Most people start off renting roller skates at the skating rink, but after learning how to skate, they soon realize that they actually want their own pair of skates. There are plenty of benefits to owning your own roller skates, from choosing the skates that express your style, to saving money on rental fees, and even being able to customize your skates! One of the most common ways to customize roller skates is to change your skate wheels. Keep reading to learn how to change skate wheels, and why you should know how to do it yourself. 

Changing Roller Skate Wheels

Why Change Your Skate Wheels?

At some point, all wheels will need to be replaced due to wear and tear. Just like the tires on your car or bike, your skate wheels will wear down over time, which can lead to a rough ride. As the surface of the wheel becomes uneven, you’ll start to notice some bumpiness and your skates may “pull” to one side or the other. If you look at your wheels and they’re worn down at an angle, have pock marks, or otherwise look worn out, it’s time to swap them out for new ones. 

Another reason to know how to change roller skate wheels is so that you can switch between indoor and outdoor roller skating! Skating on a smooth skating rink surface requires a much different type of wheel than skating outside on a bumpy street or sidewalk. Indoor skate wheels are typically harder, while outdoor skate wheels have more “give” to absorb the shocks from uneven pavement, cracks, twigs, pebbles, and other debris.

And last, but definitely not least, it can be fun to change up your wheels with different colors and looks! Skate wheels come in all sorts of colors, glow-in-the-dark materials, and even glowing versions with lights inside. 

How to Change Roller Skate Wheels  

Before you start changing your skate wheels, make sure you have a skate tool! If you’re going to clean your skates—never a bad idea—make sure to have paper towels, bearings cleaner, etc. nearby as well.  

• Use the skate tool to loosen the nut holding the wheel onto the axle of your skate. 
• Remove the nut and set it aside. (Don’t lose it!) Then remove the wheel. Now’s a good time to wipe off the various components like the axle and trucks. They tend to collect “gunk” over time, which is not only gross, but is also bad to leave on your skates.
• Place the new wheel onto the axle and screw the nut on “finger tight,” aka as tight as you can get it just using your fingers without a tool. 

Use your skate tool to tighten the nut. It should be tight, but not so tight that it keeps the wheel from spinning. Give all four wheels a spin with your hand and see if they’re all approximately the same tightness. If you haven’t tightened the nuts enough, you’ll be wobbling all over the place and can even lose a wheel or damage your skates. That’s just one reason why it’s a good idea to get in the habit of checking your skates before you lace up!

Ah, tweens: The age group of kids that are not little, but not quite teens. You could say they’re in between! While teenagers are notoriously hard to please (It’s hard to do anything right in your teen’s eyes when simply existing as a mom/dad is “like so EMBARASSING!”), the tween parent struggle is real. It’s an age when you can’t just let them plan their own party (they are kids, after all), but they’re definitely not going to be content with the same old clown and pony show. Planning a tween birthday party requires a little more thought, but don’t worry! With these creative tween birthday party themes, you can impress your almost-teenager and give them a party they’ll love. They might have so much fun they’re even willing to give you a hug in front of their friends. Miracle of miracles, right?

Tween Birthday Party Themes  

Roller Skating Glow Party

Roller skating is a great birthday party activity for all ages, but tweens will especially love the socializing, music, and of course, skating. Skating rink birthday parties give them enough freedom to do their thing and feel a little more grown-up, but you can still rest easy knowing that they’re in a safe environment. 

To throw a skating party that your child and their friends will really enjoy, step it up a notch with a Super Glow Party! Our glow party package includes all of the fun, value, and convenience of our other party packages, but also includes glowing and blinking cups, necklaces, table decorations, and toys. We’ve never met a tween that didn’t love a glowstick and our glow parties turn the fun up to 11. And that’s not to mention the TikTok potential! They’ll love it for the #aesthetic alone. 

Retro Costume Party

Speaking of social media, tweens love any opportunity to get dressed up in fun and outlandish clothes and take photos with their friends. Channel that into a retro costume party for your tween and their friends! 

This party theme actually pairs perfectly with roller-skating parties because there are so many iconic skating rink looks to be inspired by. Cher in full roller disco glory? Check. De La Soul bringing that early 90s hip hop style in “A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays”? Double check. Madonna, Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, Robbie Williams, et al bringing a distinctly early-aughts vibe to the roller skating music video genre? Yep, you got it—check! 

A Few of Their Favorite Things Party

Your tween’s birthday party should be all about celebrating them, so why not think of some ways to incorporate all of their favorite things into a birthday party? If they love gaming, organize a video game tournament party with their friends. Do they love to get crafty? Do a tween-friendly version of a “sip and paint” party. Choose the menu based on their favorite sweet and savory foods. There’s no law that cake is the only birthday dessert allowed. Why not treat them and their friends to some birthday boba tea, donuts, chocolate-dipped fruit, or rice crispy treats?

Finding the perfect party venue can be a hassle. There are so many factors to consider, and if you’ve already got a lot on your plate (who doesn’t these days?) researching event spaces can be downright stressful! If this all sounds familiar, don’t fret. Making it easy for our customers to throw fun, memorable events is our specialty. That’s why we’re one of the best party venues in Lockport, whether you’re planning an event for 5 people or 50 people. Regardless of where you end up hosting your next event, this party venue checklist should help you find the perfect fit!

Party Venue Checklist: How to Choose a Great Venue

What type of entertainment does the venue provide?

One of the first things you’ll need to decide when planning an event is what type of entertainment you want to have. That choice will affect most of your later choices, so consider carefully. Think about who you’re inviting and whether the entertainment will be appropriate and engaging for them. For instance, you wouldn’t want to host a family event for all ages at a bar or casino. Nor would you want to host it at a kids’ play place that only has activities for kids 12 and under.
Roller skating parties are popular for this reason, as skating is something people of all ages can enjoy. Kids as young as 2 or 3 years can start learning how to skate, and because skating is a low-impact form of exercise, many folks continue to skate well into their senior years! 
At Rainbow Skateland, we offer so many fun activities that there’s sure to be something for everyone in your group. In addition to our skating rink, we also have an arcade, laser tag arena, mini-golf course, and an inflatable indoor playground (playground only for kids under 54 inches).  

What are the inclement weather options at the venue? 

Another important concern when choosing a party venue is the inclement weather plan. How will your event be impacted by rain, snow, heat waves, etc? An indoor facility can be a great choice if you don’t want to risk getting rained out. Our parties are always fun, rain or shine!

What is included in the event rental?

When comparing event venues, it’s crucial to compare apples to apples… In other words, take into account ALL of the costs associated with hosting there, from catering to equipment rental to decorations. If a party venue includes entertainment, food, and decor, you should expect to pay more than you would for renting an event space that requires you to hire all of the vendors to complete your event.
Our birthday party packages are popular with parents because they include everything you could want for your child’s birthday while leaving the parent enough energy to actually enjoy the event. But kids’ birthday parties aren’t the only events we host.
If you’re looking for a fun event venue for a school, team, church group, or similar gathering, consider our roller skating parties. Skating rink parties are also great for adult birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette parties, work outings, fundraisers, and any other occasion where you want to have fun. 

Twins are double the trouble, and double the fun! But planning a twin birthday party can be a challenge; after all, you want both kids to feel special and celebrated on their special (shared) day. Fortunately, we specialize in birthday parties, so we’ve got the tips and tricks to help you serve up a double serving of fun. Keep reading to get inspired by 4 of our favorite twin birthday party themes, and book a party today!

Twin Birthday Party Themes

Peas in a Pod

If there were ever an occasion for a “two peas in a pod” theme, a twin birthday party is it! This birthday party theme is a great choice for those who want a gender neutral color scheme and unique decor without mass-marketed characters. Celebrate your sweet peas with white and green balloons, table decor, and food. Round paper lanterns in green are an affordable way to make a big visual impact on a budget. You can even use dried split peas as a vase filler for your floral arrangements! When it comes to party favors, there are tons of adorable ideas out there, but we love these crepe paper “pea pods” full of chocolate candy!

Gemini/Astrology

If you’ve spent any time on Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok lately, you probably know that astrology is trending in a big way. The aesthetic of starry night skies, glitter, and mythological beings is perfect for a stylish celebration, so why not honor your twins with a gemini and astrology themed party? Use the Gemini symbol as a decor element and go for colors like black or deep blue accented with gold or silver metallics. When in doubt, just add stars! There are tons of cool, cosmic party decorations on sites like Etsy, from star lanterns and garlands to cake toppers and photo backdrops. 

Dr. Seuss

Who can resist the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss? Many of us grew up reading Dr. Seuss books, and sharing them with a new generation makes it all the more fun. Best of all, Dr. Seuss brought us the ultimate twin mascots: Thing 1 and Thing 2! 

A Thing 1 and Thing 2 twin birthday party is not only cute, but it’s also a smart choice for those parents who don’t want to spend hours compiling a Pinterest board and hand-crafting decorations. You can find Thing 1 and Thing 2 merchandise at major retailers from Party City to Amazon to Oriental Trading. Plus, who doesn’t love a classic red, white, and blue color scheme? 

Under the Sea

An underwater birthday party theme is the perfect, versatile option for twins of all ages and interests! If one twin loves sharks and the other wants to be a mermaid princess, they can both enjoy an ocean-themed birthday party.  A blue, green, turquoise, and purple color scheme can give you those underwater vibes, while strings of balloons become “bubbles” and crepe paper “sea weed” makes for a fun photo backdrop. And it’s easy to find plenty of shark, mermaid, pirate, or beachy birthday decor to complete your party, from paper cups and plates to goodie bags and party hats.

It’s a new year, and while the problems of the last year aren’t entirely behind us, it’s hard not to feel like better days are just around the corner. After months of just trying to survive, it’s time to thrive! Check out these family fun ideas to try out this year, and make some special memories with your loved ones. 

Make Some Memories with Family Fun Ideas

Get out and about.

With all of the pandemic restrictions in place, it’s easy to get lazy and just stay home all the time. While you certainly shouldn’t be engaging in any high-risk activities that could expose you or others to the coronavirus, it’s well worth the effort to override your hermit tendencies and get out of the house. There are safe ways to enjoy the local community, whether that means curbside pickup from your favorite neighborhood restaurant eaten at a park picnic table, visiting an outdoor attraction like a nature center or historical site, or maybe just getting out for a stroll to window shop or wave hello to the neighbors. 

Make celebrations special.

While COVID-19 has put a damper on in-person parties, it’s still important to celebrate special occasions with the ones you love. Make celebrations special by getting creative with virtual parties, socially-distanced outdoor shindigs, or even a drive-by birthday parade. 

Play tourist in your own backyard.

When you live somewhere, it’s easy to lose sight of all the things that make it special. They just blend into the landscape after a while. But instead of waiting for the next time you have out-of-town visitors to show around (after all, who knows when that will be!), why not plan your own “staycation” and create an itinerary of fun things to do in Lockport? Put your tourist glasses on and look around. Have you and your kids seen all of the major sights around town? Lockport has a ton of history to explore, from the Lockport Caves to the Erie Canal to the architectural gems of downtown. 

Move more.

Last, but not least, make it a point to move more this year! Adults and kids alike can benefit from not only the physical health benefits but also the mental health benefits of regular exercise. It’s much easier to resist the lure of Netflix when you find fun ways to be active, like roller skating, hiking, etc. 

When you’re looking for an active thing to do with your family, Rainbow Skateland is the perfect destination. Our expansive skating rink offers a weather-proof indoor activity that lets you burn off some energy and stretch your legs, no matter what the weather is like outside.  With affordable admission and public skate sessions, your crew will be having so much fun, you won’t even realize that you’re getting a full-body workout!

The transition from one year to the next is an exciting time, and most cultures all over the world have some sort of celebration or tradition to mark the new year. If you’re looking for ways to make New Year’s fun for the whole family—yes, even you, parents—then check out these creative New Year’s traditions for kids! 

Celebrating and Starting a New Year: Family Traditions to Try with Your Kids

Make a family resolution.

Making individual new year’s resolutions is fairly common, but do you ever make family resolutions? These are some examples of great family resolutions to keep in mind throughout the year, but poll your family and see what they say, too!

• More quality family time. 2020 was all about quantity because so many of us were stuck at home most of the year. As the COVID vaccine rolls out and people go back to work and school, it will be important to maintain those family connections with quality time. You can put this into practice by setting aside family time in which everyone unplugs and does something fun together, whether that’s Taco Tuesday or a weekly Family Fun Day at the skating rink. 
• Be more active. Americans are very sedentary overall, so why not pledge as a family to be more active in the coming year? Don’t just expect your kids to line up for a turn on the treadmill; make exercise fun by doing different activities together like roller skating, hiking, or cycling. 
• Give back to the community. Community service can take many forms, but whether you’re volunteering together at the local food bank or helping an elderly neighbor with yard work, giving your time to help others can bring you closer as a family and instill values that will help your kids throughout their lives. 

Choose a “word of the year.”

If the pressure of an official new year’s resolution sounds intimidating, why not choose a family “word of the year” instead? Choosing a word together to be your inspiration for the year ahead can also help your family grow and strengthen your bonds while working towards individual and family goals. For example: 

• Adventure
• Balance
• Relationships
• Calm
• Sustainable
• Strength
• Compassion

Make a time capsule or vision board.

Another fun-yet-meaningful way to mark the end of one year and the beginning of a new one is to create a time capsule! You could create a box of items from all family members, with letters to your future selves. Alternatively, you could work together to make some scrapbook pages highlighting what each member of the family was most excited about at the time. Next year, you can all look back at it and marvel at how much some things have changed while others have stayed the same. 

In the same vein, you can also have a “vision board” party with your family. Cut out pictures from magazines or draw your own to illustrate what your hopes and dreams are for the coming year.

If your child’s birthday falls on or near a major holiday, it can be a bit of a downer. And according to researchers, those whose birthdays fall during the winter holidays are the most dissatisfied with their birthdays. Fortunately, with a little planning and creativity, you can prevent the birthday blues and give your kid a memorable, fun, and happy birthday! Keep reading to learn how to celebrate winter and holiday birthdays right. 

How to Avoid a Birthday Bummer

There are many reasons why winter and holiday birthdays can feel like drawing the short straw. If a birthday falls on or near a holiday, people are more likely to forget it or be busy on the day. It can be challenging to have a birthday party at all when so many people are busy or out of town. But in addition to the scheduling conflicts of holiday birthdays, there’s also the issue of “combined” birthday gifts that also double as Christmas or Hannukah gifts. Kids with birthdays that fall from mid-November through January can easily feel like their birthdays are overshadowed by Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and other celebrations. Not to mention the fact that many people are emotionally, socially, and financially tapped out after the holidays, so they may not have the money for the types of gifts and parties as they would at another time of year. Winter is also cold and flu season, making it more likely that guests will wind up missing a celebration due to sickness. All in all, it’s no wonder that most people surveyed say they think mid-June is the perfect time for birthdays!

Make it clear that you’re celebrating their birthday.

One simple way to keep a smile on your birthday kid’s face is to use birthday paper and birthday themed paper goods and decorations for your celebration. As tempting as it may be, don’t reach for that convenient roll of Christmas-y wrapping paper. Instead, use birthday paper or get creative with butcher paper, craft paper, newspaper—really anything that doesn’t have Santa, elves, or trees on it. 

You don’t need to take down all of your seasonal decorations, but consider swapping out the centerpiece of your dining table, adding balloons around the room, or making a “Happy Birthday!” sign or banner.

If you are planning a party near a major holiday or during the holiday season, mail invitations early and consider inviting more guests.

Giving people more time to plan is a great way to ensure better turnout for your child’s birthday party. Mail invitations at least 5-6 weeks before the party, and consider even inviting slightly more people in anticipation of the inevitable no-shows. 

Move your child’s celebration to their half-birthday.

(Disclaimer: Talk to your child, and don’t do this unless your child is OK with it.) While it may be unconventional, one thing some families do is to celebrate the winter baby’s birth on their half birthday! This can be great if a child wants an outdoor activity like swimming. 

No matter how you decide to celebrate your kid’s birthday, we hope you make some great memories. Book your Lockport birthday party online now!  

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Nothing worth having comes easy,” and Thanksgiving is a perfect example of that! There’s so much to do—cleaning, cooking, decorating, more cooking, wrangling the kids, and yes, even more cooking—so it’s important to make the prep as easy for yourself as possible. We can’t wash your dishes or cook your casseroles, but we do know how to keep kids entertained! Check out these fun Thanksgiving activities for kids to keep the youngsters happy before and during the holiday weekend.

Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

Take over the tablescape.

There are tons of cool Thanksgiving craft projects out there for kids, but some of the best ones do double duty as an activity and decor for your family feast! Little kids can go to town with (washable) paint, crayons, and markers on pre-made place cards or tags with each person’s name already printed on them or written by an adult/older sibling with a metallic paint pen once they’re dry. To prevent muddy colors and keep everything looking festive, limit the colors you put out to a particular color scheme, like all warm colors (red, orange, yellow), all cool colors (green, blue, purple), or your own mix (orange, purple, green). f you have teens or tweens with an artistic streak, they can even practice some fancy hand lettering for the names. 

Another good way to keep kids busy while also contributing to Thanksgiving is to task them with creating a centerpiece for the table. They can hunt around your yard for pretty branches, leaves, pinecones, acorns, and greenery, then arrange their natural objects in a vase, basket, etc. Older kids will love rummaging through your candles and decor to curate a tablescape, but for younger kids you can give them “vases” made from upcycled containers like tin cans (make sure there are no sharp edges), plastic jars, or even yogurt tubs. 

Get crafty and creative.

If the combination of a nature scavenger hunt and craft project appeals to your crowd, the kids can also get started making some cool holiday gifts for family and friends. Creating dried botanical wall art is actually super easy and looks surprisingly elegant. Collect funky old picture frames from the thrift store, or let them collage leaves onto a small panel or canvas with glue. Another fun nature activity is to do rubbings of leaves with printer paper and crayons. They’ll love seeing how the different vein patterns of the leaves show up on the paper. 

The internet is just chock-full of fun holiday gift projects for kids, so start exploring and see what your kids are interested in! They can make gifts for grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, teachers, coaches, and friends. 

Skate off some energy.

Last, but certainly not least, make sure the kiddos get some physical activity in during the Thanksgiving break! Shoot some hoops in the driveway, kick a soccer ball around, play tag, or come out for one of our roller skating sessions at Rainbow Skateland. Roller skating is an awesome mood booster and a heart-healthy way to get some exercise. It can even help kids improve their balance, agility, and stamina!

We’re keeping it as safe as possible here by requiring masks, enforcing social distancing, and increasing sanitation frequency, and limiting capacity. Stay well and we hope to see you for some post-Turkey Day fun!

Kids’ birthday parties are simple, right? Some cake, some balloons, some sugar-hyped kids running around like crazy… What could go wrong? Well, as most parents know, a “simple” kid’s birthday party is anything but! If you’re wondering what the etiquette is for drop-off birthday parties, check out this birthday party etiquette guide for parents. 

Should you drop your kid off at a birthday party? 4 factors to consider:

Age

Parents are expected to stay with small children throughout a party, as they require more individual care and supervision, and are more likely to experience separation anxiety. The general wisdom is that kids 5 years old and younger should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Is your child mature enough and comfortable enough to be dropped off?

Of course, we all know that kids are unique individuals, and they don’t all mature at the exact same pace. Some 5 year olds may be perfectly happy to be dropped off for a party, while a more reserved 8 year old might have a hard time. In addition to your kid’s comfort level and social skills, it’s also important to evaluate how “street smart” your kid is. Can you trust them to be safe, avoid foods they’re allergic to, follow the rules during the party, etc.? 

How well do you know the host?

Dropping your kid off at a birthday party isn’t just about trusting your kid… It’s also about trusting the family hosting the party. How well do you know them? How familiar is your child with the host’s home and the other kids who will be there? If you don’t feel comfortable just dropping your child off and leaving, you can always hang around a bit to make sure both you and they feel good about it before you leave. Helping your child find the bathroom and pointing out an adult they can go to if they need to call you can help settle their nerves.

Do you have other kids to take care of?

Another factor to consider when deciding whether or not to drop your child off at a birthday party is whether you have other kids to take care of. You definitely don’t want to surprise the host with extra guests, especially if the younger kids are going to want to participate in cake-eating, or be disappointed if they don’t get a goodie bag! And of course, never, ever, drop additional kids off without a clear invitation to do so. 

How should you handle drop-offs at your child’s birthday party?

Planning your child’s birthday party can be easy… IF you know how many guests you’re expecting! The best way to ensure that your child’s birthday party goes off without a hitch is to communicate, communicate, COMMUNICATE. In addition to the usual date, time, and location info, state clearly whether or not you want parents to drop their kids off on the invitation. If you’re hosting a laid-back affair where parents are free to hang out and bring their other kids too, include that information and any additional details, like purchasing skating or bounce zone admission. 

Parents want what’s best for our kids, and that includes a great education. Whether your kids are A+ students or need a little extra help to succeed in school, you can have a big impact on their academic performance—and it’s easier than you might realize. Keep reading to learn how to help kids succeed in school, and see how many of these tips you can implement in your family’s routine!

Helping Kids Do Well in School

Be involved and aware.

Working and taking care of your family is a lot to handle, and no one can give 100% to everything at all times. However, one thing you can do to help your kids in school is to stay engaged and aware of what’s going on with their class. That means attending back-to-school meetings, open houses, and parent-teacher conferences as much as possible. If you absolutely must miss these important opportunities to check in with your child’s teacher, try to catch up another time, either in person or via email or phone. 

It’s easier than ever before for parents to stay in the loop of what’s going on with their kids’ schools, thanks to technology. Bookmark the school website so you can always access important information like the school calendar, upcoming standardized testing, or field trips. You can even do things like add money to lunch accounts online, making it quick and simple. 

We’ve all experienced a lapse in communication as parents (Although if you haven’t, please share your secrets!), so rather than relying on your kids to know what’s up at all times, familiarize yourself with school policies and the class syllabus. 

Create an optimal learning environment.

We all know that there’s a lot more to being a high-level athlete than just what happens on the field between the start and end of the game. Succeeding at a sport requires dedication and can extend to everything from diet, to exercise, to what time to set the alarm clock. Similarly, your kids need you to support their learning at all times, not just during school hours. Some of the most important ways to do this include: 

• Making sure they’re well-rested. Sleep plays a huge role in health as well as cognitive function, so it’s vital that you make sure your kids are getting enough sleep. They’ll feel better, be less cranky, and be more alert during class if you set a reasonable bedtime and stick to it. 
• Feeding them breakfast. Breakfast is important because it gives your kids the energy they need to concentrate and participate in class. Research has shown that kids who eat breakfast are less likely to miss school, and the benefits of breakfast include improved memory and attention span. 

Getting them moving. Another important factor is exercise! It’s so important to demonstrate healthy activity to your kids by staying active and encouraging them to do the same. Whether it’s taking a walk after dinner or visiting our skating rink, incorporating fun ways to move can have both mental and physical benefits for students.