Mundelein preschoolers enjoy bowling field trip

Five-year-old Jill Kennicott held the large, heavy bowling ball awkwardly as she approached the lane hoping to knock down the ten wooden pins. She watched her ball slowly amble down the lane, bouncing from one bumper to the other. Finally, several pins fell in a slow-motion avalanche.

Each child demonstrated a unique style in his or her approach, with some kneeling and gently pushing the ball down the lane and others sending theirs aloft like a shot put.

The Mundelein Park District Learning Center Preschool held their annual bowling field trip for 4- and 5-year-old classes recently at Fair Haven Lanes in Mundelein.

"This is bumper bowling so they are always going to hit some pins," explained Principal Myra Tatarowicz. "They love it. They are jumping around and having a great time."

Taking a break from normal studies of learning the alphabet and counting to 100, excited children jumped for joy and high-fived their friends while watching pins fall. For many of the children, this was their first time bowling.

"The kids just love coming to the bowling alley. They get to interact with their friends and show us their moves," said Lori Ludwick, a teacher at the school.

"I like to get strikes," smiled 5-year-old Michael Farina.