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October is National Roller Skating Month!

October 11, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

old-timey roller skate It’s official. National roller skating month is here and at Rainbow Skateland, we we couldn’t be more excited about it! So, in honor of our favorite month of the year, we thought it would be fun to give you guys a little history and a few fun facts about the pastime we all love.

First Things First

Roller skating has been around for over 250 years! Do you realize that that’s even older than our country? It’s true… But skating looked a lot different back then.

The first skates didn’t have trucks so the skater could only roll straight ahead and hope for the best. In 1760, it didn’t work out great for inventor John Merlin when he tested out his new wheeled shoes and rolled right into a huge mirror. Merlin took his lumps, but skating was born and there was no going back!

Trucks Revolutionize Skating

Fast forward a hundred years to 1863 and we see the invention of a roller skate that is actually able to turn! Trucks essentially added an axel for the front wheels on your typical quad skates. With the axel sitting on a bushing, a skater is able to turn by leaning their weight one way or the other. But you can take our word for it when we tell you that not everyone has stopped skating into walls!

Learning is Easy and Then Fun Never Ends

Speaking of skating into walls, did you know that Rainbow has a pro shop and lessons to get you up to speed quickly? Learning to skate is easy. You just have to remember to take it at your own pace.

New or slower skaters will stay closer to the wall while faster, more experienced skaters will take an inside line. Sticking to this guideline can help keep everyone safe and make sure fun is had by all skill levels.

For more information or to give it a shot, roll by Rainbow Skateland anytime we’re open or book a party today!

Skate Your Way to Better Productivity

September 20, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

corporate man Remember those great roller skating birthday parties that we all had when we were kids? They created such good memories because they were flat-out fun! Did you know that you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy a night at the skating center with all your friends and coworkers? At Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY, we’re the perfect place to throw your corporate party.

If you’ve been you looking for a great place to bring the entire office for a fun corporate outing, why not choose skating? Team building days build camaraderie and trust, plus they help employees blow off some steam — both of which have proven to increase productivity! And don’t worry if it’s been a while since you’ve been skating; you’ll be surprised by how much fun you have with your coworkers at the rink!

Private Party Space Available

At Rainbow Skateland, we have many private party times available for you and your coworkers. Plus, skating is a great way to burn some calories and shed some of that extra weight we all pick up sitting at a desk all day. Our schedule is flexible and ready to accommodate you and your business. We can provide a party room, concessions, drinks, and of course, hours of skating fun!

Corporate Events, Adult Birthday Parties, and More

We have had some highly successful corporate parties at Rainbow Skateland and we can’t wait to book more. But the fun doesn’t have to stop when the work party is over! We have open skating time all week long. It’s the perfect activity to do with your kids and spouse (you can even rope the grandparents into the fun). As a family-friendly activity, our skating center is great for all ages!

We have unbeatable admission fees and skate rentals, too. Roll on by and let us take care of everything while you, your friends, and your coworkers act like kids again at our skating center in Lockport, New York. We’ll make it an event you won’t soon forget!

Skating Makes a Great After-School Activity for Kids

September 14, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

skating It’s a brand new school year. Why not try to add something a little different to your kids’ weekly after-school activities? At Rainbow Skateland, in Lockport, NY, our roller skating center is perfect for keeping your kids active and entertained after their work is done.

Enjoy Roller Skating Often and Stay in Shape

Did you know that you can burn up to 600 calories an hour roller skating? Plus, skating is much easier on your body than other forms of cardio and aerobic exercise. Your kids will never realize it, though. They’ll be too busy having fun and playing our classic skating games.

Great Times with Great Friends

You’ll meet people from all over at the skating center and it’s a perfect place to make new friends. As a family-oriented activity center, you don’t have to worry about what your kids are up to or who they might be hanging out with. At Rainbow, we provide a fun and safe environment for all ages!

Plus, don’t forget about our other great attractions like the Game Zone, mini golf, and laser tag. There’s enough going on at Rainbow to keep the little ones busy all school year long!

Start A New Routine with Rainbow Skateland

This year, when you’re looking for a new way to keep the kids happy, get them to shed some extra energy, and make great new friends, make Rainbow part of your after-school routine. Give us a call or roll by to learn more!

Skate for Your Life! The Fun Way to Exercise

August 31, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

Living a healthy lifestyle can sometimes feel like a chore, but the best way to stick to your healthy habits is to find ways to make them a little more fun! When it comes to physical activity, it’s especially important to find activities that get you off the couch without making you dread your next workout. Fortunately, roller skating is a great way to get exercise while having fun!

Health Benefits of Roller Skating

Build your core – Roller skating engages your core abdominal muscles, making it a great way to work out your abs without doing boring crunches. You might not even notice it, but maintaining your balance requires you to flex and hold abdominal muscles that you might not normally engage.
Like leg day, but fun – There’s no need for leg day when you skate regularly! Roller skating can strengthen your leg muscles, including quads, hamstrings, hips, and calf muscles. Bonus – you will also be working on your glutes without suffering through squats.
Don’t endure, build endurance – Tired of slogging through yet another boring mile on the treadmill? Come to Rainbow Skateland and skate your heart out to get a fantastic cardio workout while having fun, listening to your favorite music, and experiencing a party atmosphere.

There are so many reasons to roller skate, but what better reason than your health? Check out our schedule and invite a friend to join you for an evening of skating fun that also happens to be a fitness routine. You can also follow us on Facebook for updates, events, and more!

Celebrate Family Fun Month at Rainbow Skateland!

August 9, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

August is National Family Fun Month. That makes now the perfect time to visit your local Lockport skate center!

Believe it or not, making time for family activities isn’t just about fun. Spending time with your kids also strengthens family bonds, relieves stress, builds self-esteem, and can help children learn healthy social and emotional behavior.

Skating is also a great way to get some exercise. It’s a complete aerobic workout that involves all of your body’s muscles. This makes it the perfect way to have some family fun and squeeze in a little exercise, too.

Of course, Rainbow Skateland offers a lot more than just skating. Our Bounce Zone boasts plenty of bouncers, mazes, slides, and obstacle courses for children up to 54 inches tall. It’s a great way for the little ones to blow off some energy and has convenient seating nearby for the rest of the family.

If you’re looking for an activity that the whole family can get in on, consider a round or two on our miniature golf course or our laser-tron! We also have an arcade Game Zone featuring plenty of video games and family classics such as air hockey and foosball. After you play, your family can redeem their tickets for fun toys, prizes, and candy at The Stuff Shop.

Are you ready to celebrate Family Fun Month in Lockport? If so, plan your visit to Rainbow Skateland today. Check out our schedule or contact us at 716-507-4381 for more information about our many family-friendly activities and attractions. We hope to see you and your family soon!

Best Ways to Cool Off This Summer in Lockport, NY

July 25, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

ride bike Parents, are your kids getting bored of their summer schedule? Sometimes, it’s good to mix up their routine to keep things interesting! This will help the time to pass quickly but also help them enjoy their summer break.

The team at Rainbow Skateland put together a list of kid-friendly activities in the Lockport, NY area. Take a look at everything you can do near your hometown:

Book a weekend at Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
Discover our unique history at the Buffalo History Museum
Have a picnic at Outwater Memorial Park
Hike the Town of Lockport Nature Trail
Master roller skating tricks at Rainbow Skateland
Plan a day on the Niagara River
Play at the Day Road Park playground
Race around the roller skating rink at Rainbow Skateland
Rent a boat and head to Lake Ontario
Ride the Niagara Zipper (an incredible zipline!)
Ride your bike at Erie Canalway Trail
See the animals at the Buffalo Zoo
Take a guided tour of the Lockport Caves
Take a picture next to the Historic Lockport NY sign
Teach your child how to ride a bike
Visit the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Walk at the Rolin T. Grant Gulf Wilderness Park

We know your kids would love to have fun during the last few weeks of summer. So, we challenge you to try to do everything listed above! When your kids are ready to race around the rink, bring them to Rainbow Skateland. Check out our hours. We can’t wait to celebrate summer with you and your kids!

Is Skating the Perfect Summer Birthday Party?

July 5, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

Birthday parties are a blast! The answer is obviously YES! Roller skating is the perfect summer birthday party for any child and here’s why. Roller skating is a timeless activity. Families have been enjoying summer birthday parties at the roller rink for generations. And although there have been some additions over the years, the basics have remained the same since the beginning. Skating has such a perfect blend of fun, fitness, and awesome games (not to mention tasty concessions and space to hang out with friends) that marketing gimmicks have never been needed.

Summer Fun for All Ages

Skating is great for everyone from toddlers to grandparents. Our skating center at Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY is family-friendly and open to people of all ages! Not only do we have roller skating, we have concessions, a Bounce Zone, arcade games, and Laser Tron to keep kids entertained.

Birthday Party Paradise!

Every birthday party at Rainbow Skateland includes skate rentals, pizza, drinks, a party coach, and a reserved table for 8 guests (including the birthday boy or girl). We also throw in invitations, game discounts, and more. Plus, booking is so easy you won’t believe it!

Check Out Our New Summer Party Hours

Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 2-4 pm, 4:30-6:30 pm, & 7-9 pm
Saturday: 12-2 pm, 2:30-4:30pm, & 7:30-9:30 pm
Sunday:12-2 pm, 2:30-4:30 pm

We also offer awesome add-ons like laser tag and mini golf. When you book a party at Rainbow Skateland, we’ll help every step of the way, from booking to hitting the rink. Give us a call today to learn more and book your perfect summer birthday party!

Discover the History of Roller Skating

June 21, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

We bet you love roller skating as much as we do. It’s incredibly fun, great exercise, and a blast to do with friends. But, did you know that roller skating has a very interesting history? Before heading to Rainbow Skateland, check out the history of roller skating:

Roller Skating in the 1700’s & 1800’s

Before America was officially a country, roller skating was born! Here are a few highlights from roller skating in the 1700’s and 1800’s:

1743: Roller skates made their debut in a London stage performance.
1760: John Joseph Merlin was credited with creating the first roller skate.
1819: Mr. Petitbled patented the first roller skate design. Though this creation was impressive, these skates were not very maneuverable.
1857: The first public roller skating rinks were opened in London.
1863: James Plimpton improved on previous roller skating designs and created the quad skate.
1875: The sport of roller skating is born! England held its very first roller skating competition.
1876: The toe stop was created which roller skaters still use today.
1880’s: America experienced her first roller skate “boom” period.

Roller Skating in the 1900’s

A lot happened in the 1700’s and 1800’s concerning roller skating and roller skates. But, the adventure was still only beginning. With more development, precision, and engineering, roller skates transformed into an incredible tool that millions of people began to use for fun. Check out a few highlights from roller skating in the 1900’s:

1902: A public skating rink opened in Chicago. Over 7,000 people showed up for opening night!
1977: Roller skates appeared in a German DEFA movie called Die zertanzten Schuhe. (More roller skating movies have been made since then such as Whip It and Roll Bounce.
1980’s: Scott Olson created the company Rollerblade, Inc.
1983: Roller skating received incredible recognition when President Ronald Raegan declared October as National Roller Skating Month.
1993: Roller skating safety increased tremendously when Rollerblade, Inc. created Active Break Technology.

Since 1993, more changes and developments have been made. But, one thing remains the same: people all over the world love roller skating! So, come to Rainbow Skateland today to get your skate on! Check out our hours here.

3 Roller Skating Tricks You Can Definitely Master

June 6, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

You likely know by now that roller skating is a very beneficial hobby. It has incredible mental, emotional, and health benefits! To amp up your roller skating game, you should try several roller skating tricks or even take skate lessons at Rainbow Skateland.

Check out three simple roller skating tricks that you can learn this summer:

Skating Backwards

If you want to learn how to skate backwards, you will be able to master it through practice. To make things easiest, start at the wall. Keep your chest angled toward the ground and tighten your abs. Push off the wall and take small steps backward. After you feel comfortable with this step, push off the wall again and take strides backwards (instead of steps). To gain momentum, let your hips do the work! Continue this step until you feel comfortable not using the wall.

Jumping

Jumping is one of the first tricks you can learn after you’ve mastered the art of gliding and falling correctly. First, you’ll want to take several powerful glides to get your momentum going. When you feel confident, bend your knees and put your feet close together. Push off the ground and jump straight up. When you feel yourself coming back down, make sure to keep your knees bent. This will help you land correctly. When you land, continue your glide. (This makes you look super cool and helps the landing be smooth.)

Spinning

Spinning is a fun trick that can impress your friends. First, find an open area where other skaters won’t bump into you. After taking several gliding strides, act as if you are making a tight turn. But, instead of straightening out your roller skates, continue gliding while your skates are turned. When you want to stop, just point your feet forward!

Every great skater needs a place to practice cool roller skating tricks. So, head to Rainbow Skateland today for the perfect place to practice! Check out our hours, grab some friends, and have hours of endless fun.

Tips for Roller Skating Etiquette

May 24, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

The skating rink is a great place to have fun with old friends or meet new people. A day at the rink will be easier and more fun for you if you know the proper skating etiquette. Next time you’re out for some open skating at Rainbow Stateland, follow these tips to make sure you’re being a polite skater.

Pay attention! Make sure you skate in the same direction as everyone else and look out for other skaters, especially those who are younger or smaller than you. This is especially important if you’re skating backwards or much faster than the people around you.
Don’t block other skaters. Avoid sudden stops, stay with the flow of traffic (it usually goes counterclockwise, but just make you check first), and don’t cut people off. Any of these could cause collisions, and nobody wants that!
If you’d like to work on particular skating skills or just dance a bit, the center of the rink is the place to do it! This is where you can to practice turns, tricks, etc. without anyone getting in your way – or vice versa.
Always listen to the Rainbow Skateland staff. The DJ will make announcements related to the direction of skating, as well as special skates for kids, couples, singalongs, etc. Staff members are there to help make sure everyone has a good time, which means enforcing the rules, so be respectful.

We want everyone to feel welcome at Rainbow Skateland. If all our guests work together to follow the rules and guidelines, we’ll all have fun together!