Halloween Ghost Bowling Game Printable + Scorecard

Roll Into Halloween With Ghost Bowling

There is something about a hallway turned into a bowling lane that gets everyone laughing, even the adults who swore they were just going to watch. You set up ten little ghosts, roll a ball down a taped lane, and cheer every time one topples over. It costs almost nothing, takes about fifteen minutes to build, and works for a living room party, a classroom, or a backyard get-together.

This is bowling where you knock ghost pins down with a ball. It is different from pumpkin bowling, which uses pumpkin pins or pumpkin targets. It is different from mummy bowling, which uses bottle mummies. Here, the pins are ghosts, plain and simple, and that is half the charm. White pins with goofy faces look great in photos.

What You Need

Ten empty toilet paper rolls, or ten empty plastic bottles if you want sturdier pins
White paper, white paint, or white socks to cover the pins
A black marker for ghost faces
One lightweight ball, like a small playground ball or a soft foam ball
Painter’s tape or masking tape for the lane lines
A flat floor, hallway, or driveway space about ten to twelve feet long
A printed copy of the scorecard below, or a blank sheet of paper
A pencil for scoring
Optional: orange construction paper, string lights, or a small prize for the winner

How to Set Up Your Ghost Lane

Start by making your ghosts. If you are using toilet rolls, wrap each one in white paper and tape it closed at the back. If you are using bottles, paint them white or slip a white sock over each one. Draw a face on each ghost with a black marker. Some can look spooky, some can look surprised, and one can look downright silly. My honest opinion: the silly ones get the biggest laughs, so do not try to make them all perfect.

Next, tape your lane. Lay two strips of tape on the floor, about two feet apart, running ten to twelve feet from your throwing line to the pins. Mark the throwing line with one more strip of tape across the lane. For younger kids, move the line closer, maybe six or seven feet from the pins. That one change keeps little arms from getting tired and keeps the game fun instead of frustrating.

Set the pins up in the classic bowling triangle at the far end. The back row has four ghosts, then three, then two, then one ghost at the front point. Leave a little space between each pin, about two or three inches, so a good roll can actually scatter them. Place a small rug or towel behind the pins if you are playing indoors, just to stop the ball from rolling too far.

How to Play Ghost Bowling

Each player gets two rolls per turn, just like regular bowling. Roll the ball down the lane and count how many ghosts fall. If a pin wobbles but stays standing, it does not count. If a pin falls and then another pin knocks it back up, which almost never happens, count it as down anyway and move on. Keep things moving and do not argue over wobblers, because the game is supposed to be quick.

After the first roll, leave the fallen pins where they are and roll again at what is left. Write down how many pins fell on each roll. Then reset all ten ghosts for the next player. A full game is ten frames for older kids and adults, which means ten turns each. For younger kids, play a three-round version instead: three turns each, add up the total pins, and the highest total wins. Both versions work, so pick the one that fits your party schedule.

For a tournament format, split players into two teams and play head to head. Each team member bowls one frame, then the next teammate goes. Add up the team totals at the end. If there is a tie, play one bonus frame each, and the player with the most pins in that frame wins it for their team. A small prize, like a bag of candy or a silly ghost sticker, makes the final frame feel like a real event.

Printable Ghost Bowling Scorecard

Copy this scorecard onto paper, or print this page and use it as your score sheet. Write one player’s name at the top of each card.

Player Name: ____________________
Frame 1: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Frame 2: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Frame 3: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Frame 4: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Frame 5: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Frame 6: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Frame 7: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Frame 8: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Frame 9: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Frame 10: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Grand Total: ___

Three-Round Version for Kids
Round 1: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Round 2: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Round 3: Roll 1 ___ Roll 2 ___ Total ___
Grand Total: ___

Scoring is simple on purpose. Just add up pins knocked down, not real bowling math with strikes and spares. If you knock down all ten on your first roll, write a star next to that frame. Keeping the math simple means kids can score their own games.

Fun Variations to Try

Try trick pins for a second round. Mark the bottom of one ghost with a star before the game. Whoever knocks down the star ghost gets five bonus points, or picks a prize from a small bowl. It adds suspense, because nobody knows which ghost is lucky until it falls.

Try glow bowling for an evening party. Slip a small glow stick inside each bottle ghost and turn the room lights low. Just make sure the floor is clear and everyone can see where they are stepping.

Tips and Safety Notes

Use a soft or lightweight ball indoors, never a heavy bowling ball or a hard rubber ball that could dent a wall or hurt a foot. Keep the lane away from stairs, sharp furniture corners, and anything breakable. Clear the throwing area before each roll so nobody walks into the lane mid-throw. For toddlers, let them roll from a seated position or roll the ball with two hands, and skip scoring entirely if that keeps it fun. Stop the game if the floor gets slippery, and wipe up any spills right away.

Free Printable + Premium Bundles

The game content above is free to print and use at your party, in your classroom, or at home with your family. Copy the scorecard, make your ghosts, tape your lane, and you are ready to play. If you want a ready-to-go decorated version with matching ghost pins, scorecards, and party signs, you can find full premium printable bundles at fukroo.etsy.com.