few questions about bow for 4-6 years olds.

[ozy clint]

i'm looking at getting my daughter a bow for christmas. she'll be nearly 4 years old by then and my lad will be nearly 2. it'll be something he can use when he grows into it.

i'm thinking the maddog pup recurve or longbow.

questions-

what draw weight at what draw length?
recurve or longbow. recuve is 36" the longbow is 48".

what arrows?

[Jack Hoyt 75]

Better to go lighter than heavier.  Best to ask the bowyer what is most common for that age and his recommendation.  Tell the bowyer the childs height and it may help get right draw length.

Also may consider Black Rhino or Dryad.  Both make great kids bows.  I picked up a Black Rhino longbow that is 35" and 9 lbs @ 13"  That is the shortest and about lowest poundage they make.  But this bow is going to be a present for a 3yr old.

Good option is a bowyer who has a buy back or trade up policy so you can get credit for old boy when you need the next size up.

Just some thoughts

[McDave]

As grandfather of 8 who range from ages 2-7, and archery teacher of kids from 8-14 (and sometimes their parents), the youngest I have personally seen be able to shoot the bow with any sense of purpose was 5.  That "purpose" didn't last very long, and the youngest we allow in our classes is 8, although we don't check ID's, so it's possible some younger ones might have slipped in.

I have found that kids from 5 up seem to be able to manage a 15 pound bow.  1516 aluminum arrows work well and are light enough to make it to a 20 yard target without too much arc.  Of course, the usual shooting distance for a 5 year-old would be a lot closer than that, maybe 10 feet.  I recommend a recurve, as you want to get everything possible out of a bow that light.  Depending on individual strength, the 15# bow should work well for them up to about the age of 10, so you don't need to buy a piece of junk.  I think this is because they naturally draw it longer as they grow, so they might be pulling 10# when they are 5, and the full 15# when they are 10.

[Pat B]

Clint, start out simple, make her a bow. Anyone can build a safe, simple bow pulling 10# or less, which would be necessary for the average 4 y.o. to pull. Decorate it to her liking and it will be the best present because her Daddy made it just for her. If she develops the interest and muscle control to continue shooting this can be upgraded to a "real" bow.

[ozy clint]

thanks for the replies. food for thought.

pat- i have thought about making one too. i have plenty of staves from which to make one.

[Pat B]

It wouldn't take much wood either, Clint. Probably just a scrap piece.

[Mike Mecredy]

At 4 years old, the recurve would be a better choice, I've found what works best is if I make them around 18# @ 21".  That way it still has good performance when it's drawn 14" or so.  -Mike

[Jhawk]

I bought a pup for my daughter last year.  I gave it to her for Christmas right after her fifth birthday.  I let Mike determine weight and I'm pretty sure it was the 18# @ 21".  He also pointed me to a source for 1/4" dowels for arrows.  

My daughter was able to pull back the bow well and that little bow shoots a very nice arrow.  I think she will easily be able to shoot that bow for three to four more years.

[Mike Mecredy]

Here' some perspective on the size of the pup recurve.

[Pete W]

You will look long and hard and probably not find a better kids bow than the Mad Dog pup from Mike.

pete