Here's some ideas for those kids who REALLY want a bowling alley party.That was the case with a good friend of mine whose son's "thing" is bowling. Besides the regular few games of bowling, this is what we did to provide some "little extras"... THe invitations were made on the computer- with a bowling graphic...the wording was: STRIKE the date on your calendar...our bowling star is turning 8...etc.etc. We purchased a white wooden bowling pin from the bowling alley ($6 cdn) and had the kids sign their names on it with a Sharpie when they came in- a nice momento for the birthday boy- not all bowling alleys carry these but you can buy them at party stores as well. The kids did the traditional bowling for one game and one game of "fun" bowling...each frame the kids were to bowl in different ways...between the legs bowling, fred flintstone style bowling...backwards bowling etc...the kids loved it.  Each child got a 3D pop up bowling trophy for their efforts (printed off the hewlitt packard website).In the party room, there were a lot of white helium balloons that we drew 3 small spots on to appear like bowling balls. THe food and partyware was all provided by the bowling alley so pizza and pop were enjoyed by all.  The lootbags were cool and VERY original- (the bowling alley actually asked about these with the thought of perhaps including what we'd done with future bowling party packages). We bought a kids plastic bowling set from Walmart (availbale at most dept. stores)...the ones that have the different coloured plastic pins and come with a black ball for about $8 (cdn). We carefully cut the top of each pin- not all the way across- just to create a flap for the pin to open. We then filled the pin up with tons of little trinkets...bowling keychains- gumballs candy and anything that would fit in.  We then closed the "lid" and used sticky coloured tape to cover the slit where we cut. When it was all done- it actually looked great because most pins have a stripe at the top.  We put a computer printed tag with the same bowling graphic as the invitation...saying Glad you could SPARE the time to make ______'s birthday extra special!  It was a great party- it was a way of making a traditional bowling party- just a little different and more creative.