Pistol, bow and crossbow: Why children like to play with toy weapons

Since time immemorial, the youngest among us have enjoyed playing with an imaginary pistol, best crossbow for hunting , a rifle, bow and arrow or any other type of replica weapon. On this point, heated discussions sometimes germinate with regard to meaningfulness. Especially the supposedly bad influence of these types of toys is always an issue. Even educators still disagree today as to whether the concern of many parents is unjustified and whether bans on toy weapons are therefore of little use and certainly not expedient.

What toy weapons are there and should I ban them?

Today, modern technology makes an entire arsenal of weapons in toy form possible. While in earlier times the children reenacted their idea of a fight with weapons with the help of “props” such as sticks, branches and the like, today much more detailed models are available. From axes to swords, swords, daggers and all kinds of firearms such as pistols or blasters to futuristic-looking laser cannons, there is almost nothing on the toy market that does not exist. Whether the game with recreated weapons should be classified as glorifying violence or many parents worry about it completely in vain; opinions differ on this. In the meantime, however, the pendulum is swinging more in the direction of the all-clear. Leading educators attribute the skepticism of many parents in this context to the differences between parents and children in the interpretation of play with weapons. In fact, it would be the parents who associate this with child soldiers and war crimes. Children, on the other hand, usually see the game with weapons for what it is; a game! To date, there is no conclusive evidence of a causal link between playing with toy weapons and a penchant for violence. Such a concern therefore tends to be rather unfounded.

Why do children like to play with children’s weapons?

Since time immemorial, the “test of strength” with peers has exerted a very special fascination, especially on boys. This also and above all applies to all forms of the well-known robber and gendarme game. After all, the game good against evil is simulated. Gunslinger against sheriff, Indian against cowboy, policeman against criminal. Modern superheroes and general representatives of “law” and their opponents. Protagonist and antagonist. For children, this is to be understood as a kind of role play. This time they embody the “good guys” and another time they slip into the role of the supposed “villains”. According to many psychologists, the objection of the sometimes frightening attention to detail of modern toy weapons also plays a much smaller role than you as a parent would probably suspect. In the imagination of the junior during the game, the thick branch is no less suitable as a weapon, as a deceptively real replica of a rifle.

Conclusion: Learn how to handle the toy weapons

So should you prohibit your child from playing with toy weapons in general or not pay too much attention to the whole topic? As an answer, a clear. it depends. reverse crossbow for the money as is so often the case, in this context the dose makes the poison. For the aforementioned reasons, there is absolutely nothing wrong with playing with weapons or imitating an armed conflict. However, it should be within a reasonable framework. In order to avoid excessive play habits from the outset and to convey a healthy understanding of the simulated situations and the “props” used for them, you should sensitize your child despite all the all-clear. Explain to him what damage the real version of the weapon in question can do. Make him aware of the atrocities that have already been committed with such weapons and remind him that there are also clear limits to playing with weapons. After all, these can cause injuries by weight and texture alone if the son is a little too “overz