Bowling with Preschoolers

[newtodaycare22]

I'm taking my kids on a bowling field trip tomorrow (as a celebration to send my oldest off to kindergarten). The bunch going are all about to be 4 or 5 year olds. Things I've considered...

1. They are bringing socks!
2. The place has shoes small enough for them-I checked.
3. I'm going to bring some bowling coloring sheet in case they get bored in between having a turn to bowl.

Any other suggestions of things that I'm not anticipating when bowling with little ones?::

[mismatchedsocks]

I take all my kids ages 2 and up bowling once or twice in summer. They have a metal thing that kids put the ball on it, and it rolls it down the hill and down the lane in case they cant carry and throw ball. Check and see if that bowling alley has it. I have all my kids but one at a time sit at the tables and cheer on their friends. Good idea with the coloring sheets!

Watch for smushed fingers....which is why I recommend one kid at a time. Good luck, have fun!

[SilverSabre25]

lane bumpers = up

establish from the start that there is no ball ownership-- everyone shares

consider two lanes side-by-side so there are twice as many bowling opportunities

don't force someone to take a turn if they don't want to--just bowl for them and get it over with

are you bringing an extra person? it'd be a good idea

[Sugar Magnolia]

When I saw the subject line, I couldn't help but think:

Oh no! Its not nice to throw small children down an oiled wood floor and knock pins down with their heads!

I made a funny! ::

That sounds like a WONDERFUL idea, and I'm sure they won't be bored waiting turns! I took a small group of my son's friends bowling when he turned 5 and they loved watching how each other did! What a totally awesome field trip! Have a super time! it will be so fun! Good luck!!!!! .

[erinalexmom]

Only bowl one game, believe me it will be long enough! :: I had a staff member at the bowling alley tell me that when I went with my own little kids and it was the truth you never in yoru life could understand how long that game can take. One game was fun, but they would have been soooo bored with 2 games.

[Abigail]

You should have a friend come with because what if someone needs to go the bathroom?! What if they get hungry/thirty....will you be serving pizza and pop or are you able to bring small water bottles when you take a "break" so they don't spill or get wild with water in the area?

Remember the crayons, camera, and any type of FREE advertising you can do like t-shirts and bring business cards! You're in public and people are watching. Put a sticker on your car while you're out too!

[newtodaycare22]

Thanks for the help guys. Things went well The worst thing was that the cafe took 35 minutes to make food!!!

FYI: AMF places are running a summer special through labor day. Kids bowl free if you pay for shoes (My local place was 4.81 for shoes). They also have 2.99 kid meal specials so each kid only had to pay 8.00.

[Zoe]

You've inspired me! Our local bowling alley is having a special of $1 a game and $1 shoes so we're going on Tuesday! The only issue is the alley opens at noon, so it would REALLY cut into our quiet time. But if I give my 1 napper an early nap, we can probably do it.

[newtodaycare22]

You've inspired me! Our local bowling alley is having a special of $1 a game and $1 shoes so we're going on Tuesday! The only issue is the alley opens at noon, so it would REALLY cut into our quiet time. But if I give my 1 napper an early nap, we can probably do it.

Geez, your deal is better than mine. Our alley opened at 10 though. How old are your kids? I took 6 kids-three 3 year olds (turning 4 next month), one 4 year old, one 5 year old, and one 6 year old. Two of the kids bowled all 10 frames. Most made it through 5 frames before the interest turned to lunch. They loved it though (and bringing bowling color sheets was helpful for my impatient ones!)

[mismatchedsocks]

Here we have kids get 2 games of free bowling a day, and with the little ones they actually wore socks, no shoes, or their own shoes since they didnt have any shoes that fit them. Thats a pretty good deal here!

Glad it went well!

[newtodaycare22]

Here we have kids get 2 games of free bowling a day, and with the little ones they actually wore socks, no shoes, or their own shoes since they didnt have any shoes that fit them. Thats a pretty good deal here!

Glad it went well!

Yea, mine were offered 2 games but we didn't make it that long My bowling alley started at size 6 shoes but my smallest 3 year old wears a 9.

[Zoe]

My kids are 3 and 5, as are the 2 girls I have right now. If I can get the 3 yo dcg to take a morning nap, I think I'll be fine. And I absolutely love the idea of bringing along coloring sheets.