Gel Blasters

Gel blasters are blasters that fire small, soft beads of water-filled gel. The beads start as tiny hard grains and swell up when soaked, so each one is mostly water. They burst when they hit, leave no paint behind and sting far less than paintball. The result is fast, tactical team games with a much gentler bite.

Most are battery powered. Inside, a little motor winds back a spring and piston, then lets go, sending a puff of air that fires the bead. Beads feed from a hopper or magazine, one at a time, as fast as your trigger finger allows.

Some blasters are spring powered, so you pull a handle back before every shot, and some can fire in bursts. They're often styled to look like the real thing, which is great for the photos. It's still a game of wits, not firepower.

Plenty. Team battles are the classic: two sides, one goal, tag everyone out. Capture the flag means sneaking into enemy territory and getting home with their flag. King of the hill is about holding one spot against all comers. A battle royale keeps going until the last players are left standing.

Woodland is the perfect arena. Trees, logs and hollows give you cover, and there's always a sneaky route round the side. Players call it flanking. You'll call it winning.

Very. There's nothing to master before you start. Your Activity Leader runs a safety briefing, gets your goggles and mask fitted and explains each game. After that it's all about talking to your team, spotting gaps and moving between cover. Those who shout the loudest don't always win. Those who plan quietly behind a tree often do.

Clothes you can run, crouch and dive about in, and sturdy closed-toe shoes for roots and uneven ground. Long sleeves and trousers take the edge off any hits. Eye and face protection stays on for the whole game, and it's provided. Camouflage is optional but highly recommended for the drama.

You might also like Nerf Battles, Escape & Evade and Laser Clay.

See all Camp Wildfire activities