17 Best Nerf Guns for Young Kids in 2022

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.

17 Good Budget Nerf Guns for Young Kids in 2021

Updated December 10th, 2021.

Model	Pros / Cons
Nerf Strongarm Blaster Read Review	Pros: Holds Up to 6 Elite Darts 4 Great Color Options Rapid Fire for Darts Easy to Load Cons: Occasionally Jams Style Elite
Nerf MicroShot Blaster Read Review	Pros: Light and Easy to Carry Great Branded Guns Fires 2 Darts Easy Loading Cons: Not Great as Primary Nerf Gun Style Elite
N-Strike Elite SurgeFire Read Review	Pros: 16 Dart Firing Fun Firing Cons: Primes slow Style Elite
NERF Elite 2.0 Phoenix CS-6 Read Review	Pros: Acceleration button Includes 12 darts Removable scope Great accuracy Con: A bit heavy Style Elite
Nerf Fortnite Sp-L Read Review	Pros: Fortnite Themed Includes Silencer Fires 3 darts Easy to Load Con: Just Average Accuracy Style Elite
Web Shots Spiderbolt Read Review	Pros: Spiderman Themed Crossbow Design Fires 3 Darts Easy to Load Cons: Not Powerful Fires One at a Time Style Elite
Chewbacca Blaster Read Review	Pros: Star Wars Themed Laser Sound Effects Darts Glow Fires 75 Feet Cons: Ages 8+ Limited Ammo Style Elite
NERF Fortnite AR-L Read Review	Pros: Motorized Blasting Great Branded Guns Fires 10 Darts Easy to Load Cons: Requires Batteries Style Elite
Nerf Zombie Strike Crossbow Read Review	Pros: Zombie theme Pull string release Easy to use Cons: Only 4 darts Style Elite
Nerf Elite Jolt Blaster Read Review	Pros: Easy for Kids to Hold Easy to Shoot Holds a Single Round Fits in Your Pocket Cons: Stiff Loading Mechanism Style Elite
Infinus Motorized Blaster Read Review	Pros: 30 Dart Drum No Trigger Required Cons: Heavier Than Simpler Options Requires Batteries Style Elite
Nerf Triad Ex-3 Blaster Read Review	Pros: 3 Bullets Compact Design Easy to Load and Fire Rarely Gets Stuck Cons: Fires 72 Feet per Second Style Elite
Modulus Tri-Strike Read Review	Pros: 3 Ways to Form No Battery Includes 10 Elite Darts Includes 4 Mega Darts Cons: Requires Elite & Mega Darts Multiple Pieces Style Mega
Nerf Modulus Regulator Read Review	Pros: 3 firing modes 24 darts 2 clips Swivel handle Cons: Large and a bit complicated Style Elite
Nerf Rival Helios Read Review	Pros: Foam Balls 7 Ball Magazine Balls Fly Faster Cons: Balls More Expensive Style Rival
Nerf Rebelle Guardian Crossbow Blaster Read Review	Pros: Auto-rotating launcher 6 darts Shoots up to 75 feet Cons: Best for 7+ Style Elite
Nerf D.Va Rival Blaster	Pros: Shoots 90 ft/sec Overwatch Themed Great for Girls Cons: Keychain Distracts Only 3 Shots Style Rival

1. N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster

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.

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.

3. N-Strike Elite SurgeFire

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.

4. NERF Elite 2.0 Phoenix CS-6

Here’s another exciting looking and fun to use blaster. The Phoenix CS-6 comes with 12 darts and a clip that holds up to 6 darts at once. Shoot it normally or push the acceleration button for faster shooting. Reloading is quick and easy, so you don’t have to worry about stopping for long during a battle.

Kids love that there’s a removable scope. It makes this gun seem like it’s even bigger and more sophisticated. The manufacturer claims this gun can shoot up to 90 feet. While we find it only goes about 60 feet, it is definitely one of the most accurate options on this list.

This gun is a bit heavy, so it’s probably best for kids ages 7 and up. It does require 4 AA batteries.

9. Nerf Zombie Strike Crossbow

If you have a child who’s interested in Zombies, check out the Zombie Strike Crossbow Blaster. This sweet-looking blaster is fun to load and fire. To use, simply place the bullets into the chambers. Then pull back on the string handle and press the trigger.

Everything about this toy crossbow is exciting, from the colors to the mechanism to the length the darts fly. Although Nerf recommends this blaster for kids age 8 and older, we find it’s definitely possible for a 5-year-old to use this gun.

This gun is more expensive than most on this list. Overall, this is a great little bow and one of the bow types I’d recommend.

10. N-Strike Elite Jolt Blaster

If you’re searching for a good Nerf gun for your toddler, this is the one I’d go for. It’s compact and only shoots one elite dart at a time. It’s easy for a 5 or 6-year-old kid to operate and even my toddler can do it (although she has a little trouble with pulling the handle down).Even though it looks pretty small, this gun fires the elite Nerf darts at a rate of around 50 to 55 feet per second. So, like all Nerf guns, you need to be sure that your young kids are careful or wear appropriate eyewear.

You’ll notice in the picture that there are two jolts. The less colorful option is the older one but is often available for less money. The newer option does look more substantial with its larger plastic barrel and colors; however, performance is pretty much the same. The difference between the two is around $2. So, you’ll have to decide whether you think it’s worth it or not. Clear green and clear orange options are also available for the Jolt Blaster.

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.

12. N-Strike Elite Triad Ex-3 Blaster

Don’t let its size fool you–the Elite Triad EX-3 is powerful, easy-to-load, and very capable of firing a lot of darts each minute. Even though it’s almost as compact as the Jolt, the Ex-3 has 3 bullets rather than one. The gun needs to be cocked each time you fire, even if all three darts are loaded. Still, it’s great as your retaliation weapon.

Like any of the Nerf guns, you need to be a bit careful with this one as the darts can go up to 90 feet at up to 72 feet per second! They can hurt small children if they’re less than 10 feet away so be sure to set some ground rules and supervise your children while using it. If your child is constantly shooting her siblings, I suggest setting up a target on the wall. Otherwise, you’ll certainly have some crying from younger siblings.

You may notice in the picture of the two different designs. The right one is the original while the Elite version is the newer model. Like the Jolt, there’s no difference other than the colors. So, go with whatever is cheaper or has the color scheme that you prefer.

13. Modulus Tri-Strike

If you’re a bit more serious about your Nerf gun collecting or you simply want a gun that shoots a few different types of darts, I really like the Nerf Modulus Tri-Strike. It shoots 3 different types of darts which is fun as you change from trigger to trigger.

The gun itself is easy to modify with a variety of other Nerf parts or simply the included parts.

The core blaster is a lot like the old Longstrike from back in the day. Darts are placed in a magazine and stuck darts can be removed from the access door above. However, this gun doesn’t get jammed often. It is definitely easier to avoid jams if you only use darts that are not damaged or bent.

As this model is a bit more complicated, here’s some more information about exactly what you’re getting. For the main blaster, it goes pretty fast at around 65 feet per second. The mega blaster is, admittedly slow but still fun.

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.

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.

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 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.

17. 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.

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.