Nerf means non-stop fun at any age, so you will want to know which is the best nerf gun for 4 year old. This guide will walk you through finding the best of the bunch.
Nerf, which stands for non-expanding recreational foam, is a big deal. Kids of all ages and adults love Nerf. Not only are there different styles of guns and blasters, there are themes, ammo choices, and designs. Finding the right Nerf gun for anyone can be a challenge.
| Category | Nerf Gun |
|---|---|
| Best Overall Nerf Gun For 4 Year Old | Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt Blaster |
| Best Budget Nerf Gun For 4 Year Old | Nerf N-Strike NanoFire |
| Runner Up Nerf Gun For 4 Year Old | Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 |
It can be especially challenging to find the best Nerf gun for 4 year old. They will need something smaller and easier to handle.
We will walk you through all the features to look for to get the right gun. We also have the top-rated Nerf blasters on the block that will be perfect for small hands and small budgets.
Table of Contents
Budget Nerf Gun Buyers Guide
Most Nerf guns and blasters are designed for older kids and this can squash the dreams of your four-year-old. The good news is, they can be master blasters too.
There are several Nerf guns on the market that are also affordable. These Nerf blasters are designed with features in mind for younger players. Size, weight, and easy operation are what matters for younger players, along with a few other features to look for when buying.
Size
Size matters when it comes to Nerf guns. Especially for a 4 year old. The last thing you want is for them to struggle holding their new toy. Pistol style Nerf guns are the perfect size for younger children.
They are easy to carry and maneuver. Size also refers to bulkiness and not just being able to fit in one hand. You need to look for a Nerf gun that is not bulky and cumbersome for them to hold.
Weight
In conjunction with size is weight. The two features typically go together. A smaller Nerf gun will also be lighter and easier for a 4 year old to hold. You do not want them to have a toy they get tired of carrying around.
It should also not be awkward to play with or get in the way of their movements. The best part about having a Nerf gun is that once your child outgrows it, they make great secondary weapons for their arsenal.
Operation
A Nerf blaster that requires too much to get it going can be frustrating for a 4 year old. They want to just pick up the gun, load, and start shooting. Patience is not a virtue that many 4 year old’s have developed, so it is best to get a gun that is easy to operate and activate.
You also want to pay attention to how the gun is primed. Priming refers to how the toy is activated to be fired. Priming handles or triggers that are on the back or bottom of the gun are easier for younger kids. Simple triggers are also easier for small fingers.
Loading
Loading the ammo also needs to be an easy task. Otherwise, your 4 year old is going to come to you every time a dart needs to be loaded.
This makes it much less fun. Some Nerf guns, even the smaller pistols, have complicated loading mechanisms. Don’t assume a smaller gun is going to be easy to load and reload.
Look specifically for a Nerf gun that is easy to load and reload without your help. Not only does this make things easier for your 4 year old, it also gives them a little freedom to feel like a big kid. Nerf guns with a front load feature are typically the best young players.
Ammo
Each gun will have specific ammo that is compatible with it. It is worth looking at the ammo when choosing the gun. Typically, you get either darts or balls and darts are a better option for young children.
They are easier to handle and easier to find after shooting. The balls can be easily lost which can be frustrating.
Features To Avoid
- Because Nerf guns are most commonly geared towards older kids, even smaller guns can have features that will hinder play for your 4 year old. Batteries are one such feature. Some guns use “C” or “D” batteries or multiple “AA” and these can weigh the toy down.
- You also want to watch out for slide primers. These are designed to look like a real handgun but are difficult for younger children to grab and pull.
Top 10 Budget Nerf Guns For A 4 Year Old
While Nerf guns are designed for children, not all are good for younger kids. But your 4 year old wants to play too. The guide above pointed you towards the features that matter. Now you know what to look for and need to know which guns meet these requirements.
The variety of Nerf guns on the market can be overwhelming. But we want to make it easy. The list below is the top 10 Nerf guns for a 4 year old. And don’t worry about pricing. These 10 are also the best Nerf guns to get on a budget.
1) Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt Blaster – Best Overall
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Jolt Blaster on Amazon packs a powerful punch for a small blaster. Your child will feel like the action heroes they watch on TV.
The barrel holds two darts which are easy to load. The gun does not jam so your child will not get frustrated and can enjoy smooth action during play.
Despite its size, the darts get great distance and the gun is great for 4 year old’s to start with.
What I like:
- Affordable
- Great shooting range
- Easy to handle
- Comfortable grip
What I don’t like:
- Trigger gets stuck after prolonged use
2) Nerf N-Strike NanoFire – Best Budget
Of all the more affordable Nerf guns, the best cheap Nerf gun for a 4 year old is the Nerf N-Strike NanoFire on Amazon. This gun is also great for older children and can be used as a secondary weapon as you child grows.
Despite the cheaper price, the gun is durable and safe. The priming slide is easy to pull, and you can keep two darts stored on the gun barrel. You can also use suction cup bullets with this gun.
What I like:
- Perfect for small hands
- Easy to operate
- Does not need batteries
- Very affordable
What I don’t like:
- Not much shooting power
3) Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 – Runner Up
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 on Amazon is a high-tech Nerf gun with a great price and a handful of fun for your child. The small size is a great for younger kids and great for concealing your weapon.
Shots are prepared and fired quickly and can reach 90 feet. For the 4 year old’s that want to be the fastest draw and most accurate shot, this is the blaster to get.
What I like:
- Good firing power
- High accuracy
- Easy to hold and operate
What I don’t like:
- Springs can eject darts during reloading
4) Nerf Vortex Proton Blaster
The Nerf Proton Blaster on Amazon is a high-powered and accurate blaster that will have your kid ready for any battle. With fast loading, this compact and single-shot blaster is ready to go when they are.
Reloading is easy so they won’t be out of play for long. The efficient snap-load mechanism allows kids to reload while moving into a strategic position. You also get to use cool long-range discs for ammo.
What I like:
- Unique ammo
- Long-distance firing
- High accuracy
- Fast loading
What I don’t like:
- Trigger can get jammed
5) Nerf Glowshot Gun
Let your child light up the battle with this fun Nerf Glowshot Gun on Amazon. When you hold the grip down, the gun glows, so your kid looks awesome every time they fire a shot.
The gun is easy to operate. Load the dart, pull the handle back, and fire. You get pretty good distance despite the smaller gun size and 3 darts are included with the gun.
What I like:
- Blaster glows
- Easy to load and use
- Comfortable padded grip
What I don’t like:
- Fires only one dart at a time
- Requires batteries
6) Nerf Zombie Strike Doublestrike Blaster
Your kid will love blasting zombies with the Nerf Zombie Strike Doublestrike Blaster on Amazon. The compact design quickly and accurately fires two darts.
Either in succession or both at the same time. Once the vertically stacked barrels are loaded, the double tap is automatic, and the hammer action gets you through missions quickly.
Accuracy is also very high for this compact and lightweight blaster.
What I like:
- Good shooting power
- Easy to load and use
- Fun design
- Convenient shooting action
What I don’t like:
- Darts can fall out of the gun accidentally
- Not a long shooting range
7) Nerf MicroShots Zombie Strike Hammershot
This revolver style blaster can be primed and used one-handed, even for those with small hands. The Nerf MicroShots Zombie Strike Hammershot on Amazon is perfect for smaller children.
The hammer action handle is easier to use than other priming handle styles so the ammo can be cocked with just your thumb. You kid will feel like a real cowboy. Darts are also loaded through the front and can be done quickly and easily.
Once your child grows and moves onto the larger zombie-themed guns, this is a great backup weapon to store in their pockets.
What I like:
- Primed with one hand
- Easy front loading
- Can first new and worn darts
- Rarely jams
What I don’t like:
- Pulling the hammer back with one hand takes practice
8) Nerf MicroShot Star Wars Blaster
What kid doesn’t like the blasters from Star Wars? Now they get to be a Jedi too with this compact and easy to use Nerf blaster. The Nerf Microshot Star Wars Blaster on Amazon also comes in other fun themes and all are great for young children and small hands.
The trigger mechanism is easy to use, so kids can run and shoot at the same time. They will also love the specialized Star Wars darts. These are so small and easy to use; your kid may even want to have two. One blaster for each hand, just like the Jedi do.
What I like:
- Lightweight so easy for young kids to carry
- Great branding
- Easy loading
What I don’t like:
- Better as a secondary Nerf gun
9) Spider-Man Web Shots Spiderbolt Nerf Powered Blaster
Spiderman is one of the coolest superheroes and now your kid can have their very own Spiderman-themed blaster on Amazon. It may not shoot webs, but the design is a favorite among younger children.
The unique crossbow design stands out from other blasters and is tons of fun for any budding hero. The Spiderbolt comes with 3 darts that get great distance from an easy firing mechanism. There is even web shots gear available so you can add real spidey flare to the gun.
What I like:
- Easy to fire
- Pull back handle with push button
- Unique crossbow design and Spiderman colors
- Includes 3 darts
What I don’t like:
- Only fires one dart at a time
- Not very powerful
10) NERF Fortnite Sp-L Elite Dart Blaster
Another great themed blaster for 4 year old’s is the Fortnite Sp-L Elite Dart Blaster on Amazon. This Nerf gun has the look and feel of a real gun so your child can feel like a real Fortnite character. And, they will absolutely love the silencer.
The gun is very light, easy to carry, and easy to use. The barrel is detachable and can be added to other Nerf guns. When the barrel is attached, the blaster can shoot longer distances.
To top it off, the internal clip allows 3 of the 6 darts to be fired one after the other.
What I like:
- Fortnite theme
- Includes a silencer
- Easy to load
- Great distance with barrel attached
What I don’t like:
- Average accuracy
Helpful Tips To Choose The Best Nerf Gun For 4 Year Old
There are 10 great Nerf guns for your 4 year old, but before you rush out and buy one, there are a few more helpful tips we have for you to keep in mind.
- Know The Gun Type: Nerf guns can be either pistols, shotguns, or cannons. Typically, the smaller ones that a 4 year old can use will be pistols. But you should know the difference ahead of time to know what you’re looking for.
- Know The Ammo Requirements: Most of the Nerf guns use standard Nerf foam ammo. But there are other types of ammo too such as Sonic ammo which has small slits in the foam allowing them to make noise as they fly by.
- Accessories: Many Nerf guns are themed and branded and will have accessories. There are also general accessories that can be added to or accompany all Nerf guns. Cool additions like a tactical vest or magazine belt are fun to get so your child can have the complete look. There are also targets you can buy to improve aim and shooting skills.
Final Thoughts
Nerf is number one for fun for several reasons. It can be played any season. Indoors and outdoors. It is for every age and both boys and girls. Nerf is also safe and a reliable name you can trust when it comes to playtime.
Kids love to imitate what they watch and be the heroes they admire. This imaginative play starts as early as 4 years old, so young kids need to play with Nerf too. We found the top rated and best Nerf gun for 4 year old on a budget, so your kid doesn’t have to miss out.
With our guide and the blasters, we have reviewed, you can be assured that your child will have a safe gun that is perfect for young kids. Big imaginations shouldn’t be held back by small hands. These top 10 Nerf blasters are here to save the day.