17 Best Nerf Guns for Young Kids in 2020

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 Nerf gun for your child, here are some things you might want to keep in mind.

Choosing 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.

17 Good Budget Nerf Guns for Young Kids in 2020

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.

Model	Pros / Cons	Style
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	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	Elite
Nerf Fortnite Sp-L Read Review	Pros: Fortnite Themed Includes Silencer Fires 3 darts Easy to Load Cons: Just Average Accuracy	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	Elite
Fortnite TS-1 Blaster Read Review	Pros: Fires 4 Bullets in a Row Pump Action Fortnite Branded Cons: Average accuracy	Mega
Nerf StratoBow Bow Read Review	Pros: 15 Dart Clip Pull String Release Not Very Powerful Cons: Dart Fire Inconsistent
NERF Fortnite AR-L Read Review	Pros: Motorized Blasting Great Branded Guns Fires 10 Darts Easy to Load Cons: Requires Batteries	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	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	Elite
Infinus Motorized Blaster Read Review	Pros: 30 Dart Drum No Trigger Required Cons: Heavier Than Simpler Options Requires Batteries	Elite
Nerf RaptorStrike Read Review	Pros: 3 Configurations Includes Bipod, and Pop Up Site 2 6 Dart Quick Reload Cons: Large and a Bit Complicated	Elite
Nerf Rapidstrike CS-18 Read Review	Pros: 18 Dart Firing Fun Mounting Cons: Requires 4C Size Batteries	Elite
Mega Centurion Read Review	Pros: 6 Mega Blaster Darts Bipod Fires Up to 100 Feet Cons: Ages 8+ Standard Darts Don't Work	Mega
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	Mega
Nerf Rival Apollo Read Review	Pros: Foam Balls 7 Ball Magazine Balls Fly Faster Cons: Balls More Expensive	Rival
Nerf Rebelle Red Blaster Read Review	Pros: 12 Dart Clip Allows for Hidden Messages Great Color Cons: Motorized Requires Batteries	Elite
Nerf D.Va Rival Blaster Read Review	Pros: Shoots 90 ft/sec Overwatch Themed Great for Girls Cons: Keychain Distracts Only 3 Shots	Rival

1. Nerf 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.

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 configurations 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 simple 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. The Fortnite varieties are new for 2019 and are now available. 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. NERF 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 gun 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 three Nerf 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.

4. Spider-Man Web Shots Spiderbolt

Kids everywhere love Peter Parker, and they love Spider-Man even more. With this fun Spider-Man inspired web blaster your kids can have hours of enjoyment. Who hasn’t wanted to whip your wrist around and fire super spidey webs out of your fingers?

This crossbow gun won’t let you fire webs, but with its classic blue and red color and bow shape, it will provide your little one tons of fun taking down bad guys as your neighborhood Spider-Man. Spider-Man fanatics will love this blaster.

The Spiderbolt comes with 3 Nerf darts. It has an easy to use firing mechanism; even young kids can pull back the handle and push the Spiderbolt to fire a web Nerf bullet. This gun is recommended for kids ages 5 years old and older, but I think a 3-year-old could press the firing button on this gun. For a little more fun, this gun is compatible with web shots gear allowing you to add some spidey flare to your Nerf gun.

5. Nerf Fortnite TS-1 Blaster

The Nerf Fortnite TS-1 Blaster is another perfect Fortnite Nerf gun for your tweens to love. The TS-1 is new for 2019. It is easy to fire by simply moving the pump action back and forth. This blaster is part of the mega family of Nerf guns, firing the larger whistling Mega Nerf bullets. It can shoot farther than many other Nerf guns.

This gun comes with a moderate amount of Nerf darts and you can fire 4 darts in a row by using the hand pump. Like many of the Fortnite guns, the best part of the gun is the fact that the gun looks so authentic. Your kids will love going around shooting each other with a gun that looks like it is straight out of the video game.

This gun has a great balance of functioning well while still holding the almost cartoonish look the video game guns have. With some great red, orange, black, and white colors your son or daughter will love to get their hands on this one. One downside of this Nerf gun is it can be difficult to clear jams. Overall, this gun is a lot of fun and your kids will love it!

6. Nerf N-Strike StratoBow Bow

 

I really like the Elite Bow that Nerf makes because they’re so easy to use. In order to use it, you just load 15 darts into the clip, pull back the string, and then as you release it fires and the clip moves upward. So, there’s no balancing anything on a string which a toddler or even 5 to 6-year-old might find hard to do.

Plus this design is a bow which many smaller kids really like.

In terms of power, this one goes about 65 feet per second on average. That’s not quite as powerful as the 70 feet per second that most of the elite line does, but still good enough to shoot pretty well. The power difference might even be a plus for some.

Overall, this is a great little bow and one of the only ones I’d recommend. For around $30, it’s a good value overall.

 

7. NERF Fortnite AR-L Elite Dart Blaster

This yellow orange and grey gun is modeled after the Fortnite scar. This is your opportunity to run around with this gun that is just awesome looking. Your 7 or 8-year-old is truly going to jump for joy if they pull this Nerf gun out of a package for their birthday.

This gun not only looks great but has some great automatic rifle features. Some of the best features are the fact that the gun can fire 10 straight shots without reloading. The AR-7 requires 4 AA batteries in order for it to fire. You can start the automatic fun by pressing the accelerated to fire up the motor on the auto fire.

Although this gun is fun, it requires all the parts to be properly inserted. I’d recommend this gun for your older kids. It weighs a little and is a little difficult to move. Some of the reviews on this gun say the motor does not work, but from most of the reviewers the problem is that the motor will not work unless the orange door on the side is shut and the clip is fully inserted.

8. Nerf 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 $3. 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.

9. Nerf 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.

10. Infinus Nerf N-Strike 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 Nerf 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.

11. Nerf N-Strike Elite AccuStrike RaptorStrike

The Elite AccuStrike RaptorStrike has a unique design that has a pop up site and extendable bipod. This is a lot of fun for your 5 or 6-year-old, but might be a little complicated for really young kids.

For capacity, the RaptorStrike uses 2 clips of 6 elite darts that can be reloaded quickly into the clip.

Overall, this one is fun but not quite as reliable as some of the more basic guns. If you get it, it’s more for the novelty of being able to mount your gun. For distance, it goes up to 80 feet. If you get this gun, also be sure to purchase the 18 round dart clip for even more rounds.

12. Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 Blaster

Capable of firing 18 darts in 6 seconds, the Rapidstrike is capable of taking down your foes within a matter of seconds. The acceleration trigger powers up the motor and then you just let it go. The bullets for me in particular fire up to 60 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 Rapidstrike. Like the option above, this one is motorized and therefore requires batteries that are not included. So, be sure to get 4 C size batteries along with your purchase.

13. Mega Centurion

If you’d prefer to aim for a target and have accuracy rather than speed, the Mega Centurion N-Strike is one of the best Nerf sniper options out there. It comes with 6 mega darts, different than all of the other options so far which use elite darts, that fly up to 100 feet! In addition, this model comes with a bipod for additional stability.

Another fun thing about the Centurion is that as you fire the darts scream. It is large, so it’s fairly difficult to store, and in my opinion, could have been made smaller.

Overall, this Mega Nerf gun is a little fun and fantastic if you know what you’re getting. It’s not a rapid fire gun so don’t expect that. However, if you want a sniper rifle type Nerf gun, this is it.

14. 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 super fun as you change from trigger to trigger.

The gun itself is easy to mod 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 are removed from the access door above. However, this one doesn’t get jammed often and especially if you don’t use damage bolts.

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.

15. Nerf Rival Apollo

If you’d prefer something different to 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 Apollo 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 who has a Nerf gun faster than they can hit you.

The balls for the Apollo 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 Rapid Red Blaster

Girls love Nerf guns too! Trust me, there are three of them in our household. For that, try the Nerf Rebelle line which has a ton of great options that shoot accurately and quickly. Of these, I’d recommend the Rebelle Rapid for your young kids. It takes up to 12-darts through a clip and has an acceleration button for motorized blasting. For the motor, it takes AA batteries.

It comes with 6 standard darts and 6 message darts which you can write and use a decoder to send a secret message.

I’d like to say that this gun is as efficient as the standard options, but it’s not quite there. That being said it’s still very good and my daughter loves it because of the colors.

 

17. Nerf 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 new Nerf Gun for 2019. 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.

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. I know 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.

Summary

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.