With the business of everyday life, it can get difficult to schedule time to enjoy with your family members. This year, we are helping you come up with three resolutions that your whole family can enjoy working toward in 2022.

Family Fitness

Let’s face it: you probably already have something on your resolutions list that has to do with exercising more or making healthier habits, and that is something the whole family could benefit from! Go on daily walks or bike rides with your family, participate in group fitness classes together, or try out rollerskating to get moving this year. Not to mention, you will have your family members to hold you accountable and make exercising even more fun!

Family Game Night

If you’re looking to spend more time with your family, set aside time each week to play games after dinner! Not only will this be something for everyone to look forward to, but it’s a great way to unplug for a couple of hours and exercise your brain whether it be with a game of Go Fish or a board game like Sorry. If you don’t want to break the bank on games, buy a standard deck of cards and choose a game from this list or look for games at second-hand stores!

Plan Quality Time

It’s easy to get caught up in the hubbub of life when you’re juggling work, school, family, and friendships. For this reason, it’s important to set aside intentional time to spend with your family. Whether it be as a big group, or one-on-one, doing an activity as simple making a meal together or reading a book with your child before bed will help you to grow closer with your family and build healthy familial relationships.

Resolutions can be difficult to keep, but with these exciting ideas for your family, they won’t feel like a chore. Regardless of which resolutions you choose to work on this year, the folks at Rainbow Skateland are happy to help your 2022 be a year full of fun for the whole family!

Traditions are one of the best parts of the holidays – decorating a tree, cooking a big meal together, and watching fireworks to celebrate the new year are all things we cherish when the most wonderful time of the year rolls around. So if we enjoy these traditions so much, why not make some other family traditions to look forward to each year! Here’s a few you can try out in 2022:

• End-of-the-School-Year Vacation

You and your family members work hard all year long whether it be in school or coordinating everything that happens outside of school, and you definitely deserve a reward! Make it a tradition to take a vacation at the end of each school year to somewhere new! Whether it be a weekend trip or a weeks-long trip, your family will look forward to this tradition for years to come as a way to relax and kick off the summer.

• Volunteer in the Community

Start a tradition of compassion and care for your community by taking time each month to volunteer for a non-profit each month. This way, you can teach your family about the importance of serving those in need and supporting your neighbors.

• Plan a Family Field Day

A perfect tradition to start right at the beginning of fall is hosting a family field day. Each year, come up with games, sports, and obstacle courses for your family to spend a whole day playing outside. Some examples include wiffle ball, jump roping contests, and relay races. As an added bonus, invite other families in your neighborhood to enjoy and take turns hosting each year!

Whatever traditions you decide to start in 2022, Rainbow Skateland is here to support all the family fun you’ll be having this year!

We have officially re-opened, as of Friday, October 23rd! Our doors have re-opened, but your health and safety still remains as our first priority. We will continue to have augmented daily cleaning procedures and are taking proactive measures to minimize exposure. 

For the time being, we will operate under revised conditions based on government guidelines. So, please read this entire update to learn more about how we plan to operate safely. 

Per social distancing guidelines, for your safety and that of the Rainbow Skateland staff:  

• All employees will be wearing masks and gloves. All guests are required by New York State law to bring and wear your mask/protective face covering.
• Maintain social distance from other people
• We are managing the number and flow of people utilizing the rink.
• We will sanitize the bathrooms every hour.
• We are going to set up multiple hand sanitizer stations around the facility. It is still a good idea to bring your own hand sanitizer or wipes for your personal use.
• If you or someone in your family is sick, or feels sick, please do not come skate.

Operating hours during initial re-open phase: 

Tuesday:

• 10:00-12:00 Rollers & Strollers (Oct-April)

Friday: 

• 6:00-10:00 Fun Skate 

Saturday: 

• 11:00-11:45 Children’s Learn to Skate Class
• 12:00-4:30 Afternoon Skate
• 7:30-10:00 Evening Skate 

Sunday: 

• 12:00-4:30 Afternoon Skate

What’s a birthday without a birthday cake? Well, don’t be so quick to judge. Whether your family has back-to-back birthdays and everyone’s tired of cake, or the birthday kid just doesn’t like cake all that much, these birthday cake alternatives are sure to make your celebration extra special! 

Think about what the birthday person enjoys and bake (or buy) something special just for them. A unique birthday treat will surprise and delight them, and make it a birthday to remember. 

Unique Birthday Cake Alternatives

Birthday Donuts

Who could say no to a huge pile of donuts? Especially when crowned with sprinkles and a candle for wish-making! If the birthday person has a favorite donut flavor, you could make the whole “cake” out of donuts in that flavor, or for more variety, get one or two of everything and build a donut mountain with something for everyone.
If you want to get extra creative, display the donuts on a pole or pegboard! 

Birthday Pie

Are you Team Cake or Team Pie? There are some very strong feelings out there about these giants of the dessert world, so it’s no wonder some people would rather celebrate with a birthday pie. Icebox pies look great with a dusting of sprinkles or sliced fruit designs, while baked pies can be customized with artfully-applied bits of dough. Spell out “Happy birthday,” the birthday person’s name, or go wild with pastry flowers, animals, or patterns! The options are endless, so roll up your sleeves and start creating your own pie crust art. 

Birthday Sundaes

Birthday cake and ice cream often go hand-in-hand, but for a change of pace, why not let the ice cream be the star of the show? With some fun toppings, cones or sundae dishes, and good old vanilla ice cream, you can create your very own ice cream bar. Everyone can customize their own perfect sundae, banana split, or cone just how they like it. Toppings can include pretty much anything you want, from candy and sprinkles to chocolate sauce, nuts, and fruit. Kick it up a notch with mochi rice candy or “magic shell” chocolate coating. 

Birthday Pancakes

While they do have “cake” in their name, pancakes are a fun departure from birthday cake, especially if you’ve got a breakfast-lover on your hands. Birthday breakfast in bed is enough to make anyone’s day, especially if you complete the pancake stack with some colorful fruit, chocolate chips, whipped cream, or even bacon. Stick a candle in the middle and serenade the birthday person while they enjoy the most important meal of the day. 

Birthday Rice Krispies Treat

Who doesn’t love the snap, crackle, and pop of a Rice Krispies treat? The chewy, marshmallow-y goodness is just begging for the birthday spotlight, and it’s versatile enough that you can style it dozens of ways to create a birthday centerpiece. Mix rainbow sprinkles in or scatter over the top; make them in a round pan and ice to look like a regular cake, or mold it into a fun shape while it’s still warm. 

These ideas are just scratching the surface, so we’d love to know: What’s your favorite birthday treat? 

As many of you know, we are temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. While we understand the necessity of social distancing, we also know that many folks are struggling with the isolation, boredom, and inactivity of staying at home. Fortunately, there are ways you can stay safe while still having fun and getting some exercise! If (like us) you’re missing the skating rink, check out these tips to learn how to exercise outside safely during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Is It Safe to Exercise Outdoors? 

Most experts are saying yes—as long as you’re careful. Running, walking, hiking, and roller skating are acceptable as solo activities only (or with other members of your household). Staying active is important for keeping your immune system strong and keeping your spirits up during these stressful times. Remember, physical activity is a mood booster, so working it into your daily routine (even if you just do some jumping jacks in your living room) can help you stay positive.

Of course, it’s important to know how to safely exercise outdoors during the pandemic, so review these guidelines before you head outside. 

How to Exercise Outdoors Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Maintain strict social distancing.

• Go out solo. It may be tempting to meet up with a friend, but unless you are both committed to and mindful of maintaining at least a 6’ distance between you, it’s not safe to do so. 
• Even if you are social distancing, it’s still best to avoid any park, trail, sidewalk, etc. where there is a lot of foot traffic. If it’s crowded, don’t go. 
• Try to go at less popular times of the day so there will be fewer people around. Avoid areas like visitor centers where people may congregate. 
• Remember to cover your cough or sneeze with the inside of your elbow. COVID-19 can linger in aerosolized form and infect others even if you don’t cough directly on them.

Don’t touch anything unless you absolutely have to—including your face. 

Coronavirus can linger up to several days on surfaces, so it’s important that you don’t touch anything unless truly necessary when you are outside of your home. This includes walk buttons at intersections, water fountains, handrails, public exercise equipment, playground equipment, park benches, restroom surfaces, garbage cans, and many other surfaces. If you choose to wear gloves, remember to keep your hands away from your face, dispose of them properly after use, and continue to wash hands frequently. 

Protect your home. 

Hopefully after doing 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity, you’re feeling more positive, energetic, and overall better! But before you settle back down on the couch to continue your Netflix binge or go back to organizing your closet KonMari style, make sure you’re not bringing outside contaminants into your home. Leave your shoes outside or in your entryway, wash your “outside” clothes ASAP, wash your hands, and be sure to disinfect doorknobs, light switches, and any other surface you or your clothes or shoes touched upon entering the house. (Don’t forget about your steering wheel and car surfaces, too!)

We hope these tips will help you get active and stave off cabin fever! We wish you all good health and safety, and look forward to the day we’re able to open back up to the public for good times with friends at the skating rink.

Looking for fun things to do in Lockport and the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area that won’t break your wallet? You’re in luck, because some of the most fun and affordable activities are right here at Rainbow Skateland! Keep reading to learn how you can save money and still have a blast. 

Our Attractions: Something for Everyone

Our family fun center truly has something for everyone in your family or friend group, including:

• A large skating rink with colorful lights, music videos on large screens, and tunes that will make you want to bop around the rink. 
• An arcade full of new and classic games, including video and redemption games.
• A bounce zone for kids under 54”, filled with inflatable slides, mazes, obstacles, and bounce houses.
• A Lasertron laser tag arena for action-packed showdowns with your friends.
• And last, but not least, a mini golf course! (This attraction is seasonal, so please call for availability.)

Ways to Save at Rainbow Skateland

Our everyday prices are already a steal for the hours of fun you can enjoy, but if you’re a hardcore bargain hunter, you will not want to miss these events. 

Bargain Night

Join us every Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for Bargain Night, with ½ price activities! Skating admission is just $3.00, with $3.00 optional skate rental. (If you have your own roller skates, feel free to bring them!)

Bounce Zone admission is just $1.50 (with child’s paid skate admission; must be under 54”), and Lasertron admission (only for folks over 54” tall) is only $3.50. 

Add some fun to your week and join us for an evening of good, clean fun at dirt cheap prices. 

Family of 4 Deal

Saturdays are one of the most fun days at Rainbow Skateland, and you can get in on the fun for less with our Family of 4 Deal. For just $48.00, you and 3 others can enjoy skate admission, skate rentals, a whole pizza pie, a pitcher of your choice of soda, and bounce zone admission for kids under 54”. 

Why pay more when you can have so much fun for less? The best memories in life aren’t necessarily from expensive trips or fancy dinners, they’re those casual moments hanging out with your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. And remember, we also throw affordable parties, from kids birthdays and sports team parties to school field trips, youth group outings, private parties, and other occasions. Just give us a call at 716-507-4381 to make a reservation. 

We hope you’ll join us for one of our upcoming skate sessions to try all of our attractions and de-stress from the rat race of daily life. You deserve it!

If you’re in charge of fundraising for a school PTA, sports team, scout troop, nonprofit, or other community group, you have a lot on your plate. Fundraising is one of the most crucial jobs in any organization, and it takes a lot of time, energy, and dedication to make fundraising events a success. Of course, you probably also have a job, a family, and a home to deal with, so it’s important to find efficient and effective means of planning your fundraiser that will give you the most bang for your buck. That’s where we come in! 

At Rainbow Skateland, we host some of the most popular fundraisers in Lockport and the greater Buffalo area. We’ve been a staple of the western New York community for over 60 years, and in that time have had the privilege of hosting fundraisers for many wonderful organizations. Check out some of our tips to maximize your fundraising efforts with us and throw a successful event that everyone will enjoy!

How to Make Your Roller Skating Fundraiser a Success

Start planning ASAP. 

However long you think you need to plan a fundraiser event, start earlier. Always keep Murphy’s Law in mind: Nothing is as easy as it looks; everything takes longer than you think it will; and everything that can go wrong, will go wrong—at the worst possible time. While that may sound very doom-y and gloomy, all it really means is that you should prepare thoroughly, expect the unexpected, and stay on your toes. The best events are the ones where the organizer is able to roll with the inevitable curveballs and keep the show on the road. Mixed metaphors aside, you can set yourself up for success by starting to plan your event early. Booking your event far in advance has many advantages, including: 

• More scheduling options—choose the date and time that will be best for your group. Don’t forget to take into account holidays, school breaks, and other competing local events.
• Getting to people early, so you secure your place on their calendar before they get booked up with conflicting events.
• The ability to think through all of the details and logistics without the pressure of last-minute panic.
•  Plenty of time to recruit help in planning, marketing, and executing the event

Get the word out.

Planning ahead has many benefits, but one of the biggest is that you’ll be able to spend more time getting the word out about your fundraiser. Once you have the major details settled, like event venue, date, and time, you can get the word out via local calendar and event sites, news and radio stations, local influencers and bloggers, and of course on social media! Make sure to: 

• Create a Facebook event page.
• Invite people to RSVP to the event.
• Run social ads.
• Tweet and post about it. 
• If you have an email newsletter, send emails announcing the event ahead of time and reminders leading up to the day of. 

Consider ways to add excitement. 

One of the other most important things you can do to make your fundraiser a success is to think about what you’re offering to attendees. Other than donating money to your cause, why would people bother to come? In most cases, the answer is entertainment! 

There’s no need to book a bunch of musicians or performers; if you host a roller skating fundraiser, the entertainment is built right in! 

Our Lockport fundraisers include:

• An awesome soundtrack. You can choose the genre of music or leave it to us!
• Fun activities supervised by our staff. 
• Full snack bar facilities so your group can refuel and keep the party hoppin’. 
• Access to the game room, laser tag arena, and kids’ bounce zone for an additional cost.  
• A Light Show Extravaganza to delight your guests. 

Ready to plan the best Lockport NY fundraiser yet? Give us a call at 716-507-4381!

If you’ve ever played laser tag, you know it’s a blast, whether you win or lose. But hey, we’d all prefer to win, right? Well, whether you’ve never played laser tag before or you’re a seasoned laser tag warrior, up your game and learn how to win at laser tag with these tips from your Lockport laser tag pros at Rainbow Skateland. 

How to Win at Laser Tag

Ready to dominate your next game of laser tag in Lockport? Just follow these tips to achieve the next level laser tag victory you’ve always aspired to!

Dress for success. 

Comfort and ease of movement are key for laser tag, so don’t wear uncomfortable clothes, high heels, etc. But for a real pro move, you should also dress in darker colors. Let your friends know to wear black or dark colors if you plan on playing laser tag, and get ready to feel like a ninja. You’ll be much harder to see in the darkness of the Laser Tron!

Get in battle mode. 

First things first, get the lay of the land and familiarize yourself with the laser tag arena so you don’t get stuck in a blind spot or dead end. Give yourself a moment to let your eyes get used to the dark. 

Keep firing. 

Increase your score by continuously firing—it won’t hurt you and you might as well get every point you can!  

Stay mobile. 

You’ve heard the term “sitting ducks” before, right? Don’t be an easy target! Stay on the move, stay low, and if you have to make a run for it out in the open, opt for a crouching zig zag run. (Why yes, that is a technical term!) 

Split up. 

Speaking of sitting ducks, it’s important to be a lone wolf! You and your teammates will be more effective if you split up. Not only is it easier to hide, but you also won’t be as big of a target. Plus, you can try to surround your opponents by coming at them from multiple angles! 

Practice. Practice. Practice. 

Like any other skill, practice makes perfect! The more you and your friends play laser tag, the better you’ll get. Once you’ve played several games together, you’ll be operating like a well-oiled machine. 

Good luck in your next laser tag battle! Remember that we not only offer laser tag during our regular open skating session hours, but also as the coolest parties in Lockport. Our party packages are great for birthdays, team parties, school fundraisers, scouting events, work outings, bachelor or bachelorette parties, and so much more. Combine laser tag, roller skating, and some friendly competition in the arcade for a day or night of fun you and your guests will never forget! 

Can you believe that we’re already in the year 2020? If you were born before 2000, you probably feel like the 1980s are still 20 years ago! While we may have grown up, established careers, homes, and even families of our own, it’s still a crazy feeling to be living in the 2020s. 

As you reflect on New Year’s resolutions and plans for not only the year, but the coming decade, don’t forget one very important thing: Make time for traditions. 

Family traditions are the source of so many happy memories, and no matter how old we get or how far from home we may travel, those traditions can help us feel at home again. So what traditions do you share with your kids? If you’re looking for ways to make memories and get closer as a family, check out these ideas for family traditions 

Family Traditions to Start With Your Kids

Helping Hands

One of the best traditions you can pass on to your kids is a legacy of serving others. There are so many ways to give back to the people around you and teach your kids compassion, from mowing an elderly neighbor’s lawn, to the way you treat homeless people, to helping out in your kids’ classrooms. While empathy and compassion are important to focus on every day, you can also turn lending a helping hand into a family tradition that you and your kids will cherish. Choose a day once a month, quarter, or year to be family service day. Take the whole family to volunteer or give back in some way, for example: 

• Adopt a road, beach, or pond and (safely) pick up trash. You don’t have to officially adopt a highway. Just start taking care of the land around you and take pride in keeping it clean and safe to the best of your abilities. 
• Volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen, sorting food donations, preparing food, or serving food to people who need it. 
• If your kids are old enough, consider working on a Habitat for Humanity house or some kind of community building project. They’ll learn valuable building skills and you’ll all feel a sense of pride knowing that you built something together. 

Family Fun Night 

Life can get so busy, and it’s important to make time for the people who mean the most. Set aside a day every week or month to have guaranteed family hangouts. Our Family Skate session every Saturday is a great way to spend some time bonding with your kids while having a blast! 

Birthday Bashes

Birthdays are extra special when you have a family tradition (or several) to go along with them! Some fun birthday traditions include: 

• Birthday time capsules – Each family member gets a shoe box or other small container, and every year on their birthday they add an item or two to remind them of the last year. When your kids are 18, the whole family can look through and see what they were into when they were dinosaur-obsessed at 6 or going through a goth phase at 14. 
• Movie night – Have a family movie night and let the birthday kid pick the movie and a snack. 

An awesome birthday party – You never forget those really cool childhood birthday parties, especially when your parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends are there. At Rainbow Skateland, we throw the best birthday parties in Lockport! 

It’s cold, wet, and dreary outside, and your kids are going stir crazy. You know that Netflix and Disney+ are only going to keep them distracted for so long, and then what? You need the cure for cabin fever and you need it NOW. Fortunately there’s plenty of winter fun to be had if you know where to look. Check out these things to do in Lockport, New York during the winter, and get ready to make some memories with your family.

Winter Activities in Lockport

It can be hard to make yourself get up and be active when it’s cold and wet outside, but once you do, you’ll be glad! Indoor activities allow you (and especially your kids) to burn off some of that pent-up energy and stretch your legs. 

Go Roller Skating (And More!)

Visit us at Rainbow Skateland for an afternoon that’s not just fun, but also active! Roller skating is a great workout for all ages, with health benefits ranging from aerobic conditioning to stronger leg and core muscles. Learning to skate gives your kids a physical activity they can enjoy for the rest of their lives, and can help them develop their balance and agility skills. 

In addition to roller skating, we also have an inflatable indoor playground—the Bounce Zone—for kids up to 54” tall, plus an arcade and Lasertron laser tag! There’s no better place to spend a cold, rainy day in Lockport than having a blast and making memories at Rainbow Skateland. 

Test Your Skills at Rock Climbing

Another great indoor activity near Lockport is rock climbing. Indoor rock climbing gyms are an exciting, challenging, and adventurous way to get moving during the harsh New York winter. Kids as young as 7 can learn to climb, so if you have a kid that loves to scale anything she can get her hands on, rock climbing might be just what your family needs. 

Between roller skating and rock climbing, you and your kids will get a fantastic strength-building workout for your upper body, lower body, and especially your core! 

Check Out Buffalo’s Museums

Lockport, Buffalo, and Niagara County are rich with history, and we have some great museums to explore when you want to get out of the house without being out in the cold. Pick one of the Buffalo history museums to explore with your kids, and learn about our area’s history from the Underground Railroad and the steel industry to frontier life and the Erie Canal. 

In addition to some wonderful history museums dedicated to a number of topics, there’s also the Buffalo Museum of Science and the Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo State. 

No matter what you get up to this winter, we hope you have a fun time doing it! What are your favorite winter activities in Lockport and Niagara County?