Tabletop Bow and Arrow Craft

What You Need:

• Craft sticks
• Pocket knife
• Container with water
• Dental floss
• Cotton swabs
• Acrylic paints and brush
• Card stock
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Stickers and glitter (optional)

What You Do:

1. Cut two notches on both sides of the craft stick, about a half-inch from the ends, for a total of four notches per stick.
2. Place the sticks in a container of water and let them soak for at least an hour.
3. Carefully bend the ends of the stick toward one another until the stick resembles the arch of an archery bow.
4. Tie the dental floss to one end of the stick, within the notches, and wrap the floss inside the notch a couple of times. Stretch this floss tightly (to hold the bow shape) and repeat the process on the other side.
5. Allow the bow to dry completely.
6. To make the arrows, cut a cotton swab in half, with the cotton side representing the arrow.
7. To bring a competitive element to your craft, fashion a target for your tabletop archery. Draw and cut out rings in various colors from construction paper.
8. Lay the rings down on the card stock and glue them so you have several targets.
9. Fold the cardstock in half and cut the back on both ends leaving a three-inch strip in the middle to help the target to stand up on the table.

How to Play:

1. Arrange the target at a distance that's ability and age-apporpriate for your young athlete.
2. Help your child load the bow with an arrow.
3. Gently pull back on the bow's string and let the arrow fly across the table toward the target.
4. He shoots, he scores! Does the arrow hit the target? Can you shoot inside one of the rings? Who can shoot the farthest?
5. Remind your kid to never shoot an arrow at another person or a pet—by playing it safe, everyone wins.