Darts is a great indoor game, one you can enjoy with friends at a pub, but also with your family at home. If you have children and they’re used to seeing you play darts, there will certainly come a time when they’ll want to do the same. But when's the right time to start teaching your kid how to play darts? Here are some recommendations we’ve gathered by talking to several passionate players who have children.
What type of darts should your kid start playing with?
No matter what kind of darts you want your child to start playing with, in the end, they’ll most likely insist on playing with the same ones you do. In this case, whether you play with steel tip darts or plastic tip darts, you should get ready to train your child to use the same tools as you. There is no right or wrong type of dart, you just have to make sure your kid is mature enough to understand how to use theirs without harming themselves or others. Now, let’s find out now what age most players recommend for soft tip darts vs. steel tip darts.
The ideal age for plastic tip darts
This type of darts you use to play on an electronic dartboard have soft tips that are made of plastic. The great advantage this brings along is the fact that you can’t pierce your skin with these as the tips are not sharp like those of steel tip darts. However, due to their shape, weight, and the fact that professional darts have heavy barrels made of tungsten or other metals, these darts can be dangerous too.
Throwing them around at objects or, even worse, at other persons could cause damages and wounds. For this reason, although safer than steel tips, darts with soft plastic tips still require sufficient skill and maturity to be used correctly. If your kid has simply fallen in love with your electronic board and is eager to play by your side, you should wait until they are a least 7-8 years old to start teaching them how to play.
The ideal age for steel tip darts
If you’re an avid darts player, you probably have a traditional bristle dartboard at home, which means you’re playing with steel tip darts. While these classical darts feel great in your hand and challenge your skills with every throw, they do pose some risks for little ones.
Their sharp tips can be dangerous if they hit any part of your body, so you should think twice before you allow your kid to start using your set of darts. Set some clear rules from the beginning and highlight the possible consequences a dart wound could have. Especially if you have two or more children who want to play together, it’s essential to supervise them in the beginning and make sure they don’t harm themselves or each other with the darts.
How soon you allow your kid to start playing with steel tip darts depends on how mature and well behaved they are. While some parents feel comfortable and safe letting kids as little as 8 throw this type of darts, many agree that the ideal age to start using steel tip darts is somewhere between 9 and 10.
If your child is still little but eager to start learning darts, it’s always a good idea to play with them in the beginning and avoid letting them use steel tip darts while you’re not at home, especially if playing with siblings.
As they start perfecting their technique, you can allow them to play alone or with others without being supervised, especially if you trust them and you’re confident that they won’t use the darts for any other purposes than hitting the target.
Use darts gear for kids
While this might not be the most exciting way to use your darts skills, you can make a sacrifice every now and then and play with your child using darts gear for kids. There are different dartboards and dart sets that are targeted to the specific age and skills of children as little as 3.
These darts tools might look and feel more like toys than actual darts gear, but they are safe and easy to use. Getting a dartboard and a darts set for children can be the perfect start point for your kid as these products are less heavy and don’t have sharp tips. Most options on the market are crafted for children aged 6 and above, but you can also find minimalistic models for kids aged 3+.
Kids love to imitate their parents’ behavior and if you are an avid darts player, your kid is quite likely to grow up practicing this sport too. Playing darts together is a great way to bond with your kid, have fun, and release those mood-boosting endorphins. When deciding what age is the right age to start playing darts with your kid, remember the suggestions above. Finally, don’t forget that whether you’re using steel tips or soft tips, we’ve got professional darts sets tailored to your needs.
*updated August 2022
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