Bumper bowling for wee ones?

[brewso.livejournal.com]

I just got off the phone with Sacco's in Davis, and they don't do bumpers. I am looking to take a 3-year-old friend of mine bowling on Wednesday, but I'm quite positive she is going to need bumpers, preschooler hand/eye coordination being what it is. :) Does anyone know of a local place that does bumpers? Driving is OK, although public transport accessible would be ideal.

Thanks! 

Comments

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

That's weird. They used to. I wonder when they stopped.

[purpless77.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the same thing.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

They have bumper bowling by request (you have to call ahead) at Lanes and Games (which is probably somewhere you'll want to drive to with a 3-year-old, because it's kind of a schlep from Alewife) and I think they have it all the time at the Woburn Bowladrome.

[brewso.livejournal.com]

How much of a schlep? And what kind? I mean, I know she's capable of walking at least a half a mile, so distance is not that big of an obstacle. However, knowing Route 2, I can imagine it might not be that easy or safe. If the latter is a concern, I wouldn't want to do it.

Thanks!

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Alewife+Station+Access+Rd,+Cambridge,+Middlesex,+Massachusetts+02140,+United+States&daddr=195+Concord+Ave,+Cambridge,+MA+02138+(Lanes+%26+Games)&hl=en&geocode=%3BFUy0hgIdxqDC-yHXsUVkB_e4Iw&mra=cc&dirflg=w&sll=42.390121,-71.137333&sspn=0.025927,0.029054&ie=UTF8&z=15

google says "1.4 miles". one way. probably more than you want to walk with a young'in. mostly sidewalk though iirc.

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[brewso.livejournal.com]

Thanks, although I believe your map is mistaken. It directs me to Concord Ave in Huron Village, rather than Concord Turnpike (which is the alternate name for Route 2). It actually doesn't look too bad on the map - maybe I'll try it out tomorrow. Thanks!

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

http://lanesgames.com/directions.html as you probably have found out by now...

:)

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[ron_newman]

Love it: "and continue past the Wrong Way sign"

[ron_newman]

From Alewife Station to Lanes & Games is nowhere near 1.4 miles. It's less than a half mile. Google Maps thinks Lanes & Games is on the wrong side of Route 2, which leads it to suggest non-sensical walking directions.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

It's safe. With a 3-year-old who's walking, I'd expect it to take at least 20 minutes.

[dariusk.livejournal.com]

It's *really* close to Alewife Station. We're talking a five-minute walk here. Fifteen if you are going to be incredibly deliberate about walking with the child.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

I heard the bumper lane at Sacco's broke.

There is a great place in Malden Center http://www.ryanamusements.com/

Every lane can be a bumper lane, automatic scoring, and a game room with arcade-type games that give tickets you can trade for prizes.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I have a receipt for 170 points at Good Time.. wonder if they'd take 'em. ;)

[kpht.livejournal.com]

Town Line in Malden has bumpers, and they also run a special - $2.50 per person per game Mon-Thu. Of course, it's not as T-accessible, but it's there.

[ron_newman]

What are bumpers?

[brewso.livejournal.com]

Bumpers cover most (all?) of the lane gutters, ensuring that certain players in need of an assist can successfully knock down pins most of the time. It makes it more fun than 10 straight gutter balls. :)

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

[ron_newman]

Thanks! I have never seen this before.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

the sweater is optional

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

I haven't walked to Lanes and Games, but their website says it is a 10-minute walk from Alewife. They have bumpers on every lane. All they have to do, IIRC, is push a button and they pop up. There's also an arcade, but it's very loud, and may not be fun for all 3-year-olds.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

Also, they have candlepins, which use balls that are easier for three-year-olds to roll.