Bowling Alley Birthday Party Games

Paper Games

• Print bingo cards with bowling-related words such as "pin," "strike," "turkey," "lane," "oil" and "ball." Call out the words and have players mark their cards. The winner is the first player to bingo and yell, ̶0;I love bowling.̶1; Another idea is to print cards with the numbers 1 through 9 mixed in the squares, along with words such as "strike," "gutter" and "spare." As each player bowls, have her mark off her bingo card with the corresponding number or word. The first player to bingo wins the game.

Races

• If there is room for a relay race, divide the players into two teams. Mark a line about 10 to 15 feet from the starting line. Give the first player in each team's line a plastic bowling pin. When you say ̶0;Race,̶1; the players must place the bowling pin between their legs and race to the other line, turn around and race back. When they reach the starting line, they will hand the pin to the next players in line, who will continue the race. The first team in which all players finish the race wins the game. Alternatively, you can have the players hop instead of run -- or go backwards.

Bowling Contests

• Award a prize to the player who earns the highest score in each frame or all the frames. Bowlers also can compete to see who can knock down the most pins when bowling between his legs, on one foot, backwards, with his eyes closed or with both hands. Another idea is to create a crazy bowling contest and have the players bowl a certain way in each frame. For example: In the first frame, players can bowl with both hands; in the next frame, have them bowl with their left hand; and in the third frame, have them bowl with their right hand. Give a prize to the player with the highest score at the end of the game.

Passing Games

• Have the players stand in a circle, then give one of them a plastic bowling pin. Tell the players to pass the pin. Turn your back to the circle and randomly yell, ̶0;Stop.̶1; The player holding the pin when you say ̶0;Stop̶1; is out of the game. The last player remaining wins the game and a prize. Alternatively, divide the players into two teams and have each team stand in a single-file line. Give the first player in each team line a plastic bowling pin. The players must pass the pin down their team line under their necks and chins. They cannot use their hands. The first team to finish wins the game.