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Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys Near Chicago

Stardust Bowl is one of many family-friendly bowling alleys in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Stardust Bowl
Stardust Bowl is one of many family-friendly bowling alleys in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Stardust Bowl
7/28/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Get ready to be bowled over by fun at these family-friendly bowling alleys in Chicago and the suburbs. Bowling is a fun activity when Chicago is too hot, cold, or rainy, and these venues are the perfect place to get out of the house for some family fun or throw a bowling birthday party for kids. It's time to strike out and get rolling to some fun times at Chicago's bowling alleys!

If bowling isn't up your alley (pun intended), check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids.

 

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Lucky Strike is located in Wrigleyville. Photo courtesy of Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike is located in Wrigleyville. Photo courtesy of Lucky Strike

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys Near Chicago: North Side

Waveland Bowl

North Center
Cosmic bowling, standard bowling, billiards, and a hot dog stand are all included at Waveland Bowl. This 40-lane bowling alley also offers birthday parties and youth bowling leagues READ MORE

Diversey River Bowl

Lincoln Park
With a variety of lighting effects and concert-volume sound, this bowling center appeals to kids and adults. A family-friendly menu features everything from salads to hot dogs, and families can enjoy special pricing before 6pm. Reservations are recommended. READ MORE

Timber Lanes

North Center
Parents who want a throwback to days before cosmic bowling will love Timber Lanes. The 8-lane alley still scores by hand and has open bowl for as little as $2.50 per game on weeknights. Kids can rent a few lanes or the whole alley for birthday parties. READ MORE

Habetler Bowl

Jefferson Park
This 32-lane bowling alley on the Far Northwest Side has automated bumpers and scoring. Kids ages 3-19 can sign up for a 30-week youth league. Birthday parties are also available. READ MORE

Kings Dining and Entertainment

Rosemont
Pizza, kid-sized balls, and bumpers make Kings Dining and Entertainment a popular bowling destination for both kids and grown-ups. The newer centers in Lincoln Park and Rosemont have full-screen graphic scorekeeping and full bar menus for the adults. READ MORE

Lucky Strike

River North
Both the River North and Wrigleyville locations of Lucky Strike offer a deluxe bowling and entertainment experience for families.  With 18 bowling lanes, more than 100 video games, upscale bar food menus, video walls, ping pong, and billiards, Lucky Strike can easily be a full day of entertainment. Both locations become 21 and over venues at 9 p.m. READ MORE
Pinstripes has several bowling alleys near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Pinstripes
Pinstripes has several bowling alleys near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Pinstripes

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Chicago: Downtown and on the South Side

10Pin Bowling Lounge

River North
Families can bowl into the largest HD video wall in Chicago at this high-end bowling lounge featuring an extensive menu. Private lanes are available for parties, and kids can also enjoy ping pong, pool, and shuffleboard. Birthday parties are available, too. READ MORE

Lawn Lanes

West Lawn
Families reign supreme at this family-owned West Lawn bowling center, where a family of up to 6 can bowl for two hours for just $56.95 on Sundays. Kids' birthday parties and kids' bowling leagues are also available. READ MORE

Pinstripes

Oak Brook
Bowling is just the beginning at these local gaming centers. Kids can also enjoy bocce, family-friendly fare, and a lemonade stand in each location. Parents can also reserve a party space for birthdays. READ MORE

Lucky Strike

River North
Both the River North and Wrigleyville locations of Lucky Strike offer a deluxe bowling and entertainment experience for families.  With 18 bowling lanes, more than 100 video games, upscale bar food menus, video walls, ping pong, and billiards, Lucky Strike can easily be a full day of entertainment. Both locations become 21 and over venues at 9 p.m. READ MORE

Seven Ten Social

Hyde Park
This University of Chicago area bowling alley has eight lanes and serves fried chicken, crinkle fries, and milkshakes. Grown-ups can stick around for cocktails. READ MORE

Skyway Bowl

Jeffrey Manor
Bowlers from all walks of life can enjoy deals like $1.50 per game per person on Thursdays at Skyway Bowl. This veteran-owned business offers summer hours for kids to enjoy more bowling outside of school hours. It's lane menu includes wings, burgers, and chicken tenders. READ MORE
Bowlero offers up arcade games and more, in addition to great lanes. Photo courtesy of the bowling alley
Bowlero offers up arcade games and more, in addition to great lanes. Photo courtesy of the bowling alley

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys Near Chicago: Northern and Northwestern Suburbs

Beverly Lanes

Arlington Heights
Beverly Lanes is over 60 years old but has kept up its 16 lanes and technology to include electronic scoring and automatic bumpers that can be raised or lowered in seconds. Kids' birthday parties are available and can be priced per hour or per game. READ MORE

Bowlero

Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, or Niles
This upscale bowling chain has kid-sized shoes and arcades in many locations to add to the bowling fun. Kids will also enjoy the solid kids' menu that includes a variety of milkshakes and refreshing soft drinks. READ MORE

Kings Dining and Entertainment

Rosemont
Pizza, kid-sized balls, and bumpers make Kings Dining and Entertainment a popular bowling destination for both kids and grown-ups. The newer centers in Lincoln Park and Rosemont have full-screen graphic scorekeeping and full bar menus for the adults. READ MORE

Enterrium

Schaumburg
Offering entertainment from the '80s to the '20s, this Woodfield Mall entertainment center features bowling as well as old-school and modern arcade games. A varied menu and kids' birthday parties are also available. READ MORE

Pinstripes

Oak Brook
Bowling is just the beginning at these local gaming centers. Kids can also enjoy bocce, family-friendly fare, and a lemonade stand in each location. Parents can also reserve a party space for birthdays. READ MORE
Try Stardust Bowl in the Chicago suburbs. Photo courtesy of Stardust Bowl
Try Stardust Bowl in the Chicago suburbs. Photo courtesy of Stardust Bowl

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys Near Chicago: Western Suburbs

Hillside Bowl

Hillside
This 36-lane landmark bowling center was recently renovated with HD screens, automatic bumpers, and a high-end lounge area. Kids' bowling leagues and birthday parties make it an experience for bowlers of all ages. READ MORE

Fox Bowl

Wheaton
A little bit retro and a lot of fun, this West Suburban bowling alley has dinosaur ramps, bumpers, and a game room for after the bowling fun. Birthday parties start at $16.50 per kid. Stella's Pizza provides the food. READ MORE

Tivoli Bowl

Downers Grove
Tucked under the Tivoli Theater, this 12-lane bowling alley offers movie theater popcorn as one of its snacks. Bumpers, kids' birthday parties, and kids' leagues are available. The Underground Lounge serves family-friendly foods like chicken fingers and pizza. Bring a ticket stub from Tivoli Theatre to get your first game of bowling free. READ MORE

Pinstripes

Oak Brook
Bowling is just the beginning at these local gaming centers. Kids can also enjoy bocce, family-friendly fare, and a lemonade stand in each location. Parents can also reserve a party space for birthdays. READ MORE

Stardust Bowl

Addison
Don't let the classic exterior fool you—this whopping 84-lane bowling center recently got a multi-million dollar renovation. There's an arcade area for kids, a classic bowling alley food menu, and leagues for kids and grown-ups. Birthday parties start at $24.95 per child. READ MORE

Lisle Lanes

Lisle
Bowling with all day breakfast? You can get it starting at 10:30 a.m.  at Lisle Lanes. Plus, for every grown up bowling, one kid bowls free during summer break. School year hours include a special where families can bowl three games and rent shoes for just $16. READ MORE

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