Best Nerf Guns for Toddlers | Top 6 Safest for Kids

By: Jeremy Alden

From paintballing to other airsoft guns, children and adolescents love playing with toys that allow them to play games of strategy and skill with their friends and in indoor and outdoor environments that can be highly customized to meet their needs and develop a complex area for play.

Nerf has produced products that create a much safer way to do this and make it possible for everyone to engage in these kind of games without having to worry about the danger and injuries that could occur if they were to be hit with a paintball or a plastic or metal pellet, which can also be a much more cost-effective form of play as it eliminates the need for extra armor and accessories (a plus for parents everywhere).

This safety leads many to believe that Nerf guns are inherently safe.

While getting hit with a foam dart is certainly better than the alternatives listed above, however, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t risks for certain individuals.

The Best Nerf Guns for Toddlers 

Although these foam darts can be soft, Nerf guns have the ability to launch these darts to distances of up to 90 feet or more, which can be dangerous if the weapons are utilized up close on a smaller enemy.

With this in mind, the question that many parents have is, “what Nerf guns would be best for my small child?”

If you have been looking for a Nerf gun for your child that will allow them to have fun but will keep them safe at the same time, here is a list of some of the best safe Nerf guns for toddlers that you can choose from if you have a little one at home who wants to join in on the fun!

To be completely honest, many of the blasters listed below are going to be on the relatively small side.

This is due to the fact that toddlers will not only need blasters that are easy to carry around and lighter on the firepower but are also easier to use for smaller hands as the larger ones are simply too complex, heavy, and powerful for young children. 

It is entirely up to you to decide whether or not your child will need these smaller ones or are capable of handling some of the medium-sized blasters that Nerf produces.

That being said, here are the 6 best Nerf guns for toddlers that you should consider purchasing for your own child!

The Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt Blaster 

The Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt is one of the smallest and most basic blasters that Nerf has to offer, which may not be as great or exciting for larger enthusiasts but is perfect for your toddler!

The Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt is a compact blaster that is designed to hold and fire one bullet at a time and is designed so that young ones can easily load that bullet through the opening of the barrel of the front.

The Nerf N-Strike GlowShot Blaster 

The N-Strike GlowShot Blaster functions very similarly to the first product in this list but adds something a little extra to make it more exciting for children to use.

Like the previous product, the Nerf N-Strike GlowShot Blaster is only capable of shooting one dart at a time and is easily able to be loaded from the front. Unlike the other blaster, however, this gun features a pull-back cocking mechanism on the back end of the gun that is arguably easier to use for children. 

This compact blaster features the same single shot, front-loading body with a pull-back cocking mechanism but adds a little flair to the traditional compact blaster design by adding some pastel blue to the mix and by making it look like a little crossbow.

While it doesn’t feature the same crossbow mechanisms that you may find in other blasters, it can still be exciting for toddlers who like the look and who want to pretend that they are firing off this kind of weapon.

As with the other blasters, you can expect to see this blaster fire around 30 to 40 feet, making the Nerf N-Strike BowStrike Blaster a functional and stylish option for toddlers.

What truly makes this gun a valuable asset on the field is its priming function. The Nerf Zombie Strike Doublestrike Blaster uses a hammer cocking mechanism that children can easily press down on to prime the blaster.

This loading mechanism allows users to go through the entire process with one hand, which allows them to use their other hand for another blaster.

If your toddler is looking for a blaster that gives them more firepower and more opportunity in battle, the Nerf Zombie Strike Doublestrike Blaster is one of the best blasters to choose!

The Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 Blaster 

With this compact option, they returned to the bottom cocking mechanism which needs to be pulled downward in order to prime the gun for firing.

Because this gun comes from the N-Strike Elite series, it has a lot more range to offer than other blasters from various Nerf lines, boasting an impressive distance of 90 feet per shot.

If your tot needs a bit more firepower but still wants a smaller option, the Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 is an excellent product for both them and you!

The Nerf N-Strike Elite Firestrike 

What truly makes this weapon a stand out, fun-to-use blaster is the two extra features at the front of the blaster.

• The first one being a laser sight that works great for helping children find their target in both light and dark areas.
• The second useful feature is the extra storage located on the bottom of the gun where children can place two foam darts for safekeeping during a battle.

This weapon has a little bit more distance than some blasters and is able to launch darts approximately 75 feet.

Overall, this is a great choice for toddlers who can handle a slightly bigger weapon that has some of the best features of compact blasters.

Conclusion: Best Nerf Guns for Toddlers

Keep in mind that this by no means a comprehensive list. Nerf has endless options when it comes to micro blasters and there may be products out there that are both safe and great that didn’t make it on the list above.

This guide simply acts as a starting point to help you begin your child’s Nerf journey and to provide you with more information on what you should expect from these Nerf blasters.

If you are a parent who wants the best for their toddler, start your shopping search with the reference guide above of 6 safe, amazing Nerf blasters on the market that you should look at today!