6 Best Youth Bows For Archery Practice That Adjust As They Grow

Watching a child’s face light up as their first arrow thwacks into a target is a priceless moment. But that excitement can quickly turn to frustration if they’re fighting a bow that’s too long, too heavy, or too hard to pull. Choosing the right youth bow isn’t about buying the most expensive model; it’s about finding a safe, adjustable tool that can grow with them, building confidence and a lifelong love for the sport.

Disclosure: This site earns commissions from listed merchants at no cost to you. Thank you!

Matching Draw Length and Weight to Your Child

Before you even look at a bow, you need two key measurements: draw length and a safe starting draw weight. Getting this right is the single most important step. An improperly fitted bow forces bad habits and makes archery feel like a chore, not a fun challenge.

Draw length is, simply, how far back the archer pulls the string. An easy way to get a rough estimate is to have your child stand with their arms stretched out to their sides, like a "T". Measure their wingspan from fingertip to fingertip in inches, and then divide that number by 2.5. This gives you a great starting point for setting up a bow.

For draw weight, always start lower than you think. The goal is for a child to be able to pull the string back smoothly and hold it at full draw for several seconds without excessive shaking or straining. For most young beginners, a starting weight between 10 and 20 pounds is perfect. Remember, archery is about form and repetition, not brute strength. A lower draw weight allows them to focus on technique, which is the foundation for all future success.

Genesis Original: The Top Choice for NASP Programs

If your child has ever shot a bow in a school gym, chances are it was a Genesis Original. This bow is the official bow of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) for a reason: it’s brilliantly simple, incredibly durable, and fits almost everyone right out of the box.

The magic of the Genesis is its single-cam, zero let-off design. This means it doesn’t have a specific draw length. The bow can be pulled back to any point up to 30 inches, and it will shoot, making it perfect for a group of kids with different arm lengths or a single child who is growing like a weed. The draw weight is adjustable from 10 to 20 pounds, covering the ideal range for beginners to build strength and proper form.

While it lacks the sights, let-off, and speed of a traditional compound bow, its simplicity is its greatest strength. There’s less to go wrong, and it forces the young archer to focus purely on the fundamentals of their shot process. For pure backyard practice, family fun, or building a rock-solid foundation in archery, the Genesis is an undisputed champion.

Bear Archery Cruzer G3 for Ultimate Adjustability

When you’re looking for a single bow that can truly take a child from their first shots in the backyard to their first hunt in the woods, the Bear Archery Cruzer G3 is a top contender. This isn’t just a youth bow; it’s a highly adjustable platform that can be configured for nearly any archer. It’s the definition of a "buy it once" bow.

The standout feature is its massive range of adjustment. The draw length can be set anywhere from 14 to 30 inches, and the draw weight scales from a beginner-friendly 10 pounds all the way up to a hunt-ready 70 pounds. This means the same bow can fit a small 8-year-old and, with a few simple adjustments, a full-grown adult. This is an incredible value for a growing kid.

The Cruzer G3 typically comes as a Ready-to-Hunt (RTH) package, including a sight, arrow rest, quiver, and stabilizer. This is fantastic because you have everything you need to get started, but it also introduces more complexity than a bare-bones bow like the Genesis. It’s the perfect choice for a family committed to the sport, offering a clear path for progression without needing to buy a new bow every few years.

Diamond Infinite Edge Pro: All-Around Versatility

In the world of hyper-adjustable youth bows, the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best. It’s known for its exceptionally smooth draw cycle and a solid "back wall" (the feeling when you’ve reached your full draw), which helps build consistency and confidence in young shooters.

Much like its main competitor, the Infinite Edge Pro boasts a colossal adjustment range. We’re talking a draw length from 13 to 31 inches and a draw weight from a mere 5 pounds up to 70 pounds. That 5-pound minimum is a key differentiator, making it one of the most accessible compound bows for even the smallest or youngest beginners who want the feel of a modern bow.

This bow is an excellent investment for a family with multiple kids of different ages or for a young archer who is serious about growing in the sport. The Pro package comes fully equipped, and its performance is good enough that it won’t hold them back as their skills advance. It strikes a fantastic balance between beginner-friendliness and long-term capability.

PSE Uprising: A High-Performance Youth Compound Bow

For the young archer who has mastered the basics and is showing a real passion for performance, the PSE Uprising is a step up. PSE has a reputation for building fast, performance-oriented bows, and the Uprising brings that DNA to a compact, adjustable youth package.

The adjustability is still impressive, with a draw length range of 14 to 30 inches and a draw weight from 15 to 70 pounds. Where the Uprising often shines is in its efficiency. It tends to generate higher arrow speeds at lower draw weights compared to some entry-level packages, which can be a real confidence booster when practicing at longer distances.

This bow is ideal for the kid who has outgrown their first starter bow and is ready for something that feels faster and more aggressive. It’s a fantastic bridge between a purely developmental bow and a full-size adult model. It rewards good form with excellent performance, making it a great tool for a youth archer competing in local 3D shoots or dreaming of future hunts.

Barnett Vortex Lite: A Lightweight Starter Package

Sometimes, the biggest barrier for a young archer isn’t the draw weight, but the physical mass of the bow itself. Holding a three or four-pound bow at arm’s length can be tiring. The Barnett Vortex Lite addresses this directly, offering a true compound bow experience in a package designed for smaller frames.

The tradeoff for its light weight and lower cost is a more limited adjustment range. The draw length typically adjusts from 22 to 25 inches, and the draw weight from about 18 to 29 pounds. This means a child will eventually outgrow it, unlike a bow like the Cruzer or Infinite Edge.

However, for its intended purpose, it’s excellent. It’s an affordable, all-in-one package that lets a family test the waters of compound archery without a major financial commitment. If your child is on the smaller side and you want to see if the passion for archery sticks, the Vortex Lite is one of the smartest starting points available.

Bear Archery Brave for the Smallest Young Archers

Getting the youngest kids started requires a tool built just for them. The Bear Archery Brave is designed for the 5-to-8-year-old crowd, focusing on simplicity, safety, and a manageable size. It’s less about long-term growth and more about a positive and fun first experience.

The specs reflect this focus: a draw length range from 13.5 to 19 inches and a draw weight from 15 to 25 pounds. It’s important to note that this is a traditional-style bow without the let-off of a compound, making the lower end of that weight range feel very manageable for little arms. The bow is lightweight and durable, able to withstand the bumps and drops that come with being a kid’s first bow.

The Brave usually comes as a complete set with a couple of arrows, an armguard, and a simple quiver. It’s not a high-performance machine, nor is it meant to be. It’s a tool for creating fun. It’s for shooting at cardboard boxes in the backyard and learning the basic safety rules that will serve them for a lifetime in the sport.

Ultimately, the best bow is the one that gets your child outside, shooting safely, and having fun. Don’t get lost in the specs or worry about finding the "perfect" setup on day one. Pick a safe, adjustable bow that fits them today, and focus on sharing the simple joy of watching an arrow fly.