Cheapskate Bowling For Kids

Kids Bowl Free At Home
by Hannah Walton aka The Cheapskate Mom

I absolutely love bowling – it’s exciting, competitive, builds confidence and dexterity – and it’s also expensive , especially in this economic climate. One thing I’ve learned from living on a cheapskate’s budget it : Think Outside The Box, or in this case – Think Outside The Alley. Who says your kids can’t enjoy a fun afternoon bowling? I suggest you get a group together and come with their favorite things about going to the bowling alley – do they love the funny shoes – the music – the concessions ?

The Atmosphere
Let your kids pick their favorite tunes and turn them up! If you are bowling indoors and have a lava lamp or any fun party lights – set them up and turn down the lights!  Set up chairs bowling alley style with a little concession table! Put out some fun snacks like bags of popcorn.

The Shoes
If you are lucky enough to have old white keds and markers – you’ve got an absolutely wonderful craft : have the kids make their own bowling shoes! So much fun and you can keep them for next time you set up your cheapskate bowling alley. If you don’t have shoes – a pair of white socks and markers will do just fine for indoor bowling !

The Lane
Do you have a strip of old carpet or a carpet runner? Or streamers? A folded sheet? A bunch of towels? You can make a bowling lane out of anything! Have fun with it and get the kids involved.

The Pins
Jill over at Meet the Dubiens created an absolutely stunning bowling set from plastic bottles , water and paint. She bought the ball at the dollar store especially, but really you can get away with any ball that will do the trick! Check out her awesome project and tutorial here!