To think aged 2 is far too young for this archery kit

[gollyimholly]

DH has bought this archery kit that he wants to teach DD with. She is 2! DH taught archery to beginners when he was in secondary school (but I'm pretty sure not to two year olds!)

AIBU that two years old is also just too young to learn archery? DH says they will only ever use the kit together and DD will always be supervised. But I feel like if we say to DD that this is something she can touch, if she ever does come across the kit on her own she will think it is OK to touch when it is in actual fact dangerous. For example, I wouldn't teach her to light a match because she is just too young. Similarly I think she is just too young for archery. AIBU?

Ps. This is the exact kit he bought and the safety information that comes with it

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/discovery-100-archery-set/_/R-p-302265
/!\ Never leave a bow in the hands of a child that is not under constant supervision.
Store the bow and arrows out of reach
/!\ Never shoot an arrow in the air, it can travel hundreds of metres
/!\ Never aim at: a person or animal, the shooting range must be clear
/!\ Inspect your arrow before each shot to ensure that it is in good condition and remove your arrows when no one is behind you.
/!\ Failure to follow safety instructions can lead to FATAL INJURIES

He wants to teach her archery with it? The bow is 1.35m long - to put that in context, that’s taller than my average-height 9 year old.

I’d have thought using steel-tipped arrows with a 2-year old would be a recipe for disaster even if he was a qualified archery instructor, but for someone who “taught archery when he was a teenager” it sounds utterly reckless.

As others have said, she won’t have the strength or dexterity to be able to handle it for many years. My 7 year old has a kids wooden bow and suction-tip arrows and can only just about manage to fire the thing now, and he’s pretty strong for seven.

Sounds like a sweet idea with very poor execution. Not only the safety factor, but also size and strength issues mean she's likely to be unable to do it and get bored / frustrated. Can you suggest buying a much smaller, age appropriate, safe set eg with suckers not pointy ends on the arrows, and pack the other set away until she is a lot older?

You have to be 8 now for archery clubs for insurance reasons. Definitely not suitable for a two-year old. Return it and get the rubber sucker version when she's a bit older.

Far, far too young. She'll have your eye (or her) eye out. But how sweet that Dad wants to share his hobby with his child.
Now you'll be the killjoy of course !

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/easytech-archery-set-blue/_/R-p-14804

my then 4 year old was using this set during lockdown, which is slightly more age appropriate, but still probably too much for a 2 year old.

My son used a suction cup one at a play area when he was 4. He is v strong, it’s hard to pull it back. Gosh I wouldn’t trust any child under 10 with anything other than a suction cup one

my 11 year old has similiar and I only let him use it in a certain place on his own - would never left him out with it with a friend. He is sensible and aware of the danger of it, but can just forget and fire without looking. It could do so much damage.

2 is ridiculous, but on a practical point, she won't have the strength to actually string the bow at that age, and if your husband has taught archery, he will know to always leave the bow unstrung. I was taught from about the age of 8 and didn't have the strength to string my bow until I was much older. It takes a fair bit of heft to bend it to put the string onto the end.

That's sweetly bonkers

Well yes, I don’t let the toddler drive the car. The same way I have knives that I don’t let the toddler use… I’m not sure I follow your analogy.

Professional qualified archery coach for 12 years here. Two is way WAY too young! She just won’t have the coordination or understanding. You’ll be holding it and doing most of it for her, which in itself is okay, but she’ll get frustrated and want to do it herself, and then there’s a safety issue if she starts grabbing it, moving around while shooting, etc. I’ve seen this many many times when witnessing toddlers being given “just one shot” at fairs by certain have-a-go archery providers. Plus… she just won’t enjoy it or get much from it, so why put yourself through the stress?

I’d say toy sucker archery kits are okay from age 5 or so. Sharp arrows and proper bows shouldn’t be anywhere near a kid until they’re 7, and even then only under supervision with proper coaches at a club.

Hard no from me. I barely trust my 2yo with a fork.

He’s being bloody ridiculous if he was cross at you for pointing out it’s inappropriate. As a guide, my 8yo is desperate to do proper archery and we thought she’d have a chance at centre parcs when we were there recently . Until she’s 10 it’s a bow with suckers only like this. https://www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/things-to-do/activities/archery-little-outlaws.html

Now they are more than happy for her to do high ropes and zip wire over a lake. Archery is 10 plus so that should tell you it’s not suitable for a 2 year old.

It’s 1.3 m long, unless she’s a giant not a chance. We had similar inappropriate sports but metal golf clubs - dangerous weapons in the hand of a toddler

He can’t know his own daughter that well if he thinks she can attempt to hold a bow that is bigger than her

Thanks everyone for your responses.
When I said it was inappropriate (before making this thread) he sort of shrugged it off and said she would always be supervised..

Since making the thread I haven't mentioned it to DH for the following reasons

1. It's still sat in its original packaging and unopened.
2. Some have said DH will realise on his own it is inappropriate once he does try it out with DH. I am hoping this is what happens.

HOWEVER, I would prefer DH to focus on the safety aspects of why it is unsuitable rather than the practical aspect of why it is unsuitable as I feel, frustratingly, he won't think about that at all and just shrug it off.

I was taught at 10 and heavily supervised.

At 2, it's a hospital admission waiting to happen.

kids can do archery from 2 or 3 at Hever Castle (I can’t remember which!) but I’m fairly sure they had special kit for them to use, it was years ago so I can’t remember

She probably won’t be that interested as she won’t be able to do it well, but will come back to it when she is older. I think it is a nice idea. People are so risk averse but then let their kids get fat and anxious sitting in front of a screen. It isn’t more dangerous than a scooter or a pet dog and he will be supervising her.

Mental. It would need very close constant supervision. I can easily imagine a two year old running with the bow or arrow, falling and stabbing their eye. Maybe I catastrophise but it seems like a likely risk.

Did you look at the kit in the link? The description clearly states they are steel-tipped arrows an the picture shows them being pointy. ?y brother often had the ones with suckers as a kid but I still think two is a little too young to even handle them, is their coordination is developed enough for archery?

We Need to Talk About Kevin!

My DH just made one for my 3 year old, she can’t use it on her own despite good strength and coordination. There’s no way your 2 year old old will

I have decathalons soft archery for the kids.
Archery is dangerous as arrow can travel far and do damage. It should be done under proper supervision on a set up range

Can you take it back and swap it? doesn't sound like your husband will....
I'd let my 8yr old use this while fully supervised, not a chance at age 2!