Originally Posted by LostArra
after 4 grand kids and 3 nephews here are my suggestions:

Forget the compound at this age. Simple is better and a little reflex longbow is best.
Use the rubber finger savers on the string so no glove needed.

Find a small arm guard. The first string slap will end shooting for that day.

Just shoot for distance at first and don't get anal on the form. It's amazing how well young kids can shoot without too much of our "help".

Teach them early how to pull an arrow from a target. My nephews broke three arrows in the first 10 minutes after racing to the target.

Some bow suggestions:

http://www.stjoeriverbows.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9_4
St Joe's has youth bows in bright colors which are very popular with young ones.

Probably the best youth bow is a Black Rhino. They even have a trade-in program when the child outgrows the bow. Only downside: they all look the same which may not be a downside since it makes selection easy.

http://www.bows.net/blackrhino.htm#m35

The Genesis bow is a good one but I've found the kid needs to be a little older than 5 since it's a heavier bow just to carry.


I agree with LostArra.
I spent $150 on a bow for my boy and he couldn't pull it back. Go with a cheap recurve for now, and when they get older and stay interested, invest accordingly.

http://www.shootingtables.com/