MomsTribute
As schools around the country ramp up this fall, I decided my kids needed one last day of fun before settling into their classroom routines. Back-to-school time is busy, as we all know, but letting loose for a fun day is well worth it. The summer may be ending, but fun never has to end, and spending time with our kids will always be a top priority for many of us. This is a core belief here at the Mom’s Tribute blog, a mom to mom blog that really gets motherhood!
We chose two great activities—bowling and eating out—to fill our day of adventure.
This bowling alley is so much more! A national chain, our local Star & Strikes boasts:
Talk about a one-stop-shop! We arrived at the center shortly before they opened, and once the doors were unlocked, we were off. We paid for our lane (don’t forget your socks or you’ll have to purchase some like we did), and we had a choice between regular lanes or what Stars & Strikes calls “Augmented Reality Bowling” lanes. The augmented reality meant cool 3D effects, light shows on the lanes, black lighting, and a wide variety of game themes for your bowling.
Obviously, we chose augmented reality! It does cost slightly more money than the regular lanes, and if you’re looking for a budget friendly family outing then the regular lanes are still a fantastic option.
We were ushered to the VIP section of the center, and we got set up on our lane. For our first game we chose the Angry Birds theme, which was tons of fun for everyone involved! It took a while to get the hang of the scoring—each game option has its own scoring rules, so keep an eye out for those guidelines. Once we understood what we were doing, though, all was well.
When we first arrived and paid for our bowling, we also ordered snacks through concessions. Now it was time for our snacks to be delivered. Guess who delivered them?
A robotic cat! The 4-foot-tall cat rolled up with beeping, flashing ears to alert us to our snacks. The kids fell in love with this experience, and they happily unloaded their snacks from the feline waiter.
I know what you’re all wondering—who won the bowling game? Believe it or not, my six-year-old beat out everyone else in the game. Of course, the gutter bumpers helped quite a lot! When setting up your game you can opt in or out of the gutter bumpers, which is great when you have small kids.
Stars & Strikes was a big hit, and had we wanted something other than bowling they had plenty to offer.
When we finished bowling, everyone was hungry, despite their snack delivery from the cat robot. We drove a short distance to Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. This was our first time visiting the restaurant that is supposed to mimic an old-fashioned diner. It didn’t disappoint!
Freddy’s offers a menu of traditional diner foods such as burgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers. Don’t let the simple menu fool you though. Their ingredients are high quality, and the food is always prepared fresh.
We took our seats while we waited for our orders to be prepared. When our number was called, we retrieved our food from the pickup window. Drinks were prepared at the self-service station, and condiments, napkins, and the like were available nearby.
Our fresh food was tasty, and the atmosphere was fun and kid friendly. We finished up our meal with a round of ice cream sundaes. Delicious!
Overall, our end-of-summer fun day was a big hit. Bowling and burgers were great choices for us, and because both Stars & Strikes and Freddy’s are national chains it can be easy to find these spots nationally.
If you’d like to find these locales close to you, try downloading the KFV (kid friendly venue) app. This handy time management tip for moms helps you quickly and easily narrow down the best places to visit with kids in your area. You’ll be able to discern quick as a wink if you have a Stars & Strikes or a Freddy’s where you live. If not, no worries! You can find other bowling alleys or burger joints near you that have been rated highly by busy working moms.
We here at Mom’s Tribute wish you and your kiddos a successful school year. Don’t forget to keep checking the Mom’s Tribute mom to mom blog for great tips and tricks. You’ll be glad you did!
Katie C
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