Last Updated on September 8, 2020 by Corinne Schmitt
Special thanks to Toys“R”Us, Hasbro and Duracell for sponsoring today’s post and for helping provide hours of family Nerf war fun!
One of my family’s favorite activities is a Nerf war. Whether we break up into teams or play every person for his or herself, these “wars” are always tons of fun. It’s an awesome activity for kids (and adults).
Nerf wars are a fun way to get outside and be active as a family. They’re also an easy, non-screen way to keep kids occupied when you are trying to clean the house or get some work done.
After hundreds of these Nerf wars, we’ve figured out a lot about how to set them up so that they’re fun for everyone. So, if you want to have an epic Nerf war, here’s what you need to do:
Create Your Arsenal
You can’t have a Nerf war without Nerf blasters! Make sure you have AT LEAST one per person. And don’t forget lots and lots of foam dart ammunition!
For the biggest selection, visit your local Toys “R” Us. They have a wide variety of all the Nerf toys you’ll need for an epic Nerf war.
We add to our Nerf arsenal every year so that we have a variety of blasters to choose from. This keeps the games interesting as players develop strategies and new skills.
This year we added the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster and the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster. Yes, the drone blaster is as cool as it sounds!
NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster
My youngest daughter, who has a fascination with robotics, loved navigating the all-terrain N-Strike Elite TerraScout RC drone around. It only took her a minute to figure out the controls, then she was driving it all over the yard!
The controller has an LCD screen that displays whatever the drone sees so you can attack your opponents without being in range of their blasters.
Since all my kids wanted a turn driving the drone, they came up with a new game. Each person would take turns driving the drone while the others shot at it with other Nerf blasters from their positions on the front porch. The drone controller had to try to avoid getting hit.
NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster
The MEGA Mastodon Blaster is HUGE. But since it fires darts up to 100 feet, it was also in high demand among our players.
It fires even faster than the drone blaster. My son pointed out that this makes it perfect for providing cover fire. The whistler darts that it shoots add to its ability to keep the enemy at bay.
Stock Up on Power
Stock Up on PowerMost of our favorite Nerf blasters are those that can launch multiple foam darts rapidly or long distances. In order to do this, these blasters are usually powered by batteries.
Check all of the blasters BEFORE the game to make sure they’re loaded with good batteries. Plus, have a ready stash of replacement batteries to refuel blasters that fade during battle.
You can stock up on Duracell batteries at Toys “R” Us when you are there getting your blasters. They’re on sale 6/11 through 6/17 at Toys“R”Us. Buy 1 pack of Duracell batteries, get the 2nd 40% off.
Set Up Boundaries
To make clean up easier, set up boundaries so you aren’t wandering the entire neighborhood looking for all of your foam darts after the war is over. Creating boundaries also makes the game safer since you can make dangerous areas (e.g. the garage where the power tools are stored, the pool or pond where water safety is a concern, etc.) off limits.
Don’t Forget Props
Props aren’t necessary, but they definitely add to the fun! This is one area where you can go low-tech though.
We use cardboard boxes to create bunkers. Since Nerf darts are soft, we allow players to hide behind cars and outdoor furniture too.
We sometimes like to play a Nerf version of “Capture the Flag” too. In lieu of a flag, we use a random item (e.g. soccer ball, water bottle, shoebox) that the other team tries to find and steal in order to win.
Establish Rules
During our first several Nerf wars, the kids spent more time arguing over “unfair” actions than they did playing. To avoid this, set clear rules from the beginning. Here are ours:
- No direct physical contact with other players
- No throwing
- No taking weapons away from other players while they are holding them (it IS okay to take unattended items)
- No intentional damaging of blasters or darts
- No shots aimed at the face
- Must stay within boundaries
- No weapons other than those approved before game begins
- No arguing – If someone says you are hit, accept it without complaint
- Everyone must help clean up darts after the game
Enter to Win Supplies for Your Own Epic Nerf War!
Are you excited to stage your own Nerf war? If you’re planning your first one, you might not have a huge arsenal yet.
Don’t worry! My friends at Toys“R”Us, Hasbro and Duracell want to help one lucky reader jump start a Nerf collection. Enter below for your chance to win a $250 Toys “R” Us Gift Card (more than enough to snag a NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster) plus 2 different packs of Duracell batteries to power up your Nerf toys!
More Fun Activities for Kids
Want to learn more about fun summer activities for you and your kiddos? Join us on Wednesday, 6/14 at 2pm EST to discuss favorite summer games, toys, plans and how to have the best summer ever. Watch for and use the party hashtag #TRUPowerUpFun.
30 Outdoor Activities for Kids
Family Outing Ideas for Summer
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Duracell/Hasbro/Toys’R’Us. The opinions and text are all mine.
This is gonna reall y help me because i’m having a big nerf-war in spring break
Oh good, I hope you have a fun time! Thanks for commenting.
kids would like the drone blaster looks super fun
I like the NERF N-STRIKE MEGA MASTODON BLASTER because it of the rapid fire of 24 darts at a time
NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster! It shoots darts how cool is that? You can video and rewatch also!!
I like the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone it is cool. Even records.
the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because every time we see a commercial on TV about drones…my son goes crazy to get one
My son would love the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster because of the motorized mega blasting!
NERF N-Strike Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because I think it said it live records and then can watch it on replay!
My nephew would love the remote control drone! My nephew loves his Nerf!
The NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster is by far my favorite…
I like the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster. I think my kids would like this because it’s so different than any other toys they have had.
While the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster is really cool, I like the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster better because it can be carried over shoulder and requires maybe a little more movement to play. Just thinking more running around.
The drone blaster is my favorite. I love that you can record your battles.
i like the NERF N-Strike Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because the lcd screen is soo cool.
My favorite one is the nerf n strike terrascout remote control drone blaster because it looks like something that would be fun to play with this summer.
I love the drone blaster because my son loves anything with a remote control option!
the Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster is the ultimate weapon! It is a revolutionary addition to nerf battles and that is my choice!
My favorite of the two is the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because we never played with a drone. There would be so much fun for my family.
Wow that drone is so interesting! Lots of fun!
NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster is my favorite..I love that is has live feed
We would love the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster – it has great distance
I’d much prefer the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster. I have 4 kids so we’d need more than one to have an epic battle. 😉
My fave is the remote control drone because you can get away fast
I think I’d like the MEGA Mastodon Blaster best. I prefer hands-on, and love the distance you can get with it!
The drone blaster is perfect for those who like to have some distance from the combat but still want to be involved.
This is such a grest idea! Love this! Kids of all ages would gave a blast!
I love the idea of the drone blaster because it would appeal to my son’s love of electronics while also getting him outside for fun play.
Absolutely the remote control drone. I’m not sure we could use these where we live though–houses VERY close together. Thanks for the giveaway.
We’ve never done nerf with the kids. I think they’d love them all!
I like the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster more. It’s cool that it combines a RC vehicle with the nerf gun. My son would have a ton of fun surprise attacking his parents 🙂
I love the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because we tried such fun toy before but always want to. My kids and hubby could have hours of fun with it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Oh my gosh! My family would LOVE the all-terrain N-Strike Elite TerraScout RC drone so they could blast others while remaining safely hidden behind a tree or something! lol
Nerf Battles and squirt gun wars are some of our favorite competitive activities together!! 😀
I reall like the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster. Looks like a great way to cool off!
My favorite is the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster. I think it is so cool being a remote control and there is live video feed on the control.
Oh I have to say…the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster is my favorite! I have never seen anything like that…so neat! I love that the kids can record battles too! Oh he would love this! Fun and so unique!
I love the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster. This looks like so much fun and i love that it has live video feed and that you can view out-of-sight targets with the LCD screen.
My favorite one is the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster because it looks fun
I like the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster because it has 24 dart revolving drum.
My favorite is the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster because you can carry it and is has a 24-Dart Rotating Drum and can blast darts to 100 feet!
MY SON WOULD DEFINITELY PREFER THE NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster. HE LOVES ANYTHING W/A REMOTE !!
I like the the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because my son really wants a drone
NERF N-Strike Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster my son would love this as much as i do this would be such a hit here
I like the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because I can sneak up on the kids without getting hit!
We choose the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster. Perfect fun for camping. We like that it has a live view camera on it.
I like the MEGA Mastodon Blaster that thing looks huge and I love that it fires darts up to 100 feet.
My favorite of the two is the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because you can control it remotely.
My kids would like the drone blaster because they are curious about drones.
I like the NERF N-Strike MEGA Mastodon Blaster for my son because he would have a blast shooting out the soft darts in rapid fire!
I like the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster and may have fun with that one mysef. Something different than what my son has ever had with nerf guns and looks powerful.
I like the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone because it records live video feed which you can watch. It lets you scout out your area. Very cool!
I like the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because it is just plain cool!
the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster because it is like nothing we have ever tried and I know my son would really enjoy this toy
I like the NERF N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster. The kids would have a lot of fun with a remote control drone that shoots darts and also records video.