Mid County Bowling & Entertainment

875 North Broad Street   |   Middletown, Delaware 19709   |   302-378-0677

Tips for the First-Time Bowler

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Learning how to bowl can sometimes be a daunting task, but we are here with some pointers on how to bowl like a pro. If it is your first time bowling (or if you just need a refresher), these tips from Mid County Lanes are for you.

1. Find the Right Ball

Finding the perfect ball is a key component to bowling a good game. Typically, your bowling ball should be about 10 percent of your body weight. If you find that a ball that is 10 percent of your body weight feels uncomfortably heavy or light, you can check to see if the sizes below or above it feel right. In addition, you should never have to stretch your hand to fit your fingers in the holes of the bowling ball. Once again, comfort is key here. Once you find the right ball, you could even purchase your own!

2. Protect your Wrist

Your bowling hand should be in line with your wrist throughout your shot. Make sure to keep your wrist straight to avoid injury and bowl with correct form. If you are throwing a hook, you can rotate your wrist toward your body at the end of your swing to avoid bending it.

3. Eye of the Tiger

Always keep your eye on your target when you are bowling. Your arm and wrist will do what your brain tells it to, so there is no need to look at it or the ball. It also helps to follow through with your arm after you shoot, much like you would if you were throwing a baseball.

For more tips on how to bowl a perfect game, contact us.

Bowling FAQs: What Should I Wear to Go Bowling?

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Happy couple in casual clothes sitting outside

Not sure what to wear to the bowling alley? Not to worry! Check out our tips for what to wear bowling from the pros at Mid County Lanes. 

First and foremost: SOCKS! 

That’s right, even if your outfit doesn’t call for socks, you really need to bring socks with you to wear with the bowling shoes you’ll be renting. Thick, absorbent socks are best. If you forget to bring socks, head over to our pro shop to pick up a pair. 

Get comfy

Bowling requires a range of movement, so make sure you wear something comfortable and easy to move in. Avoid super tight or restrictive clothing that could make it difficult to bend over, walk, or swing your arms. The bowling alley is a place to relax and hang out while enjoying some friendly competition, so don’t feel obligated to dress to the nines. 

Don’t get caught

No, we’re not advocating sneaking around. Don’t get caught on your clothes or jewelry! Large or excessive rings and bracelets can get caught on your shirt when swinging your arm to take a shot, or even fly off down the lane! Remember, you should never walk on the lane – if you need assistance, let an employee know. 

You should also avoid wearing any clothing that has a lot of bits and bobs you could snag while bowling. Avoid severely oversized clothing and anything with lots of zippers, loops, cords, or trailing pieces. 

Now that you know how to dress for the bowling alley, it’s time to have some fun! Join us for open bowling or sign up for one of our Middleton bowling leagues.

Make This the Summer of Fun with Family-Friendly Activities in Middletown

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Man bowling at bowling alley

Summer break seems so long when school lets out, but blink and you’ll miss it! Don’t let a whole summer slide by without planning some fun family activities in and around Middletown. Read on for some ideas to keep your family entertained, from the experts at Mid County Lanes and the Family Fun Galaxy. 

Get out of the heat. 

When looking for summertime family activities, it’s important to consider how you’ll beat the heat. Choosing an indoor activity is a smart way to avoid sunburns, bug bites, and heat stroke. At Mid County Lanes, your family can enjoy bowling, bumper cars, laser tag, and much more in the comfort of our indoor, air-conditioned facility! 

Explore Delaware’s natural beauty. 

Take a short trip just 30 minutes away to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to experience the untamed beauty of Delaware’s wetlands and get a look at native species like the piping plover, horseshoe crab, and many more.

Celebrate the tasty peach. 

Mark your calendar for the Middletown Old Tyme Peach Festival on Saturday, August 17th. Hosted by the Middletown Historical Society, this local festival offers a bushel of family fun, with a parade, kids’ activities, art and historical exhibits, a peach pie contest, crafts, games, and of course, plenty of fun fair food featuring the star of the show – peaches! 

What are your favorite summer activities to do with your family in Middletown or elsewhere? Whatever you do to fill these summer days, enjoy the quality time with your family. And remember, we’re always here with fun events and bowling specials to keep the good times rolling. 

Why Bowling is a Great Summer Activity for Your Kids

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Summer is everyone’s favorite season, but it can be admittedly difficult to find ways to entertain your kids when they are not in school. Here are a few reasons why bowling is the ideal summer activity to get your kids involved with:

Get Out of the Heat

If you’re anything like us, you have a love-hate relationship with the sun. It may bring us necessary vitamins and light, but heat exhaustion and sunburns are no joke. What is the best way to avoid that brutal summer heat? Go bowling! It is a great way to stay active while staying cool and out of the elements. Not to mention it is a great activity for rainy summer days as well.

Quality Time With Friends and Family

The best way to gather your friends and family in one place is to tempt them with a bit of friendly competition. Bowling is a great way to spend time with your loved ones and find out who is the best (and worst) bowler. Need some tips on how to win against your family and friends? Take a look at this page on how to bowl your best game ever.

Learn a New Skill

Bowling can definitely take time to get the hang of, but it’s a fun new skill for your kids to learn while they are out of school. Bowling exercises the body and mind. Plus, who knows? You may have a future bowling pro on your hands! You could even get your family to join one of our bowling leagues!

Contact us for more ways to have fun this summer at Mid County Lanes.

Benefits of Company Outings (And How to Plan a Good One!)

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Overhead view of employees fistbumping over conference table

Company outings have gotten a bad rap over the years, with many folks associating them with trust falls and other obnoxious activities designed to force closeness. These days, however, corporate outings and events have come a long way! There are plenty of options to choose from, but are company outings worth it? Check out some of the benefits of corporate outings and team building from your friends at Mid County Bowling in Middletown, DE. 

Company outings improve morale – if you choose the right activity. 

Most of us spend a large part of our waking hours at work, so maintaining a pleasant environment is an important part of managing any workplace. When employee morale is good, the workplace runs more smoothly, allowing your team to overcome the day-to-day frustrations that can plague any business with good humor and teamwork. 

Sometimes that rapport develops naturally over time, but you can help it along by planning fun company outings, giving your employees a chance to get to know each other outside of their job titles and responsibilities. 

How to plan a company outing employees will actually like

Choosing a fun, casual activity that everyone can do is key! Bowling is a great choice because it’s fun, accessible to people of various ages and abilities, and gives players plenty of time to chat with each other. Plus, a little friendly competition is a good ice-breaker!  By building rapport among employees, you’re facilitating better communication and a more team-focused attitude. 

Whatever your corporate outing activity may be, remember to keep it relaxed! At Mid County Bowling, we have plenty of experience hosting group events and would love to help you plan a company outing that gets employees talking, laughing, and enjoying each others’ company. Call us today at 302-378-0677 for more information, or check out our group bowling rates. 

Cool Off with Summer Specials at Mid County Lanes

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Two people toasting with summer cocktails

Summer is here, kids are out of school, and even us grownups are looking for ways to stay cool and have fun! Fortunately we’ve got you covered with our summer specials at Mid County Lanes.

Honor Roll Special – Free bowling or laser tag for studious scholars

Throughout the month of June 2019, all students can bring in a final report card proving honor roll status to receive 3 games of bowling with shoe rental OR 2 rounds of laser tag FOR FREE!

Thirsty Thursdays Cosmic Bowling – Glow up your game with drink specials and bowling discounts

Every Thursday through August from 7 pm to close, we’ll be offering bowling and drink specials you won’t want to miss. Enjoy $2.50 domestic draft beers, $3 fireball shots, and $5 rail drinks. We’ll also be offering some great bowling specials: $18 per hour/lane for up to 5 bowlers, OR $4 per game per person. Shoe rental will cost $3.75 per person.

Bright Pin Cosmic Bowling – Stellar deals for early birds

Our ongoing Early Bird cosmic bowling special is available Fridays and Saturdays from 7 pm to 9 pm for $25/hour/lane (5 bowler per lane maximum). It pays to be early, because from 9 pm to 12 am the price per lane goes up to $35.  Invite your friends and get ready to have a ball. In fact, if you throw a strike when a bright pin is at the head of the pins, you’ll get to spin our prize wheel!

Don’t let the summer slip by without making time for fun with friends at our Middleton bowling alley and family fun center. It’s literally good for your health! Looking to plan a larger event? Check out our bowling group rates or give us a call!

Don’t Be that Bowling Bozo

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No matter what activity you’re participating in, there are some general rules of etiquette and safety—both written and unwritten. The same goes for bowling. We’re here to teach you or your children basic bowling etiquette and safety.

We hope the following tips will promote a safe, exciting night of family fun and friendly competition.

  • Don’t eat or drink on the wooden flooring around the lanes (called “the approaches”). The approaches need to stay clean for easier ball movement. If a spill happens on the approaches, no worries! Just let someone at Mid County Lanes know so we can clean it up immediately.
  • One ball at a time please. I know we sometimes get those two pin splits and someone wants to try the double ball move but this can cause some serious damage to our equipment. If a ball gets stuck half way down the lane, instead of throwing another ball, get one of our staff and we will retrieve the stranded ball.
  • Don’t bowl when the sweep is down. The sweep is the mechanical arm the cleans the pins off after each turn. When you’re in a heated game, the sweep may seem to take a while. However, please do not bowl while the sweep is down as it could break the sweep or the machinery altogether.
  • Find a ball that is right for you. If you choose a ball that’s too heavy, you can drop the ball on your foot or behind you during your backswing. If you choose a ball that’s too light, the ball could go flying across lanes or up in the air.
  • Remember basic bowling etiquette. The major bowling etiquette rule is not to bowl when the people in the lanes on either side of you are winding up to bowl or are mid-bowl. Make sure to wait until your neighbors are finished before you begin.

We hope these few basics will make your family feel confident when walking into the bowling alley for family fun night! Check out our hours and events so no one misses out on the fun.

The Best Summer Camp Activities in Middletown

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Closeup of bowling shoes being worn in front of a bowling laneSchool is nearly out, and that means it is almost time for summer full of activities. If you’re looking for fun summer activities around Middletown for your daycare, summer camp, or church group, then you’ve come to the right place.

  • Visit a Museum or Historical Site – An educational trip to a nearby historical site or museum is always a great choice. The nearby Delaware Children’s Museum has lots of great interactive exhibits to entertain and educate your camp goers.
  • Go to the Movies – Most theaters have summer children’s programming and many even offer discount group rates for daytime showings.
  • Volunteer – Depending on the ages of your campers, consider giving back to the community. A few ideas include adopting a road or beach, sorting food donations at a local food bank, and writing cards to deployed soldiers. Your organization could even organize a fun run.
  • Take them Bowling – You can’t go wrong with bowling. It’s a fun, active activity that’s inside with A/C, so there’s no sunscreen or bug spray required. It is the perfect opportunity to give campers a chance to get out of the heat for a little bit while still staying active. Bowling is also great for a wide range of age groups and skill levels. Our Middletown bowling alley also hosts lots of other great children’s attractions including our Frog Hopper, bumper cars, Ballocity, arcade, and Lazer Tag.

For more information about bringing your daycare, summer camp, or church group to Mid County Bowling, contact us at 302-378-0677!

4 Strategies to Plan Your Teen’s Birthday Party

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happy teen on colorful backgroundAre you having trouble trying to plan a birthday party that won’t make your teen roll their eyes? It may sound like a difficult task, but thankfully it’s not nearly as hard as it sounds. All you need is an exciting venue and to follow these party planning tips.

Here are some teen birthday planning tips to make sure your teen has the perfect party:

    • Pick a Group Activity – Make sure that your venue hosts a good social activity or two. Teens especially like group activities so pick something like bowling, Lazer Tag, or arcade games that they can all do together. Bonus points if you pick a group activity that is also competitive. Competition is a great way to get teens engaged.
    • Choose Something Instagram- or Snapchat-able – Pick something that’s a little out of the ordinary and that makes for good pictures. Something like cosmic bowling is the perfect pick.
    • Get with the Times – These days paper invitations are unnecessary. Your teen’s friends will be more likely to come if you send an e-vite that they can’t lose. This will also save you money that you can reinvest into the party.
    • Feed Them – What do teens love more than socializing and social media? Eating you out of house and home! Fortunately our snack bar can keep them fueled up and happy.

Our attractions make us the perfect Middletown birthday party venue for teens, so contact us at 302-378-0677 for more information about planning your teen’s Middletown birthday party!

Interesting Bowling Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

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If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been bowling before and most likely have a grasp of what bowling is. However, not many people know these fun facts about bowling that will make you want to head to Mid County Lanes as soon as possible!

  • The earliest known forms of bowling date back to 3200 BC in ancient Egypt.
  • King Henry VIII of England loved to bowl and banned bowling from lower class citizens of England.
  • Bowling began as a religious ritual to cleanse people from their sins in Germany.
  • In 1948, two bowling lanes were built in the West Wing of The White House as a birthday gift to the president at the time, Harry S. Truman.
  • The National Bowling Association was established in New York City in 1875 in order to establish standardized rules for for ten-pin bowling.
  • In bowling, three strikes is called a “turkey,” six strikes is a “wild turkey,” and nine strikes is a “golden turkey.” Also, four strikes is a called a “ham bone.”
  • It is required that bowling pins be 15 inches tall, but there is no minimum weight for a bowling ball.
  • The largest bowling center in the world is located in Inazawa, Japan and has 116 lanes.
  • According to the United States Bowling Congress, bowling balls can have up to 12 holes, as long as it can be demonstrated that each hole has a use.

To learn more about bowling or practice bowling with your newfound knowledge and appreciation, contact us!