TENPIN BOWLING

Recommended age group: 10–12

SETTING THE SCENE

Strike a hit when you host this party and be the most popular parent on the block – both boys and girls will be enthralled!

* Contact the bowling alley beforehand to establish their criteria and to confirm a booking on the date required. Plan to have the party food either before or after the outing, depending on the time scheduled at the alley. If the latter is the preferred option, ascertain whether you may take light refreshments to the venue, in which case it is wise to pack a drink for each child together with a light snack.
* Take a camera to the venue so that you may capture the action.
* Although the greater portion of this party will be held at the bowling alley, children will appreciate the following simple yet effective home décor.
* Cut out a large bowling ball from cardboard, paint it red and include three black finger holes. Mount the bowling ball on the front gate together with a bunch of red, black and white balloons that have been tied together with red, black and white curling ribbon.
* Duplicate the cardboard bowling balls in varying sizes and use the smaller balls to lay a trail from the gate to the front entrance. Use the others to mount on the walls in the party area.
* Cover the party table with white crepe paper and add red and black cardboard balls and red and black confetti to complete the effect.
* Create a canopy above the party table by draping twisted red, black and white streamers from the centre of the ceiling to the outer edges.
* Attach bundles of red, black and white balloons to the corners of the ceiling.

Coat the two larger circles with black paint and set aside to dry. (You can also use black cardboard.)
Write the invitation details (see Suggested Wording) on the notepaper. Fold and tie with curling ribbon. Attach to the back of the largest ball with Prestik® so that it is not visible from the front.
Glue the three 8 mm circles onto the large ball and punch a hole near the edge.
Write the guest’s name at the back of the 35 mm circle with the glitter pen.
Glue the three 5 mm circles to this ball, punch a hole near the edge, and attach to the larger ball with the curling ribbon.

SUGGESTED WORDING

Score a strike at (child’s name)’s party on (date)

Bowling house: (address)

Curve ball delivery: (time party starts)

Dead ball delivery: (time party ends)

RSVP: The House Manager at (phone number) by (date)

Dress: As for tenpin bowling – (provide details of the outing here) (You may suggest that the guests dress in red, white or black.)

Coat the two larger circles with black paint and set aside to dry.
Glue the three red 8 mm circles to the largest ball and glue the ball to the centre front of the bag.
Write the guest’s name at the back of the 35 mm circle with the glitter pen.
Glue the three 5 mm circles to this ball and punch a hole near the edge. Attach this nametag to the handle with the curling ribbon.

Bake the cake according to the recipe and leave to cool completely.
Coat the top and sides of the cake with white icing.
Use a toothpick and a ruler to mark four gutters – about 15 mm wide – along the length of the cake as illustrated. (The space between the two centre gutters measures about 15 mm wide as well.)
Colour the sugar paste with the red food colouring. Roll out the sugar paste to 2–4 mm thick on a surface dusted with icing sugar and so that it measures about 320 × 80 mm. Cut four strips measuring 320 × 15 mm and place in position on the cake. Trim the edges to neaten.
Sandwich the three wafer strips together with icing to make a stand for the bowling balls. Coat with icing and place between the central gutters.
Use the star nozzle to decorate the central gutter and pipe a row of stars around the top edge of the cake as well as around the base.
Place the pins at one end of each alley.
Mark the gumballs with the black pen to create finger holes and place two balls on the stand and one in the alley.
Place a doll in each alley.

Easy Biscuits (page 161)
Pin template (page 162)
Icing (page 160) – white, red
Black non-toxic food colouring pen (or black powdered food colouring dissolved in water or white alcohol)
Red gumball

Prepare the biscuit dough as per the recipe.
Trace the template onto stiff paper, cut it out and use this pin to cut out the biscuits. Bake as directed and leave to cool completely.
Coat the biscuit with white icing and use a writing nozzle to make two red stripes at the ‘neck’ of the pin.
Draw or paint three black dots on the gumball and place at the base of the biscuit, pressing lightly into the icing to secure.

Fill the cookie cup with sweets.
Coat the Marie biscuit with icing and place over the open end of the cookie cup. Upend so that the biscuit forms the base.
Use the star nozzle to decorate the flat top of the cookie cup and pipe a row of stars around the base to neaten.
Tie a short length of curling ribbon around the ‘neck’ of the bowling pin and place in position on top of the cookie cup.
Enhance with silver balls.

Bake the cupcakes in the cookie cups as per the recipe and leave to cool completely.
Use a serrated knife to trim into a ball shape if necessary before covering the top of the cupcake with white icing.
Add the three red sweets as illustrated.

Mark three holes on the gumball with the pen.
Place a generous scoop of ice cream in the cone or parfait dish, top with a gumball and enhance with the wafer fan.