bowling alley birthday party [Archive]

RCT

07-07-2006, 07:19 PM

ok I need your advice on Goody bags

Bowling Favor Boxes
Each box includes a candy gumball machine (4½"), glitter ball, glow stick, crayons, bowling coloring poster, bowling pin keychain and sticker sheet.

is this standard? I booked the party at the local lanes, they will bowl for an hour then have Pizza and cake....easy and fun.

DD is so excited.

Leigh

07-07-2006, 07:29 PM

That sounds like a great bag to me, but I am sure some of the other party planners on here will be able to let you know for sure!

AnnW

07-07-2006, 07:48 PM

well, you know me and my hatred of party favors! i think it looks great!
bowling parties are fun. make sure they have the bumpers.

littlesista06

07-07-2006, 08:05 PM

MaryL

07-07-2006, 08:13 PM

At the bowling alley here, the birthday kid is given a real bowling pin (with the name of the place on it, of course). The birthday guests are encouraged to sign the pin...and the bday kid brings it home.

I am also not a huge fan of "goodie bags". Usually, (no offense to your items) it's a bunch of cheap "junk". I typically didn't give our goodie bags, orI would give out one "larger" item. One year we gave each guest one of the helium (mylar) balloons that were used to decorate for the party!

Diane

07-07-2006, 08:14 PM

It sounds good to me... I hope she has a great time.

angie r

07-07-2006, 10:19 PM

I love goodie bags! It sounds like you've got plenty of neat things already. I love bowling parties.

RCT

07-07-2006, 11:41 PM

Oh I've wanted to do a bowling party; maybe dd's next b'day. Let me know how yours goes, Renee!!

Here's a link to some cute ideas. I really like the t-shirt! That would be about all I did I think.
http://familyfun.go.com/parties/birthday/feature/famf0304-bowling-party/

I can do just a cute give away for about the same price as a goody bag..

http://www.bowlingdelights.com/prod_images_large/04121.jpg

The birthday gal gets a pin and is encouraged to have it signed by the party guest, we will also have the bumpers down. I ordered a cute bowling cake from our Albertsons, I think it will be fun.

Diane

07-07-2006, 11:42 PM

I myself may not have always been real big on goodie bags... but I know every time we had a birthday party for the kids, their friends always seemed to look forward to them, cheap toys and all. LOL I'm sure the kids attending your dd's party will love what you've included in theiir's. Let us know how the party goes.

AnnW

07-08-2006, 05:48 AM

I love that plush toy!!!! How old is she going to be again?

AnnW

07-08-2006, 06:28 AM

oh...do this!!!!!!!!! you can have each girl's name put on it!!!!!!
http://www.crownawards.com/StoreFront/DGBL.ALL.Medals.Bowling.prod

how about something like this
http://www.birthdayexpress.com/bexpress/Product.asp?SKU=E5283

you could write each child's name on it with glitter pen. and fill it with candy if you want.

shoot, i might even do something like this!
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11090

you could get the shirts cheap at some place like Michaels or Hobby Lobby

MaryL

07-08-2006, 08:09 AM

I can do just a cute give away for about the same price as a goody bag..

http://www.bowlingdelights.com/prod_images_large/04121.jpg

I LOVE this!!!!! Very cool!!!!!!!!!!! :thumb:

Diane

07-08-2006, 10:37 AM

I can do just a cute give away for about the same price as a goody bag..

http://www.bowlingdelights.com/prod_images_large/04121.jpg

The birthday gal gets a pin and is encouraged to have it signed by the party guest, we will also have the bumpers down. I ordered a cute bowling cake from our Albertsons, I think it will be fun.

Oh... I absolutely L:heart:VE this... it's so cute!!! Let us know what you decide to do. :)

RCT

07-08-2006, 11:26 AM

My Baby is turing 9 I still have a hard time with that....

I am leaning toward the plush toy too.

Great links Ann.

littlesista06

07-08-2006, 08:03 PM

shoot, i might even do something like this!
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11090

you could get the shirts cheap at some place like Michaels or Hobby Lobby

were you skimming ann? :newwink: :newwink: that was in the link i posted earlier. :lol:

littlesista06

07-08-2006, 08:08 PM

how about something like this
http://www.birthdayexpress.com/bexpress/Product.asp?SKU=E5283

you could write each child's name on it with glitter pen. and fill it with candy if you want.

THIS is my favorite of all the ideas!

AnnW

07-08-2006, 08:19 PM

were you skimming ann? :newwink: :newwink: that was in the link i posted earlier. :lol:

was it really? i have been having trouble getting links to go thru so i didn't even bother!
wow..great minds!

RCT

07-08-2006, 11:18 PM

LOL I ordered 8 of the sippy pins.... I loved this idea Jenn, Ann...whoever.....
its much better than the stuffed toy, I am so over stuffed anythings......:lol:
And it has been my experience that goodie bags end up in someones garbage can.

She is going to love the party, all her idea bowling, and I love that its easy

AnnW

07-09-2006, 08:00 AM

And it has been my experience that goodie bags end up in someones garbage can.

that's why i hate them! you worry about them, obsess about them and then they just get thrown away!!

RCT

07-09-2006, 10:51 AM

I totally hear that. This will be great!

Diane

07-09-2006, 11:58 AM

It sounds like a good time will be had by all. :)

Leigh

07-09-2006, 12:39 PM

I think it will be fun... if I were closer, I would try to join you. I hope your dd and her friends have fun.

Melody

07-09-2006, 02:18 PM

We have done bowling parties for the kids a couple of times and it's great. The alley took care of everything, cake, food, decor, loot bags.
I like doing the loot bags but hate when my kids get them. LOL They usually are little toys that are annoying and end up being tossed. In the last couple of years I have taken to just getting one neat item that replaces the loot bag or a couple of things as part of the theme. I would rather give a sand bucket and beach ball than spend 3 times the amount of money on tiny toys that myself would throw away. I love the bowling pin sippy cup, great idea! Have a great party Renee.

RCT

07-13-2006, 10:28 PM

so the bowling pin water bottles arrived today...THEY ARE SO ADORABLE. I bought snack size Hersey minitures to fill them with....Almost all our guest have rsvped yes, I have lots of family coming too....should be a great time, we ordered more food and another lane, so three lanes total....DD was so please with the water bottles....I still can't believe she will be 9 Sunday

Diane

07-13-2006, 11:05 PM

Sounds like your party for her is going to be a great success. I can't believe your dd is going to be 9 already either. I remember when she was just a wee little one. LOL You're going to have to let us know how the party goes.

KarlaB

07-14-2006, 08:31 PM

Love the bowling pin bottles and filling them!! What a neat idea!!

I usually do goodie bags for parties, but try to avoid cheapie stuff and shop clearance aisles ahead of time. This yr for ds's party at the baseball game I skipped goodie bags for the first time and no one seemed to mind. LOL

RCT

07-16-2006, 06:54 PM

Diane

07-16-2006, 07:05 PM

And it was a great sucess, only one child didn't show.
DH and I felt really good about the day.....all the kids had a great time, the water bottle pins were a hit, the staff at the alley wanted to know where I got them and if they were expensive....

DD got a 106 and was thilled....8 kids 5 adults it was perfect.

Thanks for all the input.....

I'm so glad to hear that the party was a great success, and that everyone loved the water bottles... including the staff at the bowling alley. :) As good as it was though, I'll bet you're happy it's over with. LOL

Diane...

RCT

07-16-2006, 07:07 PM

As good as it was though, I'll bet you're happy it's over with. LOL

Diane...

AMEN - I am glad it was fun, and glad its over.

Cathy

07-16-2006, 08:02 PM

I'm glad it went so well, Renee!

littlesista06

07-16-2006, 08:03 PM

Yay!! Glad it was a hit!!

You've convinced me dd is having a bowling party for her next b'day. She loves to bowl and it'll be great for 11 yr. olds! Don't forget where the bowling pins came from, I'll be coming around asking next February. :lol:

littlesista06

07-16-2006, 08:31 PM

Gosh Renee, you've got me all excited over a bowling party now. lol
I just Googled the bowling centers here and there's one that does "cosmic bowling"!! It sounds so cool!

"The lights go out. The pins light up. Fog rolls over the lanes. The music blasts. Lasers beam around the room. It’s Cosmic Bowling, the most novel way to have fun in the entertainment galaxy!"

It's a bit pricey to have them do your party - $14.95 to $19.95 per kid. Maybe we could do our own food somewhere else and just bowl. :goofy:
I figure the girls could wear glow in the dark lip gloss, and I'd give them handfuls of glow sticks/necklaces, etc. :lol:

KarlaB

07-16-2006, 09:39 PM

Sounds like it was an awesome day! :yippee:

angie r

07-17-2006, 07:26 AM

I'm glad it was a great success!

AnnW

07-17-2006, 08:22 AM

Jen, black light bowling is way cool!!!
have the party from 1-3 and then all you have to feed them is cake! (and you can usually bring your own in)
or have them come to your house first for pizza, presents, cake and then end up at the bowling alley. you would have to be able to transport the girls there, but parents could pick them up at the alley.

RCT

07-17-2006, 08:35 AM

Jen its a must do....I haven't planned a lot of kid birthday parties but this was painless..It was so well organized and they all had so much fun.

Even my dad wanted the water bottle......

I've seen the cosmic bowling its way cool....I love the glow in the dark lip gloss idea....how totally fun.

Ryleigh S.

07-17-2006, 03:37 PM

The "cosimic bowling" is great. We did that for one of dd#1 birthdays. Our local alley has cosmic bowling every Sat. we haven't been there for a while but use to take dd and ds all the time. One time we saw a group having a party there and the girls had all decorated their own t-shirts and painters caps with glow in the dark fabric paints.

Melody

07-18-2006, 12:46 PM

Glad the party went so well Renee. Sounds fun.

The black light bowling is cool, we haven't done it yet but have heard the kids love it.

SpeechMom

07-19-2006, 10:03 PM

Glad it went well, Renee! I didn't realize our youngest kids are the same age. I've done the water bottles for skating parties, too. I don't really like my handwriting, so I use the letter stickers to put the names on.

littlesista06

01-28-2007, 09:34 PM

RCT

01-28-2007, 11:22 PM

I totally dredged this up b/c we're doing a bowling party next month instead of the rock climbing.
SO glad you started this thread, Renee! :)

I think we'll do the cosmic bowling, but they don't start that until 11pm. :rolleyes: Think we'll meet here at 9, mess around then head out for a couple of hours. I must be crazy! :)

Oh Jen, we had a blast...I still recomment those bowling pin water sippers....
DD still talks about it....talk with your alley, see about getting the free bowling pin that all the kids can sign for your dd....Oh I am so excited for your dd and you...its so easy...I love bowling!

AnnW

01-29-2007, 06:41 AM

Are they spending the night?

littlesista06

01-29-2007, 07:06 AM

Are they spending the night?

hell yeah! :lol: since we won't get home til after 1 a.m. sometime. :)

AnnW

01-29-2007, 07:19 AM

hell yeah! :lol: since we won't get home til after 1 a.m. sometime. :)
i was wondering! LOL

littlesista06

01-29-2007, 07:25 AM

i was wondering! LOL

:lol:
that's why i'm thinking i must be crazy - to start out with 8 girls at 11pm.... but, that's when the cosmic bowling starts, so not much i can do about it.
i had to get dh to agree since i'm going to need him to drive and chaperone. i knew he'd be the more nervous one about taking them out that late so if he agreed, i knew we could do it. :)

dd is really excited!

AnnW

01-29-2007, 07:50 AM

:lol:
that's why i'm thinking i must be crazy - to start out with 8 girls at 11pm.... but, that's when the cosmic bowling starts, so not much i can do about it.
i had to get dh to agree since i'm going to need him to drive and chaperone. i knew he'd be the more nervous one about taking them out that late so if he agreed, i knew we could do it. :)

dd is really excited!

hell, that's the only way i would do a girl sleepover..out of my house and get them tired! cut down on the witchiness and bickering! LOL
we did it with ds once, it's fun.