This summer I am creating family memories not through big, extravagant trips, or wild, out there camps, but by taking my kiddos on simple adventures, and bringing my big girl camera along with us. To me, the most important parts of our lives are the every day moments, and those are the ones I will capture during this photo series. Today’s simple family adventure: family fun at the bowling alley.
Maybe you’re here for cute photos of kids bowling their little hearts out, maybe you’re here to get some ideas for adventures YOU can take your kids on this summer, or maybe you’re here because you want to book me as your photographer for your next family outting. Any which way you slice it we’ll have some fun, you’ll see some cute photos, and maybe walk away with a new perspective on these sweet, every day moments.
Station 300 in Saline, Michigan
Our local bowling alley is a classic, still boasting vintage elements like the ball returns, old lanes, and those retro red, white, and blue bowling shoes. And while it’s recently changed hands and is getting some much needed upgrades (hello patio seating), it’s still the bowling alley we’ve always loved, and bonus, it’s usually pretty quiet during the week.
Super bonus, Station 300 in Saline participates in the Kids Bowl Free program, which as it says in the name, if you sign your kids up, you get coupons for FREE BOWLING all summer long! I’ve seen the ads scroll by in years past, but never had my act together enough to sign up (spoiler alert, it’s not hard, I’m just a Type C mom… aka I have ADHD). But this year I am trying to be different, and somehow my brain is a little bit clearer, so these little tasks don’t feel so hard. I even created a list with my kiddos of 24 activities they wanted to do this summer, made a calendar that they can cross off each day for the summer, and filled in all of our fun activities (bowling included). Somebody, please clap for me, this is a big deal for this ADHD mom in perimenopause.
So back to the bowling, we got to the alley, only had to pay for the shoe rental, and the kids bowled their little hearts out! They both had so much fun, I loved every minute of providing this (nearly) free adventure for them, and I’m so glad I brought my camera with me. More about that in a moment, but first, enjoy some of these precious photos of my kids!
Why the big girl camera, Emily? It’s just bowling…
Yeah, I guess it’s just bowling, but have you ever seen how excited kids get when you tell them you’re going to the bowling alley? Well, my kids LOVE bowling (as do I, ask me why the middle finger on my right hand is bent funny the next time you see me), so this was just one of those moments that I wanted to remember.
You know those moments, the ones that are so special to your family even if they happen often? Those are the moments that make life special. That make your life unique. The ones that your kids will someday ask about when they have kids of their own. They’ll want to pass on those happy memories to their future families and what better way to do that than by showing them photos? And while phones are great for the spur of the moment memories you create with your family, sometimes it’s nice to bring out the big girl camera for these planned outings.
I want my kids to see all the fun we have as a family this summer. I want them to remember this silly moments we had together. I want them to have a treasure trove of love they can hold in their hands (I plan on printing a photo book of our summer, so that’s what they’re holding in this hypothetical). Because that’s really what photo sessions should be about. The love of a family, and this brief blip in time. You’re not going to want to forget it, and neither do I.
Oh, and one last thing…
I love getting to be creative, and what better way to flex that muscle than with photos of my own kids, amirite? So for these bowling photos I wanted a more vintage/film feel to them, even though my usual editing style leans more towards crisp and bright colors. We all need to grasp at any and all joy that comes our way, so this will be mine. This photo series I plan to continue throughout the summer (and who knows, maybe I’ll love it so much it keeps going) will follow along with me, my kids Oliver and Violet, and maybe every once in a while you’ll see my husband Ryan, our puppy Apple, or our kitty Rockefeller.
I hope you follow along on this special family journey, and I hope you love it as much as I do (and as much as my kids love bowling).
If you want photos that highlight the simple, lovely, sweet, little life you’ve created, have I got the perfect session for you! Now through August 15th, 2026 you can book a Summer Backyard Session which is only 45 minutes and as the name suggests, right there in your backyard. We’ll plan a few activities, and all you need to do is be home at the time you book! That’s it, easy peasy. No need to get new clothes, no need to schlep everyone to a far away park, and no time for those car arguments that almost always happen (at least in my family). Click the link above to read more about what these sessions are all about, and get ready for some classic summer memories to be made!
Bonus: want some ideas for fun activities to do with your family throughout the year near Ann Arbor? Grab this guide with 9 seasonal family adventures (plus 1 extra year-round idea for when you just need to get out of the house).
