As gel blasters in Australia become more popular, advocates are actively working with the police to ensure that the sport of gel blasting remains legal and safe. One of the big questions, however, is whether they are suitable for kids.
Whether you’re a parent looking at potential Christmas gifts for your youngster or trying to help your teen discover a new hobby, this guide to gel blasters Australia should help you make an informed decision.
Firstly, Are Gel Blasters Australia Legal For Kids?
As a parent, the first thing you must do before purchasing any product for your child is to check that they can legally operate it. You can read more about the legality of gel blasters in Queensland in this blog post, but the key information is that they are NOT classed as a firearm and DO NOT have to be registered with Weapons Licencing.
In other words, it is legal for children to operate gel blasters in Queensland as they are classified as a toy. It should be noted, however, that replica guns including gel blasters are prohibited (for adults as well as children) in other Australian territories. Even in Queensland, direct sales to juveniles are restricted, which is why it’s probably better for parents to make the purchase.
Thanks to the GBU range of gel blasters for kids, finding a child-friendly blaster for kids aged six and up is easy. To ensure that the purchase remains suitable, parents can start out with cartoon-looking sci-fi pistols for younger children before embracing the more realistic (and powerful) rifles for teenagers.
Are Gel Blasters Suitable For Children?
Getting the all clear from a legal perspective is one thing, but knowing whether they make a suitable present for your child is another altogether. As with most things in life, there are pros and cons to childhood gel blaster ownership. Some of the potential negatives to consider before buying your first gel blaster include;
- If used improperly, gel blasters can encourage violence.
- There is a threat of causing damage to property.
- Children could become injured, especially if not protected.
- There are ongoing costs due to maintenance and gel balls.
Nonetheless, gel blasters don’t only appeal to kids as a cool toy. They can additionally provide many benefits when used well. Here’s why they are a very suitable gift:
Learn About Firearms & Safety
The proposed threat of teaching violence is one of the main issues that make many parents apprehensive about buying gel blasters Australia. In reality, though, this can be an ideal opportunity for parents to teach children how to be safe around firearms (including replicas) while also highlighting why shooting games should be restricted to sporting activities like gel blasting where players are protected and bullets are not dangerous.
For starters, your child can learn about different gel blaster guns such as pistols, shotguns, and snipers. Meanwhile, you can add an extra layer of safety for younger players with water-based guns like the Automatic Predator V2 Extreme Power Water Pistol. Moreover, the fact that gel blasters must be stored safely will further support their education on the potential dangers of firearms and the need to take safety more seriously.
Besides, it’s certainly more responsible than playing violent video games.
Boost Hand-Eye Coordination
From a young child’s perspective, gel blasters Australia are a fun toy and offer the chance to role-play as their favourite cartoon hero, police officer, or soldier. However, every minute spent aiming a gun at a target will boost their hand-eye coordination. Better still, there are opportunities for this to reach advanced stages later on due to moving targets, such as enemy players. Timing the shot by pulling the trigger is another key factor.
Like other sports, gel blasting activities teach a host of other cognitive skills and gross motor skills. Navigating the play area, for example, can aid everything from balance and speed to spatial awareness. Given that almost 1 in 4 children fall short of gross motor skills expectations, incorporating gel blasting into their hobbies can be very beneficial.
Teach Other Key Transferable Skills
Physical development isn’t the only benefit gained from gel blasting. Kids that have gel blasters Australia may also get a kick out of creating DIY blaster targets. This can inject elements of crafting as well as tapping into their creativity mindset and ability to think ahead as they plan the layout of their play areas. When combined with the challenges that they have to overcome during battles, gel blasting is a great tool for problem-solving.
A love of gel blasters and gel blasting Australia can also support a range of other skills. Aside from learning more about different blaster types and models, their geography can be improved by discovering the locations of events in Queensland. Parents may also use gel blasting purchases like gel balls to teach the value of budgeting and money management.
Create Socialising Opportunities
Finally, modern kids are a greater threat of social isolation than ever before. After all, they are often glued to their screens while the impact of Covid restrictions on their social interactions can still be felt to this day. Given the importance of socialising from an early age, as well as fighting teen anxiety or depression, it’s important for parents to assist their kids. Gel blasters Australia opens the door to a host of social activities.
For starters, parents and children can enjoy a shared hobby. Even teenagers will be happy with this one, which is a huge win for you. Of course, inviting friends over to shoot targets in the backyard or attend an upcoming child-friendly event can be ideal too. Joining a local or online community of gel blasting enthusiasts can help too.
How To Keep Kids Safe When Using Gel Blasters Australia
Gel blasters are suitable for kids from the age of six, but only if they are used correctly. Crucially, parents must ensure that all activities are kept age-appropriate. For example, a six-year-old should not be competing against others while they should also stick to youthful guns like water blasters and sci-fi styles with limited ranges.
You can learn more about keeping kids safe when using gel blasters Australia right here, but some of the key issues are;
- Make sure kids wear safety accessories like face protection.
- Play an active role in checking the assembly and maintenance aspects.
- Educate your child on safe usage.
- Choose age-appropriate games like capture the flag or hide and seek.
- Ensure that the playing field is safe and offers good visibility.
For more help on purchasing your child’s first gel blaster and easing them into the exciting world of gel blasting, get in touch with our friendly experts today.
