Duckpin Bowling Indianapolis | Where to go Duckpin Bowling with Kids

We’re always looking for fun things to do indoors with our kids. Back before we had kids, my husband and I went on a Valentine’s Day date night to Atomic Bowl/Action Duckpin Bowling in Fountain Square in the Fountain Square Theatre building. It was my first time because, for some reason, Duckpin Bowling seems to be an Indiana thing. Since then, I’ve returned for my friend Katie’s bridal shower and we took our firstborn when she was about two years old.

Fountain Square is a quirky, historic neighborhood. There are unique shops, fun festivals, and yummy restaurants. Fountain Square is one of the districts that is connected with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

Indianapolis Duckpin Bowling

Our youngest daughter just turned three and her favorite activity in the whole world is bowling. We typically go bowling during the summer for Kids Bowl Free, but for her family birthday party, we decided to introduce her to Atomic Duckpin Bowling.

Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are suggested. At a minimum, you should call ahead to check for lane availability. If you make a reservation, you will have to secure it with a credit card number. Lanes are rented by the hour for $40 per hour (and can be booked for ½ increments). Prices may vary or change.

Each lane seats six people whether they are bowling or not. Wear closed-toed, soft soles shoes, bowling shoes are not provided. The website says that it takes two people about 30 minutes to bowl one game and that five people can bowl one game in one hour. We rented two lanes for four children and three adults and finished one game in an hour.

Reservations at Fountain Square Duckpin Bowling

When you call ahead to make reservations, you will either be told that you’ll be bowling in the basement or on the 4th floor. Both areas have vintage bowling memorabilia and fun-themed decor. A limited menu of appetizer-like food is available and there is a full bar.

Our visit to the duckpin bowling alley was a lot of fun. All of my kids (ages 3,4,6 & 8) are learning the art of waiting their turn and were very excited. They’re also great cheerleaders.

Duckpin Bowling with Kids

I forgot about how heavy the balls are (there are no different weights available like in regular bowling) and my two-year-old had a hard time rolling the ball hard enough to get it to go down the lane. Duckpin balls are smaller than regular bowling balls, but that doesn’t mean they’re any lighter. Kids are welcome to stand halfway down the lane and bowl from the line where the wood changes colors.

Duckpin bowling is a fun and challenging activity that many people love. Unlike traditional ten-pin bowling, duckpin bowling uses smaller balls and shorter, stubbier pins. This makes it more difficult to get a strike, but also adds an extra level of excitement and challenge to the game.

The staff was fantastic and understanding and let us retrieve the balls or give them a little shove if they were stuck part way down the lane. All of us had a great time and the kids didn’t even seem to notice that the game was a little above our littlest kids’ ability levels. The next day they asked if we could go again. And again.

Occasionally you can find discount coupons on the Duckpin website. Duckpin Bowling is great for birthday parties for kids. Call up your friends and play inside at Duckpin Bowling! It’s a great indoor activity to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Duckpin Bowling Hours

These are the hours for Duckpin Bowling Indianapolis in Fountain Square at the time of publishing.

Monday: closed
Tuesday – Wednesday: 1 pm – 9 pm
Thursday 1 pm-10 pm
Friday – 1 pm-12 am
Saturday 12 pm-12 am
Sunday: 1 pm-7 pm

Duckpin Bowling address:

The address for Duckpin Bowling at the Fountain Square building is 1111 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN 46203.

While you’re visiting Fountain Square, check out the fun restaurants and shops. There’s always some kind of entertainment.