11 of the Best Crossbows for Kids

A crossbow is a ranged weapon with an elastic launcher and a prod, which is a bow-like assembly. The prod is mounted on what you call a tiller. Crossbows use arrow-like projectiles referred to as bolts or quarrels. 

They are used for hunting and other activities like recreational shooting. Just like in any sport or activity, it’s best to have your own gear. A great way of introducing archery to children is by giving them a crossbow, particularly one that’s made for kids.

Hunting and archery are sports that can bring people together. Just like any other recreational activity, they can be therapeutic and offer an escape from the stress of your everyday life. In addition, they can also be good for your health, as you’ll get to move around physically.

Hunting can be done alone or enjoyed with family members. Many hunters come from a family of hunters and start from a young age. It provides a year-round activity for the whole family.

Real Crossbow vs. Toy Crossbow

Real crossbows are more expensive than toy crossbows, but they’re better when you want to train a child to be a hunter or an archer in the future. Depending on the model, some of them can also be utilized until adulthood.

Toy crossbows are great for beginners as they are lighter, easier to use, and have fun colors. They can also be used by kids to practice their aim and attempt more challenging shots. It also goes without saying that toy crossbows are safer than real crossbows. Nevertheless, real ones have safety measures for your peace of mind.

What To Consider When Buying a Crossbow for Kids

There are many crossbows for kids available in the market, but before we go over the list, let’s first find out the things you should know in order to buy the right one.

1. Safety

Of course, when purchasing a crossbow for kids, safety is a top priority. Kids must be taught how to handle the weapon properly to avoid injuring themselves. One precaution is to make sure the trigger system of the crossbow you plan to buy is sturdy and durable.

2. Cost

Prices of crossbows vary widely. Sometimes they translate to quality, but other times you can find affordable options that are more powerful and topnotch.

In addition, buying an expensive crossbow for kids might be a disadvantage because they tend to be indecisive and might want a new one after just a short time.

3. Size and Weight

For young users, the size and weight of the crossbow will matter greatly. Requirements can also vary from person to person depending on their age, weight, height, etc.

When using a crossbow for long periods, a lighter one will be easier to use and carry.

4. Draw Weight

This refers to the amount of force required to pull the string back. It also determines how far the projectile goes as the draw weight translates to how much power your crossbow is going to have when it shoots. The higher the draw weight, the higher the power. However, heavier strings are harder to load, which can be an issue for kids or teens.

5. Speed

Speed plays an important role when it comes to hunting or recreational shooting, so this must be taken into account when you’re buying a crossbow. The speed is measured in feet per second or FPS.

6. Overall Functionality

When deciding on a crossbow model, make sure it fulfills your purpose for buying it. For instance, for hunting, you’ll need one that’s powerful and has a long range. But if you’re buying one for recreational use, a lightweight but durable crossbow will be enough.

Best Crossbows for Kids

Now that we know what to look for when buying crossbows for kids, let’s go over the top-ranked crossbows in the market.

Model	Specifications
Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR	Weight 6.6 lbs.Draw Weight: 185 lbs.Size: 34.875 x 20.125 inchesSpeed: 375 FPSPower Stroke: 12.5 inches
Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package	Weight: 7.7 lbs.Draw Weight: 150 lbs.Size: 35.5 x 26.5 inchesSpeed: 315 FPSPower Stroke: 12 inches
Daisy 4003 Youth Crossbow	Weight: 4.975 lbs.Draw Weight: 29 lbs.Size: 11.22 x 3.84 inches
CenterPoint Sniper 370	Weight: 11.9 lbs.Draw Weight: 185 lbs.Size: 33.5 x 11.25 inchesSpeed: 370 FPS
Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow	Weight: 6.4 lbs.Draw Weight: 140 lbs.Size: 34.25 by 18.25 inchesSpeed: 330 FPS
Arrow Precision Inferno Fury	Weight: 5 lbs.Draw Weight: 175 lbs.Size: 33 x 15.5  inchesSpeed: 235 FPSPower Stroke: 10.5 inches
CenterPoint Tyro 4X Recurve Crossbow Package	Weight: 7.986 lbs.Draw Weight: 175 lbs.Size: 37 x 23.25 inchesSpeed: 245 FPSPower Stroke: 10.5 inches
URBN-Toys Kids Small Crossbow Set	For ages 6 and up
Cabela’s Nitroblazer Toy Compound Bow	For ages 14 and up
Tootpado Toy Crossbow	For kids who are 6 years old and older
Toysery Toy Bow and Arrow	Suitable for 6 years old and up

1. Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR Crossbow

Barnett is one of the most popular and trusted brands when it comes to crossbows for children and younger hunters.

Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR is a real crossbow made of lightweight fiberglass material, allowing kids to carry it for long periods without getting tired. Children adore its camouflage skin, and its premium design surely won’t disappoint.

This crossbow comes with a rope cocking system that will help kids who are still learning to cock the string and reload the bow. Safety is one of Barnett’s top concerns, so you can be assured that protective measures are in place.

When you purchase this crossbow, you’ll have no problems assembling it as it comes with a user manual. After a quick setup, your crossbow will be ready.

2. Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package

Number two on our list is another crossbow from a giant in the arrow and bow-making industry, Barnett.

Barnett Jackal has a polished, military-style design that gives you more power and increases your accuracy. Plus, it’s lightweight so it’s easy to carry. Its weight is evenly distributed across your shoulders, so your shots will be more precise.

This real crossbow is appropriate for kids of all levels of expertise and experience, from beginners to advanced users. Like the previous crossbow on our list, it also comes with a user manual, so assembly will be quick and hassle-free.

3. Daisy 4003 Youth Crossbow

This real crossbow is awesome for kids because it’s specially made for individuals with smaller bodies. Because the frame is lighter, it’s ideal for young shooters.

Furthermore, it has a simple design, and it shoots quickly, too. The bow is also easier to cock because of its compact size.

Daisy 4003 has an adjustable rear sight, which helps to make your shots more precise and accurate.

4. CenterPoint Sniper 370

This crossbow is excellent for hunters. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to maneuver. It can be used even by beginners, and safety is guaranteed with its features like an anti-dry fire and an auto-safety trigger.

Other specs which make this real crossbow notable are the detachable quiver, a 4 × 32 scope, three 20-inch bolts, and a carry sling. Centerpoint Sniper 370 also features an AR-style stock and an interchangeable grip for a customized fit. It has string suppressors for quiet and vibration-free shooting.

5. Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow

This fantastic crossbow is also from Barnett. It’s suitable for kids and even adults with smaller frames. It’s a superb starting crossbow for kids to set them on the path of becoming professional archers.

Barnett Recruit Terrain is designed with a trigger technology that only fires when the arrow is loaded, so mistakes are minimized or, better yet, avoided.

The material is lightweight for a real crossbow, making it easy to carry on your hunting or recreational trips. Moreover, its stainless steel body can be cleaned without much of a hassle.

6. Arrow Precision Inferno Crossbow Kit

This extremely light crossbow weighs only 5 lbs., so it’s a wonderful alternative to the heavier options. Along with its ease of use, it will surely deliver marvelous performance.

This crossbow’s aluminum rail and barrel are made with compression fiberglass limbs, so it’s durable. It has a camouflage pattern and an ambidextrous stock, so both right and left-handed persons can use this crossbow.

Additionally, Arrow Precision Inferno comes with a padded shoulder sling for increased comfort. There’s also a rope cocker and free extra string in the pack.

Lastly, this real crossbow has a nice recurve, which makes it superior for shooting in tight places. Recurve is when the limbs curve away from the archer at each end when it is unstrung.

7. CenterPoint Tyro 4X Recurve Crossbow Package

This crossbow is another one that’s simple to use and perfect for newbies and kids. It’s ideal for recreational shooting and archery, but not so much for competitions because its accuracy can be inconsistent at times.

When you buy this real crossbow, a rope cocker is included to reduce the effort needed to cock and load the bow every time. Moreover, it comes with an auto-safety cocking mechanism that prevents misfiring.

You can also optimize your experience with this crossbow for kids because its adjustable stock can be customized. The fiberglass material is lightweight and durable at the same time.

8. URBN-Toys Kids Small Crossbow Set

This is a King Sport Crossbow set that includes four arrows and infrared light. It’s suitable for kids age six and up and has a target included for kids to practice their shots.

9. Cabela’s Nitroblazer Toy Compound Bow

The Nitroblazer Toy Compound Bow set comes in the fun color orange. The package includes a window-cling target and three suction-tipped bows. It can be utilized by both left-handed and right-handed shooters, and it’s ideal for ages 14 and up.

10. Tootpado Toy Crossbow

This toy is designed for indoor use, but it can also be used outdoors. It’s made with thick plastic, so it’s more durable than most toy crossbows in the market. Moreover, kids will find this easy to use as it has easy-grip rubber pieces for loading.

The arrows have suction tips that can be cleaned. Tootpado toy crossbow is equipped with a tactical scope and comes in green camouflage for a stealthy look. Lastly, it’s suitable for ages six and above.

11. Toysery Bow and Arrow

This toy crossbow is appropriate for kids ages six and up. It’s made of high-quality ABS plastic, which makes it durable and sturdy. The bow cord can also be adjusted, so you can tighten the string for a more accurate shot.

The strap on the quiver and on the toy crossbow has LED lights which makes it enjoyable to play with. The arrow lights up when you shoot it.

Summary

A real crossbow is a powerful weapon that can be used for competitions and recreational purposes. If you decide to buy one for your child, always keep in mind that they need supervision when using it. Make sure they know how to properly handle the weapon. Otherwise, you might be better off buying a toy crossbow until your child gets older.

When buying a crossbow, think of what you want to get out of it and what you are using it for. Factors such as size, draw weight, and cost will help you acquire an excellent crossbow that will give you great value for your money.