Before we had kids, we decided they wouldn’t play with toy guns. However, they were exposed to toy guns early on by their cousins and that was the end of that. Our son would use whatever toy he had and pretend it was a gun. One of his first gifts was a toy gun from an aunt and uncle.
You know the type I’m talking about–the obnoxiously loud flashing gun. It’s the kind of toy you would never get for your own child, but you get satisfaction giving to someone else’s kid and knowing they will drive their parents crazy with it.
After that delightful experience we broke down and bought a Nerf gun. It’s much less annoying and can actually be fun for parents to play with their kids. Now that our kids are getting older, we like toys that get them off electronic devices and give them some good exercise.
Our kids love to pick up Nerf guns or Super Soakers and chase each other and their friends around with them. Studies show 3 out of 4 kids ages 5 to 10 do not get enough exercise. Playing with Nerf guns is a fun and easy way to get kids moving. If you are looking for a blaster for your child, here are some things you might want to keep in mind.
How to Choose a Nerf Gun for Toddlers to Kids Ages 5 or 6
- Weight. Lightweight Nerf guns are easier for small kids to handle. Young children may have a difficult time carrying the heavier automatic options.
- Ease of loading. Guns that are easy to load are ideal. If your kids can’t load it, then you have to do it.
- Aftermarket or genuine Nerf bullets. Aftermarket darts are cheaper but often times have heavier and harder tips. This is fun for adults as it helps them go farther, but they’re probably not the best for a toddler or young child.
- Dart quantity. Buy extra darts. Our kids tend to lose, chew on, or find some way of destroying them regularly.
- Theme. Kids love themed dart guns. Some of the more popular themed options are Fortnite, Overwatch, Marvel, and Star Wars.
- Price. Everything has a budget. Some of these Nerf Guns are as inexpensive as $5 and some can be hundreds of dollars.
18 Good Budget Nerf Guns for Young Kids in 2023
| Model | Pros / Cons |
|---|---|
Nerf Strongarm Blaster Read Review | Dart Capacity 6 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 6 and up Price $ Style Elite Velocity ~70 fps |
Nerf MicroShot Blaster Read Review | Dart Capacity 1 Elite Dart Recommended Ages 4 and up Price $ Style Elite Velocity ~50 fps |
N-Strike Elite SurgeFire Read Review | Dart Capacity 15 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 7 and up Price $$ Style Elite Velocity ~70 fps |
DinoSquad Dart Blaster Read Review | Dart Capacity 6 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 6 and up Price $$ Style Elite Velocity ~70 fps |
Nerf Fortnite Sp-L Read Review | Dart Capacity 3 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 7 and up Price $$ Style Elite Velocity ~75 fps |
NERF Fortnite Dart Blaster Read Review | Dart Capacity 6 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 6 and up Price $ Style Elite Velocity ~60 fps |
Chewbacca Blaster Read Review | Dart Capacity 2 Glow Strike Darts Recommended Ages 5 and up Price $$$ Style Elite Velocity ~50 fps |
Overwatch McCree Rival Read Review | Dart Capacity 1 Rival Ball Recommended Ages 9 and up Price $$ Style Rival Velocity ~80 fps |
RD-6 Blaster Read Review | Dart Capacity 6 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 6 and up Price $ Elite Velocity ~70 fps |
Pathfinder-XXII-1200 Read Review | Dart Capacity 12 Rival Darts Recommended Ages 9 and up Price $$ Style Rival Velocity ~90 fps |
Infinus Motorized Blaster Read Review | Dart Capacity 30 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 8 and up Price $$$ Style Elite Velocity ~70 fps |
Flipshots Flip-16 Read Review | Dart Capacity 16 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 8 and up Price $$ Style Elite Velocity ~70 fps |
Modulus ECS-10 Read Review | Dart Capacity 10 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 8 and up Price $$ Style Elite Velocity ~75 fps |
Nerf Modulus Regulator Read Review | Dart Capacity 12 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 8 and up Price $$$ Style Elite Velocity ~70 fps |
Nerf Rival Helios Read Review | Dart Capacity 7 Rival Darts Recommended Ages 9 and up Price $$ Style Rival Velocity ~90 fps |
Nerf Zombie Strike Hammershot Read Review | Dart Capacity 5 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 5 and up Price $ Style Elite Velocity ~70 fps |
Nerf Rebelle Guardian Crossbow Blaster Read Review | Dart Capacity 6 Elite Darts Recommended Ages 7 and up Price $$$ Style Elite Velocity ~70 fps |
Nerf D.Va Rival Blaster Read Review | Dart Capacity 3 Rival Darts Recommended Ages 9 and up Price $$ Style Rival Velocity ~90 fps |
1. N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster
The Amazon exclusive Strongarm Blaster is definitely my favorite for young kids. It allows you to pump the strong arm while holding down the trigger to fire out all 6 elite darts. Unlike the Triad EX-3, the barrel rotates on this one and it even flips out to make it easy to load.
In terms of accuracy and power, it’s pretty good as well. I wouldn’t put it as accurate as some of the options below; however, it’s still really good. For power, the darts go up to 90 feet. This is a great blaster for a 5-year-old.
For kids, this is a great one. My toddler can load it and fire without a problem. I also love the 3 new color options. Personally I prefer the clear one, but my daughter prefers the purple. Both boys and girls alike can find a Nerf gun they want.
Overall, the Strongarm Blaster is a good option for kids and nearly as cheap as any of the other options below, which is definitely a plus for our big family.
PROS
- Easy to fire
- Inexpensive
- Repeatable shots
- Multiple colors
CONS
- Not super exciting
- Doesn’t fire fast
- Occasional jams
2. Nerf MicroShot Blaster
The Nerf MicroShot is our recommended choice for the best Nerf Blaster for a toddler to a 4-year-old. This gun has so many new styles that no matter what character or movie your child likes, there a is a blaster your child will love. I’m a little partial to the Star Wars guns, but my 9-year-old son prefers the new Fortnite and Marvel MicroShot guns.
These guns are really easy to load and have a simple trigger mechanism that allows kids to run around and chase each other. MicroShot comes in over 10 different styles. Fortnite varieties were first available in 2019 and since then many more have been added. Most kids will prefer to have another Nerf blaster as their main gun, but the MicroShot makes a great backup. This is also stores well in a belt or a tactical vest.
These blasters fire just one dart at a time and use the elite darts, or in other words fires a basic shot. They weigh less than half a pound each so even a toddler can use it.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Simple firing
- Inexpensive
- Tons of themes
CONS
- Only 2 shots
- Not easy to load
- Fire one shot at a time
3. N-Strike Elite SurgeFire
Capable of firing 15 darts in about 6 seconds, the SurgeFire is capable of taking down your foes within a matter of seconds. The trigger and rotary barrel trigger the shots then you just let it go. The bullets for me in particular fire up to 70 feet.
The great part about quickfire is that even when your opponent is dodging you can actively move the darts. On the other hand, rapid fire isn’t always the greatest thing for little kids. When they’re done firing they’ll be chasing you down to either fill it back up or taking a long time doing it themselves.
Still, my kids scream in excitement every time they pull the trigger on the SurgeFire. Unloading 15 darts in such a short time period is always a ton of fun. The SurgeFire is one of the lighter guns that Nerf makes that fires this many bullets at a time. This blaster gun is great for an 8-year-old and will make an excellent Christmas or birthday present.
PROS
- Fun style
- Shoots far
- Fires 15 shots
- Slam fire option
CONS
- Big for small children
- Takes a while to load
- Firing can be inconsistent
4. NERF DinoSquad Raptor-Slash Dart Blaster
PROS
- Dino themed
- Simple firing
- Slam fire option
- Great colors
CONS
- Harder to load
- Drum can stick
- Firing can be inconsistent
5. Fortnite Sp-L Elite Dart Blaster
If your kids are like mine they love the blaster game Fortnite. This Sp-L blaster inspired by the game would be loved by your 6-year-old. I absolutely love the silencer and look and feel of this Nerf gun and so will your kid. Your kids will love how light and easy this gun is to use.
The barrel on the Sp-L is detachable and can even be put on other Nerf guns. To load the gun simply place three Nerf Elite carts in the cartridge from above. The blaster can shoot slightly longer distances if the barrel is attached, but your younger kids may prefer the ease of using the Fortnite Sp-L without it.
6 darts are included with this gun. Others may have more ammo, but this gun is a lot of fun to use. With the internal clip, 3 darts can be fired one after the other. In order to fire more you will just need to load the gun again. Your kids will love to play Fortnite in real life with this great looking gun that is sure to make any kid excited.
PROS
- Fortnite themed
- Sleek look
- Silencer
- Internal clip
CONS
- Only holds 3 shots
- Hard for little kids to use
- Not always reliable
6. NERF Fortnite Dart Blaster
PROS
- Fortnite themed
- Sturdy build
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Barrel is a little bulky for young kids
- Only 6 shots
- Hammer can be a little hard to pull down
7. Chewbacca Blaster
Raaaawwwwwgggg, I can distinctly hear Chewbacca’s growl as he fires upon enemies in the Star Wars Movie Series. This blaster brings to life a combination of an old Star Wars character and brand new Nerf technology with a little flair. This gun is brand new for 2020. The Chewbacca blaster is similar to some of the other blasters Nerf has made, with a pump action and a long barrel.
This new blaster has what Nerf calls Glowstrike Technology. It combines glow and the dark Nerf darts with laser lights. Just to make things more exciting, this gun has some great sound effects, too. With a great looking futuristic scope and a sleek look your child is going to love chasing their friends around with this gun.
The Chewbacca blasster can fire two bullets at a time up to 70 feet. While this gun won’t blow you away with the accuracy and effectiveness, the fun factor makes it a must for Star Wars fans.
PROS
- Star Wars themed
- Uses Glowstrike Technology
- Great sound effects
- Long gun barrel
CONS
- Not easy for young kids to use
- Not super accurate
- Only shoots 2 shots
8. Nerf Overwatch McCree Rival Blaster
For those who are fans of the multiplayer shooting game Overwatch, they will love this Overwatch McCree Rival Blaster. In the game, McCree is an outlaw gunslinger who fights for the principle of righteousness. He is known to say “Justice ain’t gonna disperse itself.” He has great shooting precision, which is what this blaster is used for.This blaster looks very cool. In fact, it looks like a revolver that a gunslinger from the wild west might have used. This blaster is great to use in target practice, and it has great accuracy. The blaster can fire a round of 80 feet per second; super fast. It comes with 6 round bullets and a McCree badge.
Keep in mind that the Overwatch McCree Rival Blaster is not a 6 shooter so it is not great for Nerf wars. It holds 1 round and then you need to reload. Also, it takes a little bit of force to prime the loading mechanism. But the shooter will definitely feel and look like someone fighting for good!
PROS
- Overwatch themed
- Revolver look
- Fires fast
- Easy to use
CONS
- Not safe for a young child
- Only holds 6 rival bullets
- Hard to re-load
9. NERF Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 Blaster
The Nerf Elite Commander Blaster has a classic Nerf look and feel. It is very similar to the Strongarm blaster, but currently at about half the cost. This gun is absolutely jam packed with great Nerf features in a small package.
The Commander RD-6 can fire Nerf darts almost 90 feet and can be slam fired by holding the trigger down and moving the slide back and forth. This blaster even has 3 tactical rails in case you like to modify your gun. This gun also makes for a good choice at Nerf gun parties due to its ease of use and inexpensive cost.
PROS
- Uses Elite darts
- Has 3 rails
- Can be slam fired
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Somewhat small
- Not super accurate
10. NERF Rival Pathfinder XXII-1200 Blaster
Look I admit it; I really like the Rival Pathfinder XXII-1200 Blaster. It is fun with a capital F. There are so many things that make this outrageous Nerf gun tons of fun. Although this is probably a better fit for teens or tweens, this is a good Nerf gun for the right child.
Make sure your child and those around him/her wear eye protection. Rival bullets are exciting, but at speed at over 90 feet/second, caution needs to be made with this gun. Rivals guns are great for Nerf wars or target practice. Everything about this gun is meant to give accuracy and improve performance including the streamlined barrel, aerodynamic accu-round bullets, and an adjustable site. Just like most dads I sometimes make an excuse to buy a gift for my kids that I secretly love. This is a gift that is worth the excuse.
PROS
- Designed for accuracy
- Holds 12 rounds
- Sniper design
- Good mount
- Adjustable sight
CONS
- Not safe for small children
- Hard to pump
11. Infinus Elite Toy Motorized Blaster
The Infinus Nerf N-Strike Elite Motorized Blaster is a larger gun that comes with a 30 dart drum that can be emptied within seconds. It’s a little bit heavier than other options I’ve included here, but it’s easy to fill up and super easy to shoot as it runs on batteries. As it is heavy, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone younger than 6.
Whether or not you want to deal with batteries is up to you. However, for my little kids, it makes it easier to shoot as they don’t have to pull the trigger. The auto-loading feature is amazingly easy–just stick the dart in the hopper and it auto-loads.
Overall, the Infinus N-Strike Elite Motorized Blaster is one of my favorite motorized Nerf guns. It’s a bit costlier than other options on this list, but it’s more substantial as well.
PROS
- Contains a 30 dart drum
- Quick firing
- Hopper can auto-load
- Exciting
CONS
- Runs on batteries
- Heavy
- Expensive
12. NERF Elite 2.0 Flipshots
The Nerf Elite 2.0 Flipshots is one of the most unique Nerf Guns ever made and perfect for the mechanically minded. It is similar to a Twin Mega Shock and a few other guns in that it has multiple shots that can be in the same direction or in sequence along one single side.
The crazy twist with this Nerf gun is that as soon as you get done shooting the darts of all 8 bullets, the gun can be flipped and then you can fire all 8 out of the other side. This bolt pull and priming mechanism is never going to shoot as well as a rotating drum, but for a kid it will be tons of fun to use. The problem is this is not the easiest Nerf gun to use, making it better suited for the tween or category. The mechanism can only shoot 1 or 2 bullets at a time.
PROS
- Fires from 2 directions
- Shoots 16 bullets
- Fun firing mechanism
- Unique design
CONS
- Fires 1-2 bullets at a time
- Parts can be flimsy
13. Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster
The Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster is one of the best known of Nerf blasters. The biggest reason to love this blaster is because it is so easy to customize. The set comes with enough extras so that there are 30 different combos that can be built, depending on the style of battle you are entering. And it’s easy enough to change that your child can change it up in the middle of the war. Also, you can use accessories from other Nerf guns, giving even more options to customize the blaster.
It comes with a targeting scope, Zombie strike blasters, Fire Vision (glows in the dark), 10 darts, a banana clip, a drop grip, and a dual-rail barrel to name a few. This blaster is very easy to use: prime the blaster by pressing a button (this activates the motor) and when ready to fire just press the trigger. It can shoot up to 90 feet with surprisingly great accuracy. If your family is serious about Nerf wars then you really need to invest in a few of these.
Keep in mind that the blaster requires 4 AA batteries. The batteries make the blaster so easy to use, but you might want to keep a few batteries around at all times!
PROS
- Glows
- Includes a scope
- Great look and feel
- Accurate
CONS
- Requires batteries
- Not simple to use
- Expensive
14. Nerf Modulus Regulator
Opponents will definitely be intimidated by this incredible gun. The Modulus Regulator comes with 24 Elite darts and can fire in 3 modes: single-fire, burst-fire, and continuous-fire. Two clips make it easy to reload quickly, and the 24 darts make it so you don’t have to reload so often. An indicator light blinks when the clip is empty.
Some of the unique features of this gun make it even more fun. The swivel handle makes it easier to stabilize, making shots more accurate. Two barrel scopes also help with accuracy.
This is a lot of fun for your 10 or 11-year-old, but might be a little complicated for really young kids.
Be aware that this large toy blaster gun requires 4 size C batteries. It does require minimal assembly before initial use.
PROS
- 3 firing modes
- Includes a scope
- Swivel handle
- 24 darts included
- Indicator lights
CONS
- Complicated for little ones
- Requires batteries
- Expensive
15. Rival Helios XVIII
If you’d prefer something other than darts, I like the foam balls of the Nerf Rival Apollo. It comes with a magazine that advertises 7 balls but for many will hold up to 8.
Admittedly, the Helios is a bit difficult to prime before you shoot. However, it’s a lot faster than your regular velocity, at around 100 feet per second. So, you’re hitting your opponent faster than they can hit you.
The balls for the Helios are a bit more expensive than your standard elite dart and the gun is a little bit harder to load, but it’s still a lot of fun for kids.
PROS
- High velocity shooting
- Includes useful magazine
- Easy to fire
CONS
- Eye protection is a must
- Can be painful to be hit
- Not for young kids
Fun Nerf Guns for Girls
Who says toy guns are just for boys? Girls can have a great time shooting as well. Nerf has recently come out with quite a few fun options for girls too! Here are two of our favorite Nerf guns for girls.
16. Nerf Zombie Strike Hammershot Blaster
The Nerf Zombie Strike Hammershot Blaster is one of the easier ones for a younger child. You pull back the hammer to prime and the push the trigger to fire. It comes with 5 darts that can easily be loaded into the front of the blaster and the drum will rotate shooting each dart. This Zombie blaster can shoot up to 25-30 feet with pretty good accuracy.
The colors on this blaster are bright, colorful, and fun: purple, orange, green, and a red-violet shade; red and orange; or yellow and orange. Perfect for boy or girl, man or woman. And I love that batteries are not required!
PROS
- Fun colors
- Holds 5 darts
- Lightweight
CONS
- Not great accuracy
- Expensive for type of gun
17. Nerf Rebelle Guardian Crossbow Blaster
Girls love Nerf guns, too! Trust me, there are three of girls in our household. For that, try the Nerf Rebelle line which has a ton of great options that shoot accurately and quickly.
The Rebelle Guardian is another fun crossbow. Shooting up to 75 feet, this blaster requires no batteries. It comes with 6 darts and has an auto-rotating launcher, making shooting quick and easy. To fire this girls’ Nerf gun, simply pull back the slide and pull the trigger.
No batteries are needed for the Rebelle Guardian. We find that this gun is best for kids 7 and older.
PROS
- Crossbow look
- Bright colors
- Simple to load
- Can use a tactical rail
CONS
- Crossbow doesn’t fire
- Not super accurate
- Expensive
18. Overwatch D.Va Rival Blaster
Pew-Pew-Pew. Overwatch’s officer D.Va is on the loose. Fans of Overwatch can rejoice with the release of this Nerf Gun. This signature piece from Blizzard’s game Overwatch can now be purchased. With great purple flair, D.Va fans are going to be satisfied with the look of this Nerf blaster.
This gun won’t make you a Nerf sniper, but is definitely a fun gun to add to your arsenal.This Rival style gun shoots the round bullet style that hits harder than standard Nerf guns. If you are giving this to a 4-year-old I would definitely recommend some safety glasses.
With only 3 shots ,this gun is more style than function. If you are looking for a fun blaster for your daughter this works, but it definitely is not competition ready.
PROS
- Easy to fire
- Overwatch themed
- Lightweight
- Small in size
CONS
- Small but not for young kids
- Can hurt to be hi
- Only 3 shots
FAQs
What is the Advantage of a brand name Nerf gun over off-brands?
There are many advantages of a Nerf branded gun versus an off-brand that include:
- Eye safety. Nerf goes through a lot of product testing to make sure the toys your kids play with are not only fun, but safe as well. Many of the off brand foam guns have bullets that are harder.
- Consistency. One of the biggest complaints about off brand foam blasters is the consistency of product to product. This is not the case with all brands, but with Nerf, one gun to the next will be very consistent.
- Chemical safety. The plastic Nerf uses for their guns is very safe for children and has been safely tested and meets rigid product safety requirements.
- Quality. Nerf has a strong name for quality. The product will last most likely even if your kids do not take great care of it.
Should I buy my children Nerf guns?
Buying Nerf guns is definitely a personal preference. Some parents are not fond of letting their kids play with shooting toys with the concern it might make them fond of violence later in life.
For us Nerf guns are fun and a great way for kids to get out and move and get away from their electronic devices. It is also a good way for kids to get some frustration out without having anything get damaged.
Which Nerf gun is the best value?
The Strongarm blaster is the best value. It is accurate, inexpensive, and fun to shoot.
Summary and Recommendations
If you’ve never purchased a Nerf gun before or don’t do it regularly, it’s hard to know exactly what you’re getting into. For simplicity’s sake, I’d first recommend you go with a Nerf gun from the Elite series. All of these guns use the same darts interchangeably. Then when you have your Nerf wars, you can just trade them out.
Here are few of the options I’d personally go with if you’re buying for a young kid or toddler. The great news is 2020 has brought some fun new options, including blasters from the very popular video game series Fortnite, Nerf guns from Marvel, and Nerf guns from the video game Overwatch. We’ve updated our favorite Nerf guns based on these great new options.
Overall, you need to use your judgment to determine which Nerf gun would be good for your young children. Some of the Mega Nerf or Rival options above might be age appropriate for your child at 5 or 6 but not for another child. That being said, Nerf wars are a fun family activity when everyone, including your small kids, can participate. Looking for a Nerf Super Soaker? Read our review on the Most Powerful Super Soakers.
