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Best Toy Guns for Kids of 2025

Updated
Pew pew! Bang bang! Find the best toy guys for your kids.

Toy guns are one of those purchases that can be tricky for parents. You want your child to have fun, but you don’t want a toy that looks so realistic it scares the neighbors. Yet, if it looks too fake, your kid won’t want to play with it. It is a balancing act.

We understand the struggle. We dug into the research on gunplay to see what the science says. Once we felt comfortable with the psychology, we hunted for the best toy guns on the market. These picks meet our strict standards for safety, age-appropriateness, and pure fun factor.

Whether you need a Nerf blaster, a laser tag set, a classic water gun, or something totally unique like a marshmallow shooter, we found great options for every budget. We will also break down the psychology of imaginary play so you can make the right call for your family.

Our Top Picks

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Best Laser Gun: Kidzlane Infrared
  • Top-notch quality
  • Safe infrared signal emission
  • Built to last
Best Dart Gun: Nerf N-Strike
  • Rotating 6-dart barrel
  • Shoots darts up to 90 feet
  • Motorized speed-load technology
Best Water Gun: HiTop 2-Pack Super Squirt
  • Comes in a pack of two
  • Classic water gun
  • Easy to use
Best Toy Hunting Gun: MyPopGun Duck Hunting
  • Made in the US
  • Camouflage design
  • Moneyback guarantee
Best Video Game Gun: BoomCo. Halo UNSC H-295
  • HALO-inspired
  • Epic accuracy
  • Can shoot up to 60 feet
Best for Beginners: Liberty Imports Dart Blasters
  • Cute, soft dart gun
  • Can be enjoyed by a team
  • Great value for money
Best Bazooka Style: GoSports Foam Fire Blasters
  • Comes in two sets
  • Great value for money
  • Safe and durable
Best for Space Play: Rhode Island Space
  • Fantastic quality outer space alien blaster
  • Lights up and makes noise
  • Great value
Best Rubber Band Gun: Elastic Precision Wooden Pistol
  • Five-year warranty
  • Semi-automatic loading
  • High quality material
Best for the Pool: Swirlline Water Blaster Toy
  • Long range
  • Certified eco-friendly material
  • Great value for money

Do Toy Guns Make Children Aggressive?

Modern research highlights the importance of play. Play helps kids develop physically, mentally, and socially. It provides a safe space for children to test social norms and learn how to interact with the world around them.

This concept extends to gunplay. Studies suggest that gunplay acts as a teaching tool. It may help children learn to process and overcome aggressive impulses rather than giving in to them (1).

In one study, kids who engaged in aggressive play tended to behave with less real-life aggression in the classroom (2). This supports the idea that play allows kids to “test drive” behaviors. In other words, mock battles give them a safe outlet for big feelings.

However, supervision is key. Gunplay works best when it focuses on sportsmanship, strategy, and the morality of good versus bad.

Experts suggest intervening if the game shifts from strategy to genuine cruelty. It is also vital to have the “real vs. pretend” talk. Make sure your children understand that real guns are dangerous and can hurt people.

For tips on how to handle this conversation, check out this video.

How to Choose Toy Guns for Kids

When shopping for a blaster, consider your lifestyle and your child’s personality. Finding the right fit increases the chances that the toy gets used rather than gathering dust in the closet. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Dart Range

If you live in a small apartment, you probably don’t want a high-powered blaster. Look for a toy with a range of 40 feet or less. This puts a natural limit on the chaos and saves your lamps from high-velocity foam.

Loading Difficulty

Toddlers often want to keep up with older siblings, but complex magazines can be frustrating. Younger kids usually do better with front-loading blasters where you stick the dart directly into the barrel. Save the clip-fed mechanisms and pump-action shotguns for older children with better fine motor skills.

Buying in Bulk

Toy guns are infinitely more fun in a group. If possible, grab a multipack. Having extra blasters on hand for playdates makes your house the “fun house” and encourages social play.


Product Reviews

Ready to lock and load? Here are our top picks for safe, action-packed fun.

Kidzlane Infrared Laser Tag

Best Laser Gun

If your house is the go-to spot for playdates, you need a game that accommodates a crowd. This Kidzlane set comes with four blasters, so no one gets left out.

The guns vibrate when hit and feature realistic recoil sounds. Since the infrared signal reaches up to 130 feet, they work great for backyard battles. Best of all? No foam darts to clean up when the game is over.


Nerf N-Strike Elite Blaster

Best Dart Gun

This Nerf gun is a staple for a reason. The rotating drum holds six Elite darts, allowing for rapid-fire action without constant reloading. It uses a “slam fire” slide mechanism, meaning you can hold the trigger down and pump the slide to empty the clip fast.

It is simple enough for younger grade-schoolers but powerful enough to keep older kids entertained. If you want more ammo, Nerf sells plenty of refill packs separately.


2-Pack Super-Squirt Water Guns

Best Water Gun

Sometimes you just need a classic water gun. These come in a two-pack, making them perfect for siblings or best friends. They are lightweight and easy to handle.

Setup is a breeze; just fill the tank, close the lid, and pump the handle to build pressure. They offer a decent stream distance without being too powerful for little ones. These are essential for the beach, the pool, or a sweltering afternoon in the yard.


MyPopGun Duck Hunting Rifle

Best Toy Hunting Gun

If your family hunts, your kids probably want to mimic you. This rifle is designed to give them that experience safely. It features a realistic pump action and a “pop” sound that is satisfying without being deafening.

The camouflage design adds to the immersion, making it perfect for role-playing. It helps children learn muzzle awareness and safety in a low-stakes environment before they ever touch the real thing.


BoomCo. Halo UNSC H-295 Blaster

Best Video Game Gun

For kids who love video games, this replica is a huge hit. Modeled after the iconic M6 Blaster from the Halo franchise, it looks just like the real deal on screen.

It isn’t just a prop, though. It fires darts up to 60 feet and can hold five rounds at once. It is a great way to get gamers off the couch and running around outside while still engaging with their favorite fandom.


Liberty Imports 6-Pack Mini Foam Dart Blasters

Best Beginner Toy Gun

Toddlers often feel left out when the big kids start a Nerf war. Standard blasters can be too heavy or hard to trigger for small hands. These mini blasters are the solution.

They are small, lightweight, and simple to operate. The set comes with six guns and 36 darts. Because they load one dart at a time, they are excellent for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination without frustrating jams.


GoSports Official Foam Fire Blasters - 2 Pack Toy Blasters

Best Bazooka Style Gun

These blasters offer a different kind of fun. Instead of darts, they shoot soft foam balls. Your child can fire from the hip or shoulder like a bazooka.

The mechanism is air-powered; the faster you pump the handle, the further the ball flies. Since the ammo is soft and round, these are safer for indoor play than hard-tipped darts. It is a fantastic option for rainy days when you need to burn off energy inside the house.


Rhode Island Space Ray Gun

Best Gun for Space Play

If you have a Star Wars fan at home, they will love these retro space blasters. They feature a classic sci-fi design that is perfect for intergalactic role-play.

Once you load the batteries, pulling the trigger activates flashing lights and futuristic sound effects. The pack includes six guns, making them ideal party favors for a space-themed birthday bash.


Elastic Precision Wooden Rubber Band Pistol

Best Rubber Band Gun

Rubber band guns are a timeless classic. This model from Elastic Precision upgrades the concept with solid wood construction, avoiding the cheap plastic feel of most modern toys.

It is semi-automatic and can fire six bands as fast as you can pull the trigger. The set comes with 50 bands, so the fun lasts a while before you have to do a reload scavenge. It shoots straight and is surprisingly accurate for a rubber band launcher.


Swirlline 2-Pack Water Blaster Toy

Best Gun for the Pool

These water blasters look like giant pencils, which adds a fun twist to pool time. The pack includes two distinct colors, making it easy to set up teams for a water war.

They function like a giant syringe: submerge the tip, pull back the handle to fill, and push forward to soak your target. They float, are virtually unbreakable, and can shoot water up to 40 feet. They are perfect for lighthearted pool play.


Kids Pirate Halloween Costume

Best Pirate-Themed Gun for Halloween

Planning a Halloween costume? This set has everything your little buccaneer needs. It includes a pirate hat, eye patch, hook, and a flintlock-style toy gun.

The gun is purely a prop; it doesn’t shoot projectiles. This makes it school-safe for dress-up days and safer for crowded trick-or-treating events. It is durable enough to survive the toy box long after Halloween is over.


Nerf Disruptor Elite Blaster

Best Training Gun

The Disruptor is widely considered one of the best “bang for your buck” Nerf guns available. It features a six-dart rotating drum and comes with six Elite darts.

It is easy to prime and fire, making it a great entry point for kids learning to aim. The darts fly up to 90 feet, providing plenty of range for outdoor target practice. It is reliable, rarely jams, and fits comfortably in smaller hands.


BamGo Bubble Gun Blower

Best Toddler Toy Gun

Toddlers love bubbles, but they often lack the breath control to blow them with a traditional wand. This electric bubble gun solves that problem instantly.

Simply dip the nozzle into the included tray of solution, pull the trigger, and watch a fan-driven stream of bubbles appear. It is sensory magic without the frustration. It requires batteries, so make sure to have some AAs on hand.


Police Costume Dress Up

Best Toy Police Gun Set

For kids who love to play the hero, this police gear set is a winner. It includes a toy sidearm, handcuffs, a badge, a baton, and a hat.

It is perfect for imaginative play, allowing kids to create their own “cops and robbers” scenarios. The set comes with a dedicated storage bag, which is a lifesaver for parents trying to keep the playroom organized.


Fun-Here Water Gun Party Favors

Best Gun Party Favor

Need a non-candy treat for a birthday party? These compact water guns are an excellent choice. You get a pack of six, making them cost-effective favors.

At nine inches long, they hold enough water for a quick skirmish but are small enough for toddlers (ages 3+) to use easily. Hand them out at the start of an outdoor party for instant entertainment.


Parris Doc Holliday Set

Best Cowboy-Style Gun

Fans of the Wild West will love this replica revolver. It is modeled after the guns used in “Tombstone” and features a die-cast metal construction that feels solid in the hand.

It uses 12-shot ring caps (sold separately) to create a loud bang and a puff of smoke. Note that it has a permanent orange tip for safety. It is a great prop for costumes or historical role-play.


ArtCreativity Toy Machine Gun

Best Toy War Gun

If your child wants to look tough without actually shooting projectiles, this machine gun is the answer. It is designed for visual and auditory stimulation rather than combat.

When the trigger is pulled, the gun lights up, vibrates, and makes firing sounds. The ammo belt even rotates to simulate a real feed. It comes with a stand and a scope, making it fun to set up on the floor for pretend defense missions.

FAQs

What Is the Most Powerful Toy Gun?

“Power” usually refers to FPS (feet per second) or range. Nerf Rival blasters are generally the most powerful mass-market options, firing rounds at up to 100 FPS. These are recommended for teens (14+) rather than young children due to the impact sting.

Which Toy Gun Has the Longest Range?

The Nerf Ultra series currently boasts the longest advertised range for foam darts, claiming distances up to 120 feet. However, accuracy often drops at that distance. Wind and dart condition play a huge role in how far the shot actually travels.

What Is the Most Popular Toy Gun Brand?

Nerf (owned by Hasbro) is the undisputed king of toy guns. They offer the widest variety of dart, disk, and water blasters. Other contenders include X-Shot by ZURU, which offers great performance at a lower price point, and Buzz Bee Toys.

What Are the Disadvantages of Toy Guns?

The main downside is the potential for injury if kids aim at faces or eyes. There is also the risk of confusion with real firearms if the toy looks too realistic or if the orange safety tip is removed. Some parents also worry that it normalizes violence, though research on this is mixed.

Can My Son Take a Toy Gun on a Plane?

Generally, no. You cannot take toy guns in your carry-on luggage. TSA rules state that realistic replicas must be in checked bags. Even obviously fake Nerf guns can cause delays at security checkpoints. It is best to pack them in checked luggage or leave them at home to avoid hassle.

How Can Parents Ensure Gun Safety?

Start by enforcing a “never aim at the face” rule. Eye protection is highly recommended for any projectile toy. Store toy guns separately from any real firearms (if you own them) to prevent catastrophic confusion. Finally, only allow play in appropriate areas, not in public spaces where bystanders might mistake the toy for a threat.


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Headshot of Jennifer Schlette, MSN, RN

Reviewed by

Jennifer Schlette, MSN, RN

Jennifer Schlette MSN, RN, is a pediatric intensive care nurse at Children's Hospital of New York for the past 14 years. Jennifer also has extensive experience teaching Maternity and Obstetric Nursing, as well as Pediatrics Nursing.