"Fun" targets for kids ??

Seven© · 03-02-2008, 10:32 PM

I've started teaching my 7yo daughter about safety/shooting. The Four Rules, glasses, ear muffs. You guys with kids know how quickly they get bored with "just shooting paper."

Any "inexpensive" ideas? We've used apples, oranges, etc. The kid gets the biggest kick outta hot, shaken Pepsi cans. Those get expensive.

Question #2

What's a decent "mini scope" for a youth model .22? 1" tube and short to match the youth length. I've been looking at a Leapers 5th Gen 6x32.

Here's her Crickett...

elmer fudd · 03-02-2008, 10:43 PM

Nice looking gun i would say go to walmart and get the targets that spin that look like ducks and stuff Champion .22 Auto-Reset NRA Silhouettes Target - Wal-Mart

it was suposed to be clickable sorry!

toolman · 03-02-2008, 10:53 PM

Clay pigeons are always fun.

GlockMeister · 03-02-2008, 11:04 PM

I like getting a couple cheap cans of pop and shaking the hell outta them and then letting the son shoot them. I also put small targets up which makes it difficult. I find my son doesn't get as bored as quick because it isn't so easy to do.

One idea, put an old CD up and tell them to hit the center hole, say from 25 yards. Or put small bottle caps up. Anything that makes them focus long and hard. They then forget about being bored...

benhinds2000 · 03-02-2008, 11:15 PM

Put the clay pigeons on a stand on edge. They really blow up when hit. Also try 1" inch squares at 25 meters. Make it challenge, like bet you can't hit this. My two cents anyway.

Seven© · 03-02-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmer fudd

Nice looking gun i would say go to walmart and get the targets that spin that look like ducks and stuff Champion .22 Auto-Reset NRA Silhouettes Target - Wal-Mart

Good idea! It's $40, but it's a one time cost. Heck, I'd have fun with that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlockMeister

One idea, put an old CD up and tell them to hit the center hole, say from 25 yards.

My wife does have some old Bee Gee cd's.

...

billy · 03-02-2008, 11:18 PM

i like golfballs.
the second shot is a LOT harder!

bigbuddy21 · 03-03-2008, 12:25 AM

one thing i do, is take 20 oz soft drink bottles and fill them with water. they make a good splash or for longer dist. i'll take a gal. milk jug filled with water. anything to keep the kids interrested.

A-10 · 03-03-2008, 07:18 AM

Charcoal briquetes make fun targets. They explode!

just_a_car · 03-03-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-10

Charcoal briquetes make fun targets. They explode!

That's a great idea A10!

You can even buy the "cheap/crappy" briquettes that may not work that well for BBQ'ing. A nice big "bulk" bag of 'em.

billy · 03-03-2008, 07:36 AM

i shoot potatos because they do the same thing.
and the critters love whats left!

Windwalker · 03-03-2008, 09:07 AM

Sounds like a bunch of good ideas to hold the kids attention. I like your daughters Cricket. Nice gun.

Alleydude · 03-03-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

i like golfballs.
the second shot is a LOT harder!

I just had coffee come out my nose!

billy · 03-03-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alleydude

I just had coffee come out my nose!

well...
my work here is done then!

neophyte · 03-03-2008, 06:16 PM

Seven C: Sir; golf balls; for youngins they hop jump jitter and come back for more.

We aint the youngins in body; youngins in mind having a blast chasing them with .270 .17 .38 .357 .45 even shot at them with sling shots.

If you have a place; golf balls. They will not tear up.

billy · 03-03-2008, 06:19 PM

we have a basket of them at one of my clubs.
just throw a handful out there.
it is REALLY good practice because you are shooting at small targets at who knows what distances

BaserRonin · 03-03-2008, 06:37 PM

I agree with the Golf Ball idea. golf balls still make me laugh...every time. I try to take up a handful every time I go with a new shooter; it is very encouraging watching them disappear after a good shot. The driving range balls with the red stripe are easy to see and the cheapest.

If you feel it is safe enough, I used to love breaking apart rocks with my dad as a kid. My little 22 or 38 was no match for a big old .44 or .45 colt. That was a lot of fun.

Steel is always good. A spinner for .22's, a piece of a plow blade or a disk break for heavier stuff, is reactive and a lot of fun.

They tell you never to shoot at water because of the rounds skimming off. Depending on where you shoot though, a good sized puddle with something floating in it can be entertaining for an extremely long time as well.

Big Dog · 03-03-2008, 06:53 PM

The yellow foam rubber practice golfballs are better! They don't fly as far when hit (less running after them) and sometimes pop UP into the air when hit!

Bright colored NECO wafers hot glued or double-sticky-tape mounted to a black poster board - challenging at 25 yards!

I got waxed once by a twelve-year-old kid shooting our Ruger 10-22's at aspirins on the same type board at 25 yards - he was good!! Well, he shot competition and his rifle was NOT factory stock! Hey, that's my story and I'm sticking to it . . .

LakerDad · 03-03-2008, 07:02 PM

ConGrats DAD! May you both continue to shoot and have FUN. It's good to see that single shot .22's are still being made.
Agree with the golf balls, one our favorite targets. There are some great ideas on here, potatoes, Charcoal briquetes, wow, those will be COOL! The clay pigeons were great when we had them. [there are exploding targets out there, costly?] Ice cubes are fun before they melt

rondog · 03-03-2008, 07:12 PM

Water balloons stapled to a piece of plywood are cool too.

03-02-2008, 10:32 PM	#1
Seven© Exalted Grand PooBah Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: WNC Posts: 1,828 Images: 23 Blog Entries: 2	"Fun" targets for kids ?? I've started teaching my 7yo daughter about safety/shooting. The Four Rules, glasses, ear muffs. You guys with kids know how quickly they get bored with "just shooting paper." Any "inexpensive" ideas? We've used apples, oranges, etc. The kid gets the biggest kick outta hot, shaken Pepsi cans. Those get expensive. Question #2 What's a decent "mini scope" for a youth model .22? 1" tube and short to match the youth length. I've been looking at a Leapers 5th Gen 6x32. Here's her Crickett...

03-02-2008, 10:53 PM	#3
toolman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 7,135 Blog Entries: 25	Clay pigeons are always fun. __________________ cosmoline is an aphrodisiac!

03-02-2008, 11:04 PM	#4
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 9,676	I like getting a couple cheap cans of pop and shaking the hell outta them and then letting the son shoot them. I also put small targets up which makes it difficult. I find my son doesn't get as bored as quick because it isn't so easy to do. One idea, put an old CD up and tell them to hit the center hole, say from 25 yards. Or put small bottle caps up. Anything that makes them focus long and hard. They then forget about being bored... __________________ "The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." "Edmond Burke"

03-02-2008, 11:18 PM	#7
billy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 19,720 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 161	i like golfballs. the second shot is a LOT harder! __________________

03-03-2008, 12:25 AM	#8
bigbuddy21 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: new albany in. Posts: 1,432 Images: 5	one thing i do, is take 20 oz soft drink bottles and fill them with water. they make a good splash or for longer dist. i'll take a gal. milk jug filled with water. anything to keep the kids interrested. __________________ LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE! AN UNARMED POPULACE IS EASILY CONTROLLED...... A. HITLER

03-02-2008, 10:43 PM	#2
elmer fudd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: pheasant country USA! Posts: 2,239	Nice looking gun i would say go to walmart and get the targets that spin that look like ducks and stuff Champion .22 Auto-Reset NRA Silhouettes Target - Wal-Mart it was suposed to be clickable sorry! __________________ spur hard, shoot straight, party hardy! Last edited by elmer fudd; 03-02-2008 at 10:49 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

03-02-2008, 11:15 PM	#5
benhinds2000 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Twin Lakes area Arkansas Posts: 49	Put the clay pigeons on a stand on edge. They really blow up when hit. Also try 1" inch squares at 25 meters. Make it challenge, like bet you can't hit this. My two cents anyway.

03-03-2008, 07:18 AM	#9
A-10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 815	Charcoal briquetes make fun targets. They explode! __________________ If there's nothing worth dying for, there's nothing worth living for.

03-03-2008, 07:36 AM	#11
billy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 19,720 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 161	i shoot potatos because they do the same thing. and the critters love whats left! __________________

03-03-2008, 09:07 AM	#12
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 6,097	Sounds like a bunch of good ideas to hold the kids attention. I like your daughters Cricket. Nice gun. __________________ America: Love it and protect it or leave it In God I Trust

03-03-2008, 06:16 PM	#15
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 8,822 Blog Entries: 2	golf balls Seven C: Sir; golf balls; for youngins they hop jump jitter and come back for more. We aint the youngins in body; youngins in mind having a blast chasing them with .270 .17 .38 .357 .45 even shot at them with sling shots. If you have a place; golf balls. They will not tear up. __________________ Craig May the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you. Numbers 6:24

03-03-2008, 06:19 PM	#16
billy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 19,720 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 161	we have a basket of them at one of my clubs. just throw a handful out there. it is REALLY good practice because you are shooting at small targets at who knows what distances __________________

03-03-2008, 06:37 PM	#17
BaserRonin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CO Posts: 1,139	I agree with the Golf Ball idea. golf balls still make me laugh...every time. I try to take up a handful every time I go with a new shooter; it is very encouraging watching them disappear after a good shot. The driving range balls with the red stripe are easy to see and the cheapest. If you feel it is safe enough, I used to love breaking apart rocks with my dad as a kid. My little 22 or 38 was no match for a big old .44 or .45 colt. That was a lot of fun. Steel is always good. A spinner for .22's, a piece of a plow blade or a disk break for heavier stuff, is reactive and a lot of fun. They tell you never to shoot at water because of the rounds skimming off. Depending on where you shoot though, a good sized puddle with something floating in it can be entertaining for an extremely long time as well.

03-03-2008, 06:53 PM	#18
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 12,906	The yellow foam rubber practice golfballs are better! They don't fly as far when hit (less running after them) and sometimes pop UP into the air when hit! Bright colored NECO wafers hot glued or double-sticky-tape mounted to a black poster board - challenging at 25 yards! I got waxed once by a twelve-year-old kid shooting our Ruger 10-22's at aspirins on the same type board at 25 yards - he was good!! Well, he shot competition and his rifle was NOT factory stock! Hey, that's my story and I'm sticking to it . . . __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

03-03-2008, 07:02 PM	#19
LakerDad Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 507	ConGrats DAD! May you both continue to shoot and have FUN. It's good to see that single shot .22's are still being made. Agree with the golf balls, one our favorite targets. There are some great ideas on here, potatoes, Charcoal briquetes, wow, those will be COOL! The clay pigeons were great when we had them. [there are exploding targets out there, costly?] Ice cubes are fun before they melt

03-03-2008, 07:12 PM	#20
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 3,296	Water balloons stapled to a piece of plywood are cool too.