Article and photographs by Kelley Gardiner
Your youngster will bowl their friends over with an active party where they can all roll, throw, paddle their way to a lively and memorable birthday. From teeny-tiny steel pinballs, to bowling balls, to ping pong and skee balls, there will be plenty of fun in store when you roll into these venues for your family’s next celebration.
PINBALL OUTREACH PROJECT
Become pinball wizards—or at least have lots of fun trying —at Pinball Outreach Project’s new space on Fremont Street. Parties here include use of a party area with tables, and free play for up to 22 guests. No quarters are needed, and you don’t even have to be good to have a good time. Most partiers request private parties, which means exclusive use of the chiming, dinging, flashing room.
Not only does Pinball Outreach Project hold pinball hours for local kids, but they also
bring pinball to kids in hospitals, schools, and community centers. Visiting hospitals brings kids a small dose of normalcy in playing games, and a big dose of fun. So not only is this a fun birthday party, but you’re supporting a non-profit at the same time. $175-400
4605 NE Fremont, Suite 104
pinballoutreach.org
GRAND CENTRAL BOWL
You’ll find all kinds of fun at the slick Grand Central Bowl. Yes, of course, there’s bowling. But if you need more fun and excitement, check out the game room, featuring pop-a- shot basketball, skee ball, pinball, and pool tables for your partying pleasure. Most of the party packages won’t make you choose, as they include bowling time and game tokens as well. Add on use of a private bowling lounge (swanky!) or just skip the bowling altogether, if you’d rather, and convert that bowling package into a game package. Either way, you’ll find plenty to do for all kinds of kids and interests. $16.95-25.95 per child
808 SE Morrison St. 503.231.1926
thegrandcentralbowl.com
PUNCH BOWL SOCIAL
Right there in the middle of Pioneer Place, you’ll find a playground for kids and grownups alike. Thinking about a bowling party? They’ve got that. But don’t forget about the ping pong, either. Or the marbles. Not only is there pinball in the arcade, but you can also try your hand at skee ball. And if all that isn’t enough, there’s cornhole and private karaoke. We’d steer the kids away from the darts, however. Party packages start at $250 and include food, drink, and activities.
340 SW Morrison St., Third Floor 503.334.0360
punchbowlsocial.com
PIPS AND BOUNCE
“We deliberately set out to create the kind of place where kids and parents and grandparents could all have a great time together,”says Pips and Bounce co-owner Michael Jung. This is no musty rec room, either. This space in the exploding Inner Eastside is light, bright, and you can expect upbeat music and delicious food. They’re glad to host kids’parties at Pips and Bounce, but recommend players be about 10 years old to have enough hand-eye coordination to keep things fun and less frustrating. If you can’t keep it on the table though, don’t worry. That’s what the ball hoppers are for. We hear little brothers and sisters make pretty good ball hoppers, too. Minors are welcome until 9pm. $40-300.
833 SE Belmont St. 503.928.4664
pipsandbounce.com
BIG AL’S
For the kind of family party that all kids and adults will all truly enjoy, Big Al’s serves up big fun in their Beaverton and Vancouver locations. Choose a bowling party, or add on arcade games for double the pleasure. Bumpers and lightweight balls are available for younger kids’ bowling parties, so everyone can knock down a few pins here and there. Bring in your own cake if you like. $16-26 per child.
14950 SW Barrows Rd., Beaverton 503.748.6118
16615 SE 18th St., Vancouver, WA 360.944.6118
ilovebigals.com
INDOOR GOALS
This indoor soccer arena is any little Pele’s dream, but you’re not limited to just soccer games here. This arena can also be set up for dodgeball, flag football, or a number of your kiddos’favorite sports. Keep Indoor Goals in mind if you’re planning a big party, as the number of guests is unlimited. The fee includes rental of the field for one hour and the party room for 45 minutes. $200.
16340 NW Bethany Ct., Beaverton 503.629.9500
indoorgoals.com
SUNSET LANES
When you book a party with Sunset Lanes, you don’t get just a couple of hours of bowling and shoes. You get a full-service party. with host, unlimited soda, supplies, and a souvenir bowling pin for your guest of honor. Not only that, but the birthday kid gets to take a spin in the “Ticket Tornado,” for the chance to grab as many arcade tickets as they can. How fun is THAT? Parties start at $14.95 a kid, and include bowling, game time, party supplies, and soda.
12770 SW Walker Rd., Beaverton 503.646.1116
sunsetlanes.com
SUPERPLAY
Their website says that “kids love bowling, laser tag, video games, and pizza” and we have to agree. Kids can bowl their little hearts out, or to mix things up, add an arcade card for each party-goer. Ply your skills at Street Basketball, or win points landing the bouncing balls with Slam-A-Winner. Packages start at $11.95 per child for bowling parties, including bowling, shoe rental, reserved tables, pizza, and soda, as well as set-up and cleanup. Outside cakes are allowed with a paid reservation.
9300 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy., Beaverton 503.292.3523
superplayor.com
Kelley Gardiner is a Portland native, a freelance writer and blogger, and the mother of one sweet toddler. To see what she’s up to, visit kelleygardiner.com.
