Think of a classic, family-friendly activity. Did bowling spring to mind? If not, it should. A day spent at the bowling alley is the quintessential family event, and a mainstay of many people’s childhood memories.
Since bowling often includes kids, it can also present some challenges. With differing ability levels and interest levels, kids can be a little bit of a wild card when it comes to a day out with the family.
Fortunately, bowling is popular as a family activity because it is easy and fun to play for just about anyone. In order to achieve a truly enjoyable time while bowling in Houston, you can also try these tips to make it easier for the kids in your life to participate in the game.
Choose a family-friendly time and place.
The first step in enjoying a day of bowling with your kids is to choose a time and a place that will work for your family. Some locations may cater primarily to adults. Some times of day may be populated primarily by adults, bowling leagues, or tournaments. You might not feel comfortable allowing your children to be their loud and happy selves there.
You may also find that certain times of day work better than others for your family. For example, avoid the bowling lane when your child is usually napping or going to bed. Scoring the late night discount on bowling may not be worth dealing with cranky and overtired children.
Taking happy children to a family-friendly location, like iT’Z, is the way to go. Then, you can relax and let your children embrace the fun without worrying about whether or not you are disturbing anybody. Happy kids and relaxed parents are the perfect way to start a day of bowling in Houston.
Select lighter bowling balls for the kids.
Bowling balls can take some getting used to. They can be a bit awkward to hold, and difficult to send down the lane with accuracy. For a child, they can be downright impossible to handle. Handing your child an extremely heavy bowling ball is a recipe for disaster and grumpy children.
Avoid potential frustration by choosing the right-sized bowling ball for your kids before you start playing. The bowling alley you choose should carry bowling balls for almost any age or ability level. You can have your child try different weights until they find the one that is easiest for them to handle. With the right bowling ball in hand, your children will be empowered to play the game and will be ready to enjoy their time at the bowling alley.
Be willing to bend the rules while bowling in Houston with kids.
One of the joys of doing something with your child is teaching them how to do it well. Hopefully, you will eventually teach your child the ins and outs of bowling. However, bowling isn’t always easy for children. Holding the ball by the finger holes, adopting the right stride and posture to release the ball, and avoiding the gutters can be physically difficult for kids. Add in the complexities of scoring, and insisting on a pure game might just lead to frustration.
Instead, try bending the rules a little bit to make the game more fun. Maybe your child can roll the ball with both hands. Maybe a ball ramp will help them score some points in order to boost their confidence. Ask for a bumper guard to keep the ball on the lane and give your child a chance to score. Introducing the right rules and strategies a little bit at a time as your kids grow can help them learn the game while keeping it accessible and fun in the meantime.
Stop playing when your kids are done.
Depending on the ages of your kids, you may not be able to commit to a day on the bowling lanes. Smaller children may only be able to handle a single game before they grow tired or distracted. Older children may enjoy 2 or 3 games before they are ready for something else.
In order to make the most of your time bowling in Houston, you may want to allow your kids to tell you when they are finished bowling. When boredom or fatigue set in, you can choose to do something else, like eat, move on to other activities, or head on home to enjoy bowling another day.
Here at iT’Z, we offer many opportunities for fun that go beyond bowling. When your kids are tired of the bowling lanes, you can move on to other activities, like bumper cars or rides, without ever having to leave the building. That means more fun for longer than if you went to a more traditional bowling alley.
Don’t forget to feed the kids.
As a parent, you already know: Kids like to eat. Regularly. Don’t forget this basic rule when you go bowling as a family. After a game or two on the lanes, your children might begin to suffer from the hungry horrors.
Stave off meltdowns and ensure peace in the family by grabbing a bite to eat during your outing. Here at iT’Z, we offer a full buffet overflowing with fresh pizza, pasta, potatoes, salads, and soups so everyone in your family can find something they enjoy. Pause your bowling, fill up on good food, and tackle the lanes (or any of our fun activities) with renewed energy and gusto.
Bowling in Houston can be a fun family experience. Choose a family-friendly location and time. Choose bowling balls that your kids can handle. Don’t be afraid to bend the rules a little bit. Keep your visit short. Feed the kids, and keep it fun.
Here at iT’Z, we offer family-friendly bowling as well as lots of other activities geared toward kids and adults. Play laser tag; enjoy our arcade; climb our indoor rock climbing wall, and more (attractions vary by location). Enjoy a buffet of fresh and delicious food, and don’t forget to come back for lots of family bowling and fun.
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