My 5 year old son uses this while my daughter is at swim practice. It is not your Super Soaker (large, thicker and more durable), but it is perfect for us. My son is 5... he just wants it to shoot water and he likes filling it up. There are 4 different places you can unscrew to add water which makes it more fun. It is not tremendously durable; it is not expensive. I won't be upset if/when it breaks. It will give my son alot of fun for a very small price.