Kids bowl free and kids skate free during the summer months! If you are looking for a way to keep your children busy and happy during summer break, these programs can help!
The nationwide programs Kids Bowl Free and Kids Skate Free partner with bowling alleys and skating rinks, respectively, to offer free access to children during the summer months.
Kids Bowl Free
We’ve participated in this program for YEARS and my kids love it! They think it’s so much fun… and I think it’s nice to escape the summer heat and hide in a nice, air-conditioned alley. My children ask about this program all year long… and some of them cry when September puts an end to their free fun.
Each child receives coupons for TWO free bowling games EVERY DAY during the summer! That’s over $500 in savings per child.
Participation dates and times vary by bowling alley. Our local alley offers free bowling every day from April 10 to October 31!
For a one-time fee, you can also add parents to the program so that the entire family can bowl two free games each day! Shoe rentals are not included, though.
However, I’ve found that you can save more money on the family pass if you do not buy it at the same time you sign the kids up. I usually buy it at the same time, but this year I didn’t… and I’ve received email after email with coupon codes for a family pass!
Simply sign up online… and once the program starts, you’ll receive coupons that can be redeemed at your local bowling alley! Ours allows us to do it online without printing them, as well. It’s way more convenient!
What is Kids Bowl Free?
Kids Bowl Free is a nationwide organization that partners with local bowling alleys to provide two free bowling games to every child during the summer months. You could literally go bowling every day in the summer without paying for a single game!
More than 35,000,000 games have been played through this program. It’s a great way to create lifelong memories on a budget.
Who is eligible for Kids Bowl Free?
Each bowling alley can set its own age limits for this program. There are over 1,500 participating bowling centers, so we cannot break down the age limits for each one in this article.
Typically, the age limits allow anyone under age 18 to get a free pass. However, some bowling alleys have set the limit as low as 12 to prevent unattended teenagers from loitering in the alleys.
How does Kids Bowl Free work?
Parents must register their children in advance to take advantage of this great deal. The process is actually very simple.
First, you must visit the official Kids Bowl Free website and locate a participating bowling alley in your area. You will have to register your children at one bowling alley, where you will be able to redeem your free passes. You cannot play free at more than one alley per season.
Second, you will need to register your children. You will have to list their names and ages, among other basic details. During this process, you will have the option to purchase a family pass that will allow adults to play with the children throughout the summer. This is a great way to save money and let the whole family make memories together.
Third, you will receive your passes and be able to redeem them at your participating alley during KBF hours. Please note that the passes do not include shoe rentals. You will need to rent shoes at the alley or bring your own. Thrift stores can be a great way to pick up bowling shoes for cheap!
Kids Skate Free
Kids Skate Free is the sister program to Kids Bowl Free. Instead of bowling, this program partners with skating rinks to give kids free access during the summer months.
What is Kids Skate Free?
Kids Skate Free allows children to skate for free during the summer months. It works very similarly to Kids Bowl Free.
Who is eligible for Kids Skate Free?
Kids Skate Free allows each participating skating center to set their own requirements. Some centers set the age limit as low as 8 years old. Based on my research, it appears that the typical age limit for this program is 13.
How does it work?
Parents must visit the official Kids Skate Free website to find a participating rink in their area. You can only register for free skating at one rink.
The sign-up link will guide you through the process of registering your children. Once the form is complete, you’ll receive your passes which can be redeemed for free skating at your local center.
More Free Fun
These are just a few of the programs we’ve found that can help you save money while making great memories with your kids. Don’t forget to check out our list of EBT museum discounts and all the incredible free adventures you can get with your library card!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.