The Ultimate Guide To 7 Best Archery Equipment For Kids
Whether your kiddo is a sports fanatic, nature lover, or somewhere in between, archery may be their new favorite after-school activity. It’s an incredible chance for them to make friends, learn new skills, and get some much-needed outdoor time! We’ll guide you through all the equipment they’ll need to get started.
What Archery Equipment Do Kids Need?
When it comes to finding archery accessories for your child, there are a few things to keep in mind. The equipment they’ll need will vary based on the type of archery they choose to pursue.
It’s important to remember, especially for your wallet’s sake, that kids grow older and stronger pretty quickly.
This means equipment upgrades may be necessary sooner for kids than for adult archers. It’s best to start small, and as their interest and strength grows, upgrade. Purchasing a children’s archery set may be ideal for young archers to save money on quality items. Disclaimer: For kids under 10, we recommend soft-tipped arrows for safety.
1. Archery Bow
The bow that your child needs will be based on the discipline of archery they choose to participate in. The type of archery may be determined by their age since draw weight can vary between different types of bows. Typically, kiddos will do best with a recurve or
compound archery bow.
Recurve bows are the most common type used for beginners. Additionally, they’re the only bows allowed to be used in competition. This bow style comes in handy for beginners just getting a hang of the sport.
Compound bows, on the other hand, are mechanized. They have pulleys and levers which bend at the limbs, with plenty of lightweight options for new archers. This style is most typically used for target shooting and hunting.
2. Bowstring
Most youth bows will come equipped with a bowstring. However, it will likely need to be replaced soon after due to a lower quality and quick wear. One of high quality should last a few years if well-maintained, even when used frequently.
Just like bows, strings will vary based on what archery discipline your little one is into. Choosing a recurve bowstring requires considering the bow’s draw weight and length. The draw weight will affect how many strands their string requires during archery
lessons.
The bow length will determine how long the bowstring should be. Usually, the string needs to be about three inches shorter than the bow length. For example, a child’s 60- inch bow should be paired with a 57-inch string.
When it comes to compound bows, their strings come in pieces. There is the main bowstring which runs the bow’s length and cables that connect. A bow will either come with string measurements written on or within the user manual.
3. Bow Case
A bow case is a necessary archery accessory for storing your youngster’s bow when not in use. The type of case they need will depend on a few things such as the bow type, size, and where it will be traveling.
It may seem obvious, but the type of bow will significantly affect the type of case you need. For a recurve bow, find a case the full length of the bow, or choose a smaller one that requires disassembling the bow. Compound bows generally only have full-sized
cases.
If your kiddo’s bow is smaller, the bow case may not need to be as large as typical ones. You may be tempted to choose a larger case to avoid replacing it in the future, but this could be a bad idea. Having extra room within the bow case will allow it to move during
travel, potentially causing damage.
Considering the type and extent of traveling your child will do with their bow is crucial. If they’re taking it to and from lessons, out onto the range, and into competitions, harder cases are recommended. The more it’s moving, the more protection the case will need from an “archery shop near me.”
4. Archery Arrows
The archery arrows your child needs will vary depending on the type and size of the bow. There are various arrow types for both recurve and compound bows. Little recurve archers will normally use carbon archery arrows, while compound shooters can do well
with aluminum or carbon ones.
Many kids’ archery sets come with fiberglass arrows. While they’re not totally terrible, carbon ones are more accurate and durable. If your child is interested in making archery a serious sport, it is best to go with carbon options at the archery store.
One of the most essential parts of choosing the perfect arrows for your child is ensuring they’re not too long or short. Incorrectly sized arrows can be dangerous to the archer and even cause serious injury. Take their archery supplies over to a shop if you’re unsure about the fit.
5. Archery Quiver
An archery quiver is an item that holds arrows in a convenient and easy-to-reach spot. It’s especially important during competitions, tournaments, and hunting. The most common ways to wear a quiver from the archery store are on the archer’s back, hip, or bow.
Some archers prefer to keep their quiver on the ground, depending on how they like to shoot. It’s a great option for bow hunters who like to lay low. We recommend letting your young archer experiment with different styles before making a purchase.
6. Arm Guard
An arm guard, also known as a bracer, is used for both safety and comfort in archery. It keeps the fabric from clothing sleeves away from the bowstring and to protect the arm from getting hit with the string. Recurve archers must-have arm guards since the bowstring often bounces back and hits the forearm after shooting.
Most arm guards are made of leather material since it’s durable enough to withstand many bowstring hits. Be sure that your child has one with high-quality material so they can stay safe.
7. Archery Target
Last, but certainly not least, every kid archer needs a target to shoot. You can purchase packs of targets for a low cost online or at a local “archery shop near me”. Finding local archery lessons, clubs, and/or competitions is another good way to get them shooting
an archery target.
Conclusion
Now that you know what archery equipment to stock up on, it’s time for your kiddo to start aiming! Stay patient with them and remember not to break the bank on their first set of archery supplies. If your little one needs more advice on how to get started, check out some more Crow Survival content before you go.
