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Plaza Bowling Lanes and Pla-Mor Lanes are offering kids ages 1-15 two free games of bowling a day all summer.
CELINA - Guardians looking to diversify their family's activities this summer won't have to look far, as some area bowling alleys are offering free bowling for kids all season.
Plaza Bowling Lanes in Celina and Pla-Mor Lanes in Coldwater are both partnering with Kids Bowl Free, a program in the United States and Canada that allows kids ages 1-15 two free games of bowling a day.
The program offers kids and their parents or guardians an affordable indoor activity that keeps them active and allows for the creation of endless family memories.
"They're moving their bodies (and) learning a sport maybe they haven't really had a lot of exposure to," Plaza Bowling Lanes owner Michelle Huber said. "But, more than anything, it's getting out of the house and just spending time not behind a screen, doing something where you're engaging with other people. Just having that chance to just get out of the house and have a good time, and not have it cost. Everything costs so much right now."
Michelle and her husband Carl Huber spent years taking their daughters to Pla-Mor Lanes for the Kids Bowl Free summer program, so once they bought Plaza Lanes in August 2024, joining the program themselves was a no-brainer.
"We would go several times a week, the girls and I, and then occasionally when he got home, we'd go over and eat and bowl, or whatever," Michelle Huber said. "All of our daughters actually went on to bowl in high school."
Pla-Mor Lanes has been a part of the program for about 10-12 years, owner Rick Hartings said. And over the years, it has proved itself a win-win program for both parents and the business.
Not only do parents get the benefit of a free local activity for their children, but the bowling centers are also able to generate more traffic during their slow months.
"It's a really good deal for the parents to let their kids do free games every day (and) it's a good way to generate traffic in the summertime when we're a little bit slower and have not as many leagues going on," Hartings said. "The big benefit is, and I've seen it firsthand, is kids get introduced to the game, they come in the summertime by themselves or with their parents, and get two free games and they kind of get to like it and it kind of helps our youth program out a little bit. We've noticed the last couple years, our youth program has really skyrocketed to the biggest numbers we've ever seen. We've had over 200 kids this past season bowling in our youth program."
Kids Bowl Free was created in 2007 in Florida, with the mission "to provide an affordable activity that brings families together, encourages active play, and creates lasting memories. With Kids Bowl Free, you can spend quality time with your children, watch them make new friends, and enjoy the excitement of bowling without worrying about the expense," per the program website.
The only expense that families are still on the hook for is shoe rental, which if they don't bring their own bowling shoes, is required by both local alleys.
Shoe rental is $2 at Pla-Mor Lanes, or guardians can buy a summer shoe pass for $19.95 for each child. Shoe rental at Plaza Lanes is $3 or $19.99 for a summer shoe pass for each child.
If guardians want to join in on the fun, family passes are available for purchase on the Kids Bowl Free website. Those passes start from $34.95 and include two games per person per day all season long. The family pass covers between two and four adult family members, depending on the pass. Alleys receive half of the proceeds from the sales of family passes and, of course, any revenue generated from food and drink purchases.
"The family pass is a nice option for the kids that are older than 15 or the mom and dad or the grandparents, (they) can be on a family pass," Hartings said. "But the biggest thing is, they come in and they'll buy a pizza or drinks and they'll still spend more money. So it's really a win-win, for them, the families, and us as well."
The bowling centers pay $700 to be featured on Kids Bowl Free's website, Michelle Huber said. Some alleys can also choose to purchase promotional items to spread the word about the summer event; however, Hartings said it's so popular his business hasn't had to do so recently.
"It's every day. I mean, there's some families that come in every day, (and) the kids that can ride their bikes, there's kids that come in every day. So it's very popular and especially since we've been doing it, as long as we have people know about it," he said. "From May 1st through August 31st, so it's a good four months. Especially when the kids get out of school, it gets a little bit busier because they can do it in the morning, they can still go to the pool in the afternoon (and then) they can still have a little league at night."
The program is offered at Plaza Lanes from June 1 to Aug. 31. The alley is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12-7 p.m. Sunday. The alley is located at 114 E. Forest St., Celina.
Pla-Mor Lanes offers Kids Bowl Free from May 1 to Aug. 31. Hartings suggests kids come in for their free games 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The center is located at 225 E. Hardin St., Coldwater.
Guardians can sign up their children for the program and buy a summer family pass for themselves at KidsBowlFree.com. Shoe rental can be handled at the alleys.
