How to Buy a Bow for Your Kid

You can pick up everything you need to get your kids started shooting with an online shopping session or a visit to a big-box store, but don’t. Local archery shops have more to offer in both selection and expertise. Many of the top archery manufacturers only sell their bows through pro shop dealers. That dealer model often trickles all the way down to the youth models offered. By starting out in a pro shop, you’ll have access to higher-quality brands, and your child will be able to try out different models to find the bow that works best. Pro shops are also where you’ll find genuine bow technicians who work with bows day in and day out. Pro shop employees aren’t just sales people; they know how to work on the equipment they sell, and can provide instruction on shooting form and technique.

Bows aren’t one-size-fits-all, and ensuring the bow a kid is shooting fits is critical for both enjoyment and learning to shoot. If the words “size” and “fit” are bringing to mind thoughts of shoes and pants that are constantly outgrown and replaced, we’ll address those concerns shortly. Again, starting at a pro shop where techs can accurately measure your child‘s draw length is the best approach. In this setting, kids can shoot multiple bows and try out different accessories to find what works best for them.

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The majority of adult bows on the market today have limbs with 10 pounds of possible draw-weight adjustment. Draw length is generally adjusted by either changing the cams on the bow or draw-length-specific modules that bolt onto the cam. These systems provide the best performance and efficiency. Adult archers typically don’t need to make drastic changes once they’re fit for a bow. But for growing young archers changing cams, modules and limbs regularly can get pricey. Fortunately, the archery industry has responded by making highly adjustable bows capable of fitting everyone, from an elementary student to an adult. The Mission Radik, which adjusts from 10 to 50 pounds and 17 to 28 inches, is a great option.

These bows are great models for archers pulling light weight or short draw lengths, or for parents who want to buy one bow that will last for years. However, if you’re shopping for an older shooter, you may want to consider a full-sized bow with standard adjustment. Ryan Payton, owner of Sun Ry’s Archery in Fenton, Michigan, said: “Older kids who are already into archery and able to pull around 50 pounds might want to start looking at full-sized bows. Draw-length modules can be adjusted easily if they have another growth spurt, and they can confidently hunt with 50- to 60-pound limbs for a long time.”

Many youth bows are sold as packages that include all on-bow accessories. The accessories that come with package setups generally aren’t the highest of quality, but they’ll certainly get the job done. Package bows are the cost-friendliest option and are great for kids who are just dipping their toes into the archery world or for parents on a budget. However, if your child is all in, buying a bare bow and setting it up with higher-quality accessories that they can use on their current and future bows is a good option. “Sights, rests, and quivers can move with a kid from bow to bow and last for years,” Payton said. “Obviously, this decision depends on your child’s involvement and interest in archery, as well as overall budget. But building up a bare bow with non-package accessories does open the door to a lot more options and products with nicer features and quality.”

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There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for accessories. For example, most package bow setups come with a three-pin, fixed-position sight. These will work fine, but when first learning to shoot, a single aiming point can help simplify things and reduce distraction. Single-pin adjustable sights do have their drawbacks, given the need to move them for shots at different distances, so have your child try one at the pro shop to see what he or she prefers. Almost any modern arrow rest will work for a young shooter. Just be sure that whatever you and your child select fully captures the arrow so there’s no concern over it falling off the rest while shooting or during a hunt. There are a ton of good quiver options available, too. Many are $50 or less and will last for a long time.

You’ll need to buy these accessories regardless if you build out a bare bow or go with a package setup for your youth archer. The release aid is an often-overlooked aspect when it comes to proper fit and form. Look for a release that has a lot of length adjustability, and don’t hesitate to spend a bit more if your child fits into an adult release, as they commonly last for a decade or more. When it comes to practice arrows, reach for a cost-friendly option, as there are sure to be a few lost or broken with time. But if you’re setting up your child for bowhunting, look for a quality arrow that has good overall weight and a moderately heavy tip. Often, young archers are sold lightweight arrows and light tips to help with trajectory, but in a hunting situation, more mass will help with penetration. A smaller diameter arrow shaft and a cut-on-contact, fixed-blade broadhead makes a deadly setup. Lastly, picking up a youth hip quiver is an inexpensive add-on that will allow your young archer to remove his or her on-bow quiver during practice, while still keeping arrows within reach.

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