How do you choose the right bow for your child?
Archery is not only great fun outdoors for your child, the sport also improves concentration, improves motor coordination, strengthens muscle power and increases self-confidence. If your child shows an interest in archery, you should think about buying the right bow for them.
In this article, we will discuss what to look for in order to choose the right bow for your child. You will find information on what type of bow is best for children, how to determine the correct bow tension, and how to choose the length of the bow to suit the child's height.
Shooting bows for children - what to consider when buying?
Choosing a bow for a child is quite a challenge. Before buying, it is a good idea to carefully check the specifications of the bow, such as string length and pulling power and then match these values to the child's height and age. The type of bow and whether the child is right- or left-handed should also be taken into account when choosing.
The right bow will ensure comfort and safety when shooting and give your child a positive experience with archery, which in turn can turn into a passion for years to come.
Remember to avoid buying cheap bows from dodgy shops. Their low price may mean poor quality workmanship and thus a potential safety risk for the child. Such bows may be manufactured from poor quality materials or have design flaws that can lead to shooting injuries.
Block, sport or traditional bow - which one to choose for your child?
When choosing a bow for your child, sooner or later you will be faced with the decision of what type of bow to choose. The choices for children include: block bows, sport bows and traditional bows.
Compound bow is the pinnacle of archery technology. The complex design with pulleys and chords ensures high pulling power and precision shooting. Easier draw and longer string retention make it easier to aim.
In turn traditional bow it is characterised above all by its simplicity. It has no additional mechanisms or assistive devices, so the young archer must rely on his own strength, accuracy and technique.
When it comes to sports bow, it is a more complex construction of the classic bow. Both the arms and the maypole are separate components that are connected to each other with fastening screws. The sporting bow is additionally equipped with an arrow rest, which makes it easier to keep the arrow in the right position. A special sight can also be attached to increase accuracy at longer distances.
If you're thinking about choosing a type of bow for your child, whether sports, block or traditional bows can be suitable for little ones, provided they are chosen correctly. What is important is the tension strength of the bow and its length, which we will write about later in this guide.
By far the best way to choose a bow for your child is to let him try each type. This will allow him to experience the differences in their handling and choose the one he is more comfortable with.
How do you determine the right bow tension for a child?
The draw strength of a bow is one of the key issues that should be considered when buying a bow for a child. This value is given in poundsand determines the force required to draw the string.
If the bow tension is too low, the child will not be able to reach his or her full potential, and shooting will not be effective. In contrast too much tension can make it too difficult to draw the bow, or even lead to injury.
For the youngest, however, a low-tension bow is definitely a better choice, as this will allow the child to concentrate on shooting technique without too much effort. Although lower string strength means slower and weaker shots and is only suitable for shorter distances, it is conducive to learning correct habits and shooting accurately.
How do you determine the right bow tension for a child? Below are the recommended tension strength values (LBS) for girls and boys in different age ranges:
| Age | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 12 years | 10-16 LBS | 14-20 LBS |
| 12 to 18 years | 17-22 LBS | 21-28 LBS |
Bow for a child - right or left handed?
When choosing a bow for a child, consideration must be given to whether to opt for a right- or left-handed bow. The fact that a child writes with the right hand does not necessarily translate into the choice of bow. Here the issue is to determine the child's dominant eye. It is the eye that determines the choice of the appropriate bow. So how do you determine which eye is dominant? Conduct a simple test with your child:
1 Have the child stand in front of the chosen object.
2 Then have him take a piece of paper with a hole in it and grab it with both hands, making sure his elbows are straight.
3 Then, looking through the hole in the sheet, first have him close his right eye, perhaps obscuring it.
4 Then have him close his left eye.
5 The eye that saw the object is the dominant eye.
Once the dominant eye has been determined, the choice of bow is simple. For those with a right dominant eye, a right-handed bow will be suitable. It is drawn with the right hand and held in the left hand. Similarly, those with a dominant left eye should choose a left-handed bow, which is held with the right hand and drawn with the left.
Safe archery for children - or rules you should know
Adults buying a bow for a child should first and foremost ensure the child's safety by familiarising them with the basic rules:
- The bow and arrows must be checked before each shot. If there is any damage, the bow must not be used.
- Never aim a bow at people or animals. Sometimes even seemingly safe arrows can unexpectedly change their trajectory and cause serious injury.
- Always check your surroundings before firing a shot. You need to make sure that there is no one or nothing behind or next to you that could be hit.
- Only shoot on designated ranges or in safe areas.
- Children who have long hair should tie it up.
- Do not wear loose clothing when shooting a bow. These can catch on various parts of the bow. Fitted clothing is the best choice.
- Do not shoot the bow ‘dry’ (drawing and releasing the string without an arrow in place).
- Do not shoot into dense bushes. Arrows may ricochet off. Also, do not fire arrows straight into the air.
It is also important that the child always uses appropriate protective accessories when archery.
The first steps in archery can be painful for a young archer because of the strong friction of the string against the forearm. To protect the skin from the impact of the string after the shot, forearm protectors are necessary. It is worth remembering that the protector should fit tightly to the forearm. It must fit snugly but at the same time not restrict movement. A protector that is too loose may slip off and not protect the arm from the impact of the string.
Archery gloves are also an important component. These protect against abrasions and injuries caused by the spars and darts of the arrow. This protective accessory is particularly important for children, who have more delicate skin than adults. To avoid abrasions, swellings and cuts, it is also worth thinking about finger protectors.
Children's bow range at Militaria.pl
Are you looking for a bow for a child who would like to start their adventure with archery? In the offer of Militaria.pl you will find a wide range of bows for children, both classic and compound bows. All models have a draw strength adapted to the youngest users, which does not exceed 20 LBS. This means you can be sure that using them will not only be enjoyable, but above all safe for your child.
The bows available in our shop are made of sturdy materials yet are lightweight, making them an option for the youngest archers. Kits are available that include not only the bow itself, but also the necessary accessories such as: arrows, sight, forearm protector and archery shield. This provides everything a child needs to start learning archery.
Of the bows for children available in the Militaria.pl shop, we particularly recommend those from the brand Poe Lang. Sturdy yet lightweight designs guarantee comfort and safety in use.
In addition to bows, you will also find a wide range of archery accessories in our shop. Available for purchase include: quivers, caves or arrow rests.
