When it comes to NERF guns and kids, bigger isn’t always better. The best NERF guns for kids are not necessarily those that shoot the furthest or have the highest capacity. They are the NERF guns that give your child the most pleasure while being safe for them to use.
NERF guns can be a lifesaver for parents when their kids are getting cabin fever from being cooped up inside for too long.
Taking customer feedback consideration, as well as many years of dodging the NERF projectiles our own kids have fired, these are our recommendations for the best NERF guns for kids.
- Fun & bright
- Includes plenty of accessories
- Unique see-through feature
- Reaches up to 90 feet
- Accurate shot
- Customizable & easy to use
- Two types of ammo
- Semi-automatic
- Removable stock
- Has an internal magazine
- Comes with eye mask for protection
- Has 10 rounds of ammunition
- Fires up to 120 feet
- Motorized blaster
- High-capacity drum
- Rapid-fire shooting
- No batteries needed
- Simple to operate
- Easy to load
- Fast firing rate
- Includes rechargeable NiMH battery
- Quirky styling
- 25 dart capacity belt
- Duel fire mechanism
- Includes llama targets
- No batteries required
- Pump-action blaster
- Simple, one-shot gun
- Easy to use
- Barrel can store additional darts
The Best Kids NERF Guns of 2024
Here are 15 excellent NERF guns to consider.
NERF N-Strike Modulus Ghost Ops Evader
Best Motorized NERF Gun for Kids
Our favorite NERF blaster, the Ghost Ops Evader, is lightweight, easy to use, and a great size for almost any NERF warrior.
The clear plastic allows you to see the inner workings of your NERF gun as well as how many darts you have left. This is a wonderful perk for kids who are curious about how things work.
The entire thing lights up and is visible, even in low light, or you can use stealth mode and leave the lights off. A barrel extension is included, and this too lights up when connected to the gun.
The Evader is good to go as is, but there are also many accessories available to customize your NERF and make it unique to you.
Pros
- Fun and bright.
- Easy to use.
- Plenty of accessories available.
- The see-through feature is unique.
Cons
- Requires batteries.
Product Specs
Age Range | 8 years and older |
Weight | 3.2 pounds |
Capacity | 12 Elite dart magazine, expandable |
Prime style | Acceleration trigger |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 12 Elite darts, 1 x 12 Elite dart capacity magazine, barrel extension |
Our Ratings
NERF N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster
Best NERF Gun For Accuracy
Another NERF Modulus line weapon, the ECS-10 blaster is accurate up to about 27 feet, although it does shoot much further.
It comes with a banana clip and 10 darts.
As with all Modulus weapons, this one can be customized. But unlike others, there are plenty of custom possibilities straight out of the box, so there’s no need to go out and buy more NERF gear immediately.
Pros
- Flexible.
- Accurate.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- May not be as powerful as other Nerf toys.
Product Specs
Age Range | 8 years and older |
Weight | 3.65 pounds |
Capacity | 10 NERF dart clips included. |
Prime style | Acceleration trigger |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 10 darts, scope, drop grip, dual-rail barrel, storage stock, banana clip, and instructions. |
Our Ratings
Nerf Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher
Best NERF Gun For Beginners
New for 2020 and exclusive to Amazon is the updated NERF Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher.
This 2-in-1 NERF holds 10 darts, which are fired from the upper barrel via the semi-automatic, motorized acceleration trigger. The pump-action, lower barrel fires a NERF rocket.
We particularly like that it is easy to fire and light enough for smaller NERFers while being beefy enough for older kids. The stock can be removed to make the gun more compact or left on for greater stability and accuracy.
Pros
- Two types of ammo.
- Semi-automatic.
- Removable stock.
Cons
- Requires batteries.
Product Specs
Age Range | 8 years and older |
Weight | 3 pounds |
Capacity | 10 Elite darts in an external magazine, and 1 NERF Rocket |
Prime style | Acceleration trigger for dart firing, pump-action for rocket firing |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 10 Elite darts, 1 x 10 Elite dart capacity banana magazine, 2 rockets |
Our Ratings
NERF Rival Kronos Battle Set
Best NERF Gun with Accessories
The NERF Rival Kronos comes with the blaster, eye-mask, and ten rounds of ammunition. This makes it both a well-equipped and safe option for older or more responsible NERF fans.
An internal magazine holds five rounds at once, so there’s no need to reload after every shot, while at the same time requiring your child to slow down a little and consider how to use their ammo.
The eye-mask has an adjustable elastic strap, so it is both snug and comfortable. It also has a color indicator at the top so you can change between red, blue, or white, which is an excellent feature for teams.
Pros
- No need for additional items.
- Internal magazine.
- Two colors available.
- It comes with an eye mask for protection.
Cons
- More powerful than you may want for younger children.
Product Specs
Age Range | 14 years and older |
Weight | 1.95 pounds |
Capacity | 5 Kronos rounds in an internal magazine |
Prime style | Slide action |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, safety goggles, 10 balls |
Our Ratings
NERF Ultra One Motorized Blaster
Best Long-Range NERF Gun For Kids
For high-octane craziness, nothing can beat the Ultra One motorized blaster. You can load the drum with 25 darts and let the powered acceleration trigger do all of the work.
With an advertised range of 120 feet, the Ultra One takes Ultra darts, which are made of a different foam than the regular orange NERF ammunition. This lightweight foam, combined with the fins, makes these the furthest flying darts, but the Ultra ammo is not compatible with other non-Ultra NERF weapons.
Pros
- Fires up to 120 feet.
- Motorized.
- High capacity.
Cons
- Requires four C batteries.
- Requires a special dart that only works with Ultras.
Product Specs
Age Range | 8 years and older |
Weight | 4.1 pounds |
Capacity | 25 NERF Ultra darts |
Prime style | Acceleration trigger |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 25 Ultra darts |
Our Ratings
NERF Strike Strongarm
Best Budget NERF Gun for Kids
The NERF Strongarm ships in a basic brown cardboard box, which keeps costs down and means you get more NERF bang for your buck than you might otherwise.
The slide action priming mechanism does not require any tremendous amount of strength, and the rotating 6 dart capacity barrel flips open for easy reloading.
With a range of up to 90 feet, this is easily good enough for basic NERF shenanigans in the yard while still being suitable for shooting at friends and siblings from further away.
Pros
- Excellent value.
- Rapid-fire.
- No batteries.
- Highly affordable.
- Simple to operate.
Cons
- It only holds six darts.
Product Specs
Age Range | 8 years and older |
Weight | 0.6 pounds |
Capacity | 6 NERF Elite Darts |
Prime style | Slide action |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 6 NERF Elite darts |
Our Ratings
Nerf Rival Prometheus MXVIII-20K
Best High Capacity NERF Gun For Kids
The Prometheus is loaded via an easy-to-use port on the top of the weapon, which is a good thing because this monster holds a whopping 200 Rival rounds.
Fitted with NERF’s advanced acceleration system, this weapon fires up to eight rounds a second. Even if you fill it up to the brim with rounds, it can be emptied in just 25 seconds. To achieve this rate of fire, the blaster is powered by a rechargeable NiMH battery, which is included.
Each of those rounds has a velocity of 100 feet per second, and you’ll need two hands to hold, fire, and control the gun.
Pros
- High capacity.
- Fast firing rate.
- Battery level indicator light.
Cons
- Large and weighty.
- 200 balls to pick up when you’re done.
Product Specs
Age Range | 14 years and older |
Weight | 4.5 pounds |
Capacity | 200 NERF Rival rounds |
Prime style | Acceleration trigger |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 200 Rival rounds, battery, charger, sling, two flags |
Our Ratings
Nerf Zombie Ripchain Combat Blaster
Best Belt-Fed NERF Gun For Kids
The Ripchain Combat Blaster has a 25-dart capacity belt, which is loaded onto the gun via a simple to use flip-up hatch.
The duel fire mechanism allows you to shoot a single dart at a time or “slam-fire” up to 25 darts in rapid succession. Slam-fire requires you to pump the prime mechanism and pull the trigger, which takes a little getting used to. But once you get the knack, it’s easy.
Some owners have complained that the belt jams during slam-fire, but we’ve had many hours of use out of a few of these blasters and never had an issue.
Pros
- Quirky styling.
- 25 dart capacity.
- The belt-fed loader might look cool to some kids.
Cons
- NERF doesn’t make spare belts.
- Slam-fire mode can, occasionally, skip darts.
Product Specs
Age Range | 8 years and older |
Weight | 3 pounds |
Capacity | 25 Zombie Strike Darts |
Prime style | Pump action |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 25 Zombie Strike, Elite darts, 1 x 25 capacity Zombie Strike Elite dart feeder belt |
Our Ratings
Nerf Fortnite TS-R Blaster and Llama Targets
Best Fortnite NERF Gun
There’s an extensive array of NERF and Fortnite crossover weapons showcasing a variety of styles and capacities. But the TS-R Blaster is the cream of the crop for its broad appeal and cool accessories.
Made in the style of the Fortnite heavy shotgun, the TS-R can be loaded with four NERF Mega darts at once, and there’s space in the stock to hold four more. This is useful because you can fire several shots at the included llama targets before having to go and retrieve your darts.
The blaster is pump-action and does not require a great deal of strength to use, making it especially suitable for kids at the younger end of the age spectrum.
Pros
- Includes targets.
- No batteries are required.
- Reasonably light.
Cons
- Sometimes it can jam.
- Relatively low capacity for a large gun.
Product Specs
Age Range | 8 years and older |
Weight | 2.6 pounds |
Capacity | 4 NERF Mega darts |
Prime style | Slide action |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 8 Mega darts, 3 plastic llama targets |
Our Ratings
NERF Mega Talon Blaster
Best Single Shot NERF Gun For Kids
Do you have a younger child who wants a NERF gun because the older kids have one? Or if you’ve been asked for a NERF gun and don’t think your child will really use it, then this is the blaster for you.
This simple, one-shot NERF gun is loaded by poking the Mega dart into the barrel. You prime by pulling down on the plunger at the base of the grip. There’s also room to store an additional dart on the top of the barrel and another in a slot on the handle.
Pros
- No batteries.
- Simple to use.
- Inexpensive.
Cons
- Single capacity.
- Slow reload.
Product Specs
Age Range | 8 years and older |
Weight | 1.6 ounces |
Capacity | 1 NERF Mega dart |
Prime style | Slide action |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 3 Mega darts |
Our Ratings
Nerf Rival Roundhouse XX-1500
Best Ball Firing NERF Gun
The Rival Roundhouse features a fun, clear chamber that allows you to see exactly how many rounds you have left. This is especially useful in the heat of battle when you forget to count how many shots you fire.
The tactical rails give you the option to add any accessories you may need, although this blaster is an excellent weapon as is.
With a projectile velocity of 90 feet per second, it’s at the more powerful end of the range, so eye protection is especially important with this blaster.
Pros
- Safety switch.
- Two tactical rails.
- No batteries are required.
Cons
- Takes some strength to prime.
- Ammunition is more expensive than darts.
Product Specs
Age Range | 14 years and older |
Weight | 2 pounds |
Capacity | 15 NERF Rival rounds in an internal magazine |
Firing style | Slide action |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 15 Rival rounds |
Our Ratings
NERF SuperSoaker Scatterblast
Best Super Soaker NERF Water Gun
If you want to avoid toy guns with ammunition, NERF makes an entire line of water guns called SuperSoakers.
The pump-action Scatterblast is easy for kids as young as 6 to use and fires five water streams at once. Don’t ask me why, but somehow this seems more fun than the same amount of water in a single stream.
There’s a flip-up sight if you want to aim, or it can be used with the sight down when you don’t mind who or what you hit.
Pros
- No ammunition to lose.
- Less risk of injury.
- No batteries are required.
Cons
- Outdoor use only.
Product Specs
Age Range | 6 years and older |
Weight | 12.9 ounces |
Capacity | Almost 3 cups of water. |
Prime style | Pump action |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster |
Our Ratings
Nerf Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K
Best Automatic NERF Gun for Kids
The fully automatic NERF Rival Nemesis has a hopper system that’s easily refilled via the large opening on the top surface. Then simply flip a switch to power up, and you can rapid-fire up to 100 balls with a single squeeze on the trigger.
The rounds are fired at roughly 100 feet per second, and with six D cell batteries, the gun will be empty in under 45 seconds. If you pick up a rechargeable battery pack, the fire rate goes up, and the Nemesis will empty in about 30 seconds.
Pros
- Removable hopper.
- Fully automatic.
- Trigger lock.
Cons
- Requires six D batteries or rechargeable battery pack.
- Heavier than most.
Product Specs
Age Range | 14 years and older |
Weight | 5 pounds |
Capacity | 100 NERF Rival balls |
Firing style | Acceleration trigger |
What’s in the box | NERF blaster, 100 Rival balls |
Our Ratings
Nerf Zombie Strike Wrathbolt
Best NERF Crossbow For Kids
The Wrathbolt works like a real crossbow. You draw back the elastic string and hook it into place. Then, load one of the Zombie Strike arrows into the barrel, aim, and pull the trigger to fire.
The Zombie Strike arrows have coordinating green flights, and the tips are large, rounded, and made of foam. What is incredibly fun is that they are designed to make a whistling noise as they fly, which adds a unique element to your NERF war.
Pros
- Built-in arrow storage.
- The range is approximately 50 feet.
- It’s a cool twist on the usual NERF blasters.
Cons
- Extra ammunition is less affordable.
- It requires some strength to load.
Product Specs
Age Range | 8 years and older |
Weight | 3.52 ounces |
Capacity | 1 NERF Zombie Strike Arrow |
Prime style | Drawback elastic bow |
What’s in the box | NERF crossbow, 2 NERF Zombie Strike arrows |
Our Ratings
Product | Best | Age Range | Weight | Capacity | Prime style |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NERF N-Strike Modulus Ghost Ops Evader | Motorized | 8+ years | 3.2 lbs | 12 Elite dart magazine, expandable | Acceleration trigger |
NERF Modulus ECS-10 Blaster | Accuracy | 8+y ears | 3.65 lbs | 10 darts | Acceleration trigger |
Nerf Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher | Beginners | 8+ years | 3 lbs | 10 external darts & 1 Nerf Rocket | Acceleration trigger & pump-action |
NERF Rival Kronos Battle Set | Accessories | 14+ years | 1.95 lbs | 5 Kronos rounds | Slide action |
NERF Ultra One Motorized Blaster | Long-Range | 8+ years | 4.1 lbs | 25 Nerf Ultra darts | Acceleration trigger |
NERF Strike Strongarm | Budget Pick | 8+ years | 0.6 lbs | 6 Nerf Elite Darts | Slide action |
Nerf Rival Prometheus MXVIII-20K | High Capacity | 14+ years | 4.5 lbs | 200 Nerf Rival rounds | Acceleration trigger |
Nerf Zombie Ripchain Combat Blaster | Belt-Fed | 8+ years | 3 lbs | 25 Zombie Strike Darts | Pump action |
Nerf Fortnite TS-R Blaster and Llama Targets | Fortnite | 8+ years | 2.6 lbs | 4 Nerf Mega darts | Slide action |
NERF Mega Talon Blaster | Single Shot | 8+ years | 1.6 oz | 1 Nerf Mega dart | Slide action |
Nerf Rival Roundhouse XX-1500 | Ball Firing | 14+ years | 2 lbs | 15 Nerf Rival rounds | Slide action |
NERF SuperSoaker Scatterblast | Super Soaker | 6+ years | 12.9 oz | Almost 3 cups of water | Pump action |
Nerf Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K | Automatic | 14+ years | 5 lbs | 100 Nerf Rival balls | Acceleration trigger |
Nerf Zombie Strike Wrathbolt | Crossbow | 8+ years | 3.52 oz | 1 Nerf Zombie Strike Arrow | Drawback elastic bow |
What Are NERF Guns?
NERF is a line of products from the toymaker Hasbro. Most of the toys are plastic weapons and their accessories. The majority of the weapons are guns, which are technically called NERF Blasters, but there are also NERF crossbow-type weapons.
Most NERF guns fire blunt-ended cylindrical foam darts, but there are some that fire foam “rockets,” shoot balls, or have foam-ended crossbow bolt style projectiles.
There are several NERF lines, and not all use the same ammunition.
Is NERF Dangerous?
NERF blasters are not inherently dangerous. But there are guns that fire much harder than other ones do, so matching up a slower-firing gun with younger children can eliminate a lot of the issues.
As with many toys, there is the danger of injury if they are misused. This can be avoided by teaching your child never to fire their NERF gun at someone’s face or from a close range.
For anyone concerned about the potential for eye injuries, a pair of safety goggles or a visor will be plenty of protection.
What Age Is Appropriate For NERF Guns?
The majority of NERF guns are rated for children 8 years and over, but the more powerful weapons have a recommended minimum age of 14.
If you choose to give your child a NERF blaster before they are 8, then ensure they can use the weapon responsibly and that they are closely supervised. Also, it’s a good idea to invest in the face shield or goggles we mentioned earlier.
Benefits of NERF Guns for Kids
Many people are surprised to know there are benefits to playing with NERF guns.
- NERF promotes activity: NERF blasters are an ideal way for children to be physically active. Kids who play with NERF guns will be running, crouching, bending, twisting, and jumping, all of which are beneficial.
- It helps with hand-eye coordination: Playing with NERF guns promotes hand-eye coordination. Even loading darts into the chamber can be beneficial for kids.
- It gets your mind moving, too: Typical NERF play requires planning, forward-thinking, and a degree of strategizing, all of which are valuable skills.
- NERF fosters creativity: NERF weapons can help to promote imagination and creativity, which are all critical for your child’s development (1). Kids may play games involving aliens, zombies, or other fanciful situations.
- It helps a child’s social game: Although it may feel counter-intuitive, NERF guns can improve social skills. Kids learn to lose, put themselves in the position of others, take turns, and consider other people’s feelings.
Tips for Playing Safely with NERF Guns
Here are our top safety tips to ensure a fun and safe play experience while using NERF guns.
- Set clear safety rules, communicate them clearly, and regularly review them with your child.
- Only allow your child to play with NERF weapons if they are mature enough to stick to your safety rules.
- Stick to the safety rules yourself (2).
- The most common NERF safety issues are eye injuries. A pair of safety goggles or a visor will provide protection.
- Restrict your child to play NERF in areas you have approved as being safe. Stay away from roads, bodies of water, or uneven surfaces where they can trip and fall.
- Do not allow your child to modify or use modified NERF weapons or projectiles.
- If you have younger children in the home, or your child will be playing in a location where younger children may be, ensure all ammunition is picked up, accounted for, and properly stored after use
Ready, Aim, Fire
Just as with almost any toy, there’s the potential for kids to be hurt when playing with NERF weapons.
However, as long as you choose weapons suitable for your child’s age and abilities, and your children stick to the safety rules, there is no reason why they should come to any harm, except for possibly some hurt pride or feelings.