Bowling is a family sport which brings joy to folks young and old. While the vast majority of articles about bowling balls focus on the new advancements in ball technology for adults, there’s a pronounced lack of good information out there about the top kids’ bowling balls in the marketplace today.
We’re here to fix that.
From rubber kids’ bowling balls for learning the game at home to simple polyurethane kids’ bowling balls for use at the local bowling alley, there are dozens upon dozens of balls out there in different colors and categories for you to consider. As with anything, kids’ bowling balls vary wildly in quality and come at a wide swath of different price points.
The object of this post is to do the hard work for you. We’ve looked at tons of different bowling balls in hopes of filling your online shopping cart with only the best, paring things down to an in-depth countdown of the Top 6 Bowling Balls For Kids In 2021. The products on the list below are all of utmost quality and will bring a smile to your kids’ faces when it’s time to play.
We’ve also included links for easy purchasing and a detailed Frequently Asked Questions section that will help you sort out your thoughts when making a final decision for your child.
First, let’s start the countdown!
Top 6 Bowling Balls For Kids In 2021
6) Pyramid Path Rising Bowling Ball
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Let’s start with a mid-performance ball best suited for older children and teenagers who have been the learning the game for awhile. The Pyramid Path Rising Bowling Ball is an entry level reactive resin pearl standout that withstand and utilize more oil than any of the other balls on our list. If your child is just starting to learn about hooks and wants a ball that can turn a bit of the slick stuff into some interesting fireworks, this is the ball for you. It also comes in a handful of different eye-catching color schemes that they’re bound to dig.
Specs
Available Colors: Aqua/Silver Pearl, Black/Silver Pearl, Blue/Dark Blue Pearl, Silver Hybrid/Teal/Black, Black/Hot Pink Pearl, Purple/Steel Blue Pearl, Red/White/Blue Pearl, Kelly Green Sparkle Pearl
Core Shape: Symmetrical
Coverstock Material: Reactive Resin Pearl
Radius of Gyration (RG): 2.550
Box Finish: 1500 Abralon Polished
Optimum Lane Conditions: Dry, Medium Dry
Differential: 0.032
Hook Potential: High
Available Weights: 8 pounds, 10-16 pounds
Manufacturer’s Warranty: 2 years
Pros
- This is a great primer on reactive bowling balls for older kids, teens, and adults alike.
- The generous 2-year manufacturer’s warranty ensures that you’re covered in case of defects or undue wear.
- This ball can handle a bit of oil, turning it into spin and revs for some fun back-end action through the pins.
Cons
- This ball may have too much hook potential for young bowlers. It may frustrate them when it veers off course.
- While the coverstock is reactive, it doesn’t have enough to it to be very effective in deeper oil.
5) Brunswick Purple Cheetah Glow Viz-A-Ball Bowling Ball
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If you look back to when you were a kid, you’re likely to remember that cool-looking things often trumped more practical things. Luckily for you when you purchase the Brunswick Purple Cheetah Glow Viz-A-Ball Bowling Ball, you get both! Aesthetically, the glow-in-the-dark purple cheetah coverstock screams personality and will pop like crazy on cosmic bowling night. The real kicker, though, is that this ball is made by Brunswick — one of the most trusted brands in the country and the entire bowling industry as a whole. You know you’re going to get a quality, durable polyester bowling ball with Brunswick imprinted on the coverstock.
Specs
Available Colors: Purple/Black
Core Shape: Symmetrical
Coverstock Material: Polyester
Box Finish: Crown Factory Polish
Optimum Lane Conditions: Dry
Hook Potential: Low
Available Weights: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14-16 pounds
Manufacturer’s Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- This particular design is perfect for young girls or anyone who wants a bit of purple cheetah flair in their life.
- This is one of two normal bowling balls on our list available in the smallest alley size of six pounds.
- Brunswick did a fine job with the reinforcement of the coverstock and the effectiveness of the core, adding sneaky power through the pins for straight-line bowlers.
Cons
- This ball is not made for those kids who want to play around with hooks. It’s a straight-line kind of ball.
- The glow-in-the-dark design has been said to be prone to fading with extended use.
4) Ultra Bowling Ball
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Now for something completely different. The Ultra Rubber Bowling Ball isn’t made for alley usage. It’s a simple, single-piece rubber bowling ball which has been created for learning the game are hardwood floors at home or even in the yard. If your little one wants to learn the game but is too small or timid to try it out at the alley, this ball will let them do so in the comfort of your own home. Just purchase some cheap pins from a sporting goods store and watch them go. And for those older kids (and adults) who want to screw around with this 5-pound wonder at home, it comes with two sets of finger holes to accommodate both bigger and smaller fingers.
Specs
Available Colors: Red, Blue
Coverstock Material: Rubber
Available Weights: 5 pounds
Pros
- This is a great learning tool for young bowlers to play with at home, allowing them to get a feel for the very idea of bowling.
- The ball is split-resistant thanks to its one-piece design. This little rubber ball is extremely durable.
- If you want to host a fun little yard bowling party, this ball comes with two sizes of finger holes to let older kids and adults play as well.
Cons
- This ball isn’t made for use at your local bowling lanes. It’s for home and yard use only.
- It’s only available in two colors and at one weight of 5 pounds.
3) Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball
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The second of two reactive bowling balls on our list, the Brunswick Rhino Bowling Ball isn’t just for older children. It’s a fantastic entry-level performance bowling ball for young and old alike! As we said before, the Brunswick name is worth so, so much in the bowling world. And the Brunswick Rhino is the perfect ball for straight-line bowlers who want to play on lanes covered in a bit more oil. This ball doesn’t have a ton of hook to it which makes it suitable to beginners ages 11 (or so) and up. The color schemes are super attractive and the entire package screams quality without being too complicated.
Specs
Available Colors: Cobalt/Aqua/Teal, Black/Green/Orange, Red/Black/Gold Pearl, Purple/Pink/White Pearl
Core Shape: Symmetrical
Coverstock Material: Reactive Resin Pearl
Radius of Gyration (RG): 2.524
Box Finish: 500 Siaair Crown Factory Shine
Optimum Lane Conditions: Dry, Medium Dry
Differential: 0.030
Hook Potential: Low
Available Weights: 10-16 pounds
Manufacturer’s Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- While this ball has low hook potential, it does have enough juice with its reactive resin pearl coverstock to attack a bit of oil with gusto.
- This ball has plenty of straight-line power and corrective ability, helping erratic beginner bowlers stay on the lane and hit their marks.
- This is a great starter ball for older children and teens who want to pick up the game with a ball that can do a bit more than one with a polyester coverstock.
Cons
- At the current moment, this ball is not available at a weight under 10 pounds. This excludes younger children from using it.
- The color combinations are limited and muted compared to some of the more striking balls on this list.
2) Pyramid Path Bowling Ball
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The polyester version of the aforementioned Pyramid Path Rising, the Pyramid Path is much more suitable for young beginners than its reactive resin cousin. This ball is primed for those kids and adults who have yet to really dive into the game, offering great control on dry lanes and a crash course in straight-line bowling. And for those color-happy kids in your family, there are over 15 different color combinations for them to choose from! Each of those color schemes are among the most breathtaking and wild you’re going to find at reduced prices. This ball is the perfect balance of function and aesthetics, and kids will undoubtedly love it.
Specs
Available Colors: Purple/Black/White, Pink/Black, Pink/Yellow/Black, Pink/Blue/Teal, Pink/Purple/Silver, Navy/Lime Green/White, Hot Pink/Lime Green, Emerald/Lime/Acid Yellow, Emerald/Black/Silver, Clear Swirl Lime Green/Yellow, Clear Swirl Blue/White, Blue/Light Blue/Lime Green, Blue/Black/White, Black/Silver, Black/Orange, Aqua/Silver
Core Shape: Symmetrical
Coverstock Material: Polyester
Box Finish: Polished
Optimum Lane Conditions: Dry
Hook Potential: Low
Available Weights: 8-16 pounds
Manufacturer’s Warranty: 2 years
Pros
- For those young bowlers who are picky about their favorite colors, the sheer amount of design options is sure to please them.
- The polyester coverstock is stronger than average, offering solid hitting power and great durability.
- The inclusion of a two-year warranty ensures that your modest investment in this ball will be protected.
Cons
- We wish this ball was available at a weight under 8 pounds, as the swath of different color schemes would be perfect for very young bowlers.
- This ball has an aversion to oil. The slicker the lanes, the harder this ball will be to control.
1) Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball
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The third of three Brunswick bowling balls on our list, the Brunswick Tzone Deep Space is our pick for the best of the bunch for kids. Firstly, the coverstock is just so entertaining to gawk at with its lovingly crafted representation of outer space. The ball itself is a controlled polyester dream, offering straight-line power and corrective balancing with its well-designed symmetrical core. It’s also just one of two bowling balls on our list available in a 6-pound version, allowing little children to get in on the action. There’s just so much to like about this ball for beginners and children alike, making it an easy choice for our #1 spot.
Specs
Available Colors: Deep Space
Core Shape: Symmetrical
Coverstock Material: Polyester
Radius of Gyration (RG): 2.715
Box Finish: Crown Factory Shine
Optimum Lane Conditions: Dry
Differential: 0.019
Hook Potential: Low
Available Weights: 6 pounds, 8-16 pounds
Manufacturer’s Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- This ball is a sight for sore eyes. Its beautiful design will wow bowlers both young and old.
- The inclusion of a 6-pound option will ensure your little tykes will have a turn bowling with their new favorite ball.
- The coverstock/symmetric core combination is all about control and keeping the ball on the lane. It will help with those little bowlers who get frustrated when they hit a gutter or two.
Cons
- This ball is a great starter ball or spare ball, but it won’t graduate with bowlers as they grow up and want to learn hook shots.
- The more oil underneath this ball, the more wild and unruly it will become.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a child’s bowling ball weigh?
For young children, the weights of the bowling balls used should equal no more then 10% of the body weight of a particular child. To be safe, stick with a 6-pound bowling ball which works with the hand sizes and body types of most young tots. And just in case you’re worried, there is a likely to be a variety of six-pound bowling balls at your local bowling shop either in stock or available for order. As your child gets older and their bowling skills increase along with their body size, you can start moving up in increments of a pound. Have them test out a house ball at your local bowling alley before investing in a heavier ball.
What is a good beginner bowling ball?
A good beginner bowling ball will likely have a reactive pearl or polyester coverstock which, while it won’t perform super well on oily lane conditions or have much hook potential, will be enough for a young beginner to get a feel for the game. In addition, a beginner bowling ball should be fun! That means cool colors and rad designs for affordable prices. When it comes to the selections above on our countdown, you should definitely take a chance on the Brunswick Tzone Deep Space Bowling Ball or the Pyramid Path Bowling Ball. Both are made of durable material, and these are the ones that your child will dig when it comes to color schemes and overall enjoyment factor.
What is a good age to start bowling?
Bowling is a fun activity for kids who can handle the weight of the lightest house bowling ball (6 pounds). According to most, three years old is a good age to start bowling at most bowling alleys around the world. A kid should be able to comfortably lift a 6-pound bowling ball with limited hassle, and parents or a trusted adult should be around at all times for safety purposes. Bowling is a fantastic sport for children, and the look on their faces when they knock down pins is priceless to behold.
Closing Thoughts
The best kids’ bowling balls aren’t about peak performance and complex coverstock composites. They’re about bright colors, simple designs, and brands you can trust. The six kids’ bowling balls on our list above are extremely easy for children to pick up and play with, and they’re also a fantastic introductory point to the sport of bowling as a whole. When it comes to your wish list for a children’s bowling ball, one of the balls above should be at the top.
