If you are looking for a fun way to spend some time with your family that is not weather dependent, gets them up and moving and also challenges both their minds and body, then ten pin bowling may be just the activity you are looking for. With many centres scattered over numerous locations in Brisbane and surrounds, the alleys you will find today may still follow the same rules and layout of those of your own childhood but the centres themselves now have so many other things on offer to keep kids entertained.
Why Ten Pin Bowling?
More to the point, why not? Ten pin bowling is not your typical Aussie sport and, for this reason, is a unique activity that will easily gain the attention of your entire family. Catering for all ages, kids can have just as much fun as teens or adults and with some centres offering arcade games or laser tag on the side it doesn’t need to be a quick two game turnaround either before you all head home.
On top of the physical aspect, ten pin bowling works on coordination and also provides kids with a hidden lesson in maths as well. Although the computers keep tally of the score, kids will need to work out how many pins they still need to knock down in order to calculate their score or catch up/stay ahead of their other team players.
It is also the perfect way to escape the weather on a rainy or exceptionally hot day!
Facilities for Children
Ten pin bowling centres around Brisbane actually cater extremely well for the smallest members of your family; whether that is with balls that come in different sizes (6lb is the smallest), ramps that children can use to roll their ball directly down the alley, or bumpers along the sides that mean a dreaded gutter ball is rendered impossible. If you let the staff know before you bowl which names are those of children in the team these bumpers will automatically lift when it is their turn to play.
Some centres also offer special ‘learn to bowl’ sessions that are designed for children and will provide them with the basic skills that are needed to improve their game. It’s worth asking the centre near you if they have any special classes for kids if it looks like they are keen to play often.
Things to Know
Nearly all ten pin bowling centres offer great specials, deals, or discounts on bowling via their websites, so it is a good idea to do a little research before you head out to make the day as budget-friendly as possible. There are regular deals on sites like Groupon (affiliate link) for bowling as well.
A fashion statement of their own, ‘trendy’ bowling shoes are generally included in the cost of your game. Toddler size 5/6 is usually the smallest available and these are a necessity to play. If you want socks and have forgotten your own, you can usually purchase some from the centres too.
Most alleys are set up for up to 6 people per game. If you have a group larger than this, then it would be a good idea to call ahead and book so that you can be guaranteed two lanes that are side-by-side.
Kids’ parties are catered for at all ten pin bowling centres and are a fantastic idea if you have a little one who is due to celebrate their special day. Just call the centre nearest to you to find out more details.
Ten pin bowling alleys all cater for those with disabilities too. Direct wheelchair access to the lanes, ramps for easy release of the balls and light-weight balls all help to make this game super inclusive for all.
Ten Pin Bowling Venues in Brisbane
Aspley 10 Pin Bowl
Aspley
Aspley 10 Pin Bowl is a hugely popular choice for families, due to its great prices and numerous deals. Here, adults can play for $12.70 and kids are only $10 per game. The more games you play the cheaper it gets too (additional games are only $5 each)! It is definitely a good idea to visit the Aspley Ten Pin Bowl website before you head in, as the centre offers plenty of great deals at certain times of the week as well as some special food and play packages that are worth checking out.
If you want to have a party at Aspley 10 Pin Bowl, then all the details you need to know can be found here.
Caboolture Bowl and Mini Golf
Caboolture
For something a little different, why not head out for a drive to Caboolture and combine your ten pin bowling with your golf? Along with 18 ten pin bowling lanes, Caboolture Bowl and Mini Golf also has a 9 hole mini golf course, amusement machines and laser tag to enjoy. If you are after some fantastic deals, then you would be crazy not to check out the discount section on their website before going. Here, you will find an array of specials for families, as well as golf and bowl packs. There are also vouchers for their cafe and information on birthday parties too.
Caboolture Bowl and Mini Golf also offer an 8-week junior program, specifically designed for school-aged children, that is aimed at teaching them the fundamentals of the sport. Called Bowl Patrol, you can find out everything you need to know here.
Kingpin
Chermside
A large chain in both Australia and New Zealand, the Brisbane Kingpin venue is based in Chermside and is well worth the drive from town if you are after a full day (or more) of fun. Kingpin promotes themselves as the full package of entertainment and, with bowling, arcades, laser tag, escape rooms, karaoke and table tennis all available, it’s not hard to see why. Along with the party lighting and music, there is also a bar and a quality menu that boasts more than just your average cafe offerings. You can buy packages online and combine them with their arcade games downstairs if this is something you are interested in.
Strike Bowling
Brisbane City
Based in the heart of Brisbane City, Strike Bowling is so much more than just your average ten pin bowling alley. Home to 12 bowling lanes, an amazing laser tag arena, pool tables, private karaoke rooms and three exciting escape rooms, there is actually almost too much here for just one day. The bowling alley is awash in neon lights and catchy music and food and drinks are available via lane-service – there is little else left to worry about except getting that elusive strike!
Bowling at Strike costs $40 for a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children, 1 adult + 3 children, or 4 children) if playing a game before 4pm. You can book a lane from 10am until late 7 days a week! Strike Wintergarden also has a bar, so, due to liquor licencing rules, no children are allowed in after 8pm at night.
Zone Bowling (formerly AMF)
Capalaba, Garden City, Loganholme, Mt Gravatt & Richlands
Zone Bowling is one of the biggest chains in Australia, with Queensland centres in several Brisbane locations. Like Strike, bowling is not the only activity on offer, with the family also able to book in and play laser tag or arcade games as well. Zone Bowling has plenty of packages and deals on offer, so definitely check out their website before going. School holidays in particular always feature offers that include food, multi-games, laser tag and shoe hire deals that are well worth the price.
So, next time you are looking for something different to do, an activity that is for the whole family and that is guaranteed to be both fun and competitive (in a good way!) then why not check out one of the ten pin bowling centres listed above. Just be sure to look on their sites for deals first and pack your socks! Happy bowling.
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