What is the best Nerf gun for 5 year old kids? We’ve put together top 10 reviews along with a buyer’s guide to help you know how to find the perfect Nerf gun for your kids.
At this age, it has to have eye appeal and the guns that have a theme are among the most popular. The gun should have features that make it fun and interesting to use.
With so many different models available it can be hard to choose, but 5 year old’s are into guns that fire rapidly and shoot a good distance. With safety as a concern, most 5 year old’s can safely operate a gun that is intended for kids up to age 8 with parental supervision.
| Category | Nerf Gun |
|---|---|
| Best Overall Nerf Gun For A 5 Year Old | Thunderhawk Nerf AccuStrike Mega Toy Blaster |
| Best Budget Nerf Gun For A 5 Year Old | Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster |
| Runner Up Nerf Gun For A 5 Year Old | Nerf Glowshot Gun |
Kids at this age are becoming more independent so it’s best to choose a Nerf gun that is easy to load and to fire and comes with bullets made of foam because of their enhanced safety.
You’re in the right place to learn everything you need to know about 10 of the coolest and best Nerf guns for 5 year old kids. We look at what’s important to kids at this age for the most enjoyment of a Nerf gun.
We also review each of the top-rated guns with complete details about the theme, cool features that make them fun, and the details about what makes them fun, exciting, and safe.
Table of Contents
Nerf Gun For 5 Year Old Buyers Guide
Our buyer’s guide provides a thorough inspection of some of the coolest Nerf guns on the market today. To help you find the perfect Nerf gun for your 5 year old we discuss what makes a Nerf gun cool to a child this age, and which outstanding features you should look for.
Our guide discusses important things such as distance, consistency, and accuracy, and why the weight is important. We also talk about how to find a quality Nerf gun that will perform well, along with the coolest themes and accessories to enhance the enjoyment of a 5 year old.
Distance
Kids at age 5 want a Nerf gun that can shoot darts for a long distance. Look for a gun that will be powerful enough to launch the projectiles at least 20 feet or more. We’ve left the less powerful models out of our list. Some of them can shoot darts between 90 and 120 feet.
Consistency
The guns that shoot bullets with consistency are the most fun. Some of the models we review have a rapid-fire feature that shoots out projectiles with a fair amount of consistency.
5 year old’s can get frustrated with guns that frequently jam or only shoot one bullet at a time so this is a consideration to make when you’re looking through the specifications of a Nerf gun.
Accuracy
The design of a Nerf gun has a lot to do with accuracy. Velocity and force affect accuracy. Bullets that are shot with a weak force tend to be less accurate.
Five year old’s are practicing their aim and shooting skills and hitting a target is important to them. it gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment. Nerf guns that have the best accuracy are the most fun for this age.
Weight
The weight of a Nerf gun call also affects its coolness factor. Kids like to carry the guns around when playing with others, so it has to be light enough for your child to carry, lift, and operate.
Most Nerf guns are made of lightweight materials but some of them are heavy and bulky. Some kids believe that bigger is better, but it is a lot less cool if it’s too tiring to carry the toy and there’s nothing cool about a gun that is too heavy to lift to take aim.
Theme
The theme of the Nerf gun is also important when choosing one that is appealing to your 5 year old. There are some great editions out there that feature Fortnite branding, Spiderman, and more.
The theme can either be a collaboration with a franchise that your child thinks is cool, such as a replica blaster from a video game, or the theme can be in the special design and accessories that come with a Nerf gun.
Quality
Better Nerf guns are made with high-quality materials and design. The quality of the design is important because it has a lot to do with how well the gun performs.
Lower quality guns are weak and don’t shoot the projectiles very far. It’s best to choose a model that has a good reputation for reliability versus one that is known to frequently jam or break easily.
This is one of the reasons why we’ve kept our selection to name brand Nerf guns. We haven’t included any of the off brands in our reviews because Nerf is known for its high quality.
Safety
Whenever kids or adults play with Nerf guns there is a danger or eye injury. Even when playing safely and observing good safety practices, darts can go in a variety of directions and it’s possible to get shot in the eye.
The darts are made of foam material that is soft. They may sting a little if the gun is a high velocity, but unless you get shot in the eye, there is no danger of harm or injury.
Nerf makes special safety goggles that can be worn when playing with Nerf guns. This eliminates any danger of accidental eye injury and it’s worth considering if your 5 year old is active in game play with Nerf guns and other children.
Accessories
Another thing to look for when seeking the coolest Nerf gun is the accessories. Some guns come with a variety of different accessories to make them even cooler.
Think about the things that would be useful to your child, and accessories that would make him or her happy with the toy. Some accessories include vests that carry spare bullets in them, extra darts to fit the gun, and more.
Just make sure that any accessories you purchase separately are made for the model of Nerf gun your child owns. Some guns come with an array of accessories that are included in the box at the time of purchase. The more the better in most cases.
Top 10 Best Nerf Guns For A 5 Year Old
We found 10 Nerf Guns with outstanding features and themes that make them among the coolest on the market today. Here you’ll find the details about each gun that includes the special characteristics that make them the best in their class for five year old’s.
Our focus is always on safety, but coolness comes in second. We included unique designs, features, and accessories as well as some with bright and vivid colors, and themes that kids in this age group think are the best.
1. Thunderhawk Nerf AccuStrike Mega Toy Blaster – Best Overall
The Thunderhawk Nerf AccuStrike Mega Toy Blaster on Amazon is one of the top-rated Nerf guns for kids because of its bright colors and special features.
It’s a blaster that can be adjusted simply by sliding the barrel or retracting it to make the gun the ideal length for the child using it. It can be extended to 41 inches in length for kids that think bigger is better, but the barrel can be retracted to make it smaller and easier to carry.
This is ideal for 5 year old’s who participate in active play. It also comes with a bipod as another feature that makes this an extremely cool nerf gun. It gets a high rating for quality, safety, and uniqueness.
What I like:
- The barrel is adjustable, and it can be extended to be the longest Nerf gun
- The length helps improve shot accuracy
- This gun is well-made with high-quality plastic
- The foam-tipped darts are safe
What I don’t like:
- This gun can get heavy for smaller kids when it’s fully extended
This is our top pick for the best and coolest Nerf gun because it’s the longest, but it can be adjusted quickly and easily. The accuracy is high and it’s easy to load and reload. The vibrant color theme is exciting and it’s a special model that any 5 year old will think is cool.
2. Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster – Best Budget
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster on Amazon is the best budget Nerf gun that is still in the “cool” category of guns for a 5 year old. This gun comes with some amazing features including a rotating barrel that automatically positions the darts in place for rapid firing.
This is one of the most reasonably priced cool Nerf guns with an overall good rating.
It can also fire all 6 of the darts at one time for a Slam Fire. This is an outstanding feature that makes it a great choice if you’re looking for a unique gun that is smaller in size for a 5 year old.
What I like:
- It holds 6 darts for extended playtime
- The rotating barrel flips open easily and it’s fun to use
- It can fire all of the darts at once, or fire them individually
- The trigger is easy to pull and it’s easy to load
What I don’t like:
- Moderate hand strength is needed to cock the gun
- Even though this is a smaller Nerf gun, it can get heavy for smaller five year old’s.
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster is built solid so it will hold up longer. We love the unique design that allows kids to shoot 6 darts at once or opt to shoot one at a time. This makes it stand out among others in the budget category.
3. Nerf Glowshot Gun – Runner Up
Our pick for best runner-up is the Nerf Glowshot Gun on Amazon. What makes this gun cool is that it lights up and glows. This is an amazing outstanding feature that makes the gun more fun and interesting for 5 year old’s.
It’s an entry-level gun but it packs a lot of power and force. It shoots darts at a good distance with fair accuracy which makes it even more fun to use. The gun gets an above average rating.
What I like:
- Lightweight at just 3.84 ounces for hours of playtime without getting arm fatigue
- The gun lights up and glows for an exciting effect when it’s shot
- It shoots regular Nerf bullets which are included but it will also work with Nerf suction cup bullets
- It shoots bullets a good distance and it’s fairly accurate for target practice
What I don’t like:
- Batteries are required and must be purchased separately
We like the light up and glow feature of this Nerf gun. This is an outstanding feature that makes it stand out from most others. It’s great for a smaller gun because it’s surprisingly powerful and accurate for its size.
4. Nerf N-Strike Elite DualStrike Blaster
What makes the Nerf N-Strike Elite DualStrike Blaster on Amazon a unique Nerf gun is its design. This gun shoots two different sized bullets and it has a toggle switch for top and bottom shooting.
That’s why it’s called the Dual Strike. This is a cool gun for 5 year old’s because of this special feature
It shoots 3 Mega Whistler bullets and the darts scream when they fly through the air for even more entertainment. It also shoots regular Nerf bullets but these can be substituted with Nerf suction cup bullets for target practice.
This gun is lightweight at just 1.15 pounds so it’s easy to hold. It gets an overall good rating for quality, safety, and uniqueness.
What I like:
- The whistling effect is a lot of fun
- Kids have a choice of two different sized bullets to fire
- The toggle switch to change bullet style is easy to operate
What I don’t like:
- This gun sometimes fires two bullets at a time which reduces the power
- Some kids may have trouble running the slide
We like the uniqueness of this compact gun that is small and light for mobile playtime. The whistling effect of the Mega bullets is a cool feature and the choice of two bullet sizes is a feature that kids age 5 will love.
5. Zombie Strike FlipFury Blaster
The Zombie Strike FlipFury Blaster on Amazon is one of the most uniquely designed Nerf guns on the market today. It comes with two-barrel drums filled with Nerf bullets for a good supply of bullets that make it more fun to play in between reloads.
The Zombie Strike theme is great for 5 year old’s who like to pretend they’re taking out the Zombies. It encourages the use of creativity and imagination.
This gun holds two blasters in the chamber, and it holds up to 12 darts at one time. There is also a rapid-fire feature for intense situations. The gun gets a great rating for uniqueness, quality, and power.
What I like:
- Packed with outstanding features with a 12-dart capacity
- It’s easy to use with the push of a button to pull up the next set of darts
- The gun weighs less than 2 pounds and it’s lightweight
What I don’t like:
- The only downside is that this gun is a little bulky
We love the large capacity of this gun that holds 12 darts. It’s a beefy looking Nerf gun and the Zombie Strike theme is outstanding for kids who like to play games involving Zombie attacks.
6. Modulus Tri-Strike
The Modulus Tri-Strike on Amazon is the best Nerf gun for making conversions to different models in one toy. It comes with all of the accessories to make it a Mega dart blaster, a missile launcher, or an Elite dart blaster.
It’s one of the most versatile Nerf guns on the market today. It’s ideal for 5 year old’s who enjoy pretend play and create different scenarios.
This gun is a highly popular model that gets a great rating for its quality, uniqueness, and safety.
What I like:
- It’s 3 guns in one
- The conversions are easy to make
- The firepower is strong, but you can buy accessories to make it even stronger
- This gun is solid and well-built
What I don’t like:
- It takes a lot of strength to pump the Mega dart barrel
We love the 3-in-1 action of this gun that keeps it interesting. Another great feature of this gun is that there are upgrade kits available that can increase its firepower, so it can be modified even further.
7. Zombie Strike Sledgefire Blaster
The Zombie Strike Sledgefire Blaster on Amazon is a stylish gun that has an extended stock that holds extra rounds of darts.
This makes it look really cool, but the most outstanding feature that 5 year old’s will love is the fact that it can shoot up to 3 darts at one time. You can also just fire one at a time if you want.
This gun has a Zombie theme that encourages creativity and the use of imagination. It’s made of safe materials for kids of all ages and it has been tested for quality and for durability.
What I like:
- It’s easy to load and to shoot
- The ammo storage looks cool and it can hold darts for reloading
- This gun comes with extras including 9 strike darts, 3 reloadable shells, Zombie Strike themed stencils, and instructions that tell you how to assemble and use the gun and apply the stencils.
- It’s comfortable to hold and the accuracy is decent
What I don’t like:
- The hammer is stiff, and the barrel is sometimes hard to pull down
What we like most about the Zombie Strike Sledgefire Blaster is its unique Zombie theme and design. The extended stock holds an ammo case of extra rounds for longer playtime and easier reloading.
8. Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator
This Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator on Amazon is cool because it looks like an AK-47 with colorful kid-themed designs.
The most outstanding feature of this gun is that the parts can be interchanged or removed to make it look completely different. Kids can use it to accomplish different missions for hours of pretend play.
It’s ideal for 5 year old because it stimulates their imaginations and creativity. The design also encourages practicing hand and eye coordination, following steps to make the conversions, and using problem-solving skills.
This Nerf gun gets a good rating for quality, uniqueness, and stimulating creativity.
What I like:
- It can be configured into several different guns
- It’s a high-quality toy made of strong materials and a solid build
- It’s unique and fun for kids to use
What I don’t like:
- There is a learning curve for figuring out how to make the component conversions
This is one of the coolest Nerf guns on the market today. It’s a lot of different guns in one and it is fun for kids to turn it into the different possible configurations.
9. Nerf Zombie Doominator Blaster
The Nerf Zombie Doominator Blaster on Amazon is one of the most popular models on the market today because it comes with an amazing 24 round capacity. Five Year old’s will love this gun because they can play for longer periods of time in between reloads.
This gun gets a good rating for quality and uniqueness. The design features 4 flipping drums that each holds 6 darts. When you empty a drum just flip it to the next and you’re ready for more action.
We also love the 3-position handle, so the gun is also convertible for the maximum comfort and it also changes up the design.
What I like:
- This gun has great power for shooting distance
- It’s fairly accurate and good for target practice
- This is a versatile gun for hours of fun
What I don’t like:
- This is a bigger gun that can be heavy for smaller 5 year old’s
We like this gun because it really is cool. It looks like a beast and a real threat to the opposing team. It’s great because there are 24 rounds to shoot before it needs to be reloaded.
Although it’s a lot bigger and heavier than most other Nerf guns, the convertible handle can be changed up for lying on the ground and sharpshooting.
10. Nerf Fortnite TS-R Blaster & Llama Targets
We love the Fortnite theme of this model, but the most outstanding feature is the 2 Llama targets that come with the gun. The Nerf Fortnite TS-R Blaster & Llama Targets on Amazon is perfect for 5 year old’s who are into Fortnite video games.
The targets are freestanding so kids can practice aim and shooting skills. It can be used indoors and outdoors.
This is a replica of the Fortnite blaster, and it comes with pump-action, so it doesn’t need batteries. You can blast 4 darts in a row and there are 8 darts included for storing 4 of them in the stock for faster reloading.
What I like:
- Really cool Fortnite theme
- Interesting targets included for target practice
- This gun has good range and power
- There is a storage area for up to 8 darts in the stock of the gun
What I don’t like:
- It can be a little hard to slide the pump for smaller kids
We love the Fornite TS-R Blaster because of its fun theme and the targets that are included with the gun. This is great to stimulate imagination and encourage 5 year old’s to practice their hand and eye coordination
Helpful Tips To Choose The Best Nerf Gun For 5 Year Old
- Look for unique features and interesting themes
- Choose a gun that has good power for firing distance shots
- Select a gun that has a good level of accuracy
Final Thoughts
When you know the most important things to look for, it’s not as difficult to find the best Nerf Gun For 5 year old kids. This is an age where kids go for visual appeal first, to stimulate interest, then the gun needs to perform well to keep their interest.
Guns with unique themes and fun interactive features will keep them entertained for hours. We’ve included the 10 coolest Nerf guns for 5 year old’s based on this criteria and brought them together in one place for your convenience.