Posted by OZ Boomerangs | ozboomerangs.com.au

How to Teach Your 7-Year-Old to Throw a Boomerang (And Actually Have It Come Back!)

There’s something genuinely magical about the moment a boomerang leaves a child’s hand, arcs through the sky, and curves back towards them. Their eyes go wide. Their jaw drops. And then comes the noise — pure, unfiltered, seven-year-old excitement.

Teaching your child to throw a boomerang is one of those rare outdoor activities that’s equal parts fun, skill, and Aussie tradition. And with the right boomerang and a little patience, most kids can get a return on their very first session. Here’s exactly how to do it.

First Things First: Choose the Right Boomerang

This is where most parents go wrong. Handing a 7-year-old a heavy wooden or plastic boomerang is a recipe for frustration — and the occasional bruised shin.

For kids starting out, you want a safe, lightweight foam boomerang that returns reliably without needing a powerful throw. At OZ Boomerangs, we’ve got three foam boomerangs that take your child from total beginner to confident young thrower — and we’ve bundled them together in the Triple the Fun Foam Boomerang 3-Pack so you’ve got the whole progression covered from day one.

🪃 The OZzie Emu — Start Here

Our number one pick for first-time young throwers. It’s right-handed, soft foam, and sized perfectly for smaller hands. Inspired by the iconic Australian emu, the Emu is forgiving enough that even an imperfect throw will often still produce a return. With a flight range of 4–6 metres, it’s ideal for smaller backyards and first-time throwers — which means more smiles and less frustration right from the start.

🪃 The OZzie Icerunner — Step It Up

A brilliant step-up once your child has nailed the basics. With a streamlined shape and a flight range of 6–8 metres, the Icerunner offers more precision and distance while still being soft, safe, and easy to catch. Great for kids who’ve had a few sessions and are ready for a new challenge.

🪃 The Aussie Outdoor Superang — Level Up

When your young thrower is growing in confidence and the breeze starts picking up, this is the one to reach for. Made using unique thermoforming technology, the Outdoor Superang is built to handle windier conditions and rewards a stronger, more committed throw with a wide, impressive flight path and a reliable return. It can also be tuned for both right and left-handed throwers, making it a great choice as kids develop their own style.

The good news? You don’t have to choose just one. The Triple the Fun Foam Boomerang 3-Pack gives you all three for $69.95 AUD — so your child has exactly the right boomerang for every session, every skill level, and every weather condition. Want to get the whole family involved? Check out our Family Boomerang Pack which includes these three plus more for the older kids and adults.

Step 1: Pick the Right Spot

Before you even unwrap the boomerang, location matters. You need a clear, open area with at least a 10-metre radius — free of trees, people, roads, and anything breakable. A local oval or a quiet park is perfect. Avoid throwing near cars, buildings, or other kids playing nearby. And one important rule: don’t throw in strong wind when starting out. A light breeze is fine and actually helps, but gusty conditions will send the boomerang off course every time — save the Outdoor Superang for those breezier days once your child has the basics locked in.

Step 2: Check the Boomerang Before You Throw

Take 30 seconds to do this — it makes a huge difference. Place the boomerang flat on the ground and check that the wings are straight and not bent downward. The OZzie Emu, Icerunner, and Outdoor Superang should all have a slight upward curve (called dihedral) from the centre. If the wings are bent down, gently bend them back up before throwing. This quick check is worth teaching your child too — it’s a great little habit and makes them feel like a proper boomerang athlete.

Step 3: Teach the Grip

Show your child how to hold the boomerang near the tip — not in the middle — with the flat side facing away from them. Use a pinch grip, like they’re holding a big chip between their thumb and fingers.

Keep it simple at this age. Just: “Hold it near the end, flat side pointing away.” Repeat it a couple of times and let them practise the grip before they throw.

Step 4: Find the Wind and Aim

Stand together and feel which direction the breeze is coming from. Face into the breeze, then turn about 45 degrees to the right. That’s the direction your child should aim their throw — not straight into the wind, but slightly to the right of it. Aim just above the horizon, not up into the sky.

A simple way to explain it: “Aim at a tree across the oval, not at the clouds.”

On windier days, the Outdoor Superang really comes into its own here. Its wider wingspan handles the breeze beautifully and gives a more dramatic, sweeping return arc that kids absolutely love.

Step 5: The Throw — Spin is Everything

This is the big one. The most important thing to teach a 7-year-old: spin matters more than power. They don’t need to hurl it with all their strength. What they need is a smooth forward throw — like throwing a dart — with a snap of the wrist at the end to put spin on it.

The boomerang should be released nearly vertical (upright), never laid over flat. Flat throws are the number one mistake and will send it straight into the ground.

Break it into three words they can remember: “Dart. Snap. Vertical.”

Let them practise the throwing motion a few times without releasing first. As your child grows stronger and more confident — especially with the Outdoor Superang — they can start putting a bit more power behind it. But even then, a fast spinning wrist snap will always beat brute force.

Step 6: The Catch (The Fun Part!)

If thrown correctly, the OZzie Emu, Icerunner, and Outdoor Superang will return from the left-hand side and hover slightly as they come back in — this hover is what makes foam boomerangs so forgiving for kids.

Teach your child to watch the boomerang all the way around, position themselves underneath it as it comes back, and clap both hands together to catch it — like a sandwich clap. Don’t worry if they miss it early on. That’s half the fun. Chasing a boomerang across an oval is pretty entertaining too.

The Perfect Progression Path — All in One Pack

The Triple the Fun Foam Boomerang 3-Pack has your child’s entire boomerang journey covered:

1.    OZzie Emu (4–6m) — Perfect for first throws. Calm conditions, short distance, maximum fun. Build confidence here before anything else.

2.    OZzie Icerunner (6–8m) — Once they’re getting consistent returns with the Emu, the Icerunner adds more distance and rewards better technique with a clean, satisfying return.

3.    Aussie Outdoor Superang — For the days when there’s a bit of a breeze and your child is ready to throw with real commitment. Wide arc, impressive flight, satisfying return. This is where it starts to feel like a proper sport.

Having all three on hand means you can match the boomerang to your child’s mood, confidence, and the conditions on the day — no second-guessing, no outgrowing their gear too quickly.

Tips for a Great First Session

•      Keep it short. Twenty to thirty minutes is plenty for a 7-year-old. End on a good throw rather than pushing until they’re tired and frustrated.

•      Celebrate every return. Even if they don’t catch it, a boomerang that comes back is a win. Make a big deal of it.

•      Throw together. Take turns with your child. Kids learn faster when they watch someone else do it — and it’s a lot more fun as a shared activity.

•      Let them own it. Give them their own boomerang to hold, carry, and care for. Kids throw better when they feel ownership over their gear.

Ready to Get Started?

Skip the guesswork and grab the Triple the Fun Foam Boomerang 3-Pack for just $69.95 AUD — the OZzie Emu, OZzie Icerunner, and Aussie Outdoor Superang all in one bundle, covering every step of your child’s boomerang journey from first throw to first catch and beyond.

Want to get the whole family involved? The Family Boomerang Pack has something for everyone — from the littlest launcher to Dad showing off on the weekend.

Get outside. Throw it. Watch it come back. You might just find it’s as addictive for you as it is for them. 🪃

Need more help? Head to our Boomerang Instructions page or check out our Boom Videos for step-by-step throwing guides.