Are you looking for a fun activity to pry your kids away from their screens and get them socializing?
You may want to consider archery, a unique, family friendly sport for kids of all ages. There’s plenty to love about archery–here’s why your children should give it a try.
Archery’s for Everyone
Anyone can enjoy archery, no matter who you are or even what your physical abilities are. There are no starting requirements for the sport, so you can start shooting arrows regardless of gender, size, age, or fitness level. It’s also an excellent option for kids with disabilities. Even children with severe disabilities can enjoy archery.
Archery Is Safe
Sure, although sharp arrows seem dangerous, archery is actually an incredibly safe sport for kids.
A good archery club knows how to manage the risks involved in archery, and it teaches kids how to keep themselves and others safe. Not only will they enjoy a safe space, but this focus on safety also encourages kids to think about others and have a sense of community. Kids learn that their behavior has a direct impact on their safety and that of those around them.
Archery Is a Year-Round Sport
Unlike other sports, archery can be practiced regardless of weather conditions. Outdoor practice is an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is nice, and training is taken indoors during the cold winter months.
Archery Encourages Physical Development
Archery may not come to mind for getting in shape, but it’s actually an excellent way to stay active. Stamina is required to be good at archery, as there is a lot of standing involved. There is also a deceptive amount of walking in this sport, which generally totals a few miles during a session as you go back and forth to retrieve arrows.
Additionally, archery requires upper body and core strength to keep the bow steady while aiming and pulling. Many archers choose to work on their upper body in the gym, and good posture is needed to refine your technique.
Archery’s Inexpensive
One barrier to entry for many sports is the start-up costs they often entail. Archery doesn’t have this problem, as it’s a relatively inexpensive activity to get into, especially if you’re shooting for fun.
You can buy bows for cheap or even make them yourself, and kids can get pretty far into the sport without you having to spend a lot of money. Even if your child eventually decides archery isn’t for them, you won’t have spent a fortune.
Archery Teaches Kids to Set Goals
Being good at archery is a result of skill, technique, and experience. Kids learn that to improve, they have to set mini-goals to work on these areas. They see that there is always another goal to reach and another challenge to take on in archery and that hard work and perseverance helps them achieve their goals.
This goal-setting mentality is useful not just in sports, but it also translates well to everyday life.
Archery Teaches Discipline
Along with setting goals, archers have to learn the methods required to hit the target more often. To do so, they need routine and discipline–otherwise, advancing is impossible.
Though school requires discipline, lots of kids like to have a routine in a non-academic environment. Structure is both constructive and reassuring for kids. The discipline required to be good at archery can help keep kids on the right path, away from the temptations of peer pressure and bad behavior.
Archery also requires commitment, which reinforces accountability–and this accountability often translates to academic performance.
Archery Trains Focus
Kids must learn several components of shooting, like how to nock the arrow, how to draw the bow, and how to aim and shoot. Honing in on each element is how you become a better archer, and learning this step-by-step method of shooting teaches focus.
Archery Develops Mental Toughness
Though seemingly simple, archery’s a challenging sport. To develop the skills needed for success, kids need mental strength. They have to possess traits like patience, focus, and self-motivation, all vital components of mental toughness. These skills will serve them well in archery, in their studies, and for the rest of their lives.
Archery Teaches Patience
In today’s world, where everything is available at the push of a button, it’s vital to teach kids patience. They’ll need lots of practice to shoot well, and they’ll see this trait is required to be successful.
Archery’s Fun
The final reason that your kids should give archery a try is that it’s fun. Finally hitting the bulls-eye provides a great rush, and the thrill of competition is attractive to many kids. Plus, they get to hang out with their friends in a supportive, enjoyable environment. Isn’t having fun one of the main draws to sports?
