This morning when I was going through what #Holidays are happening this month I found out it was National Family Bowling Day. I’ve been bowling most of my life and so has David. Even Suzzane and I would go bowling before she passed away. When Charlie was little I used to take him and his friends bowling thanks to the Kids Bowl Free program.
When we was #Homeschooling Charlie David and I used bowling as part of Charlie’s pe class. When I think about family activities, one of the things I have learned over the years is that you don’t have to leave home or spend a lot of money to have fun with your family. Sometimes the best memories come from the simplest things, and bowling is one of those activities that can bring everyone together.
When Charlie was little, I went to Dollar General and found a little bowling set for five dollars. That five-dollar purchase turned into years of fun in our house! We used it throughout our homeschooling days, and we still have that bowling set today. When my nieces and nephews come over, they drag it out, and before long, everybody is playing bowling again. That is what I love about finding toys and activities that last. You may spend just a few dollars once, but the memories keep coming back year after year.
If you have room inside your house, you can make your own bowling alley. You don’t need fancy equipment or a real bowling lane. Save some empty milk cartons, plastic bottles, or other lightweight containers to use as bowling pins. Set them up at one end of a hallway or in an open room, find a soft ball, and let the family take turns knocking them down.
You can even make a game out of setting up the pins. Let the kids decorate their bowling pins, come up with team names, or keep score on a homemade scoreboard. If you’re homeschooling, this can turn into a fun learning activity, too. You can practice counting, addition, subtraction, taking turns, and keeping track of scores without making it feel like a school lesson.
If you live in a townhome like I do and have a suitable, controlled parking space, you might be able to take the game outside. We have played our little bowling game both inside and outside, which is another reason I love having it around. Just make sure you’re away from moving vehicles, driveways in use, and other hazards, and use lightweight pins and a soft ball.
One of the best things about having a bowling set at home is that you don’t have to wait for perfect weather. When it is raining, cold, or simply one of those days when everybody needs something different to do, you can bring out the bowling pins and start playing.
You don’t need to plan a big outing. You don’t need to buy everybody a ticket. You don’t even need a special occasion. Sometimes all you need is a little open space, a ball, and a few things you already have around the house.
And if you don’t have a bowling set, that is okay. Look around and see what you can safely use. Empty cartons, plastic cups, or lightweight bottles can become bowling pins. The point isn’t to have the fanciest game. The point is to spend time together.
Of course, visiting a real bowling alley can be a wonderful family outing, too. During the summer, some bowling centers participate in Kids Bowl Free programs, which can help families enjoy bowling without paying for every child’s game. The details and eligibility depend on the participating bowling center, so check the program before making plans.
But I always come back to the same thought: family fun doesn’t have to cost money as long as you think outside the box which I’m trying to teach Charlie and David. If going out fits your family’s budget, enjoy it. If staying home works better, make your own bowling alley. Either way, you can laugh together, cheer each other on, and make memories.
For National Family Bowling Day, why not pull out a bowling set you already own or make one from things around the house? Let everybody have a turn, make up silly rules, and don’t worry too much about who wins. Our five-dollar bowling set has lasted through Charlie’s childhood, our homeschooling days, and visits from his cousins. It is still giving us reasons to play together. And to me, that is money well spent.
At GreatfulMoments.com, I believe some of the best family memories aren’t made by spending more money. They’re made when we slow down, put our phones aside, spend time together, and enjoy the little things God has given us. So whether you bowl at home, outside in a safe space, or at your local bowling alley, make today about your family. You might be surprised how much fun you can have with a ball, a few homemade pins, and the people you love.
HOMESCHOOL BOWLING
& PE CLUB
National Family Bowling Day
Make memories, move your body, and have fun together!
1. Meet Your Bowling Team
Team Name:
Team Captain:
Number of Players:
Team Players:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Need more room? Add extra players on the back!
2. Make Your Own Bowling Alley
- Gather 10 empty plastic bottles or lightweight cartons.
- Find a flat, clear space indoors or a safe, controlled outdoor area.
- Arrange your 10 pins in a triangle, with one pin in front, two behind it, then three, then four.
- Use masking tape to mark your throwing line.
- Choose a soft ball and decide where each player will stand.
Supplies: 10 lightweight pins, a soft ball, masking tape, paper, and a pencil.
3. How to Play
- Each player gets two rolls per turn.
- Count how many pins fall after each roll.
- Reset all 10 pins before the next player’s turn.
- Record each player’s score in the chart below.
- Play five rounds. Add each player’s points to find the team total.
- If several teams are playing, compare team totals to find the winner!
Scoring tip: For this homemade version, award one point for every pin knocked down. Each player can earn up to 10 points per round if all 10 pins are knocked down. Keep the same scoring rules for everyone.
4. Bowling Scorecard
| Player | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ||||||
| 2. | ||||||
| 3. | ||||||
| 4. |
Team Total:
Winning Team (if competing):
5. Homeschool PE Learning
What did you practice today? Check all that apply.
□ Aiming
□ Coordination
□ Balance
□ Taking Turns
□ Counting & Math
□ Teamwork
My favorite part of bowling was:
One thing I learned today:
How does your family enjoy bowling? Have you ever made your own bowling alley at home? I’d love to hear about the memories you’ve made together!
GratefulMoment.com
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
