We have given these as birthday gifts a few times, and they work very well for 4 to 6 year olds. We put them in a special pouch with 6 arrows, and we use fine point pens to decorate the bow with the child's name. They require some practice and fine motor coordination. Contrary to what you saw in that last menacing picture, in our house there is a no-shooting-in-the-direction-of-people-or-pets rule. Take care, they can shoot a surprising 15-20 feet!
Genius idea Maiz!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, I will make a couple of them for Natalie and Diego.
:)
when camping when the children were younger we used to make bows and arrows with found sticks and twine. The arrows were whittled to a point but then a marshmallow was placed on the end.
ReplyDeleteThey were very useful later in the evening when the campfire was one.
have a wonderful weekend.
same XD
Deletecool! my boys would love that. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try this one!
ReplyDeletethis looks like bunches of fun! & a great idea for party favors.
ReplyDeleteMy 8-year-old grandson is going to flip over this. His mother, not so much. But that is what is great about being a grandmother, he gets to do it with me!
ReplyDeleteNice
Deletecraft stick soaking as i type! great tutorial. i just discovered your blog. looking forward to more posts :)
ReplyDelete~peace.
We just made a bunch to go with our Thanksgiving studies - and they shoot better than I ever imagined - just excellent!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant!! I'm a mom to three young boys. I think I will be making these ; )
ReplyDeleteFantastic project!!!! Sharing this project with all my friends!! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteGreat project, too simple and a seemingly unending source of tiny soft tipped arrows. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteThis is so excellent!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I bet this would be a great project for some 9 year old cub scouts ;)
ReplyDeleteFun! We just made them and my sons and husband are downstairs shooting them all over the place. :)
ReplyDeleteMy kids had a blast making these over the holidays. We tried the dental floss but, wound up replacing it with a small rubber band. It seemed to work better. Also, we soaked the sticks half the day then, we put them down in a cup and let them dry out/ harden. Thanks so much for the GREAT idea!!
ReplyDeleteWe made a batch of these the other day and they are AWESOME. They shoot really far and they're pretty sturdy too. Thanks for the tute!
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, ha! these are GREAT!
ReplyDeleteMy son will LOVE this. And I will love that he can't do as much damage as with the toy ones... ;)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this looks fabulous! My boys have been trying to make bows from bamboo all week... I'm sure they will be allover this project. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant...popsticks softening as I type.
ReplyDeleteI love this! My sons love bows and arrows or anything "manly" this is such a cute way to have a fun indoor target pratice game. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletemaking this for our gift exchange for the boys! they are all 10 and under, they'll love them!
ReplyDeleteMade them the other night and they seemed to work wonderfully. But by morning the floss had gone flacid. I need a fix for them, since I made them for my nephew for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhat am I doing wrong? I can't get the floss to the stay in the notches as I try to wrap it to the other side...
ReplyDeleteThanks, everybody, for all of your comments! Here are a few more tips to help you with your bow and arrows:
ReplyDeleteMake sure your notches are deep enough that you can wrap the floss tightly around the stick four or five times after you tie the first knot, and another four or five times before you tie the second knot.
If your knots are slipping or your strings are getting slack over time, try tying them with something like a round turn and two half hitches. I use a thick, waxy tape style of dental floss, but they also work with a heavy gauge sewing thread.
Good luck!
did this today for my 9y.o. and now all the other boys on the block want one! So cute! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCute!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME!!!!
ReplyDeletethat is SO cool!!
ReplyDeleteI just found this via Pinterest, and my son and his friend are whooping and hollering!! "Can we make them RIGHT now???" Lol:) Thanx for posting..You have a great blog too..I will be back to visit!
ReplyDeleteoh
DeleteGreat idea! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! This project looks VERY fun, THANK YOU for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteUsed this for a "Hunger Games" library program. The kids (teens and tweens) LOVED it!
ReplyDeletecool!!!! i love it!
ReplyDeleteWe made them today and the boys loved them. Thanks for making me the rock star mom for the day.
ReplyDeletelove it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy 10 year old will get a kick out of this. He'as always looking for something to cut with his Swiss army knife.
ReplyDeleteThese really do work! I only had a hard time bending the sticks without them breaking and wound up soaking them for many hours.
ReplyDeleteAwesome and impressive once complete--thanks!
Awesome just done one with a blue stick I'm gonna make loads of these
ReplyDeletehow do you shoot them? i made three, i just finished putting the floss on the first one and i can't seem to be able to shoot them
ReplyDeleteHere are some tips that might help:
Delete*Make sure your bowstring is nice and tight.
*Put your arrow on the side of the bow where the string is closest to the edge.
*Grab the arrow with your thumb and index finger, keeping the bowstring inside the "o" of your fingers. Place the blunt end of the arrow against the string and draw it back slowly until you feel the resistance. Hold the bow steady and quickly open your fingers to release the arrow. (Use the last two photos for reference.)
Good luck!
defiantly NOT enough detail/instructions on getting the floss tied and on the one side!also, its quite confusing on how to let the Popsicle dry to keep perfectly round. if i were rating this id give it a 2 at best. sorry but you need to improve on this detail. i tried it and it WILL NOT work as easily as this website makes it sound!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry you're having so much trouble with this! Did you eventually get it to work?
DeleteI actually found the instructions very easy and had no problems making many! My 4 year loved them!
DeleteUm... it seems pretty easy to follow. Not sure where the confusion comes in.
DeleteI'm also struggling - popsicle sticks have been soaking for 3 hours and still break when I try to get them to bend!
DeleteReally fun and they work nicely. We are using them for VBS because we are studying Ephesians 6 and the armor or God. We will shoot these "firery" darts at our shields of faith.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Love this idea & how you are applying it!
Deleteis it hot or cold water? btw so awesome im 13 and think this is wicked hahahaha
ReplyDeleteEither one will work, but hot might make it go a little faster!
DeleteIf you put the sticks in REALLY warm water on the stove the soften in minutes.
DeleteWhat a great idea!!! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI just found this when looking for craft ideas for my daughter's bookclub - we are doing "The Hunger Games". Thanks for a great idea!
ReplyDeleteOmg! I just finished reading that trilogy! I LOVE The Hunger Games!
DeleteWe're using this for my son's Disney/Pixar's "Brave" party! They work amazingly well. I'll be doing them with my Cub Scout boys come November, as well. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is on the list for this week. Wish us luck! My boys would love these.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter-in-law shared your idea with me. I'm so excited to do it at our summer camp. We made bamboo bows and dowel arrows in a previous week; but for our giants theme we will be the giants with our mini bows and arrows! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your craft! We're doing it for my son's 8th birthday party. Thank you for the inspiration!! Love your blog, too!
ReplyDeleteWay, way, way cool boy craft! Found you through Under the Sycamore. Thanks for curing the summer blahs for my son & his 3 guests today!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to try this. I noticed one person tried rubber bands instead of floss. Any comments or pointers on that modification? (Is floss better?) If we used rubber bands, any pointers on securing them?
ReplyDeleteOmg I love this! I plan on using them for my daughters "Brave" themed birthday party. ne question. After soaking how long do you wait to put on the floss? Also, about how long should the floss be or do you not recomend cutting it until it is fully tied off on both ends? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis works brilliantly! BUT you have to pay close attention to Maiz's instructions about the way you hold the arrow. I re-read her instructions in the comment section about making sure the string is inside the "o" of your thumb and finger. In other words, your thumb and finger are on either side of the string, gripping (or pinching) the arrow end against the string as you draw back. Then you have good control and it's a winner!
ReplyDeleteawesome i've wanted a bow and arows for ever and i got won i was so happy a now i can make some at home for when i'm to lazy to go outside!
ReplyDeleteVery cool. haven't tried it. Will try soon. ;)
ReplyDeleteI sent the message just before this one. Does it matter Which q-tip I use?
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will matter which kind of q-tip you use. The ones we used have a white cardboard-like stick, but I think the hollow plastic ones should work just fine. I saw some cool ones in a Japanese market that have a pointy cotton tip, so if you can find those, I bet they'd look great!
Deletethe plastic ones dont work!
Deletevery cool! Im in to bows right now , and this is what
ReplyDeleteim looking for. Thank you!
I'm 20, making these, and going to shoot my friends. You're never to old to act like a child! ;) Thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteMay I ask what pouch you used for gift giving?
ReplyDeleteWe usually just recycle little drawstring gift bags, but we've also made pouches out of fabric. I think that something like this would be very cool, and I love the idea that kids could make it out of felt:
Deletehttp://pm-betweenthelines.blogspot.com/2011/03/simple-drawstring-coin-purse-tutorial.html
I also love this style of bag, and if you like to sew, it would be perfect:
http://kittybabylove.com/draw-string-bag-tutorial/
Just saw this on Pinterest. LOVE!!! Can't wait to try it next week while camping. Perfect craft and something we will actually use! Thanks for the details directions and for sharing!
ReplyDeletecould you upload a video on how to shoot them please!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteUmm...what can you use instead of Popsicle sticks? I can't find any in my house. :#} btw this is awesome
ReplyDeleteFor even more fun, cover the arrow tip in vaseline and light it on fire. It will burn for at least 20 minutes! FIRE!
ReplyDeleteVery funny, Anonymous. Do NOT try lighting the q-tips on fire!!!
DeleteSome vids on yt did light it on fire
DeleteWICKED!!!!!!! im 12, and this might be what i need.... :)))
ReplyDeleteThese are Amazing! Thank you so very much for the idea, I just found your blog, making a link on my homepage.
ReplyDeleteMaking these with my Scouts next week. Very excited. Thinking of using colored chalk rubbed on the ends to track where their q-tip hits the target.
ReplyDeleteThese are great! I am making them for my daughters 5th birthday party. We are having a BRAVE theme, so these are perfect!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your bow & arrow project! You can see it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://funfamilycrafts.com/tiny-bow-and-arrow/
If you have other kid-friendly crafts, we'd love it if you would submit them. If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above. Thanks for a wonderful project idea!
Looks like fun! But I see so many comments saying "I have young boys" and "My son would love this"... Don't forget to include your DAUGHTERS on the fun, too!
ReplyDeleteAnd the grown-ups, too! I can't wait to put these in everyone's stockings this Christmas!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhen do you draw on them? before you soak in the water or after you have tied the floss on?
ReplyDeleteAlso, how long does it take for them to dry? Can you shoot them immediately?
I draw on them after they are soaked and then dry, but usually before I tie the floss. They dry in under an hour if left in the sun (you could probably speed that up with a hairdryer), and yes, you can shoot them as soon as the floss is tied!
DeleteI'd like to make these for a Robin Hood story time at the library, but all my examples keep cracking :(. I soaked the popsicle sticks overnight, which allowed me to bend them without breaking, but every time I try to "string" the dental floss the notch ends up cracking a little and the floss starts sliding down the crack so it won't stay taught. Any suggestions? I'm not sure if it's the quality of the popsicle sticks or the way I'm cutting the notches (with a dull box cutter, which is the only sharp implement we have in the Children's Room!) or if its something else!
ReplyDeleteOr rather, it won't stay taut. I have not tried to teach the floss anything yet :P
DeleteLOL
DeleteMade this for our 5 year old's birthday today. He was thrilled! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy two girls and the movie Brave inspired me to create 'Joes Bow'. I am hand-making this miniature, wooden, toy bow and arrow. Let me know what you think of it: www.joesbow.com
ReplyDeleteThese will make great stocking stuffers for Christmas; I'm making them for everyone, young and old, male and female! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOhh..great idea..I will be making this for my 3 yrs old niece..Thanks for sharing it..!!
ReplyDeleteLove it all! How did you make the quiver?
ReplyDeleteFYI- My 12 year old son has made a bunch and he realized the floss stretched out quite quickly, so we used my daughter's friendship bracelet floss (you know, embroidery thread- the stuff you use for cross stich). Thanks for the idea! My kids are loving it!
My popsicle sticks are soaking! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the best thing ever! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteBOI WAR SHALL BE WAGed
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect. Can I use the craft sticks with wedges in them already?
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect!!
ReplyDeleteWe made 20 of these for an archery party. I cut my fingers to shreds attaching the dental floss tightly enough. I would recomend making more than you need incase of splitting when you bind. We also put pencil grippers over the bows which looked great, helped the children aim the ‘arrows’ and allowed us to tuck in an extra arrow in for the party bag.
ReplyDeleteThese are cute little toys, what a great way to make a little bow and arrow.
ReplyDeleteFabulous project!!!! Imparting this task to every one of my companions!! Love it!!
ReplyDeletethis was fun
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! We’re doing “Q” day tomorrow for our homeschool preschool and I’m going to use the “Q”-tip and have my kids make a quiver for their arrows. I made a practice one tonight using a wooden stir stick that I soaked. I was able to use kitchen shears to cut notches, and I used leather sewing thread instead of floss. Worked perfectly! Thank you!
ReplyDeletethis does not work, the bow gets soggy and dried. you gotta have some good knifes to make sure that it doesnt crack in the middle
ReplyDeleteso cool
ReplyDeleteso cool
ReplyDeleteWe are going to try it if looks like so much fun
ReplyDeleteHow do we make a pouch with ammo
ReplyDelete