Nerf guns

[Girlwhowearsglasses]

I don't like them. Lots of DSs friends have them. Lots of parents I know are happy about them.

DP has ordered them for the 3 DSs without telling me. I am v unhappy. DS1 has ADHD and has impulse issues. He is not able to stop doing something when he's 'in the zone'

DSs know he has ordered them.

MN jury do you have them?

[balletgirlmum]

Ds loves them but we have strict rules (he has ASD) & I have been careful about buying age appropriate ones until he was mature enough to understand the rules.

The different ones have different types of bullets, the soft Orange ones can't really do much harm but the elite & mega ones can sting so it's a good compromise to ban those type.

[LikeTheShoes]

we also have the rule that if the bullets are left out they go in the bin (well actually they go into the tub of football cards and nerf bullets to be used for bribery, but they don't need to know that!) if they lose all the bullets in one day then the guns aren't much fun...

[MrsBennetsEldest]

No, mine didn't. We had real guns and I wouldn't have toy ones around. My DSs are all crack shots and have massive respect for actual guns and firearm safety. They never did the pretend shooting at each other either.

[CakeIsABreakfastFood]

Myself and DH have one each and do do our 3 kids. Great fun!

[VanillaTwirl]

My two love nerf guns, same ground rules as everyone else - no face, don't annoy the cat, only at people who are playing, not indoors.
All the kids in our area have big nerf gun fights at times - all ages; it comes and goes in waves of popularity, along with super soaker fights in the summer.
I also wouldn't be concerned re the adult who cried when one hit her neck tbh - they really don't hurt unless v v close range.

The only problem my youngest (10) has with them is that he loves the ones marketed at girls because they're pretty cool (the shapes, sizes and styles) but they are pink, purple and sparkly to distinguish them as 'for girls' and he "doesn't want to get picked on". He doesn't see why they're not all just bright colours and for everyone.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

DSes had them with various rules in place.

It was actually a stage which didn't last long for us (although it's now a few years ago, Im still picking up the pellets from the flower beds)

[Lonecatwithkitten]

All 5 of my neighbours children had nerf guns I got so fed up with returning the bullets that they don't play with them. I am also really grumpy and will only return the football once a day and only at a time that suits me.

[Girlwhowearsglasses]

Hmmm, jury's out then. I'll have to see how they get on. Wonder what the resell value is ;-)

[UsedtobeFeckless]

We have tons - they are brilliant! We have rules - No head shots / No shooting me or the cats or the fish - but apart from that anything goes!

I did get a bit of tutting from the lentil-weaving peacenik DM of one of DS1's mates about all the swords n' guns n' stuff but I pointed out that come the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse she'd be glad I'd trained them up ...

[Ilovehamabeads]

DS and DH both have one, they only play indoors. 2 minutes playing, 20 minutes looking for bullets. I see a lot of people play outdoors in gardens. How does that work then, don't the bullets just get instantly lost in the bushes?
They also both have nerf supersoakers. Now that's good fun!

[RoobyTuesday]

We have them - I can assure you that it doesn't hurt when you get shot (have been the target many a time). Great fun.

[RoobyTuesday]

Although head shots are banned I should add.

[TwoLeftSocks]

DS1 has ADHD (though more inattentive than impulsive) and he and DS2 have a collection of nerf guns and bows & arrows.

I'm quite mean and only allow him to get the bullets / darts out under range conditions, but they're allowed to charge around shouting bang with them unloaded whenever they like.

TBH, I find plastic swords or stick sword fighting far more problematic / injurious.

[rampantrunner]

I don't know, my kids really love them. As long as you keep an eye on them and don't go for anything too powerful you should be ok. The Zombie range is really good fun! Check out the range here: nerfreviews.com/home-page/reviews/nerf-zombie-strike-reviews

[Magicpaintbrush]

I don't like gun type toys, but then again I am a right fuddy duddy. Luckily my dd doesn't like gun type toys anyway. I can understand you not being too happy about this if one of your children has impulse issues and is likely to shoot at inappropriate targets etc. It's one thing shooting something across the lawn where it will be harmless, and another if it's going to be point blank range in somebody's face or the neighbour's cat etc

[Mamabear14]

My middle child has ADHD. The 2 boys (and DP) got them at Christmas and they had hours of fun charging round the house shooting each other, rather that than on the Xbox! What about supersoakers in the summer? They are gun shaped but it gets them outside and again, hours of fun!

[Sweetie1066]

Hi I'm looking into safety goggles for kids to use with nerf guns any suggestions most welcome as to where I can get them that are small enough for children - thx IA

[thecatsarecrazy]

My 8 year old has about 4 I think. He's found a set on amazon that has a camouflage vest, goggles and a skull mask that goes with Nerf guns. He will not stop going on about it. Apparently because he behaved yesterday I must buy it.

[Huldra]

I wish they had silencers on them. The constant clickity clack melts my brain.

[LanaKanesLeftNippleTassle]

I have zero advice OP, sorry!
But I just had to say this thread has inspired me to look at family Nerf Wars!

I used to be v v anti - any sorts of weapons for kids, but then I felt guilty and hypocritical, as me and DP do Airsoft, and own some very realistic automatic rifles/ handguns etc.

And then, like all up themselves well meaning parents before me, I discovered DS would turn anything into a weapon anyway, as soon as he could wave a stick about, so he already has swords, axes, shields (he is obsessed with Vikings- as are we actually!) and a lovely toy dagger!

I have changed my stance massively, and now I'm looking at my jungly garden and thinking how perfect it would be for some Nerf action!

Any recommendations for a 4 year old and 2 massively childish adults?

[childmaintenanceserviceinquiry]

DS has several (now). I like it - he is 11 with social issues and he can join in with the other kids in the road. THey run around screaming with joy and amazingly noone seems to get hurt. We have the rule - no aiming at faces. And I have a rule - anyone shooting at my cat will have their gun snapped in 2. I do provide icecreams most weekends so the local kids put up with my fussiness over the cat.

He went through a stick phase - much more harm could be done.

[childmaintenanceserviceinquiry]

On resale value - I bought a lot of 4 nerf guns off ebay for £25 quid. They had been lightly used. One only lasted 1 season, the others are now into season 2. DS bought a new Nerf gun for £13. So I think they hold their value quite well!

[Sweetie1066]

I've two boys and have done nerf parties for them as they love it - so much so that I am opening my own nerf arena as split with DH and need a job that fits with my kids Had to sell house so am investing for them. This is why I was looking for recommendations for safety glasses thx for advice lovelies!

[ThatsNotMyMummy]

We love a good family nerf gun battle. Ours are quite a few years (think the oldest is 6/7 years) old but still going strong.

[LateDad]

thecats Don't you just love 8 year old logic? :)