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Bowling Party

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Introduction

Who loves bowling?! Of course, you do and that's probably why you are looking for some tips to help you organize the best bowling party ever, right? Well, below you'll find them and a bit more. But before we start, just a little background info on the sport of bowling...

 

If you though bowling is an entirely new sport, then think again! Bowling is old, very old, with some scientists believing that a variation of the sport was practiced in Egypt almost 5200 years ago! This claim came from a grave discovered by Sir Flinders Petrie - a British anthropologist who was in Egypt at the time. The grave was said to contain the corpse of a small boy as well as some of his toys which included a set of balls and pins.

 

This as a claim regarding the origins of bowling is however not shared by anyone. Some people believe the game is more recent: written accounts from Britain maintain that bowling was already practiced there in the 14th century and that King Henry VIII himself was quite the avid bowler... with cannon balls.

 

And then of course there are those who believe that the game, in fact, originated in Germany from a game called "Kegelspiel", which was played with only nine pins. When the game came to America, the rules were soon adapted and an extra pin was added to create the ten pin bowling we all know and love today.

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Bowling Party Invitations

For your ultimate bowling party you would of course need the ultimate guests. As such only the best invitations will do. Below you'll find a couple of ideas which you can use at your own will. If you need any of the items of the materials required, ask your parents to help you acquire them. And remember, be sure to include the following details in your invitation:

  • Party Name: Think of a very cool name for your party that will capture your guests' attention. An example would be “Malcolm's Ten Pin Fest”

  • Salutation

  • Date & Time

  • Venue/Location

  • Dress Code

  • Contact Details

  • Additional information…

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Bowling T-Shirt

For this invitation you will need to get your hands on a couple of plain color t-shirts of your choice. You will also need some paint suitable for application on material and some glitter as well. As said before, if you need any of these, ask your parents to help you get them.

 

What you will need to do is have two designs, one for the front and one for the back. Think of a ball and bowling pins with your party name on the front and the rest of the details on the back. Now, once you have your design, trace it with a pencil first and then start decorating with the paint, glitter, etc.

 

Remember to put an old newspaper in the shirt when painting so that the paint won't bleed through to the other side (also be careful that the ink doesn't smudge onto your t-shirt).

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Bowling Key Chain

Everyone needs a key chain to keep all their keys together. And if they love bowling as well, why not get them a bowling key chain? These are inexpensive and widely available from local retailers or from the internet. In addition to the key chains you will also want to get some invitations which you can make yourself or buy in a store. For all practical purposes, these needn't be too large.

 

Once you have all the key chains and all the invitations for each of the friends you want to invite, simply use a hole punch to create a single hole at the corner of the card and attach the key chain to the card.

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Bowling Certificate

This is a cheap and very cool invitation to make that will ensure that all your guests feel like champions. And you'll only need a computer, a printer and the appropriate paper.

 

Now what you will want to do is get a template for a certificate on your computer. If you don't have one, simply do a search on the internet. When you have your bowling certificate template, change some of the words on the template to coincide with your invitation. Here's an example:

 

Certificate of Achievement

In recognition of bowling excellence, you, _______, are herewith cordially invited to Malcolm Jones' Ten Pin Fest.

Date & Time: Sunday, April 1st at 17:00

Venue: Malcolm's House

Dress Code: Strictly Bowling

Contact: 555-5551

Please Note: Bring a sleeping bag.

 

Awarded On __/__/__

 

 

Signed

Malcolm Jones

_____________

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Bowling Party Dress Code

As said in the invitation above, it will be “Strictly Bowling”. Of course this depends on you as you can also ask your friends to come in their normal “Play Clothes”.

Bowling Party Decorations

If you are not having your bowling party at a bowling alley, then you might require some additional decoration for that bowling alley feel. Here are a couple of ideas for decorations. If you need any of them, just ask your parents if they would mind buying them in the appropriate retail store in your area or on the internet.

  • Actual Bowling pins

  • Bowling Balls

  • Cardboard bowling pins and balls of various sizes to put on the walls

  • Bowling ball balloons (balloons with three white dots on them)

  • Bowling cups & plates

  • Bowling Scoreboard

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Bowling Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

You don't need to be fancy here as a simple “Hello, thank you for coming!” would do. Alternatively, ask one of your parents to dress up as a TV anchor and conduct a short interview with your guests as they arrive while someone else is holding the camera. This will make an excellent party favor!

Bowling Party Favors

Here are a couple of ideas for bowling party favors. If you need any of them, just ask your parents to buy them for you.

  • Bowling key chains

  • Bowling shirts

  • Miniature bowling sets

  • Bowling pins

  • Bowling ball care products

  • Bowling bags

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Bowling Party Activities

Bowling

Yep, just normal bowling, but what fun would a bowling party be if there wasn't at least just one game of normal competition bowling where you and your friends can compete against each other? To make it more worth while, ask your parents to buy a special prize for the team that comes first.

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Weird Bowling

Do you think you are a good bowler? Well, in this game you will be testing your bowling skills against those of your friends.

 

Ask each of your friends to bring five very weird round items (that can roll and can't damage) along to the party. Think in terms of melons, tennis balls, football balls, etc. On the day of the party, set up the pins and get ready for a normal game of bowling, with some abnormal items.

 

Again, ask your parents to award a prize to the team that wins.

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Catch the Ball!

If you don't have a bowling ball or any bowling pins, then you needn't worry as you still have your friends. And in saying that, why not use them as the bowling ball as well as the pins? But there's a twist... the pins have to catch the ball!

 

Here's how to play the game:

 

There has to be a starting line that can be marked off using any old item. The point of this starting line is that it is a 'safe' line for the person who will be the ball and is also a line that can't be crossed by those people playing the pins.

 

Now, one person, the bowler, has to give the ball a shove in the direction of the pins. The ball has to get past the human pins without getting caught and roll a ball into a net on the other side.

 

Just note that the bowler has to help his ball get past the pins by giving him a couple of tips to get past the pins.

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Funky Space Bowling

Here's what you'll need for this game: A couple of large inflatable and very light beach balls.

 

Now, this is a normal game of bowling with the slight difference that you and your guests may not use your hands or your feet to get the large beach balls to the pins. In addition, no one is allowed closer than 5 feet to the pins.

 

This is a game that will give the whole body some excellent exercise as well as the brain.

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Food & Drink

Like all professional sportsmen, bowlers have to take a little bit of care of their bodies and stay in good shape. As such, they only eat the right foods and get plenty of water into their system. But seeing as your metabolisms are still very good, you'll be able to get away with it for just this once. Here are a couple of ideas:

  • Bowling Ball Cake

  • Bowling Pin Cake

  • Sandwiches

  • Peanuts

  • Chips & Dip

  • Tacos

  • Popcorn

  • Hamburgers

  • Hot dogs

  • Pizza


And as for drinks, any of the following will do:

 

  • Sports drinks

  • Soft drinks

  • Fruit punch

  • Water

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