Beyond Blasters: How to Plan the Best Nerf Parties

Imagine yourself amid delightful chaos – dozens of people running around with toy weapons, some taking aim as others dive behind a maze of obstacles. It’s a Nerf party, and whether it sounds like your idea of fun or your worst nightmare, this type of gathering has gained popularity over the past decade as both children and adults search for unique ways to meet up and connect in a competitive way.

Interested in planning a Nerf blaster party? Then you’ll first need to learn what these types of events involve and take note of the essentials – from gear and game ideas to an appropriate venue – for setting one up.

Table of contents:

• What is a Nerf party?
• Party planning essentials
• Nerf party rental options
• The best party games for your guests
• Where to host a Nerf party

What is a Nerf party?

A Nerf party is a fast-paced, fun-filled gathering during which participants aim to shoot one another with foam darts projected from Nerf blasters. Because the darts are made of rubber-tipped foam, play is generally safe for young children, but teens and adults also enjoy playing.

These parties are great for birthdays, corporate events, or just because. They often take place in a backyard, park, or other open spaces where players can run, duck for cover, and strategize as part of the game. Indoor spaces also make great locations, with obstacles brought in for the occasion.

Hosts decide whether play will be free-for-all style with few or no rules or whether there will be themes and structured games, sometimes involving teams, referees, and prizes.

Partygoers usually are asked to bring their own Nerf blasters and goggles. Sometimes guests must bring their own darts, as well, but sorting out which darts belong to whom at the end can be difficult. For that reason, some hosts provide ammo for use and then keep it all when the party is finished, much like this Redditor chose to do.

Aside from the battles, Nerf parties often feature additional activities and snacks to tie everything together. The combination of active gameplay and imaginative settings makes Nerf parties memorable for participants.

They also encourage teamwork, communication, and creativity, as players come up with clever strategies to win their games. Overall, a Nerf party is a unique and energetic way to celebrate a special occasion while keeping everyone entertained.

Nerf blaster party essentials every host needs

To host a successful Nerf blaster party, you’ll want to consider the following:

Gear

Determine whether you’ll ask guests to bring their own blasters and ammo or provide it for them. If you aren’t providing blasters, ask attendees to bring their own (with their names marked on them) and any extras they might have for guests who don’t bring one. Eye protection and sturdy shotes are also necessities for safety.

Obstacles

If your party will be outdoors, choose a location that offers trees, shrubbery or other structures that provide cover. If you’re planning your Nerf party at an indoor space, consider whether you can create or rent obstacles to make the event more fun and challenging. Paint cardboard boxes to stack, purchase a few inflatables, or make use of old tires, pallets or other materials you might have lying around.

Games

Depending on how long the party will last, organized games like Capture the Flag might be a good idea. Be sure to pick options that aren’t too difficult to understand and won’t take too long to explain, especially if you’re catering to younger children. You might also choose to have a target shooting competition or, at the end of the party, a “pick up as many darts as you can find on the floor” contest.

Prizes

If you’re going to plan organized games, think about whether you’d like to provide prizes for the winners. Ideas might include packs of darts for everyone on the winning team, a brand-new blaster for the winner of the target-shooting competition, or a pair of fun-colored safety goggles for the person who picks up the most darts at the end.

T-shirts

If you have the budget and you’re planning a Nerf party with organized team games, consider purchasing T-shirts that will help to make the teams clearer. If you customize them with team names, players can take them home at the end of the party as favors to commemorate the festivities.

Referees

We promise not to judge how seriously you take foam dart combat. If you’re planning for the competition to be fierce, it could be worth having referee or two to make sure everyone follows the Nerf party rules – both in terms of game play and safety. Referees can be people you know who agree to serve in that capacity, or you can consider going through a company that provides one for a fee.

Food and drinks

Nerf wars can take a lot out of a person. With that in mind, it’s likely guests will be hungry after a few rounds of pew-pew. Have some fun finger foods – pizza, hot dogs, sliders, custom themed cookies – at the ready for people to eat on the go. And don’t forget drinks like water and Gatorade that are good for rehydration since participants will probably be working up a sweat.

A place to hold the event

The key to narrowing down potential Nerf party locations is space. Spoiler: You’ll need lots of it.

First, come up with a rough estimate of how many people you’ll be inviting, and figure out the sizes of any obstacles you plan to set up if applicable. You’ll also want to make sure to choose a location where noise and flying darts won’t be an issue. (In other words, stay away from your own backyard if your neighbors are touchy about screaming children or your local church hall if there are stained-glass windows at risk of breaking.)

Invitations

By now, you’ve got all of the other details nailed down. Next, make a list of who you’d like to invite, and send out invitations. Decide whether you’ll write out paper ones or send them electronically.

Nerf party rentals to streamline planning

Plenty of party companies offer Nerf gear rentals – from blasters and ammo to obstacles and referee services – for a fee. If your finances allow for it, this could be an excellent way to remove some of the logistical hassle of procuring the right equipment, planning games, and finding someone to enforce the rules.

A quick Google search for Nerf party planners near you should yield local results from which you can choose. Generally, you can expect to pay a fee for any equipment rented, as well as setup and cleanup, and the organization of any games, which might include the services of a referee or two.

Nerf party games that will bring the giggles

If you do opt to plan your own games, here are a few that have gone over well at Nerf parties:

Battle royale/Team deathmatch

Divide players into two teams with each player given a set number of tags. Each time a player is hit, they lose a tag. When a team loses its last tag, the other team wins.

Capture the flag

Divide players into two teams. Each team has a flag that it must protect while members of the opposing team try to steal it and return to their base without being hit by darts. If they’re hit, they must drop the flag immediately. The team with the most steals after a set number of timed rounds wins.

Attack and defend

Two teams of players fight it out to determine who controls a set area marked off by sidewalk chalk or temporary spray paint (if outside) or painter’s tape (if indoors). If a player is hit with a dart while trying to defend the space, they must sit out for a set amount of time. Whoever controls the area when the timed game ends.

Hostage

Each of two teams gives the other team an unarmed teammate as a hostage. That person is then hidden while members of their own team try to find and tag them into the game, at which point they get their blaster back. The first hostage to make it back to their team’s base wins the game for their team.

Humans vs. zombies

One team of armed players (the humans) goes around trying to shoot the other unarmed team (the zombies) with darts. If a zombie is hit, they’re “dead.” If a zombie tags a human with their hand, the human becomes a zombie. The goal is for the humans to “kill” all of the zombies before the 10-minute round ends.

Nerf party places with plenty of space

Need a venue that can handle your Nerf party? Here are some venue types to consider:

• A local park or sports field
• A school gymnasium
• A community center
• A backyard
• A conference center
• An event space
• A loft space
• A ranch or barn
• A warehouse

You can often use local parks, sports fields and gymnasiums are community spaces for free or for a small fee. However, they often have limited availability and require all-day bookings.

With Peerspace, you can find a backyard, barn, community center or warehouse location with plenty of space to set up obstacles and let your guests run wild with their Nerf equipment. The best part is you can book for just the few hours you need instead of paying for a whole day.

Each listing includes high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and real reviews, so you know exactly what to expect. Plus, with our user-friendly booking process and the ability to message hosts directly, planning your event has never been easier.

Ready, aim, party—now go plan your Nerf showdown

Planning and hosting a Nerf party should be as stress-free and fun as the blaster games themselves. With the right mix of equipment, competition, and a venue that allows it all to come together, your event is sure to be a hit.

With the largest online marketplace for Nerf kids party venues, Peerspace offers an unmatched selection that’s tailored to your needs. Maybe you’re looking for a spacious warehouse, a private recreation area, or a quirky indoor play zone? Either way, Peerspace connects you with one-of-a-kind venues that set the stage.

See what Peerspace has to offer and start planning the next great Nerf war.