I brought my teenage brother to Activate’s living arcade and we blissed out on a laser maze
Activate. // Photo by Zoe Strohm
Located in Overland Park, Activate is more than an arcade. Described as the “world’s first live-action gaming facility,” Activate puts you directly in the game—no controller required.
Activate uses tiered pricing based on group size, ranging from $34.99 for two players to $19.99 for a group of five or more. Each player gets 75 minutes (with the option to add more time for an added cost), starting from the first scan of their provided wristband. The band contains a chip that connects to the players email account and allows users to check into games and store points.
Not a gamer? Don’t worry—no video game experience necessary to play at Activate. After registering and checking in, players head into “The Hub”—This dark hallway is dimly lit by neon lights around the doorways and ceilings. Each of the 10 doorways leads to a different game room, classified by the main game play component: Two hoop rooms, strike, mega grid, grid, control, portals, hide, laser, and press. Each room has multiple game options, co-op and comp, each with 10 difficulty levels. On a wall towards the back of The Hub, the high scores for current players are displayed, giving a sense of competition with the players around you.
Activate. // Photo by Zoe Strohm
I had a chance to visit on media night with a limited crowd. They asked us to bring a guest to play along, so for the sake of a well-rounded review, I brought my 15 year old brother.
Each room had at least three options for co-op and competitive games, the levels lasting one to three minutes, depending on the mode. A screen and sensor in front of the doorways allows you to queue in, select your mode and difficulty level, and read a tutorial about how the game is played. Activate encourages visitors to come in active wear and tennis shoes, and for good reason. Many of these games require a lot of movement, whether it’s throwing a ball into a basketball hoop, running through a laser maze in under 30 seconds, or jumping on as many tiles as you can before time runs out. While there are some less active options like trivia or the light up button version of “eye spy,” I would not recommend Activate for those with mobility issues.
Activate. // Photo by Zoe Strohm
As a group of two, we were able to play each game without issue, but I understand why a group of four or more is suggested. Not only is the cost less per person, a larger group also adds to the experience. Activate offers prizes dependent on score—The higher your score, the better the prize. When playing co-op modes, the same amount of points is awarded to each player, and the more players you have, the more opportunity to earn.
That being said, while this is a great family friendly spot, I would not recommend it for kids under the age of 7. As an early 20-something and teenager, we found the games to be challenging and entertaining, but with the amount of attention to detail, coordination, and teamwork required, younger players may struggle. Activate requires players to be four years old and up, so it’s up to guardians to determine if a visit would be right for their kids.
Activate. // Photo by Zoe Strohm
Keep in mind, Activate does not serve any food or drink. With the amount of physical activity needed to play, I recommend eating before.
Activate puts a spin on the traditional “adult arcade” options that Kansas City is filled with. This is a great alternative for adults who are looking for a sober, adult and kid friendly entertainment space. Not only was it genuinely fun, but reasonably priced at less than 50 cents a minute at its most expensive, and 26 cents per minute at the least.
Many of the family friendly venues miss the mark when it comes to catering towards the adults, with games being too easy or geared for children directly, but Activate hits the nail on the head perfectly. Now open to the public, Activate is a perfect option for parents looking to entertain their kids this summer break.
