Free and Discount Bowling for Seniors: Kids Bowl Free Companion Offers and Senior Morning Rates

Bowling can be one of the most affordable senior activities, especially with the right discount programs. A senior who pays full retail evening rates (often 5 to 8 dollars per game plus shoe rental) will spend 70 to 100 dollars per month on weekly bowling. The same senior who uses morning rates, league discounts, and free-bowling programs can spend 20 dollars or less per month for the same amount of play. The combination of senior morning rates and the Kids Bowl Free program is the most powerful discount stack available.

Kids Bowl Free is a nationwide summer program that offers two free games of bowling per day to kids 15 and under at over 1,500 participating bowling centers. The program started in 2009 and now operates in nearly every state. Most relevant for grandparents and senior caregivers, the program offers an Adult Pass that lets a paying adult bowl alongside the kids. The Adult Pass costs roughly 30 to 40 dollars for the full summer season (mid-May through Labor Day) and covers two free games per day for the entire summer. A grandparent who takes a grandchild bowling twice a week all summer can spend less than 50 cents per game with the Adult Pass.

Senior morning rates are the second key discount. Most bowling centers run discounted rates on weekday mornings before noon. Typical senior morning pricing is 2 to 4 dollars per game with free or half-price shoe rental. Some centers offer an all-you-can-bowl morning rate of 8 to 10 dollars for two hours of unlimited bowling. These rates target retirees who can bowl during the weekday morning slow period, helping the center fill empty lanes. Senior morning rates are usually 50 to 70 percent off the evening rate.

The third source of free or cheap bowling is the local senior center or community center. Many city parks departments run weekly bowling outings for seniors with the local bowling center, with rates of 1 to 3 dollars per game including transportation. The Older Americans Act funds many of these programs through Area Agencies on Aging. To find local options, call the Area Agency on Aging using the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116. Source pages include kidsbowlfree.com, the USBC Find a Center tool at bowl.com, and the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.acl.gov.