The Best Bow and Arrow Sets for Kids
While it might feel best for you to wrap your child in bubble wrap and not let them out of sight, the truth is, risky play is essential for healthy development. In fact, although it might appear to be counter-intuitive, risky play helps to reduce the chance of injury. Children naturally want to be careful, they just need to be given the chance to figure out what that looks like for themselves. One of the best ways to encourage this? Allow for toys that walk a fine line between risky and secure. Archery is one such activity. It's important to find a quality bow and arrow for the safest play, so we've made a list of our favorites. Take a look, below.
Adventure Awaits! Handmade Wooden Bow and Arrow Set
Quality Craftsmanship
This gorgeous handmade set looks like the real deal – and that is because it is. Made with tradition in mind, this set features rubber tips and quality bamboo craftsmanship. Completely handmade and including twenty arrows, two bows, and two quivers, this set will provide hours of outdoor play. It’s not terribly dangerous, though the risk involved is a great way to teach your children how to play safely. Sized just right for a budding young archer, this set will last long after they’ve outgrown it and moved on to the next.
Pros:
- Rubber tips look realistic and are totally safe
- Includes two bows and two quivers for tandem play
- Rustic, handmade look
Cons:
- Doesn’t include an arm guard
- The rubber tips tend to pop off, but can easily be glued back on
SainSmart Jr. Kids Bow and Arrows
Low Light Friendly
Including five arrows, a bow, quiver, and target, this set is ideal for improving hand-eye coordination when it’s time to take archery to the next level. The automatic bow illuminates, creating a lighting effect that is a blast to play at night. With the non-sharp rubberized suction tips, there’s no need to worry about injuries, either. Available in two vibrant colors, this beginner archery set is a fun way to engage youngsters in a more active game.
Pros:
- Includes suction arrows and a target for improving hand-eye coordination
- Bow lights up for low-light play
- Includes a sighting device for beginner target practice
Cons:
- Best for shorter arms
- Suction could stand to be a bit stronger
Marky Sparky Foam Bow & Arrow
For youngsters who want to get in a more active bow and arrow play, a foam set is a more kid-friendly alternative that allows for an increase in independent risky play. Lightweight enough to avoid doing real harm, these foam arrows can still reach up to a distance of 100 feet and simply soar through the sky. Designed for a quick release, this set boosts imaginative play while still building upon hand-eye coordination and other benefits to archery.
Pros:
- Quick-release foam bow and arrow set
- Lightweight, so it’s easy to carry
- Spinning release with a sleek performance handle
Cons:
- Foam is not the most durable
- Not the most accurate for distance target practice
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these toys risky and, if so, are they dangerous?
There’s a lot of talk lately about “risky play”. So what does it mean, exactly? Essentially, risky play is any kind of play or activity in which risk is involved. This can mean a higher, more intricate climbing structure, learning how to whittle with a sharp pocketknife – or, yes, archery. So if there’s a risk, why get children involved?
Actually, risky play is an important childhood function. It not only helps children to conquer fears and explore their limits, but it boosts confidence, helps to quell anxiety, and aids in the process of developing executive functioning skills. There are other benefits as well, such as fine and gross motor skill development, social-emotional building, and learning boundaries, among other essential childhood developmental skills and functioning. The key to this kind of play is to keep an eye on your child and assess for yourself whether the risks outweigh the benefits.
What’s the benefit of learning archery?
Aside from the inherent benefits of risky play, archery itself is also a fantastic resource for developing important childhood skills. Helping to improve focus, sharpen hand-eye coordination, and building upper body and core strength, archery is a wonderful activity. Additional benefits include building patience, calming anxiety, and boosting self-esteem. If your child shows any interest in archery, there are plenty of developmentally appropriate bow and arrow sets on the market for children as young as three, and all the way up through teenager-hood.
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