Balloons – a great way to get kids fired up

[ditchparrot]

My 9-year-old daughter has a Ruger 10/.22 that she'd shot just once prior to yesterday, and that occurred when we were still living in Northern California (we moved at the start of December). I just could not get her enthused about putting holes in paper and she always declined offers to take her gun along to the range and shoot a little. She might've fired 5 rounds through it the first time out.

Awhile ago, somebody told me I should staple balloons to the target frames at the range and let her shoot those. Well, yesterday we finally tried it (I'd gotten permission to do it from the range master when I was out there earlier in the week), and the results were spectacular! We had a solid hour of the excitement.

Literally, every single person at the range (two RSOs and at least 8 or 9 other shooters) dropped what they were doing to watch the little girl shoot balloons. Every time she broke one, they'd all applaud heartily, and it got to the point where she was breaking them with every shot. One of the RSOs thanked me profusely for bringing her out – he said it made his entire weekend.

Can't wait to do it again! The balloons will be a little smaller the next time out.

Here's a link to a video on my wife's Facebook page – I sure hope it works!

https://www.facebook.com/jewlyrej/video ... =3&theater

[Cofisher]

Sounds like a great day at the range. Well done!

[JEBar]

outstanding suggestion .... great to hear she had a good time

[BigAl52]

Ive done this before at the blackpowder club. Its alot of fun even for use old guys. Shooting paper for me is just the ultimate of boring. Now if you really want to challenge her get some plastic spoons and let her shoot those. Al

[JEBar]

another good suggestion filed away ..

[North Country Gal]

Great idea. I think I'll try the same thing when the grandkids come for a visit and sent to shoot airguns.

[PT7]

Cool, Ditchparrot.
My suggestion. A little extra work, but also probably extra fun for the kids -- and maybe grownups, too.

Whatever size you think best (I'd go with a little smaller balloon myself), fill them up with water.
That just might be a "splashing" success with the little ones!!
PT7

....staple balloons to the target frames at the range and let her shoot those....yesterday we finally tried it, and the results were spectacular! We had a solid hour of the excitement.

Can't wait to do it again!

[wingspar]

I filled balloons up with water and tried to capture it with a camera. I was firing a remote for the camera with my foot while shooting the balloons. Not all that easy.

shooting_balloons07_8640.jpg (122.09 KiB) Viewed 3423 times

[JEBar]

nicely done indeed .... most impressive picture

[PT7]

I filled balloons up with water and tried to capture it with a camera. I was firing a remote for the camera with my foot while shooting the balloons. Not all that easy.

Very cool picture....it says it all! And very impressively done....shooting the shot and taking the pic at the same time!

I'd say Henry would be very glad to include a letter and your photo on their "Customer Letters" web page. Check it out https://www.henryusa.com/customer-letters/ You might want to tell your story of how you did it, and send the photo, for a lot of Henry Folk to see!

[Mgderf]

For winter time fun, fill balloons with water and food coloring, then freeze overnight.
Peel balloons away from your ice ball targets and now there's no mess to clean up.
Loads of fun and they can sometimes take several shots (glancing) before being completely destroyed.

[BigAl52]

Great Shot Wingspar. I love it. Was that a hit with a 22LR or a bigger caliber? Al

[Oksrt]

Cheap soda, golf balls, water bottle or anything with water in it. Also clay taergets. Fun for us older kids too,

[wingspar]

Actually, I did this photo and many others several years ago, I have no idea what I used to shoot the balloons with but it was not a Henry as I just bought my first Henry a few months ago. I just thought the photo was another idea for the OP if they allow that sort of thing where he shoots. Getting food coloring into the balloons can also be done.

[wingspar]

Great Shot Wingspar. I love it. Was that a hit with a 22LR or a bigger caliber? Al

You know, I really don’t remember, but I probably used a .22 LR as the lack of recoil would allow me to pay more attention to firing the camera. I can tell you the camera I used, but not the gun.

[Mgderf]

Cheap soda, golf balls, water bottle or anything with water in it. Also clay taergets. Fun for us older kids too,

This CAN be a very bad idea.
Golf balls can be launched by a bullet impact.
They can also ricochet back at the shooter if they are backed by a solid object.

Tried it when I was a kid.
Thought I would see what damage was done after a hit with a .22lr.
Placed the golf ball at the base of a tree.
That golf ball whizzed by my ear with enough speed that I believe it could have killed me if it had hit me in the head.

Be safe out there kids, don't try this at home...

[Oksrt]

Sorry you had a bad experience. We always set them on flat open ground. When they get out there too far, bring them back and start again.

[Henry88]

Danger lurks everywhere and death is just a stones throw.......................