Mummy Bowling: Easy DIY Halloween Party Game

Empty bottles, toilet paper, and a ball—that’s your invitation to turn the hallway into a Halloween bowling alley!

Mummy bowling is a DIY Halloween party game where players roll a ball toward plastic bottles wrapped like mummies. It’s easy to adjust for kids, teens, or adults, and you can make the pins with supplies you may already have.

The mummies don’t need perfect bandages, either. A little crooked wrapping gives them personality. Apparently, even the undead have rushed mornings.

Here’s how to make your mummy bowling pins, set up the lane, and play with simple scoring.

Mummy Bowling at a Glance

Detail	Game plan
Players	Two or more, taking turns
Location	A clear indoor space or smooth, dry outdoor surface
Pins	Ten matching plastic bottles, or six for a smaller setup
Turns	Up to two rolls per player
Scoring	One point for each pin knocked down
Game length	Three rounds, or more if your group wants to keep playing
Best occasions	Halloween parties, classroom celebrations, family game nights, and fall festivals

Supplies for DIY Mummy Bowling

Gather these supplies:

• Ten empty plastic bottles: Matching bottles help the pins behave consistently.
• White crepe-paper streamers or toilet paper: These become the mummy bandages.
• Clear tape: To secure the wrapping.
• Black paper eyes, eye stickers, or a marker: To give each mummy a face.
• A lightweight ball: Choose one that rolls smoothly and can knock over the bottles.
• Painter’s tape: To mark an indoor starting line and pin positions.
• Paper and a pencil: To keep score.

Six bottles work, too. Use the smaller setup if you have limited space or want quicker resets.

Missing the bandages? A roll of white crepe-paper streamers makes it easy to wrap the whole mummy crew without emptying the bathroom.

For younger children, use drawn or securely attached paper eyes instead of small loose googly eyes.

How to Make Mummy Bowling Pins

1. Clean and Dry the Bottles

Remove the labels, rinse the bottles, and let them dry completely. Keep the caps securely attached.

Start with empty bottles. They’re easier to knock over, especially for younger players.

2. Wrap Each Bottle

Tape one end of a white streamer or strip of toilet paper near the bottom of the bottle.

Wrap upward, slightly overlapping the layers. Leave a small gap near the top for the eyes, then tape down the loose end.

Keep the bottle’s base flat and free of bunched-up paper so it can stand upright.

3. Add the Mummy Eyes

Draw eyes in the opening or attach black paper eyes.

For a more recognizable mummy look, add one final strip of paper just above or below the eyes. That peeking-through-the-bandages face is what makes the bottles look like mummies instead of plain white pins.

4. Test One Pin Before Finishing the Set

Stand the first bottle up and roll your ball toward it.

If it tips over easily and the wrapping stays attached, finish the remaining bottles the same way. If paper catches underneath the base, trim or retape it.

How to Set Up the Halloween Bowling Lane

Choose a level space with room for the ball to roll and players to wait behind the starting line.

Arrange ten pins in a triangle:

• One pin in the front row
• Two in the second row
• Three in the third row
• Four in the back row

For six pins, use rows of one, two, and three.

Leave a little space between bottles. Place small pieces of painter’s tape under their positions to make resetting easier.

Where Should the Starting Line Go?

Begin with a short lane and test it with your ball. These are suggested starting distances, not fixed rules:

Players	Suggested distance
Younger children	About 3–4 feet
Elementary-age kids	About 5–6 feet
Teens and adults	About 8 feet, if space allows

Move the line closer if players struggle to reach the pins. Move it farther away if every roll knocks down the entire set.

For mixed-age groups, mark two starting lines so everyone gets a reasonable challenge.

Need a ball for your homemade lane? Choose a lightweight bowling or play ball that rolls smoothly and suits your available space.

Clear nearby breakables and keep the lane out of busy walkways. Players can bowl from a seated position, too.

How to Play Mummy Bowling

Use these rules for an easy Halloween party version:

1. Choose the playing order. Players wait behind the starting line.
2. Roll the ball toward the pins. Use an underhand roll rather than a throw.
3. Count the fallen pins. A helper removes them from the lane.
4. Take a second roll at the remaining pins. Do not reset the fallen pins between rolls.
5. Record the turn’s score. Each fallen pin earns one point.
6. Reset the full set for the next player.
7. Play three rounds. Add each player’s scores to find the winner.

If someone knocks down every pin on the first roll, their turn ends with the maximum score.

Wait until the ball stops before anyone enters the lane to retrieve it or reset the pins.

Simple Mummy Bowling Scoring

With ten pins, each player can earn up to ten points per turn.

For example:

• First roll: four pins fall.
• Second roll: three more fall.
• Turn total: seven points.

A strike means all pins fall on the first roll. A spare means all pins fall across two rolls.

For this party version, both earn ten points. You don’t need traditional bowling’s bonus calculations.

After three rounds, the highest possible score is 30.

Tie-breaker: Reset the pins and give each tied player one roll. Repeat if needed until the tie is broken.

Mummy Bowling Variations for Kids and Adults

Preschool Mummy Bowling

Use six empty bottles, a closer starting line, and a larger lightweight ball.

Let children practice before keeping score, or skip scores entirely. Count the fallen mummies together and celebrate each turn.

Classroom Halloween Bowling

Keep one small group at the lane while other children enjoy a separate activity.

Assign simple rotating jobs:

• Bowler
• Scorekeeper
• Pin resetter

The resetter waits until the ball stops before entering the lane.

For another station, pair bowling with this Eyeball Halloween Game.

Team Mummy Bowling

Divide players into teams with the same number of turns.

Add individual scores to each team’s total. For mixed-age teams, allow children and adults to use different starting lines.

Adult Mummy Bowling Challenge

Keep the basic rules but add one challenge:

• Bowl with your nondominant hand.
• Use a longer lane.
• Play a one-roll round.
• Compete in teams for the highest combined score.

Start with one change so the game stays easy to follow.

Planning the rest of your celebration? Find games, food, and themes in these Halloween party ideas for adults.

Cooperative Mummy Bowling

Set a group goal instead of naming one winner.

For example, challenge everyone to knock down a combined total of 40 pins. Adjust the target to your group’s size and abilities.

Troubleshooting Your Mummy Bowling Game

The Pins Fall Over Before Anyone Bowls

Check that the surface is level and no wrapping is tucked beneath the bottle bases. Move the game indoors if wind keeps tipping the bottles.

The Ball Won’t Knock Over the Pins

Move the starting line closer, check that the bottles are empty, and try a different lightweight ball. Test the setup before guests arrive.

The Wrapping Keeps Coming Loose

Secure the ends with another small piece of tape. Crepe-paper streamers are another option if your toilet paper tears during resets.

Players Spend Too Long Waiting

Use six pins for faster resets, shorten the game to two rounds, or set up a second lane if space allows.

Prize Ideas for Mummy Bowling

You don’t need an elaborate prize table. Try:

• Halloween stickers
• A small coloring book
• A seasonal pencil
• Funny socks
• A mini trophy
• A “Mummy Bowling Champion” certificate

You can also recognize Best Teamwork, Most Improved Bowler, or Funniest Mummy Pin.

For more ideas, browse these kids’ Halloween game prizes or adult Halloween party prizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a toy bowling set instead of bottles?

Yes. Wrap the toy pins with white paper, keeping the bases clear, and use the ball that comes with the set. Test that the decorations stay attached during play.

Can you play mummy bowling indoors?

Yes. A clear hallway or another level space can work well. Use a lightweight ball, move breakables, and leave room for players to wait outside the lane.

How many bottles do you need?

Use ten bottles for a full triangular setup or six for a smaller game. With six pins, each turn has a maximum score of six.

Can I make mummy bowling pins ahead of time?

Yes. Store the finished pins somewhere dry where they won’t be crushed. Check the tape and wrapping before setting up the game.

Is mummy bowling suitable for adults?

Yes. Increase the lane distance, try nondominant-hand bowling, or play a team tournament. Use the same simple scoring to keep the party moving.

More Halloween Party Fun

Your mummy pins are ready. Your lane is marked. Now all that’s left is finding out who becomes surprisingly competitive about knocking over recycled bottles.

Want another mummy-themed activity? Add this Mummy Wrap Relay Race to your party plans.

You can also finish the celebration with a Halloween costume contest.

Would your group play for fun, or would someone immediately demand a championship trophy? Tell me in the comments!