It’s the holiday season and that means kids are going to be home from school soon. What better time to find some great family activities to do together? At Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY, we thought it would be fun to give you a short list of fun activities that the entire family will enjoy. Check out some of our favorite winter break activities below and enjoy the season together!

Look at Christmas Lights!

There is no other time of year that we can see so much spirit and love just by driving around the neighborhood! Gather up the family and pack up some hot chocolate and cookies. You can walk or drive around to see all the festive lights. Also check with local organizations to see if there are any luminaries scheduled this season!

Have a Treasure Hunt!

Perfect for in the house or out in the yard, start by hiding some small but meaningful prizes, then make a treasure map or write clues for kids to go find them. Instead of hidings gifts, consider things like small treats, gift certificates or candies, or even coupons for getting out of chores or having more computer/tablet time!

Go for a Holiday Skate

Of course, our favorite holiday activity takes place right here at Rainbow Skateland! Roller skating has been a family favorite for generations. Our DJ will be playing all the best holiday and pop songs all season long. Not to mention, skating is a great workout so if you need a fun way to tire out the kids during winter break, roll on by!

Anyone can throw a party but to throw a great holiday party takes experience and hard work. A really well executed holiday party all starts with finding the right venue. Here at Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY, we have you covered from beginning to end. But what makes a good holiday party great? In our opinion, there has to be a combination of the following.

Location, Location, Location!

Every great party starts with a great space. Whether you’re planning an office holiday party or a family outing, you have to find a space that can handle family needs, something off the beaten path but also something inclusive. Roller skating is a great combination of all of these.

Pick the Right Activities

A holiday party needs time to play as well as a quiet place for everyone to gather and exchange gifts. When you choose a private holiday party with us at Rainbow, our DJ will keep the music pumping on the hardwood while our party room is a great place to catch up with friends and give someone special a gift for the holidays.

Planning Makes Perfect

The amount of effort that goes into a party before it ever begins is what really makes a good party great. At Rainbow, we are masters of party organization and have been doing it for a really long time in Lockport, New York. That means there’s less for you to stress about… and don’t worry, we’ve got the set up and clean up covered, too!

We’re booking holiday parties now and would love to get you and your family, friends and coworkers here for a great time this holiday season. Roll on by to find out more about having your next party on skates!

How do you get into the Thanksgiving spirit? Here at Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY, we love this time of year because of the family gatherings, hearty meals and holiday spirit. But nothing gets us into the celebratory spirit like giving back to our neighbors with less. Donating during Thanksgiving and throughout the entire holiday season means you’re helping the entire Niagara community have a happier holiday.

If you’re not sure how you can help this Thanksgiving, just follow our lead and check out some of these great local charities and charitable opportunities!

United Way of Greater Niagara

The United Way of Greater Niagara is the area’s leading charitable group. They have donation drives for everything from back packs for school children to toiletries and other basic necessities. Click the link above and see how you can help!

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteering is another great way to give back during the holidays. Spending time at Niagara Hospice or donating your time at a food pantry can make an enormous difference in so many lives. Plus, it is an excellent way to make sure your efforts are going directly to our Niagara community.

Organize A Fundraiser

We have an excellent fundraiser program here at Rainbow Skateland. What better way to raise money for a great cause than by having a good time with us and all your friends and family? The more people you can gather together, the more money you’ll end up raising for your charity.

These are just a few examples of how you can give back in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Regardless of how you do it, we think you’ll feel great about helping out your Lockport neighbors this year. But we can always do more. Give us a call or roll on by to learn about other ways to give back this year.

From ghosts and ghouls to witches and werewolves, Halloween is full of spooky fun. It’s one of the most creative times of the year and can bring the kid out in all of us. However, the scares aren’t all fun and games, which is why we want to make sure you have some tips to keep your kids safe this Halloween.

At Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY, we want everyone one to have fun during one of the years’ best holidays. Whether you’re hanging with us here at our skating center or out trick or treating, safety is our first concern.

Trick or Treat Safety Tips

If you decide to head out into the neighborhood to collect Halloween goodies with your little ones, try these little tips to stay safe.

• Wear reflective clothing or tape. Making you and your kids visible means drivers can see you and steer clear.
• Stay with a group. Safety in numbers holds true on Halloween night. You’re more visible as a group and less likely to encounter the boogey man.
• Bring a flashlight. Again, visibility is key when you’re out with your little ones. Neighborhoods are often dark and having a flashlight can help you navigate as well as let any passersby know that you are there.

Try an Alternative to Trick or Treating

Roller skating offers a great alternative to trick or treating. Not only can you keep your kids in a safe, family-friendly environment, you’ll still have thrilling fun. Plus, you’ll really help to cut down on the sweets and have a healthier Halloween all around.

Give us a call today to find out what’s going on here at Rainbow during Halloween and don’t forget that we have open skating time throughout the week!

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 axle for the front wheels on your typical quad skates. With the axle sitting on a bearing, 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!