Bows for kids…

[lyagooshka]

#6346

Question for those with kids (or knowledge, or just ideas, so basically, anyone): I am looking to get something for the kiddies to introduce them to archery. My daughter is 14 and my son 5. Both have shot bows, but they shot the “dime-store” versions. The ones that look like they should have suction cups on the arrows. Actually, one was so bad, that the arrow (pre-tipped) couldn’t pop a balloon on a direct hit.

Anyway, my questions are thusly:

1) What is a good draw weight and bow length for a 14 year old? A 5 year old?

2) Are there any good (and inexpensive) bows that would work?

3) Is there a way to get kids into it, other than “shooting with dad”?

4) Is there any issue if I make a couple of self bows from a piece of tree that fell last year? Will it be more difficult for them to learn with a self bow? (I have never made a bow, so it will be fun all around.)

5) Ideas on arrows, fletching, etc.

Thanks. Be well.

Alex

😀

[David Coulter]

#50889

Alex,

Santa brought my son a Pilgrim 24#er. The elves must have copied the ones that 3Rivers sells. It’s a nice bow. A real bow. My son loves it. I think the main thing is that they get out and have a blast with it. Hitting something is a bonus. Launching an arrow into the sky in some harmless direction does wonders for the spirit. I think making a self bow would be really cool. My son and a buddy made bows out of sticks and string one afternoon and they had a blast with them. We used 3R youth arrows and they flew pretty well. They were both hitting an apple (sitting on a stump..) at several paces. The youth arrows are a good deal. I have put heavier points on a few and judos on a couple, but they flew fine out of the box.

Have some fun! dwc

[gigglemonk]

#51238

Hey Alex

I work with kids at wilderness skills organization. One of my programs is making bows for kids.

I use maple boards usually but lots of woods will work.

For a 14 year old who is new I usually go with a 20# bow.

For a 5 year old, 10# can be too much some times and making a selfbow that light is tricky, but its not too tough.

So for the little one I usually make a 50inch bow that hits 10-12# @20″. The young ones, depending on height, tend to draw around 16 inches so the bow at that draw is usually <10#.

With wood bows for kids its a good idea to tiller it much longer than the intended drawlength and back it with something like rawhide. Kids are so tough on their toys, Id have a heart attack if a bow broke in a kids hands. Tiller the DL long to protect against the inevitable overdraws and back it.

For arrows the 3rivers ones are good as DWC said. You can also save a ton of money by picking out the clean 1/4″ poplar dowels or using whatever straight shoots, like cane, mulefat, willow, etc are in your area.

What kind of tree you got?

[David Coulter]

#51283

Monk,

Sounds like a great time. I’d love to see some photos or a how-to on your kids’ bow projects. It’s good work with kids. dwc

[lyagooshka]

#51543

Monk, thanks for the info. I have a maple that fell. Branch is between 4 and 6 inches in diameter. I figure if I split it, I could get two bows. Since I am making 20# or less, I would not be AS concerned about growth rings, knots, etc?

It sounds like a fun winter project. Matby even cut a small shelf on the bow to keep the arrows a bit more centered. I actually have about a dozen 5/16″ dowels 4′ long. Would make some great kids arrows.

So here is the main concern: What stain/varnish do I use to finish them (bows and arrows)?

Thanks again for your help.

DWC: I agree completely. I remember as a kid being happy that I got an arrow to fly, let alone stick in something (ground usually, or a stump). I think it would be great for the kids. Also, may be part of a land lease next year. Would be a great place for them to “go wild”, and if they like it, maybe we can move them into the bow you mentioned and tighten their groups to “broad side of a barn”.

Thanks all. Be well.

Alex

😀

[lyagooshka]

#51544

Oh, and one more thing…

From the advice above, I assume a longbow is ok for them? Recurve also or is one better/easier/more forgiving?

Alex

❓

[gigglemonk]

#52746

I like longbows for the kids bows. Not to say recurves are out, its just that making a few longbows is way easier than making recurves.

If you can find out the species of the maple you can then get the specific gravity of that species of maple. Anything over .45 is considered decent for a bow.

I would still be cautious with knots regardless of weight. Knots dont like to bend and maple, though reliable, is not as resilient as some other woods.

You dont need to chase a ring with maple. Just remove the bark and the white wood(sapwood) underneath is the back.

That size branch should yield two bows as long it is not too twisty. Cutting a shelf in the handle is fine as long there is absolutely no bend in the handle. A lot people glue a shelf on. This works fine and doesnt leave you worrying about a possible break.

As for stains and seals….. Minwax wood stains work fine and maple takes a stain well enough. You could go all primitive and make your own stain. That one is fun with the kids.

For sealing it, some of the spray varnishes work well; Deft, Krylon Spray Poly. I tend to use spar varnish, Formbys tung oil, Tru oil or a homemade mix of beeswax and turpentine. Lard works well also.

Tons of opportunities.

Here is a pic of a recent bow I made. Not a kids bow but I just love showing them!

Making bows sees to more addicting than shooting them!

Ill be making some more up in early Jan, a little build along would be fun!

[somerwaters]

#53669

making a bunch of bows for the kids in the community, and am enjoying the “BACKYARD BOWER” PVC bow strategy.

It’s fast, super cheap and he gets into making arrows as well, which brings me to the 1st concern.

be mindful on the wood dowels, and if they aren’t in good shape they can shatter and end up in a kids arm.

I’m going with bamboo plant stakes for them, as they have less shatter potential.

I have a 7 year old in the mix that I made a 40″ recurve out of 1/2″ pvc electrical conduit for. the “backyard bower” recommends waterpipe but it has potential for shattering that the electrical conduit doesn’t. it’ll be a challenge but he should be able to learn on it.

the second concern, raised by my nephews stepdad was the safety understanding with these…after all, there’s a lot that an arrow can take out. I’m planning on doing the online bowhunters course with him.

MY QUESTION IS WHAT DO YOU TIP THEM WITH?? we’re going to try to make some rubber heads for the ones they can keep around, but the target arrows we’re going to keep with the adults. that’s the plan any way.

best with it…happy holidays!

S.

1) What is a good draw weight and bow length for a 14 year old? A 5 year old?

2) Are there any good (and inexpensive) bows that would work?

3) Is there a way to get kids into it, other than “shooting with dad”?

4) Is there any issue if I make a couple of self bows from a piece of tree that fell last year? Will it be more difficult for them to learn with a self bow? (I have never made a bow, so it will be fun all around.)

5) Ideas on arrows, fletching, etc.

Thanks. Be well.

Alex

😀

[lyagooshka]

#54305

Thank you all again for the suggestions. The PVC bows I have seen. I believe I got the BYB from Amazon, so I think I read about it in there. Pretty cool. I might do that as a side project. Monk: a build-along wouls be super. Just remember, I am VERY new to ALL of this, and probably have none of the equipment. I was going to try to get away with a plane, a drawknife [maybe] and some sandpaper. Plus the sealer for bow and arrows. I like the suggestions above for size/draw-weight. I might get away with 2 bows from the one branch if I split it right. I also have a black walnut trunk about 2-3″ wide, but it has only been drying a month or so. The maple branch is from last October (2011). Well, let me know. I come back from FL the 31st. Thanks again everyone. Be well. Merry Christmas, happy and safe New Year.

Alex

😀

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