There are two programs that make bowling very affordable to families in the summer. Kids Bowl Free offers kids two free games every day, and the AMF Summer Games program has a low cost for the whole summer. Read on to learn about each one.
Kids Bowl Free
Kids Bowl Free is a free summer bowling for kids. Registered children can bowl 2 games a day for free, all summer. The age requirement is set by the bowling center. Some offer free bowling to kids up to age 18, and some set the age limit to 15.
First find the one closest to you and then click on the bowling center to register. The start dates and end dates differ between bowling centers. Some start in April, and some go until October.
Please note that bowling shoes are not included.
Participating bowling centers in the Charlotte area:
Sports Connection
11611 Ardrey Kell Drive
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-583-1444
Stars and Strikes
545 Concord Parkway North
Concord, NC 28027
678-965-5707
George Pappas’ Liberty Lanes
2501 S York Rd
Gastonia, NC 28052
704-868-2695
Spare Time Huntersville
16317 Statesville Rd.
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-892-7177
Strikers Family Sports Center
124 N Anderson Road
Rock Hill, SC 29730
803-329-5210
The guidelines vary by bowling center, so make sure to follow the links and find out all the details. Contact the bowling center to see when the program starts and stops this summer.
AMF Summer Games

Photo: Depositphotos
AMF Bowling also has a summer bowling program for kids. AMF Summer Games lets kids and adults bowl three free games every day from May 2nd to September 5th, 2022, but there’s a cost.
The cost might vary by bowling center, but you can expect to pay around $45 per child, and $63 per adult, to bowl all summer. There is also a “Bundle & Save” 4-pack, with 2 kids passes and 2 adult passes, for just $197 for the whole summer. The passes include shoe rental. So it may actually end up being the better deal than Kids Bowl Free.
AMF says that the program will pay for itself if you visit three times.
Charlotte area AMF Bowling Centers:
Bowlero Matthews
11210 Brigman Road
Matthews, NC 28105
704-841-7606
Bowlero Charlotte
210 E Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-716-9300
10 Park Lanes
1700 Montford Drive
Charlotte, NC 28209
704-523-7633
AMF University Lanes
5900 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28213
704-596-4736
AMF Centennial Lanes
4501 South Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28209
704-527-03333