Youth Compound Bow – How to select one [2021 Comparison & Review]

Selecting the right youth compound bow and getting kids set up to learn archery at an early age might not be easy for some parents. There are quite a few considerations that need to be considered when it comes to which type of bow to purchase. In this article, we will look at what to consider when choosing a bow and arrow for kids, either for hunting or target shooting.

It’s All About the Kids

One thing to consider when it comes to selecting a youth compound bow and arrow set for kids is, it’s not for you. While this may seem painfully obvious to you, it’s a consideration in terms of brand loyalty. Some parents who are into bow hunting and archery may have biases towards certain brands, but these brands might not have the most suited bow for your child.

Every kid is different. Left or right handed, tall or short, big or small, they come in all sizes and a bow suited for one will most certainly not be suited to the other.   

Maybe your left handed or may be your local shop is lacking in options.  Luckily with the modern times we live in, it’s easier than ever to get bows online. 

Bow Draw Weight

This is important to consider across the board for both target shooting and hunting. But for hunting, it’s incredibly important. For target shooting, you need to determine the amount of draw your child can pull, and in my opinion, go below that estimated poundage a good bit.

I say go below because you don’t want your child to get worn out shooting. A lower draw weight allows your child to have an easier time learning fundamental shooting skills like anchoring, aiming, and releasing without their arms shaking due to a draw weight that puts stress on them. As they get stronger and grow you can increase the poundage on the bow which is easy to do by adjusting the limb screws.

When it comes to hunting, your child needs to be able to draw enough weight to effectively kill.  In some states, there are draw weight requirements to hunt big game.   When it comes to deer hunting we don’t want to wound animals due to inadequate penetration. Check your local state regulations for draw requirements, as they range from no restriction to a 30 to 40lb minimum.

It’s important to teach kids that it’s not about how much you can pull back or how fast the arrow flies, but that accuracy is the most important thing.

Proper Draw Length

Draw length is as equally important as draw weight.  With an improper draw length a compound bow when fully drawn will not allow for a proper anchor.  This can severely affect accuracy.  If the draw is too short, It can be difficult to hold at a full draw.  If it’s too long, accuracy can suffer.

Luckily, it’s easy to learn how to measure draw length and there’s a simple formula to figure out what a person’s draw length is.

Have your future archer stand with his or her back to the wall and have them extend their arms so they have a full “wingspan”. Measure from the tip of one middle finger across the chest to the other middle finger in inches. Take that measurement and simply divide that number by 2.5, this will give you an accurate draw length in inches.

Best Beginner and Target Youth Bows

Bear Apprentice Youth Bow Package

There are some great bows on the market for getting kids into archery at an early age. Bow packages like the Bear Apprentice bow set are great for kids who have no experience. The apprentice packages are incredibly affordable and easy to use. They also come with arrows, a finger guard, arrow rest, and targets.  This is good choice for smaller kids in the 2 to 7 year-old range.   You may find your child to outgrow this bow quickly if they are serious.  If your child has a serious interest in archery or already has some experience, I’d consider a more advanced model. 

Daisy Youth Compound Bow Package

The Daisy Youth Compound Bow Package is another great option for young kids in the 5-10 year old range. With an adjustable draw weight of 13-19 pounds it may be hard to pull for some kids on the younger end. The draw length is adjustable from 16 to 25 inches and it can be shot left or right handed. The package includes a single pin sight, finger savers, armguard, and two fiberglass arrows. Although I’ve seen reports online that extra arrows for this bow don’t exist you can get extra daisy youth compound bow arrows here. If you have a child serious about archery, this bow could be outgrown quickly.

Genesis Youth Compound Bow

A slightly more sophisticated, but also incredibly kid-friendly option is the Genesis youth bow. These bows come with a single cam design that allows for any draw length from 15 to 30 inches.  It is the only bow approved for the NASP (National Archery in Schools Program), as well as being incredibly popular with other youth archery groups. The Genesis comes ready shoot and is available in a kit as with arrows or bow only.  The Genesis is available in up to 14 colors.   This bow can grow with your child from three, four or five years old all the way up until High school or until they get into hunting or more serious competitions.  

Diamond Atomic Youth Compound Bow

Although not quite making it into the hunting category, the Diamond Atomic kid bow is a great beginner compound bow for smaller or younger kids. It’s mass weight comes in at a mere 1.9 pounds. It’s draw length adjust down to a mere 12″ and up to 24″. The draw weight adjust down to as low as 6lbs and up to 29lb. At 29lbs peak draw weight this bow wouldn’t meet most states minimum draw weight for hunting big game. This is however a quality compound bow for kids starting out, with an all aluminum riser and fully adjustable components. This is a great choice for those kids that need a lighter weight bow to get started, but still want a real deal compound bow. It also comes in at least six colors including blue, black, purple, orange, neon green and Mossy Oak Break Up Country.

• Speed: 191 fps
• Weight 1.9 lbs.
• Axle to Axle: 24”
• Draw weight 6-29lbs..
• Draw Length: 12”-24”
• Let off 80%
• MSRP $229

Hunting and Target youth compound bows

The following bows are capable of hunting since they have draw weights of at least 30 pounds, the minimum in some states. Check your local state regulations as a few states also have other regulations on arrow lengths, arrow weights, axle to axle lengths or other requirements. You want to make sure your kids bow and arrow set is legal to hunt with prior to getting familiar and used to it.

Bear Archery Cruzer Youth Hunting Bow

 The Cruzer is a bow that can grow with your kid.  It will allow your child to use the bow for years to come. With incredibly wide ranges in draw weight from 5 to 70 pounds, and draw lengths of 12 to 30 inches. It also has some serious performance with 70% let off on the draw and a max of 315 feet per second.  All the bow you need for a youth bow hunter.

The Bear Cruzer Package comes with a whisker biscuit rest which is incredibly easy for young archers and keeps the arrow from jumping off the rest, a 4-pin sight, stabilizer, sling, quiver, peep sight, and nock loop, Just add arrows and shoot!

• Speed: 315 fps
• Weight 3 lbs.
• Axle to Axle: 30”
• Draw weight 5-70lbs..
• Draw Length: 12”-30”
• Let off 70%
• MSRP $399

 Diamond Prism Youth Compound Bow

The Diamond Prism is another versatile and highly adjustable youth bow. With draw lengths form 18 to 30 inches and draw weight from 5-55 pounds this bow is capable of growing into a capable hunting bow with speeds up to 295fps. Available in at least six colors from Mossy Oak Break Up Country to purple. This may be just the bow you’re looking for if you have a child wanting a purple compound bow.

The Diamond Prism package includes a 3 pin Tundra sight, Octane Octagon arrow rest and tube peep sight.

• Speed: 295 fps
• Weight 3.2 lbs.
• Axle to Axle: 31”
• Draw weight 5-55lbs.
• Draw Length: 18”-30”
• Let off 80%
• Brace Height 7″
• MSRP $349

Conclusion

Getting youth compound bows for your little archer is now easier than ever thanks to the internet, something I’m sure my parent’s wish was around when I was a kid. But even though it’s so easy to buy a bow, one still must ensure that the bow they choose suits their child. Keep the considerations noted in the article in mind when you make your choice, and your kid will be out shooting in no time.