Best Bowling Alleys in Atlanta for Kids

Atlanta bowling is a great way to spend time together as a family. No matter if the weather is hot, rainy, windy, or icy, Atlanta bowling alleys are always ready to host a day of friendly competition and indoor fun for kids. And you don't even need any specialized equipment — simply show up at the bowling alley wearing socks!

With helpful bowling bumpers and ball ramps, kids as young as age 3, older grandparents, and everyone in between can enjoy the sport together! And many of these Atlanta bowling alleys participate in the Kids Bowl Free during the summer. Get ready for fun as we’ve rounded up the best places for bowling in Atlanta.

For more indoor activities with kids, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces, including 8 Best Trampoline Parks for Bouncy Kids. Refer to our Atlanta events calendar regularly for upcoming fun things to do with your kids in Atlanta.

Kids enjoy a bowling birthday party at Bowlero.

Atlanta Bowling Alleys for Kids of All Ages

Bowlero – Multiple Locations                                

With eight locations throughout Atlanta, Bowlero provides bowling for families, arcade games, and tasty sports bars. Pre-pay for bowling lanes (up to six people) to ensure availability and request bumpers and ball ramps at no extra charge. Check for weekly specials, Kids Fest, availability of cosmic/glow-in-the-dark bowling, and birthday parties. 

Take advantage of the Kids Bowl Free program offered on summer weekdays at The Comet Pub and Lanes.

The Comet Pub and Lanes – Decatur

Comet Pub and Lanes offers classic bowling with an option for bowling bumpers. In addition to 32 lanes, which can be reserved, this family-friendly spot offers food, darts, billiards, and foosball. At 10pm, lanes are reserved for 21 and older only. Register children for Kids Bowl Free, which allows two free games during summer weekdays, and check out youth bowling summer camps.

Fun Bowl – McDonough and Fayetteville

Fun Bowl's 40,000-square-foot McDonough location features bowling, outdoor miniature golf, laser tag, and billiards; Fayetteville's location features 32 lanes and a game room. Purchase a lane for up to six people per hour or book the Family Fun Pack, which includes 2 hours of bowling for six people, pizza, and shoe rental. For an immersive experience, add the Angry Birds, Creature Feature, or Horse game options to your bowling game. Check each location for specials and kids birthday packages.

Main Event – Atlanta, Alpharetta, and Suwanee

With three locations in metro Atlanta, Main Event offers a bit of everything including bowling, laser tag, arcade games, billiards, and a ropes course. Enjoy ramps and bumpers, cosmic bowling with disco lights, and lane-side food service. Birthday packages are available, and check individual locations for specials.

Midtown Bowl – Midtown

Since opening in 1960, Midtown Bowl provides an old-school bowling experience with options for bumpers and ramps. Note: The venue is completely cashless, even for food items and shoe rentals. The two-hour kids’ birthday party package includes bowling, shoe rental, and food served in the party room.

The Painted Duck – West Midtown

Try duckpin bowling for a unique experience at The Painted Duck on Saturdays and Sundays from noon-5pm. Kids tend to enjoy this variation of bowling as the balls are smaller and lighter than traditional bowling balls and players get to roll three times per turn. In addition to the bar and restaurant, guests can try their hand at Belgian feather bowling, Snook ball, horseshoes, and shuffleboard.

The Painted Pin – Buckhead      

Owned by the same team as the Painted Duck, the Painted Pin is an upscale bowling alley with a full restaurant offering delicious cuisine (and a kids' menu). While mostly an adult spot, kids under age 21 are allowed to bowl 12-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. While waiting for bowling lanes to open, put your name on the wait list and play shuffleboard, ping pong, bocce ball, Skee-Ball, and other games.

Pin Strikes – Stockbridge

With 25 lanes, including options for bumper guards and cosmic bowling, Pin Strikes is an awesome bowling alley that also features bumper cars, virtual reality, laser tag, arcade room, and pool tables. The budget-friendly family bowling package includes a two-hour bowling lane for up to six people, pizza, soft drinks, and shoe rental. Register your children for Kids Bowl Free and look into birthday parties.

Punch Bowl Social – Atlanta

Bowl at the hip and trendy Punch Bowl Social, located at the Battery Atlanta. Families can try arcade games, karaoke, a full restaurant, three bar areas, and an outdoor patio. Table games include Giant Scrabble, Giant Jenga, billiards, ping pong, foosball, and even card games. At 10pm, this spot becomes adult-only.

Round 1 Bowling and Arcade – Atlanta

In addition to bowling and arcade games, kids love singing karaoke at this spot inside Cumberland Mall. Round 1 food includes pizza, burgers, and wings. For a separate price, purchase 90 minutes of unlimited play in the batting cages, trampolines, obstacle course, basketball, ping pong, and more. Birthday party packages can be customized.

At Stars and Strikes, guests bowl as well as play in the arcade, laser tag and more. Photo by the author

Stars and Strikes – Multiple Locations

This Georgia-based chain of bowling lanes also offers arcade games, virtual reality, large-screen televisions, and restaurants. Select locations feature two-story laser tag, bumper cars, and axe throwing for more entertainment. Check Stars and Strikes for specials and register for Kids Bowl Free during summer. Various birthday party packages include bowling and other activities.

Thunderzone Entertainment Center – Douglasville

Kids of all ages love bowling at Thunderzone with bumper guards and cosmic bowling; add laser tag, a huge game room, billiards, and a full-size restaurant and your kids may never want to go home! Kids under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 8pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Thunderzone participates in Kids Bowl Free and offers birthday party packages.

Unless noted, photos courtesy of of the bowling alleys