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Archery tag looks simple: bows, soft arrows, masks, something to hide behind. But you won’t find a complete kit on Amazon. The branded packages are sold to commercial operators, and what is left is a scatter of parts, some excellent and some unsafe.
So we built the kits ourselves. Below are three builds — a backyard skirmish, a birthday battle and a full-field event — with the exact gear we’d buy for each and how many of each you need. Every pick links to its full review, and every one meets the same rule: if it doesn’t make the game safer or better, it’s not on the list.
The backyard skirmish (2-6 players)
Enough for a family or a few friends in a typical backyard. Set up in ten minutes, pack away into one tote.
| Gear | How many | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bows | 2-4 | D&Q Takedown Recurve (20 lb) | Ambidextrous, so anyone can grab any bow |
| Foam-tip arrows | 12-18 | WOARCHERY Round Foam Tip (6-pack) | Internal shield, rated for 25 lb bows |
| Masks | 1 per player | Dye SE Thermal | Fits kids and adults, fog-resistant |
| Cover | 2-4 pieces | ArrowSoft Inflatable Bunkers (2-pack) | Sturdy, pump included |
| Quivers | 2 | KESHES Back Quiver | Wide mouth fits foam heads |
| Boundaries | 20 cones | GoSports Disc Cones (20) | Mark the edges and the safe zone |
The birthday battle (8-16 players)
Two full teams for a party or a youth group. Plan for rotating squads of four to six so everyone plays.
| Gear | How many | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bows | 8 | D&Q Takedown Recurve (20 lb) | Matched set, so the teams are fair |
| Youth bows | As needed | 45-inch Youth Recurve | For players aged 8 to 12 |
| Foam-tip arrows | 36-48 | Silipull Foam Tipped Arrows (12-pack) | Bulk value; check the heads each round |
| Masks | 1 per player + 2 spares | JT Elite Prime | Budget-friendly, full-face |
| Cover | 8-10 pieces | Skywin Battle Bunkers (2 sets of 4) | Lots of kneeling cover for kids |
| Team vests | 2 packs | Super Z Outlet Pinnies (12) | One color per team |
| Pump | 1 | Artigarden 460 W Pump | Inflate everything before guests arrive |
| Boundaries | 40-50 cones | Pro Disc Cones (50) | Boundary, centre line and safe zone |
The full-field event (20+ players)
For camps, schools, churches and clubs running regular sessions. Built to last a season and survive hard use.
| Gear | How many | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bows | 10-12 | D&Q Takedown Recurve (20 lb) | Affordable at volume, easy to share |
| Adult league bows | Optional | ArrowSoft Aluminum (set to rating) | Durable and adjustable |
| Foam-tip arrows | 60+ | WOARCHERY Round Foam Tip (6-pack) | The safest arrow for heavy use |
| Masks | 24 + spares | HK Army HSTL Thermal | Three-strap fit, thermal lens |
| Cover | 9-piece set | Pro Inflatable Air Bunker Set | Tournament layout, 6 ft tall |
| Warm-up target | 1-2 | Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger | Ten bullseyes for drills |
| Team vests | 2-3 packs | Super Z Outlet Pinnies (12) | Rotate squads fast |
| Boundaries | 50 cones | Pro Disc Cones (50) | Full field plus safe zone |
Our top picks at a glance
Best foam-tip arrowWOARCHERY Round Foam Tip Combat Archery Arrow (6-pack)Check price
Best team bowD&Q Takedown Recurve Bow (order 20 lb)Check price
Check price
Best starter coverArrowSoft Inflatable Bunkers with Pump (2-pack)Check price
WOARCHERY Round Foam Tip Combat Archery Arrow (6-pack)
Best for: the core of any kit. Full arrow guide
rating
- HeadRound foam, internal shield
- Rated25 lb bows
- ShaftEpoxy-glass
The arrow is the most important safety choice you will make, and this is the best purpose-built combat arrow we found: a round foam head with an internal shield, rated for 25 lb bows, with the strongest owner track record in the category.
What we like
- Internal shield
- Clear bow rating
Watch out for
- Premium price per arrow
D&Q Takedown Recurve Bow (order 20 lb)
Best for: matched team sets. Full bow guide
rating
- Order20 lb
- Length53.5 in
- HandLeft or right
An affordable, ambidextrous takedown recurve that comes in a 20 lb version: the easiest way to buy six or eight identical bows. Keep the bundled target arrows for the practice target.
What we like
- Ambidextrous
- Affordable at volume
Watch out for
- Bundled arrows are not for games
HK Army HSTL Goggle with Thermal Lens
Best for: anyone who plays often. Full mask guide
rating
- LensThermal, ASTM certified
- StrapsHead, top & chin
A paintball-rated thermal lens that resists fog, and a three-strap fit that stays put when players run and dive. The single most important purchase for every player.
What we like
- Fog-resistant
- Secure fit
Watch out for
- Adult sizing
ArrowSoft Inflatable Bunkers with Pump (2-pack)
Best for: backyard games. Full bunker guide
rating
- Pieces2
- PumpIncluded
Heavy-duty bunkers made for foam archery rather than party decoration, which is the right place to start before you scale up to a full field.
What we like
- Made for archery games
- Pump included
Watch out for
- Only two pieces
Why there’s no single archery tag kit on Amazon
The official Archery Tag® packages, from bows and arrows to inflatable bunkers, are sold by the brand to licensed operators rather than through Amazon. That leaves families and youth groups assembling kits from parts, and that is where mistakes happen: a 40 lb bow paired with foam arrows rated for 20, or Nerf goggles standing in for a real mask. Building from the lists above avoids both.
How to run your first game
- Mark the field with cones: boundaries, a centre line and a safe zone well behind one end.
- Brief everyone. Masks on before crossing into the field and never off until back in the safe zone. No shots inside a minimum distance. A whistle means stop.
- Warm up on a target, so every player has felt their bow before shooting at people.
- Start small. Three-on-three for five minutes, then rotate. Short rounds keep energy high and give everyone a turn.
- Inspect between rounds. Pull any arrow with a damaged head, and check that masks are still snug.
The rules that keep the game fun
Every group should agree on a short rule set before the first arrow flies. These are the ones we’d start with:
- Masks on in the field, always.
- No headshots on purpose. Aim for the body.
- Respect a minimum shooting distance. Close-range shots are the ones that hurt.
- No blind-firing over bunkers.
- Pick up arrows only from the ground, and never pull one from another player’s hand or quiver.
- The referee’s whistle is final.
How we rate gear
Every product here is scored out of 10 on four things, weighted for how foam archery is actually played: safety in play (40%) — tip size and softness, draw weight, face coverage, sharp edges; fit for the game (25%) — does it do the job in a real skirmish rather than at a target range; durability (20%) — what owners report after a season of use; and value (15%).
We read the manufacturer's specifications, the listing details and the pattern in verified owner reviews, and we compare everything against the safety practices commercial archery tag fields use. We do not accept payment for placement, and a product cannot buy a higher rating. Our hands-on test kit is in the field now; when a pick changes, we will say so on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy an official Archery Tag® kit?
The branded kits are sold to licensed operators and venues. For home, school and party use, the lists on this page build an equivalent kit from individually reviewed parts.
How much space do I need?
A backyard of about 30 by 40 feet works for two to six players. For full teams, a gym, a park or a field of 60 by 100 feet or more is better.
What age is archery tag suitable for?
With light bows, foam-tip arrows, full masks and supervision, many groups play from around age 9 or 10. Younger children are better served by suction-cup sets; see our kids’ guide.
Is archery tag safe?
It is designed to be, and it stays that way when the equipment is right and the rules are enforced: full-face masks, foam arrows rated for the bows, light bows, minimum distances and a referee.
