Hello MaMas;
I am thinking of throwing my daugther's five year old birthday party at a bowling alley in our town (they have a kids' birthday package). The kids to be invited are her pre-K classmates (some still 4 years old; some already 5 years old). Has anyone have experience having a kids' birthday party at a bowling place? Are 4~5 years old kids still too young to have fun with bowling?
Thanks In Advance,
They bumper bowl! Bumpers are put in the gutters. It’s fun. They will love it.
Bowling may be daunting to some at that age that have never been I don’t see a problem with it. As long as the lanes have bumpers and they have the ball guides for the kids to use they should have a lot of fun. My kids loved to go bowling with us from the time they were 2 or so.
Yes, it’s super fun! We take both my kids bowling (5 and 3) and they love it! We did attend a bowling party a year or so ago and it was great, all the kids were about that age.
Bumpers are a must though. Some alleys have ramps that are used for handicapped people to bowl but sometimes they allow kids to use them, it just depends upon the facility.
I will say though that you need to have plenty of adults around to help. They get distracted easily, climb all over the ball holders, run around, etc. Plus, some kids might need help, even with the bumpers.
Great activity. There are leagues for kids as young as 4.
My son is five and he and his friends have been bowling since they were 3 or so. Everyone likes it! And the bowling alleys are usually really good with the parties so you get to have fun, too. Enjoy!
My kids started bowling when they were three, they have been to dozens of bowling parties, and have had their birthdays at the bowling alley. I would recommend 5 pin if you have it, but 10 pin is good too. Have them put the bumpers up.
Bumpers and ball guides (like a ramp) and they’ll love it.
Just station an adult to help them heave the balls onto the ball guides.
Or-- Can you find an alley that has duck pins?
My son (4) just attended a party at a bowling alley for another 4 year-old. They all loved it and that’s what my son wants to do when he turns 5! I think the ramp others mentioned, in addition to the bumpers, really helped. There was no scoring; just lots of taking turns and bowling. It was a two-hour party, and my son bowled the whole time with the exception of the cake and pizza time!
My daughter’s preschool class went for a field trip to a bowling alley last year, so they were all those ages (some 4, some just turned 5). They just had the bumpers up and the kids had a blast - they didn’t even care what the scores were! I bet they would have a great time! It helps though to have plenty of parents and other adults to supervise, so consider inviting the parents too - and if they want to bowl themselves, they have the option of paying for themselves.
My son started bowling at 3. So no not too young.
Yes, they are not even going to be big enough to pick up the ball and throw it. Before wasting money on this check to see if they have the metal guide they put up for handicapped people. The ball sits on top then you push it down. The thing has a ramp of sorts the ball rolls down and by moving it one way or the other you can guide the balls aim. Another thing they “might” have is bumpers for that lane. If they do the kids have a better chance of making the ball hit something and enjoying the game.
One thing that always spoiled it for me was having to constantly stay on top of the kids to stay off the actual lane, it’s super slick and they can fall and crack their head or hiney.
No. My daughter just turned 5 and scores higher than me! There is also a bowling assist bar thing that they can roll the ball down and get a good feel for how it should work.
It is a great age! My son and two of his friends each had bowling parties last year when they turned five. Another friend did it when she turned four. They all LOVED it. Use bumpers so they don’t get gutter balls and they’ll be great. Some alleys also have ramps they can roll the ball down so it picks up enough speed to make it all the way down to the pins.
Book the party and have fun!
I personally think it’s a great age!!!
Most, if not all, bowling alleys have moveable racks to allow the child to roll the ball down the alley and they ALL have bumpers to avoid gutter balls!!
HAVE FUN!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Agree with everyone on the bumpers or ramps if available and that this age is fine. The only thing I recommend is taking a look at the number of kids per lane. My son went to one and the kids didn’t like having to wait so long for their next turn. If I ever do it I might look at limiting it to 2 or 3 per lane vs 4 or 5. Half the kids lost patience and went over to tinker with the video games and stuff. Just a suggestion…they were all boys too so that could make a difference.
We did a bowling party for my daughter’s 7th last year. Of course you have to do the bumpers, etc. Some of the kids (all girls) were into it (the ones that could handle the heavy balls) and some just weren’t (those that couldn’t, which was most). The girls just kind of ran around, giggling for the most part and didn’t pay too much attention to bowling. The dads sure had fun, though! haha
Perfect age group! Have fun!
Good question. I, for one, would wait till they get a little older. BUT, if your daughter likes bowling, go for it. The kids would have fun. But, keep in mind, as you know, little ones like to run around and might be a little challenging keeping them in your assigned area. I know it was kinda challenging keeping my 4 year old in our area of bowling and she did loose interest after a while and wanted to run. (but my girl always been on the move) So, maybe, 4-5 year old may be just a tad bit too young to go bowling…)