There Are 14 Creative DIY Ways To Repurpose Bowling Balls

Your favorite bowling ball used to be your partner in striking down pins and racking up points. With your days competing in the local bowling league far behind you, you are left with a bowling ball that is collecting dust and taking up space in your basement. Rather than letting the bowling ball go to waste, repurpose it with one of these creative DIYs.

The type of material that comprises your bowling ball depends on when it was created. Until the 1970s, bowling balls were made from rubber or hard rubber. They were then made out of polyester. Now, bowling balls are made of urethane, with the innermost core being made of a combination of metal oxides and resin. For many of these DIYs, the type of material your bowling ball is made of will not matter. However, it is important to keep in mind that it may impact your crafting depending on the design you choose, especially if you drill holes into it. Now it's time to get those creative juices flowing, with these DIYs that will repurpose your old bowling ball into something new.

DIY garden ornaments are an easy way to enhance your outdoor space. Using a decorative foil, you can turn an old bowling ball into a stunning addition to your yard decor. Simply take the time to sand the bowling ball and clean with some isopropyl alcohol. Then, apply a primer coat, followed by a layer of foil sheets like these from Michael's. Choose one color, or mix and match them for a rainbow look. After you've created the foil design, add a protective clear coat to complete. Now, you can spend hours gazing at your beautiful design!

This DIY, from YouTube channel KCQuilting, is very cutesy and will certainly make you and your neighbors smile. After sanding, cleaning, and priming your bowling ball, outline where the ladybug's red wings should go. Fill the outlined wings in with red paint and the middle section with black paint. Once dry, add black dots to the red wings and fill in the finger holes with black caulk. Then, drill two holes towards the top of the ball and attach wire antennae with black caulk. Finally, paint some eyes or add large googly eyes like these from Joann, and your newest creation is ready for the garden!

Create a buzz-worthy garden with this DIY bumblebee. Start by sanding, cleaning, and priming your bowling ball. Then, paint yellow and black stripes around the ball. Use a drill to add two holes to attach honey dipper antennas, and use some wire to create wings. Then, add two stones to the finger holes for the eyes, and paint the whites of the eye around them. If you want your bee to "fly", use a drill to add a metal rod to the bottom of the ball. This DIY is sure to be the buzz of the town!

Sand, clean, and prime your bowling ball, and let it become a new canvas. Paint whatever you would like. Flowers are always a good inspiration, or you can create a seasonal item like a faux snow globe or jack-o-lantern. When you are done, let the paint dry completely. Then, if you plan to put your bowling ball outside, make sure that you add a clear protective coat so that your new artwork doesn't get ruined by the elements. Place it on the ground or use one of the finger holes and attach a rod with some caulk to create a stand.

Create a water fountain using an old bowling ball and a planter with a lid like YouTuber Roger Heffron. Start by drilling a hole through the bowling ball so that it passes through to one of the finger holes. Cover the other two holes with duct tape. Then, sand the bowling ball, and glue a layer of pennies around it. Or, use old bottle caps to add ambiance to an outdoor bar area. Attach a copper pipe to the remaining finger hole, and place a fountain pump at the other end of the pipe. Fill the planter with water, put the pump attached to the pipe inside the planter, and watch as the water trickles over your new fountain!

A collection of leftover stones or some bright mosaic pieces, like these from Amazon, would work great for this project. Simply fill in the finger holes with cement, and then sand your ball. Use thin set mortar or E6000 glue to attach your mosaic pieces. Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area if using the glue. Once you've completely covered the ball in tiles, cover one side of the ball with grout. Use a clean sponge and some water to wipe the grout off the stones, and then repeat on the other side. After the grout has cured, you can put your new mosaic masterpiece in your garden!

By using specialized woodturning equipment, a bowling ball can be turned into a DIY decorative bowl. YouTuber Carl Jacobson slowly removed the outer layer of the top of the bowling ball until it was the desired shape. It is very important to wear special respirator equipment that covers your entire face when working with this material. Although the newer bowling balls shouldn't have asbestos in the middle, you still don't want to breathe in the inner material while working. Finally, thanks to some sanding and shining, this bowl-ing ball is sure to be the talk of your home decor.

Add a creative light fixture to your home with this DIY using an old bowling ball and a bowling pin. On the YouTube channel Woodturning with Tim Yoder, Yoder used a woodturning table, along with breathing and eye safety precautions, to remove the ball's core, hollow it out, and create a hole through the top of the ball. They then removed the plastic coating from a bowling pin and created a hole on the side of the pin (avoiding the metal weighted bottom). For a different look, leave the plastic on. Finally, they ran a light kit through the pin, using an LED  bulb to not emit heat. This unique fixture is ready for any bowling aficionado's home!

Don't have a green thumb? Try making a bowling ball garden instead. Simply find a bunch of different bowling balls — try your local thrift store or ask friends if they have any that they aren't using. Plant some rebar around the area you want to use for your garden. Add cement to the holes to make rebar more sturdy. Next, balance the bowling balls on top of the rebar. Then, add some decorations, such as a fence, rocks, or even bowling pins. Not a big bowling fan? Try this DIY with other inanimate objects. Your new garden is sure to strike up some conversations!

If you have leftover glass beads from a fish tank or happened to pick some up at the dollar store, try this fun DIY. Take your bowling ball, sand it, and clean it. You can then paint it if you wish to have a different color shining through the stones. Then, take E6000 glue or liquid nails (which can be found on Amazon) and arrange your glass beads. Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area. You can create many different designs and patterns with these stones to make this glass bead bowling ball decor ready for your garden!

Get creative with this DIY pumpkin that will last for years to come, as seen on Natalie's Pinterest. Start by sanding the bowling ball and then adding a coat of orange paint. You can create some additional texture with a flour and water paste, textured paint, or hot glue. Cover with more orange paint or add other fall colors. Finally, find a dried pumpkin stem or create your own stem with some wood. This pumpkin can sit in your garden all fall, or put your own spin on this project and create a Halloween jack-o-lantern.

With a little time and inspiration, you can make a holiday ornament out of a bowling ball. Sand and clean the bowling ball, and then cover it with a coat of paint. Once you are happy with the paint, keep it simple as shown here, or add stickers, gems, or doilies. Add a hanging hook to the top, paint it, and then glue to the top of the bowling ball. Finally, coat with a clear protective paint, and you are ready to display your newest creation outside this holiday season! 

Create a unique living room coffee table with three bowling balls like Our_Bears_Home. Use a paint that looks similar to cement, or choose a color to match your space. You could even paint the bowling balls with a unique design. Then, balance a round table top on top of the three bowling balls. Without supports, this DIY can be dangerous in homes with young children and may tip over, breaking items on the table. So attach supports to each of the bowling balls and to the bottom of the table top to stabilize. This table will add a fun flair to your living space!

Love bowling but don't have time to visit the alley? Use your old bowling ball in your own backyard bowling alley! TikTok creator Luke Philpott used wood pallets to create their own bowling alley. Rather than running to the end of the alley every time to reset the pins, they created a system using some string to pull the pins back into place. Whether looking to brush up on your bowling skills or host a unique backyard party, this DIY allows you to add new purpose to your bowling ball without leaving your home.