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How to Set Up a Toy Bow Set

Before setting up a child's toy bow set, there are a couple of things to take into consideration. Age is one and height is another. Children as young as 3 can practice archery using suction cup and Nerf-type arrows. Blunt tipped arrows can be used as young as seven. How tall a child is will determine the height of the bow, which in turn decides the length of the draw, which is how far the string is pulled back. Archery is a hobby that teaches safety, hand and eye coordination, and strength.

Things You'll Need

Youth longbow
Quiver
Arrows
Belt
Wrist guard
Shooting tab
Target

Instructions

- 1
  Unpack the toy bow set and lay each piece out. Explain to the child what each piece is, what the safety rules are, and what the consequences are for breaking the rules.
- 2
  String the bow. At each end of the bow string is a loop that encircles the notches on the ends of the bow. The bowstring should not be too tight for a child to pull back but strong enough to make a child put forth some effort.
- 3
  Explore the use of the accessories. Place the arrows into the quiver. Attach the quiver to a belt. Teach how to pull the arrows out with one hand while holding the bow with the other. Show how to hold a shooting tab, a piece of fabric used to protect small fingers from the bowstring, and how to use a wrist guard to protect the arm from the bowstring. Instructions for use of both of these accessories will be on their packages.
- 4
  Place the target somewhere away from other people or pets. Show how to shoot and wait before retrieving arrows, especially if there are other shooters. If shooting at a target is too advanced, practice free-shooting. Simply shoot the arrow as far as you can in a safe direction such as across a yard or toward a tree.

Backyard Toys