, including a mask, vest, and gloves.
Also, ensure they are playing at a reputable venue with trained staff who enforce safety rules.
The Two Types of Paintballs
If you’ve ever played paintball before, you may be familiar with the look and feel of standard paintballs. The small ammo rounds contain a nontoxic paint that explodes on impact. Another popular option is gell ball, a similar form of ammo preferred by parents of younger kids.
Let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between the two, so you can choose the one that’s right for your child.
1. Paintballs
There are two types of paintballs, low impact and standard. Most people are familiar with the standard 0.68 caliber paintballs, as they are the most common and popular amongst adults.
However, for children, parents often prefer lower-caliber paintballs, which are simply a low-impact version of the standard size. Low-impact ammo is preferred for younger ages for its safety, while the larger-sized options are often chosen for paintball games and team challenges.
Regardless of the size of ammo you choose, paintballs contain nontoxic paint that easily washes off your equipment.
2. Gel Blasters
Gel blasters are lighter and smaller than traditional paintballs. They contain water-based, biodegradable gel that explodes on impact. While they are messy, they are an excellent option for those seeking a low-impact paintball alternative that is less likely to cause welts or bruising.
Gel blasters are an excellent option for close combat games. The gel pellets are easier to shoot, but they are more susceptible to blowing off course in the wind.
Airsoft
Airsoft guns are often confused for paintball, but they are very different. While they may look similar, airsoft guns use hard BBs, which can cause injury on impact and are not recommended for children under twelve.
The Different Types of Paintball Guns
There are three main types of paintball guns: CO2, pump guns, and gel blasters. Let’s take a closer look at each one, including their pros/ and cons and their ideal age group.
• CO2 Paintball Guns
CO2 paintball guns are the OG in the paintball world, first hitting the scene back in the 1980s. These popular models work by attaching a CO2 tank to the gun, which provides thrust to expel the paintball from the barrel when the trigger is pulled. The CO2 is stored in liquid form, turning to gas and expanding when fired.
The main downside with CO2 is directly related to this chemical reaction; for the expansion to happen correctly, there must be warmer temperatures (around 75 degrees), making it less than ideal in colder weather. If the temperature is below 75 degrees, you may notice a drop in PSI. This decreased performance can also happen when firing at high rates since the quicker it is fired, the colder the CO2 tank will become.
Pros
More affordable
Easy to find CO2 refills
Powerful firing capabilities
Cons
Decreased PSI in cooler weather and when firing at high rates
May feel clunky to hold
Requires multiple tanks for all-day playing
Recommended Age Group
CO2 paintball guns are suitable for children 12 and up but can be used by younger kids with proper adult supervision.
• Pump Paintball Guns
Pump or manual paintball guns require the user to pump the bolt manually to fire. They shoot only one ball at a time, and the user recocks it after every round.
While they feature a more simplistic design than their electric counterparts, pump paintball guns boast a high level of accuracy, a smaller profile, and a lighter weight, which can be a great asset during game play.
They also contain fewer moving parts, which makes them more reliable and economical than electric or CO2 models.
Pros
Greater accuracy
Lightweight
Fewer moving parts to break
Easy to maintain
Cons
Slower firing capabilities
Users may become frustrated when playing against electric guns
Limited game play usefulness
Recommended age group
Due to their manual operation, pump paintball guns are ideal for players of all ages, especially beginners and younger ages.
• Gel Blasters
Gel blasters are similar to CO2 paintball guns but use a battery-powered motor or a spring-loaded mechanism to propel gel balls at a relatively low velocity.
The gel balls used in gel blasters are typically made of a superabsorbent polymer material. These balls are initially small and hard but expand and soften when soaked in water. When fired from a gel blaster, they burst upon impact, leaving a small splat of water and quickly evaporating.
The gel balls are biodegradable and non-toxic, making them safe for outdoor play. They’re especially good for kids because of the low velocity and nearly painless feeling when hit by them.
Pros
Affordable
Lightweight
Cheap ammunition
Easy to maintain
Cons
They can shoot lots of ammo quickly which can cause them to need lots of refills
Quality of gel orbs can vary depending on the manufacturer
Limited game play usefulness
Recommended age group
Because of the slow speed, low cost, and relative harmlessness of the orbs, gel blasters are ideal for players of all ages, especially beginners and younger ages.
Our Top picks
Check out our list of the top picks for each paintball gun category.
These guns are chosen for a variety of reasons, but each promises to provide endless fun whether your child is playing on a team, with an organized group, or at a party.
Gel Blaster Paintball Guns
Why we love it:
- 800 round capacity
- Rechargeable battery
- Kit includes 10,000 rounds
Overview
The GelFire Blaster is an impressive gel electric blaster that combines power, convenience, and style. Its rechargeable battery ensures uninterrupted gameplay without the hassle of constantly replacing batteries.
Coupled with the 800-round ammo hopper, the gun offers nonstop action. With remarkable accuracy and range, it delivers outstanding performance for gel blaster enthusiasts.
The GelFire Blaster’s sturdy construction, robust accessories, and compatibility with other Nerf products make it a standout among gel electric blasters.
Why we love it:
- Easy to maintain
- Affordable price
- Enhanced accuracy
- Compatibility with other Gelfire blasters
Overview
For a slightly slower-paced game, you can check out these spring-action gel blasters!
The Legion Gel blaster fires using a spring-actuated mechanism instead of an automatic electric mechanism. This gives it a slower pace of play but allows you to conserve your ammunition for when it counts!
This blaster uses the same ammunition and hoppers found across the Nerf Pro Gelfire line, making it super easy to integrate into your lineup.
Why we love it:
- Kit includes everything needed to get started
- Speed loading nozzle lets you get back in the action fast
- High performance and accuracy
Overview
The Surge XL isGel Blaster’s long-range blaster and they’re most powerful. It includes three blasting modes: single, triple burst, and fully automatic for versatile gameplay.
The extra-large hopper holds over 1,000 rounds, ensuring you won’t run out quickly during intense battles. With a 1-gallon “Gellet” Depot tub storing 10,000+ rounds and a speed-loading nozzle, you can quickly reload and stay in the game. Unfortunately, however, it is not compatible with the Nerf hoppers.
We’ve chosen the Surge XL kit, which includes two blasters, XL hoppers, USB-C charging cables, shoulder straps, safety glasses, “Gellets” and a collapsible “Gellet” Depot tub as our pick because it has everything you need to get started in one package!
CO2 Paintball Guns
Why we love it:
- All-in-one kit for easy startup
- High-quality protective gear
- Perfect for new players
Overview
The Tippmann Cronus starter package is an all-in-one package ideal for entry-level players.
It includes a reliable and durable semi-automatic Cronus marker with a high-impact composite body, molded rubber grips, and multiple Picatinny rails for customization. The package also features a 20-oz. CO2 tank, a 200-round loader, an anti-fog mask, padded chest, and neck protectors, a 4+1 harness, paintball pods, and tactical gloves.
Paintballs are sold separately. This kit offers comprehensive protection and performance for beginners.
It’s perfect for bringing to parties or for private groups.
Overview
From a trusted brand comes a high-quality paintball gun that’s perfect for beginner and intermediate players.
Features include a polymer clamping neck, double finger trigger, pull pin cocking bolt, external velocity adjustment, and more!
Why we love it:
- Compact, ergonomic design
- Affordable
- Great for beginners and intermediate players
Overview
This lightweight aluminum gun features a one-piece barrel for increased accuracy, adjustable clamping feed, internal gas through the grip, and a quick-release Delrin bolt.
It features a durable, lightweight polymer construction, a clamping feed neck for secure loader attachment, and a tool-less push-button bolt removal system for easy maintenance. The marker offers a sleek, ergonomic design with an adjustable foregrip for improved handling and control.
It’s compatible with CO2 and HPA, providing versatility and reliability on the field.
It’s the perfect starter model for those seeking accuracy and durability.
Pump Paintball Guns
Why we love it:
- Multiple colorways
- The all-in-one starter kit has everything you need
- Accuracy and dependability
Overview
The Action Village Azodin paintball gun package is a comprehensive starter kit perfect for beginners.
It includes the Azodin KAOS 3 semi-automatic .68 caliber paintball marker, known for its reliability and ease of maintenance. The package features a 20 oz. CO2 tank, a 200-round capacity loader, an anti-fog mask, a 6+1 harness with paintball pods, a squeegee, and a barrel cover.
This all-in-one package provides everything needed for an exciting and safe paintball experience.
Why we love it:
- Sixteen round magazine
- Highly customizable
- Shoot 300fps with standard 0.68 ammo
Overview
This powerful gun is one of the best on the market, boasting enhanced versatility and head-turning velocity.
It features a pump-action mechanism, durable construction, and a tactical design suitable for both training and recreational use. The shotgun includes a Picatinny rail for mounting accessories, adjustable sights for accuracy, and is compatible with CO2 for consistent power.
Ideal for scenario games and realistic training exercises, this paintball marker offers a robust and reliable experience.
Why we love it:
- A safer option for younger children
- Impressive shooting range
- Spring action design
Overview
The perfect low-impact paintball gun for those seeking a safer, more enjoyable game with less impact.
It’s designed for young players and beginners and features a spring-loaded firing mechanism for easy operation and a 200-round hopper for extended play without frequent reloading.
The z18 offers a low-impact paintball experience, making it perfect for backyard games and casual fun. The marker is durable and easy to maintain, ensuring reliable performance.
This impressive gun can accurately shoot up to 100 feet at up to 130 fps.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the appropriate age for kids to start playing paintball?
Paintball for kids is typically suitable for kids ages 8+, although this can vary depending on the venue and the type of equipment used. Check with your local venue and ask about their age requirements.
2. Is paintball safe for kids?
Yes, when played with the appropriate equipment and supervision, paintball is safe for kids. To ensure safety, kids’ paintball uses smaller, lighter guns and low-impact paintballs.
Safety is a top priority in paintball. Players are required to wear protective gear such as masks, goggles, and padded clothing to minimize the risk of injury. Additionally, fields have strict safety rules and regulations to ensure a safe playing environment.
3. What protective gear is needed for kids to play paintball?
Essential protective gear includes a safety mask, chest protector or padded vest, and gloves. Some players also opt for knee and elbow pads for extra protection.
4. Does getting hit by a paintball hurt?
Getting hit by a paintball can be uncomfortable, but is mostly dependent on the speed of the projectile and the clothing you’re wearing. Where you are hit also plays a role. Loose clothing will help reduce the sting. Gel blasters cause nearly no discomfort.
Paintball for kids is designed to minimize any pain associated with being hit. The paintballs are smaller and fired at a lower velocity than in adult games. Still, getting hit might feel like a quick pinch or snap.
5. What should my child wear to play paintball?
Kids should wear pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and closed-toe shoes that will allow them to run and move freely. Clothes should be comfortable and okay to get dirty or stained.
6. Does the paint from paintballs wash out of clothes?
Yes, the paint used in paintballs is water-soluble and should wash out of clothes. However, it’s still recommended to wear older clothing when playing.
7. Are there different game modes in paintball for kids?
Yes, there are various game modes like as capture the flag, last man standing, and team elimination. These all add variety and excitement to the game. Check your local paintball venue to see what they offer.
8. Where can I charge my CO2 tanks?
Your local paintball field will be able to fill your tank, beer brewing supply companies, drink distribution companies, and often some of the larger outdoor sports stores like Dick’s will be able to fill your tanks.
9. What should I look for when choosing a paintball venue for my child?
Look for a reputable venue that prioritizes safety, uses equipment suitable for kids, and employs well-trained staff. Also, consider the venue’s facilities, game modes available, and any customer reviews.
10. Where can I buy paintballs?
Your local paintball field will have balls for sale and will oftentimes require you to use their balls for environmental and safety reasons. It’s important to check ahead of time what their paintball policy is. You can purchase paintballs at most large outdoor retailers.
Final Thoughts on Paintball for Kids
Paintball can be an exciting and memorable experience for kids. It offers them a chance to engage in outdoor activities, improve their teamwork skills, and enjoy friendly competition. While safety should always be a top priority, paintball can provide children with a sense of adventure and an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones.
By following age-appropriate guidelines, using proper protective gear, and choosing fields with kid-friendly environments, parents can ensure that their children have a safe and enjoyable paintball experience.
Whether it’s a birthday party, a school outing, or a weekend adventure, paintball can create lasting memories and foster a love for outdoor recreation in kids of all ages.
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