Being adamantly opposed to using any kind of "weapons" as toys, and this includes water guns, I give my kids plastic squirt bottles, either clean spray bottles of water or even cleaned out plastic ketchup or syrup bottles to squirt each other with.
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Although I have no problem with guns, either toy or otherwise, I prefer the bottles because: 1) they're free; 2) they're easier for little hands to fill; 3) they don't wear out; 4) they put out a lot more water than those squirt guns (even the big ones); 5) it's a good way to temporarily recycle the bottles - when you're done with them most can be recycled at the recycling center.
TerryfromChilliOH
I'm the same way. I don't like the kids playing with toy guns even if they are water guns. This is a good idea! I'll have to start saving up the squirt bottles!
I bought enough 32 oz. spray bottles for each child in the family that attends our summer picnics. They have different colored tops, work very well, are easy to fill, cost $1.
Hey guys, I heard of a mom who thought this was great idea too. BECAREFUL because it "trained" her little girl to squirt cleaning chemmicals around, it only happened once but she got her brother in the face. He had no complications Thank God. Just remember to lock up your chemicals like you'd lock up a gun.
JenInNC
Squirt Guns are actually a safe way to teach gun safety and responsibility... but *shrug* I'm not here to lecture ;)
When I was a kid we placed buckets at random places in the yard filled with water (they were "safe zones") then we used dish soap botttles...ya know the kind with the spout like a sport bottle that you'd have to SQUEEZE to shoot. A good squeeze would empty the bottle quickly but it shot at least as far as the spray bottles but had more "ammo" in each shot.
MY CHILDREN WEREN'T ALLOWED TO USE TOY GUNS OF ANY TYPE AS THEY GREW UP. I JUST DIDN'T APPROVE OF IT.
BUT THEN I DIDN'T APPROVE OF VIOLENT T.V SHOWS EITHER SO.....
BUT NOW MY SON IS A MARINE, HOW IRONIC IS THAT?
Great idea. I too, think giving kids toy guns is terrible and sends a bad message. Squirt bottles accomplish the same thing.
This is a good idea but I am tired of people saying playing with toy guns harms children. Well I grew up playing with guns and learning the difference and so did my friends. brother and cousins. If you look you don't see my generation in jail or dead from a gun shot.
Children were taught back then and not just giving a gun and sent outside. Parents don't teach or watch their children any more. People spend to much time working to have all the luxury things they really don't need instead of spending time with their kids and teaching them right from wrong. I see this everyday because I have been a daycare teacher for over 22 years and it is started at a young age.
I am in my mid fiftys so I am not a young chick. I can remember one time my 2 kids had 2 of the fancy water guns they had out and we were at my parents house for a cook out and my parents and the rest of the group got in on the fun with the water guns. So don't blame guns blame parents!
When my son was growing up I didn't allow guns at my house either, I grew up learning how to shoot a BB gun and my father had guns. But we lived rural and the BB guns were for scaring away wildlife etc. But I tell the kids I work with at school when they make gun sounds, guns are for 2 reasons.
To hunt your food to feed your family.
To protect your country, the public etc. from bad guys (meaning you have to be a cop/military).
When I hear gun noises or guns made out of things, I ask the kids "is it hunting season? What are we having for dinner that you are going to shoot?" they think it's funny but they also get it, guns are not for playing.
I have squirt bottles that I play "squirt tag" and sprinklers with the kids. I know there were a lot of kids my age (40) that played with guns (but like I said, we were rural, it was 2nd nature to have them around), but that was also when it was safe to play outside till dark, by yourself, with no parents; there weren't drive by turf war shootings. The internet wasn't there to open up a Pandora's box of things that a "demented" brain might think about (but now because of the internet can put pictures, videos or new ideas to those sick things).
Guns are now more prevalent, easy to come by and the toy ones get kids/adults shot because they look so real! Tell a kid, if you want to play with guns, in the few short years that you are a kid, you play with trucks/dolls, then when you are an adult, join the military, hunt a deer for the freezer, etc.
Guns weren't made for play, they were made to protect and hunt.
Teresa Kay, I'm with you. I couldn't agree more. People kill people, not guns. But the "feel good" government and other mamby pambys need to feel good and take away from everyone else, so the minority now rules. I could go on and on about these liberals, but then I don't want to get kicked off this site. I can't imagine the fun these kids are having with a spray bottle vs. a harmless water gun, but then again that's just me. (shaking my head).
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