Omaha’s Archery/Axe Games scores a bulls-eye

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Archery Games is cross between Hunger Games and Dodgeball.
Archery Games is cross between Hunger Games and Dodgeball.

Call it Hunger Games meets Dodgeball. The newest craze in Omaha includes bows and arrows…and axes. Archery Games and Axe Games are the same place, just different names. More on that later.

Since it opened four months ago, the indoor attraction near 113th and Q Streets has been busy. Open weekends, make a reservation to ensure you get a chance to play the games. Reservations are strongly encouraged Friday and Saturday, while Sunday is OK for walk-ins.

So, exactly what am I reserving a spot to do, you ask?

Archery Games, where two teams enter a playing field and only one will make it out alive. Ok, not really that bad. Two teams play a game similar to dodgeball, but with foam-tipped arrows. Wearing protective head and arm gear, teams roam the playing field shooting the arrows at each other. The last team standing wins. But, the competition includes variations of the game, with one being last player standing wins.

Admission covers 75 minutes of archery time, beginning with signing a waiver and instruction on using a bow and arrow. Then, it’s an hour of play time on a fenced-in playing surface. Each competition on the artificial turf starts with the arrows in the middle of the action in a safe zone. No one can be shot in the zone. However, once you get back to the playing zone, you can easily be knocked out, so play strategically. You could be like Lisa, and hide behind a barrier, thus ensuring you remain in the game until the end. I’m NOT saying she did that (wink, wink).

Learning to use a bow and arrow is part of the game.
Learning to use a bow and arrow is part of the game.

Our family played Archery Games during a hosted visit. The same folks who own Locked Room escape game also own Archery/Axe Games. The five of us in our group were joined by a trio of people to provide a nice even group of players. One of the trio is considered an Olympic-caliber archer. I can say I eliminated an Olympian from the competition. Though, he evened the playing field later by eliminating me in a game. Archery Games requires players to be at least 12 years old to play. It does allow 7-year-olds to play in a special game at noon on Sunday.

Axe Games

After finishing our archery games, our group headed to the Axe Games area, which is a short walk from the archery field. The facility covers about 6,000 square feet. You can purchase a combo pack that gives you time in both areas. Axe Games last about 30 minutes, which is usually enough time. Our daughters Steph and Mallory were outstanding in both games, but really handled the ax throwing well. As one of Mal’s friends joked later, she’s acquired the skills necessary for a post-apocalyptic world.

Mallory watches as Steph throws her axe.
Mallory watches as Steph throws her axe.

Lisa, on the other hand…Well, we can say she tried. And tried. And tried. When the axe throwing official (yes, they are officials) told her she was ready to go home (ok, begged Lisa to hit the target SOOOO she could go home), Lisa finally managed to get the axe to stay in the wooden target. Actually, Lisa did a good job throwing the axe, but some reason, it wouldn’t stay on the target. I had fun throwing an axe. I was proud when I hit the bull’s eye a few times.

Lisa was proud of her axe finally scoring points on the target.
Lisa was proud of her axe finally scoring points on the target.

All told, the family had a blast at Archery/Axe Games. We plan to have another outing there.

The company hosts special events – great for bachelor and bachelorette parties – as well as corporate events. For corporate outings, special days can be booked outside normal business hours. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages can be brought in and kept at the lobby. Alcohol is not allowed.

We recommend visiting Archery/Axe Games. You will have a blast.

For more information, please visit Archery Games Omaha.