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A foam-tipped arrow doesn’t penetrate a target; it thumps against it and drops. That changes what you should look for. You don’t need a target rated for 400-feet-per-second hunting arrows. You need one that is easy to see, easy to score and fun to hit, and sturdy enough to survive a season outdoors.
Targets are where archery tag players warm up, learn their bow, and settle arguments about who is the best shot. These are the ones we like.
Our top picks at a glance
Check price
Best all-weather bagMorrell Yellow Jacket Stinger Bag TargetCheck price
Biggest faceHurricane 2-Sided Bag TargetCheck price
Best for youth programsBlock GenZ 16-Inch Youth TargetCheck price
Best for little kidsTIGTECGAME Pop-Up Target SetCheck price
Silipull Pop-Out Target Set with Foam-Tip Arrows
Best for: turning warm-ups into a game
rating
- Target24 x 24 in EVA pop-out
- IncludesRecurve + 6 foam arrows
- FoldsYes
- UseAges 9+
Reactive targets are the most fun way to practise, and this set builds one around foam-tipped arrows: a 24-inch, thick EVA target with pop-out pieces that react when they are hit. Because it comes with its own recurve and six sponge-tipped arrows, it doubles as a starter kit.
It is our favourite way to warm a group up before a game.
What we like
- Reactive pop-outs reward every hit
- Built for foam-tip arrows
- Includes bow and arrows
Watch out for
- Few owner reviews so far
- Pop-out pieces can go missing outdoors
Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger Bag Target
Best for: a do-everything practice target that lives outside
rating
- Size20 x 12 x 20 in
- Faces2 sides, 10 bullseyes
- CoverWeather-resistant
- CarryE-Z tote handle
Morrell's Stinger is a bag target built for field points, so foam arrows barely trouble it. Ten bright bullseyes across two faces give players plenty to aim at, the weather-resistant cover survives being left out, and a carry handle makes it easy to move around a field.
It is also a real archery target, so it keeps working when players practise with standard target arrows. It holds a 4.7-star average across 2,400-plus ratings.
What we like
- Ten bullseyes for scoring games
- Weather-resistant
- Works with foam and target arrows
- Excellent ratings
Watch out for
- Foam arrows bounce off rather than stick
- Smaller face than the Hurricane
Hurricane 2-Sided Bag Target
Best for: beginners who need a big, forgiving face
rating
- Size25 x 25 x 12 in
- Faces2 sides
- Aiming pointsHigh-visibility
- HandleHeavy-duty strap
The Hurricane's 25-inch face is a generous target for newer archers, and its high-contrast aiming points are easy to see from across a backyard. It is built to stop crossbow bolts, so foam arrows will not dent it.
One side carries deer-vital markings, a reminder that this is a hunting target first. Use the bullseye face for games.
What we like
- Large, forgiving face
- High-visibility aiming points
- Very durable
Watch out for
- Hunting graphics on the back
- Bulkier to store
Block GenZ 16-Inch Youth Target
Best for: clubs that teach real archery alongside foam games
rating
- Size16 in
- For bowsUp to 40 lb
- DesignOpen-layer friction stop
- PullEasy for kids
If your group also teaches target archery, the GenZ is a superb youth target: open foam layers stop arrows with friction, so children can pull their own arrows out without help, and it is rated for youth bows up to 40 lb.
For foam-only groups it is more target than you need; for a youth program it is the one to own.
What we like
- Kids can pull arrows unaided
- Built for youth bows
- Long-lasting open-layer design
Watch out for
- More than foam-only groups need
- Smaller face
TIGTECGAME Pop-Up Target Set
Best for: under-8s with suction-cup bows
rating
- TargetSpring pop-up flag
- BaseWater-fill
- Includes2 bows, 20 arrows
- ArrowsSuction cup
For younger children the pop-up flag on this target is pure magic: hit the bullseye and a 100-point flag springs up. It comes with two light-up bows and 20 suction-cup arrows, and the water-filled base keeps it upright outdoors.
It is designed for suction-cup arrows, not foam-tip combat arrows.
What we like
- Pop-up reward on a bullseye
- Stable water-fill base
- Complete two-player set
Watch out for
- Suction-cup arrows only
- Toy-grade construction
Five target games that sharpen players for the field
- Around the clock. Hit each bullseye on the Morrell in order. First to finish wins.
- Pop-out race. Two players, one pop-out target. First to clear their side wins the round.
- Snap shot. On the whistle, draw and shoot within three seconds. This trains the quick shots that win real games.
- Distance ladder. Hit the target, step back two paces; miss, step forward one. The furthest player after ten arrows wins.
- Cover drill. Shoot from behind a bunker, leaning out from alternating sides. It is the single most useful drill for tag players.
Where to put a target
Set targets with a clear, empty backstop — a fence, a hedge or open ground — and never toward a road, a path or a neighbour’s garden. Foam arrows lose energy fast, but a miss still travels. Mark a shooting line on the ground and make it a rule that nobody walks forward to collect arrows until everyone has finished shooting.
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
Will foam arrows stick in a target?
No. Foam-tip arrows are designed not to penetrate, so they bounce off and drop. Pick targets for visibility and scoring rather than stopping power.
Can I use a regular archery target?
Yes. Bag and foam targets made for field points work perfectly as scoring faces for foam arrows, and they will last far longer.
What is the best target for a party?
A reactive pop-out target. Players get instant feedback, and turns are fast.
