Bowling Party

Bowling Parties are a blast and a great way to celebrate a kid’s birthday.

The excitement of a bowling alley with sounds of balls rolling, pins dropping, and cheers when a “strike” is made gets guests amped the second they enter the party. Plus the sporty atmosphere means built-in decor!

Score big with these Bowling Party ideas from a 3-D bowling ball invitation to an easy bowling lane birthday cake.

3-D Bowling Ball Invitations

Turn a clear plastic fillable ornament ball into a bowling ball as a cool invitation for your bowling party. These balls are Christmas crafter favorites that pull apart into 2 halves so you can fill them with little items like tiny seashells or holiday trinkets. Then you put the halves back together to make a see-through ball ornament with items inside. You can also paint it to resemble a bowling ball!

1. Purchase a plastic fillable ornament ball for each invitation.
2. Open the balls into 2 halves and paint the outsides with acrylic craft paint. On most balls, the rim on one half fits over the rim of the other half, which is how they stay together.  Don’t paint the inside rims or the balls may not fit together or may stick due to the paint.
   Allow balls to dry completely.
3. For some busy moms and dads, painting the balls may be too much so you can simply leave them clear and proceed to the next step.
4. Paint 3 black holes on the ball to look like a bowling ball. You can use a dauber to make this easier or just apply black round stickers.
5. Use thin ribbon to attach a little tag to the ball’s plastic loop that reads “Bowling Party! Open Me Up!”
6. Enclose a note with the party details and put the balls back together. Send through the mail in a small box.

• For paper “write-in” bowling ball invites, click here!

Bowling Party Birthday Cakes

Bowl over guests with these fab cake ideas like an easy bowling lane cake or an edible bowling ball.

Bowling Lane Cake

The bowling lane cake in the photo is from an awesome website called Bowling Delights. Not only do they have step-by-step instructions on how to make the cake, you’ll find a ton of unique bowling items for parties.

Bowling Ball Cake

Wilton has a big chocolate bowling cake that you can make using their 3-D ball mold.

Bowling Ball Candles in Cupcakes

For those who prefer cupcakes, simply insert a bowling ball candle into any cupcake and you’re all set!

Bowling Party Decorations and Supplies

Decorations are pretty much a no-brainer at a bowling party. The bowling alley usually designates a few lanes for the party to take over and will allow minimal decor such as a bouquet of balloons. Show your party spirit with bowling themed party supplies and fun favors that guests can use at the party and then take home.

Bowling Party Decor and Supplies

• Bowling Ball Theme - Bowling ball paper plates and party supplies are super fun and play on the 3-D bowling ball invite.
• Retro Bowling Party in a Box - This retro bowling party kit comes with the basics like plates, napkins, and more along with Mylar balloons, and a birthday candle shaped like a bowling ball and pins.

Popcorn Ball Decorating Kit from The Popcorn Factory!

Bowling Party Favors and Fun

• Pop a bowling pin shaped straw into each guest’s drink.
• Give guests a bowling pen so they can keep score.
• Bowling tattoos are right up this party’s alley.
• Outfit guests with bowling rings and bracelets or a cool rubber wristband embossed with “bowler’s rock.”
• Send everyone home a winner with mini bowling trophies.
• For a total strike, get a Bowling Face Standee Photo Prop where 2 guests can put their faces in the cut out holes and look like giant bowling pins. Take photos and send them along with thank you notes!
• Really have a ball with the kids with The Popcorn Factory’s Popcorn Ball Decorating Kit. This kit provides you with 12 popcorn balls and a palette of decorating candies, which include, but are not limited to, candy corn, licorice, smarties, tootsie rolls, and M&Ms. Fun with popcorn balls goes well with your bowling theme, and it’s a fun (not to mention tasty) activity for kids of all ages.