15 Fun & Creative Bowling Ball Cartoon Styles You’ll Love
Let’s be honest—most bowling designs out there look kind of… boring. If you’ve ever searched for something fun or different, you probably noticed the same plain bowling balls and pins over and over. Nothing really stands out.
That’s why bowling ball cartoons are a game-changer.
They bring humor, personality, and creativity to the lane. Whether you want a funny character for a T-shirt, a cool idea for a tattoo, or just something eye-catching for a design, cartoon-style bowling balls offer endless possibilities.
In this post, we’ll go over the most popular styles, fun ways to use them, and even how to create your own. Ready to roll into something more exciting?
Where You’ll Find Bowling Ball Cartoons
You can find bowling ball cartoon art just about anywhere—bowling alley posters, children’s books, retro arcade games, T-shirts, stickers, and even wall murals. They’re especially popular in bowling-themed birthday parties and animated sports content. These cartoon designs help make bowling feel more fun and inviting, especially for younger audiences. And if you’ve ever played an old-school bowling arcade game, you’ve probably seen a few of these characters come to life on screen.
Popular Bowling Ball Cartoon Styles
There’s no shortage of creativity when it comes to bowling ball cartoon styles. Artists and designers have turned the classic bowling ball into fun, expressive, and even wild characters. Let’s explore some of the most popular and imaginative styles, perfect for everything from tattoos and stickers to merchandise and digital content.
1. Classic Cartoon Style
This style is inspired by old-school animation. It features bold black outlines, bright solid colors, and simple shapes. These cartoons usually have exaggerated features—big eyes, goofy grins, and comic-book-style motion lines. It’s a timeless look that works well for family-friendly products and retro designs.

2. Funny Facial Expressions
Bowling balls with faces? Absolutely! These designs show balls looking angry, surprised, sleepy, sad, or super happy. Adding eyebrows, tongues, or even sweat drops gives each one a unique personality. These are especially popular on T-shirts, emojis, and memes.

3. Anthropomorphic Designs
In this style, the bowling ball becomes a character with arms, legs, hands, and feet. They may wear sneakers, sunglasses, or gloves, and they’re often shown walking, dancing, or high-fiving a cartoon bowling pin. These human-like designs make the bowling ball more relatable and fun to watch or draw.

4. Retro-Style Cartoons
If you’re into vintage vibes, this style is for you. Think pixel art, grainy textures, and neon outlines. These cartoons feel like they came from a 90s bowling alley or arcade game screen. It’s nostalgic, colorful, and perfect for fans of the good old days.

5. Monster Bowling Ball Cartoon
Add some drama with monster-style bowling balls! These designs include fangs, claws, spikes, or even glowing eyes. They look fierce and playful at the same time, and they’re perfect for Halloween events, edgy merch, or spooky tattoos.

6. Superhero Bowling Ball
Super-bowling to the rescue! This fun style gives the ball a cape, eye mask, and dynamic poses like flying or smashing pins with super strength. It’s great for kids, comic book fans, and themed party designs.

7. Animal-Themed Bowling Ball Cartoons
In this adorable twist, the bowling ball is designed to resemble animals like cats, dogs, owls, or pandas. Add ears, tails, or fur textures for an irresistibly cute character. These are perfect for children’s apparel, school bags, or playful branding.

8. Sports Crossover Bowling Ball
Mix sports together by designing a bowling ball that looks like a basketball, soccer ball, or tennis ball. Some wear tiny sports gear like headbands or baseball gloves. These mashups are great for athletic brands or sports-themed gifts.

9. Emo or Gothic Bowling Ball Cartoon
This style features dark colors, black eyeliner, piercings, or even a stitched-up mouth. It’s emotional, edgy, and perfect for alternative audiences. Combine this look with stormy clouds or music notes to complete the vibe.

10. Food-Themed Bowling Ball Cartoons
Hungry for fun? These cartoons turn bowling balls into pizza slices, donuts, burgers, or even sushi. They’re quirky, colorful, and absolutely perfect for novelty prints or snack-themed party invites.

11. Alien or Space Bowling Ball
For sci-fi fans, this style adds stars, planets, glowing rings, or even alien eyes to the ball. Some have UFOs hovering nearby or fly through a galaxy instead of a bowling lane. It’s a dreamy design with lots of room for imagination.

12. Emojis & Meme-Inspired Bowling Ball
In this modern style, bowling balls mimic popular emojis—think heart eyes, crying faces, or sunglasses cool. Others might feature viral internet memes for a hilarious, up-to-date look that works great on social media or stickers.

13. Retro Arcade Bowling Ball Character
This style features blocky lines and 8-bit designs, often with a glitchy or neon aesthetic. Think of classic arcade mascots, joystick-style buttons, and sound-wave patterns. Great for gamers and nostalgic adults.

14. Minimalist or Kawaii (Cute) Versions
Kawaii is a Japanese style known for its small, cute features—tiny eyes, soft pastel colors, and blushing cheeks. These designs are clean and minimal, often used on phone cases, planners, or cute tattoo ideas for bowling lovers.

Bowling Ball Cartoons for Merch & Print
These playful designs aren’t just for fun—they’re also great for products. Cartoon bowling art shows up on everything from t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs to tote bags, posters, and enamel pins. A cute cartoon bowling pin paired with a smiling ball can make any merch item more eye-catching and marketable. They’re especially popular in themed bowling leagues or local events where teams create custom gear with their own bowling ball characters.
Brands love using bowling ball cartoon characters to appeal to all ages. They’re easy to recognize, instantly fun, and perfect for both print and digital use. Some even become mascots or part of company logos for bowling alleys or retro-themed cafes.
How to Create Your Own Bowling Ball Cartoon
Making your own bowling ball cartoon can be a super fun and creative project—and you don’t need to be a professional artist to start!
1. Start with a Basic Sketch
Begin with the basics.
Draw a circle (that’s your bowling ball), then add three dots for finger holes. Now, give it some personality—add eyes, a mouth, or even eyebrows to show emotion. Want it to look happy, angry, or sleepy? Just change the expression!
2. Choose a Style
Pick a cartoon style that fits your vibe. Here are a few fun ideas:
- Superhero? Add a cape and mask.
- Cute? Try a kawaii face with rosy cheeks.
- Cool and fast? Draw flames behind it.
- Funny? Add googly eyes or a tongue sticking out.
You can even mix styles! Think: a food-themed bowling ball with monster eyes or a superhero donut-ball flying through space.
3. Use Drawing Tools or Apps
If you like to draw, use apps like Procreate, Canva, or Adobe Fresco. They have easy tools for beginners and let you add colors, shading, and effects. Even simple doodles can look great with the right colors!
4. Don’t Want to Draw? Use AI or Hire a Designer
Not a fan of sketching? No problem.
You can:
- Use AI image tools to generate cartoon bowling ball ideas.
- Hire a freelance illustrator on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
Just describe what you want—and let someone bring your idea to life.
5. Add a Personal Touch
Make it yours.
Give your bowling cartoon a name, a fun backstory, or even a jersey number. You could say it’s your lucky bowling buddy or the star of a made-up bowling league!
Final Thoughts
The world of bowling ball cartoon designs is full of color, imagination, and fun. Whether you’re a bowling fan, an artist, or just someone who loves quirky characters, these cartoons are a joyful way to express your personality. From retro arcade styles to kawaii designs, there’s something for everyone in this animated take on the sport.

William Martin is a passionate bowler who spends most of his weekends playing the sport. With years of intense experience under his belt, William decided to share his knowledge by creating BOWLING OCEAN. Join me on this journey to explore the world of bowling and discover the tips and tricks to becoming a pro.