Bowling Party

You will score all kinds of points when you plan for a day of bowling fun!

Invitations

Send invitations in the shape of a bowling pin:
"We're striking up some excitement for ____'s Birthday. We hope you'll come in your 'spare time' for some bowling fun!"

Decorations

A basic white table cloth to cover the table. Make a centerpiece with a balloon bouquet tied a plastic bowling pin. Use construction paper to make pins and bowling ball decorations on the walls or buy ready-made decorations if you are having the party at your house. If you are going to a bowling alley, the paper goods and decorations are usually included in the cost of the party. Make sure you ask if the bowling alley will supply all paper goods, even plates and forks for the cake.

Food

Let the little bowlers create their own personal pizzas on English muffins. You'll need a jar of spaghetti sauce, shredded cheese, and pepperoni to keep it simple. Other food favorites include hot dogs, popcorn and nachos. Root beer in icy mugs will top off the day!

Games and Activities

For younger Kids:

Home-made Bowling Alley
You can create your own bowling alley at home for those too young to lift the heavy balls at an alley. Fill 2 liter soda bottles with white or colored tissue paper (cut a small slit in the side if you have trouble loading the paper from the top). You have now created your bowling "pins" for your game. Place masking tape x's on the floor where the pins should be placed so the little bowlers can reset their own pins. Using a small plastic or other play ball, have the kids try to knock down the pins. Awards can be given for the most pins knocked down, the least pins knocked down, first strike, first spare, the first "red" pin knocked down, etc... You can also easily turn these "bowling pins" into loot bags by adding party favors to the pins.

Bowling Ball -Cookies
Entertain the little bowlers by having them decorate their own "bowling ball cookies". Have the kids decorate sugar cookies with chocolate icing. Use sweetarts for the "holes".

Pin the Ball on the Pins
A variation of the pin the tail on the donkey game. Cut out 10 bowling pins from white construction paper, drawing a red stripe around the neck of the pin with a magic marker. Add a gold star to one of the pins. Have each guest decorate a round piece of construction paper for their "ball". Place a piece of tape on each ball. One at a time, blind-folded guests will try to place their "bowling ball" closest to the pin with the gold star

Spin the Pin
Place the birthday gifts in a circle have the birthday boy/girl spin a bowling pin in the center of the circle. The birthday boy/girl will open the present that the pin points to. A great way to spare the little one's feelings when it comes to whose present will be opened first!

Party at a Bowling Alley

Arrive at the bowling alley about 30 minutes before your party is actually set to begin to meet your hostess and finalize last minute details. Will you want bumpers? How many pitchers of soda will be provided? What kinds of soda do you want? When will the pizza arrive, Etc.

Have your guests arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the party as it will take some time to fit guests with bowling shoes and pick out a ball. Most alleys try to start and finish the parties right on time so having kids outfitted ahead of time will give you the most bowling time.

Many alleys will supply almost everything for your party, including food, drinks, table cover and cake. Even so, you will may still need to bring a cake knife, candles, party bags (if they aren't included by the bowling alley). Give each child a glow necklace to really add to the effect!

Favors
Tattoos, stickers, candy, and sports-shaped notepads make good party favors for this theme.

Resources for this Theme:

Oriental Trading Company, Inc.

Great prices on children's party favors, decorations, lighting and more!

Party Store
Birthday Express has decorations, piñatas, favors...everything you'll need with hundreds of kid's birthday party themes.

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