While spring is in the air, Puget Sound weather can be a bit unpredictable this time of year. Even when the rain clouds return, there are many ways families can stay active and cut down on screen-time. One great way to get those noses out of their phones is to get out of the house and do something fun! For a great (generally affordable) family activity, bowling should be high on your list. In fact, a trip to a Seattle bowling alley is sometimes the trick to successfully making it through unplanned downtime (we’re looking at you, summer break).
Where to go bowling in Seattle
West Seattle Bowl
West Seattle Bowl is a 32-lane alley with a full-service lounge and a restaurant with great eats. Bumpers, ball ramp, and kids’ birthday packages with pizza, soda and shoe rental included. It’s best to reserve a lane online before heading over.
Roxbury Lanes
Roxbury has it all: A casino, an arcade and a grill, meaning fun for the whole family. Bumpers are available on all lanes but ask for lanes 1–6 — they are more forgiving of those super-slow rollers. They offer kid birthday parties, too. Avoid going on Friday and Saturday evenings for Rock and Bowl, as it’s loud and geared toward adults.
Bowling alleys north of Seattle
Bowlero, Lynnwood
This modern and hip bowling alley has been a family fun destination since it got a facelift back in 2018. Soft lounge seats, video walls that play family-friendly movies and 40 lanes mean you can be comfortable and cozy while you play through all 10 frames. Don’t forget the arcade and party packages for kids and teens.
Spin Alley, Shoreline
A local favorite, Spin Alley is the go-to bowling spot for Shoreline families and has several ways to save. Head there on a Wednesday for its happy hour deal of $13 per person, per hour. Other non-peak days an hours also offer discounts. Vault 177 will keep everyone fed (they’ve got 32 beers on tap) and the arcade offers a little more entertainment for those wet days.
Evergreen Lanes, Everett
Evergreen Lanes is a great family spot and the crazy Cosmic Bowling sessions on weekends is out of this world. Saturday afternoon is the best, but call for availability, as they have league bowling daily and that can affect open bowling.
Lynnwood Bowl and Skate, Lynnwood
This 24-wooden lane bowling center has Cosmic Bowling on the weekends, with black lights and other light effects. The Asteroid Climb makes this one of the most intriguing alleys around, as far as your kids are concerned — a real kid haven. Plus, this bowling alley is a Kids Bowl Free participant.
Where to bowl on the Eastside
TechCity Bowl, Kirkland
Try attending the Cosmic X rock n’ bowl on Fridays and Saturdays to beat a gray day. Cosmic X is advertised for kids ages 5 and up, but we recommend going with your teens, as it’s loud and “high energy” with a DJ, strobe lights and a smoke machine. Check their Facebook page for special events, such as October’s All-You-Can-Bowl.
Lucky Strike Lanes, Bellevue
Whether you’re bowling, eating delicious food or playing arcade games, there’s no shortage of entertainment at Lucky Strike Lanes. This alley is kid-friendly until 8 p.m. and becomes more nightlife-y after that.
Kenmore Lanes, Kenmore
As one of the largest bowling alleys north of Reno, Nevada, Kenmore Lanes hosts 50 bowling lanes in addition to its expansive restaurant, bar, arcade and more.
Snoqualmie Bowling, Snoqualmie
A tucked-away bowling alley fit with pizza and street Mexican food, arcade games and more.
South Sound bowling alleys
Chalet Bowl, Tacoma
Chalet Bowl, originally called North End Alleys has been around since 1941, making it one of the longest continually operating bowling alleys in Washington. It’s a popular spot, so reservations are strongly encouraged. Plus, this bowling alley is a Kids Bowl Free participant.
Paradise Lanes, Tacoma
Get ready for some epic roll time. Paradise Lanes is part of the Lucky Strike chain, so make the most of all it offers: bowling, arcade games, good eats and tasty drinks. Save extra on Fridays and Sundays.
Kent Bowl, Kent
The longtime family-friendly bowling alley has been serving families since 1958. Kent Bowl keeps it simple with just bowling. Sometimes that’s all you need.
Ocean5, Gig Harbor
A one-stop place for family entertainment, Ocean5 is more than just bowling. The two-story complex also has a multi-level laser tag arena, arcade games, on-site restaurants and a coffee shop, too. But when it comes to bowling, this is one great place to take kids. Why? Because even the youngest tots can handle duck pin bowling. In addition to birthday parties they offer paint nights, movie nights and other special events.
Aztec Lanes, Olympia
Kids Bowl Free participant with 12 lanes and a very family-friendly feel. The ball ramp is reserved for wheelchair users only. Try out Lightning Bowl for music, lights and high-energy fun.
If you go...1. Most alleys have league nights during the week, meaning that lanes will get crowded. You may want to avoid that time slot and opt for days and weekends instead. 2. Many bowling alleys have specials on Sundays, a great time for family bowling. Be sure to check websites or call your local lane for details and deals. 3. Call ahead and reserve a lane when you can. Be sure to mention you will have kids in tow so they can put you on a bumper-friendly lane. 4. A few of the alleys included in this article participate in the Kids Bowl Free program, a national program that gives registrants up to two free games, per kid, every day, all summer long. Yes, really, for free. Sign up online before you go or get details at the participating alley nearest you. |
