Thank you to Lessard Lanes for providing complimentary bowling for Tiffany and her family. Any opinions expressed by this blogger are 100% her own.
I have always felt like the winter months were long and boring and it was always a struggle to find things to do to keep the boys busy. I guess that all changes when organized sports become part of the equation. I can honestly say we have had very little time for any outings and adventures this winter. So, when we were invited to check out Lessard Lanes in Plainville, we were excited to take advantage of an early dismissal day to try out something new.
Lessard Lanes is in a building that some of you may remember as having been Laurel Lanes bowling alley for many, many years. In 2016, Marcel Lessard became the new owner, running it with his wife and children as a true family business. The bowling alley was completely remodeled from a 40 lane bowling alley into a 28 lane bowling alley with a full, 18 hole indoor miniature golf course right inside the building. They offer leagues for children & adults, birthday parties, as well as open bowling.
After I rounded up all the boys from school – we headed right over. I had an idea of where they were located, but it was super easy to find them by the big “Lessard Lanes” sign out front. There is a really big parking lot with plenty of parking and easy access to both of their entrances. The main entrance is located on the longer side of the building and the second entrance is right along the front of the building on the road side. They all lead to the same place, so you can’t go wrong. 🙂
We parked closer to the road so we went in through the side entrance.
Being a weekday afternoon, the bowling alley wasn’t especially busy – which was really nice. We checked in at the front counter, got some fun bowling shoes, and were assigned to our own lane for bowling.
I had been really looking forward to bowling with the boys, but with a very busy 18 month old in tow, I could tell I was going to have to be more of a cheerleader for this one. The little guy REALLY wanted to play with the bowling balls… I thought maybe he would try to pick it up and realize he couldn’t and just move on to something else… clearly I underestimated the strength of this little boy and quickly learned this wasn’t going to go exactly as I had hoped.
I made the executive decision that grabbing the umbrella stroller from the car was going to be my only chance with this guy. Luckily, he was very content with some snacks and cheering on his brothers!
With that being said, I chatted with the
As a side note – you can see, Lessard Lanes is stroller friendly & handicap accessible including ramps at both of the entrances, special handicap accessible bowling lanes, as well as the miniature golf course being wheelchair and stroller friendly. Really awesome.
Ok – so now that the little guy is strapped in, we could actually get into the bowling. Kelly was kind enough to set our lane up with bumpers to help us avoid gutterballs, a helper ramp for Rex, as well as several of their green, 6 lb bowling balls – which are the lightest ones they have.
There are lots and lots of other size balls available for use while you’re there, if the green 6 pounder isn’t your size and style.
It took a couple of frames for the boys to find their groove with the bowling but as soon as they started to figure out how to kind of get the ball to go where they wanted to, it very quickly became fun AND competitive. They asked me after EVERY single frame “Who is winning, Mom? Who is winning?” They were loving it.
The TVs over each lane serve as the scorecard, letting each player know when it is their turn and even offering up some pointers on the best approach for your second ball in each frame. They also gave us a print out of their scores to bring home for bragging rights. 😉
Rex was enjoying using the helper ramp since it was a little difficult for him to really lift and roll the bowling ball properly on his own. It was perfect though because it allowed him the opportunity to focus on the concept of bowling and figuring out which direction he should point the helper to get the most pins knocked down.
And Ace was good using the bowling ball on his own – although they both definitely benefited from the use of bumpers. I would recommend them for anyone playing for the first time or just playing for fun. It really is a lot more fun to play when you’re not rolling gutterball after gutterball.
The boys got through just about 3 full games of bowling before they could no longer resist asking to check out the arcade.
There were quite a few games that took quarters, so the boys played a few each. Some of the games even gave out tickets and the boys had fun cashing them into prize machine to get some little prizes.
While the boys were playing, I took the opportunity to check out the birthday party room, the snack bar and of course the bathroom situation. 🙂
Lessard Lanes offers birthday parties with a variety of packages, including bowling, mini-golf or a combination of the two as well as the option to use their decorated private party room.
Their snack bar was closed while we were there, but they are almost always open and seem to offer lots of options for food, snacks and drinks.
So I was impressed by the bathrooms, they had a separate men’s and women’s bathroom (the women’s bathroom has a changing table) as well as, what I like to call, a family/handicap accessible bathroom, equipped with a changing table as well. Super convenient when all of a sudden everyone needs to use the bathroom AND we are in need a diaper change.
It wasn’t too long before the boys had run out of quarters and they were now begging to play mini golf. They were beyond disappointed when I told them we need to save that for another day. The little guy was only going to sit quietly in that stroller for so long and we had already been there for about 2 hours having fun.
But, just to be fair – and of course for Out and About Mom research purposes – we did have to at least check out the course. It was really impressive, with bowling accents throughout – we will absolutely go back to play sometime soon.
Before heading out, I had a few minutes to chat some more with Kelly and get the history of Lessard Lanes as well get some more information on the leagues and programs they offer.
I loved the idea for the Adult/Child league they offer starting in May for the chance to play alongside the kids. That’s not really something you find, a way for you and your child to be in a sport or organized activity together.
They’re also offering up some spring break specials for the next two week – something that they do over most school breaks so be sure to check their website for the latest specials going on.
As we were chatting Kelly also mentioned another awesome deal that starts May 21st and runs through the summer called “$2 Tuesdays”, where they offer $2 games of mini golf, $2 shoe rental, and $2 games of bowling from 5-11PM each Tuesday. Can’t beat that! Check out their calendar for the latest special
So, if you’ve ever thought about taking your kids bowling or mini golfing – I would absolutely say it’s worth checking out Lessard Lanes. The boys had a great time. I look forward to going back to bowl as a family when the littlest Wentworth gets a bit older!
Lessard Lanes – Family Entertainment Center
136 New Britain Ave
Plainville, CT 06062
Phone: 860- 747-1657
Website - www.LessardLanes.com
Find them on Facebook
Hours (2019):
Sun: 10 AM-10 PM
Mon: 9:30 AM - 10 PM
Tues: 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Wed-Thur: 9:30 AM - 11 PM
Fri: 10 AM - 12:30 AM
Sat: 9:30 AM - 12:30 AM
Pricing (2019):
BOWLING GAME RATES:
Nights/Weekends: $5.00 per game/per person
Daytime (Mon-Fri until 5 PM): $4.00 per game/per person
Senior (Mon-Fri until 5 PM): $3.00 per game/per person
SHOE RENTAL:
Adults - $4.00
Children - $3.50
MINI GOLF RATES:
Adults - $8.25
Juniors (12 & under) - $6.60
Seniors (60 & Over) - $6.60
Check out their website for the most up to date rates & hours.
Details:
Stroller Friendly: YES
Coffee Mug Friendly: YES (Kelly said she would never ask someone to give up their coffee)
Restroom: YES
Baby Changing Station: YES; in the family/handicap & women’s restroom.
Parking: YES
Food for Sale: YES; there is a snack bar as well as vending machines.
Outside Food Allowed: They ask that you do not bring in outside food & drinks other than coffee.
Cash Required: NO
Dress Code: Remember to bring/wear socks for those bowling shoes!
Age Recommendations: All ages are welcome – but from personal
Evening/Weekend Hours: YES
Discounts: YES – check their calendar for school vacation and other special offers & events.
Birthday Party Venue: YES – Check out their Birthday Party information.
Looks like a nice place. Did dad go too or just mom and the boys?