Back before we had kids, my husband and I went on a Valentine’s Day date night to Atomic/Action Duckpin Bowling in Fountain Square. 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.
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Indianapolis Duckpin Bowling
Our youngest daughter just turned three and her favorite activity in the whole world is bowling. We typically bowl at Main Event, but for her family birthday party, we decided to introduce her to 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). 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 duckpin bowling 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 not 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. Kids are welcome to stand halfway down the lane and bowl from the line where the wood changes colors. The staff was fantastic and understanding and let us retrieve the balls or give them a little shove if they were stuck partway 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
Monday: closed
Tuesday – Wednesday: 1pm – 9pm
Thursday 1pm-10pm
Friday – 1pm-12am
Saturday 12pm-12am
Sunday: 1pm-7pm
2 thoughts on “Duckpin Bowling with Kids | Fountain Square”
Hi,
I work in the building and love to bring my kids in for bowling too. Check the website often or sign up for emails because we frequently have more coupons for bowling or for the restaurants in the same building. Glad you had fun. There are no gutter bumpers but we don’t wax the lanes, so, usually when there are little kids bowling, we let them walk farther down the lane to bowl. This helps them knock down pins on their own and less stuck balls. Just ask next time but still keep an an eye on little ones, dropped balls can hurt little toes and fingers!
Thanks Michele! It was so much fun!