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What kid doesn't enjoy a simple bow and arrow?!? Gabe and I were exploring the shorelines of Lodge Lake, playing in the remaining snow when we decided to start a camp project.
To make our bow and arrow, which also works as a hiking stick, we collected the following simple items....
- fresh tree branch as tall as Gabriel's shoulders (fresh green branch as straight as you can find)
- two pieces of parachute cord
- short branch that was dry and dead on the lower section of a smaller tree for an arrow
1) We started by shaving off the bark of the long branch, cleaning it of all the little branches, ending up with a long straight bare stick
2) Notch the skinny end just enough to allow the parachute cord to grab hold under pressure.
3) Wrap the parachute cord around the thick end several times and tie it on using a square knot (this is the most basic knot I'm starting Gabe off with, two overhand knots combined)
4) Make a loop (bowline or figure eight on a bight) at the loose end at the point where you have to bend the skinny end back to attach it. You could always tie it on with a square knot, but it's easier to attach and re-attach with a loop of some kind. I don't plan on teaching Gabe a bowline or figure eight until he get's comfortable with the more basic knots (and can tie his own shoes!).
5) Shave down the arrow and make a small notch in the thick end to hold it on the string.
6) We added a grip with parachute cord wrapped around the middle balance point of the bow so he would know where to grab on when it came time to shoot it.
Everything funcioned pretty well! I was able to shoot the arrow fairly straight, despite it's lack of stabilizers at the back end of the arrow. It's a pretty good starting point for archery with my son, and it made for a pretty good activity of foraging and building leading up to an hour or so of shooting at dead stumps and muddy lake shore!
Have fun! Let me know what ideas you come up with to keep your kiddo entertained at the camp site.....
To make our bow and arrow, which also works as a hiking stick, we collected the following simple items....
- fresh tree branch as tall as Gabriel's shoulders (fresh green branch as straight as you can find)
- two pieces of parachute cord
- short branch that was dry and dead on the lower section of a smaller tree for an arrow
1) We started by shaving off the bark of the long branch, cleaning it of all the little branches, ending up with a long straight bare stick
2) Notch the skinny end just enough to allow the parachute cord to grab hold under pressure.
3) Wrap the parachute cord around the thick end several times and tie it on using a square knot (this is the most basic knot I'm starting Gabe off with, two overhand knots combined)
4) Make a loop (bowline or figure eight on a bight) at the loose end at the point where you have to bend the skinny end back to attach it. You could always tie it on with a square knot, but it's easier to attach and re-attach with a loop of some kind. I don't plan on teaching Gabe a bowline or figure eight until he get's comfortable with the more basic knots (and can tie his own shoes!).
5) Shave down the arrow and make a small notch in the thick end to hold it on the string.
6) We added a grip with parachute cord wrapped around the middle balance point of the bow so he would know where to grab on when it came time to shoot it.
Everything funcioned pretty well! I was able to shoot the arrow fairly straight, despite it's lack of stabilizers at the back end of the arrow. It's a pretty good starting point for archery with my son, and it made for a pretty good activity of foraging and building leading up to an hour or so of shooting at dead stumps and muddy lake shore!
Have fun! Let me know what ideas you come up with to keep your kiddo entertained at the camp site.....