Skating & Entertainment Center
 | 101 Oliver St. North Tonawanda, NY 14120 | (716) 693-1100 |
Rainbow Roller Rink will be temporarily closed, starting on November 25, 2020 until further notice. For the safety of our community, the closure of entertainment facilities has been mandated throughout the State of New York.
Please take the recommended precautions to keep you and your families safe and healthy.
We will re-open our business as soon as we are able to do so. As always, thank you for being a great, loyal customer. We hope to see you soon soon!
Thanksgiving is almost here, which means the holidays are about to begin! The holiday season is so fun—and sorely needed, after the year we’ve all had—but it can also leave you feeling less than your best after the festivities are over. Avoid the post-holiday crash with these tips for a healthy holiday season.
Long nights, short days, and freezing temperatures make it easy to hunker down in your home. But hibernating the winter away won’t make you feel better in the long run! Instead, find ways to stay active, even if you have to get creative. Pull up some YouTube yoga and turn your living room into a yoga studio. Bundle up and take a nature walk in the snow. Better yet, bring your mask and join us at Rainbow Skateland!
Our North Tonawanda skating rink is a great option for getting some exercise even when it’s cold and dreary outside. Come skate to awesome music that will make you want to bust a move, and you’ll have so much fun, you won’t even notice you’re getting a cardio and strength-building workout.
Rich foods and sweet treats are everywhere during the holidays, and over-indulging can leave you feeling like the Grinch. However, not allowing yourself to enjoy any of the season’s delights will have the same effect! Indulge in your favorite Christmas cookie or boozy eggnog, but balance those treats out, too. If you know you’re going to be eating a rich meal in the evening, have a lighter breakfast and lunch with a heavier emphasis on veggies, and grab a healthy snack beforehand so you’re not ravenous when presented with tasty treats.
If you find yourself feeling a little less than “merry and bright” during the holidays, you’re not alone. Many people experience stress and depression during the holidays, from the breakneck schedule of holiday parties and events to managing expectations for “the most wonderful time of the year.” This year may be especially hard as people all over the country and the world realize they can’t safely travel to be with loved ones due to the coronavirus pandemic. Whatever the reason, just know that it’s OK to feel your feelings, and remember that you can take time to rest. No one has the perfect, magical holiday experience every second of the day from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, no matter what their social media feed looks like. However and whatever you celebrate this holiday season, we hope you enjoy it to the fullest! Come see us at Rainbow Roller Rink for one of our public skating sessions, and let the good times roll.
Winter birthday parties are always a bit harder to plan than warm-season parties. In the spring, summer, and even early fall, you can still have an outdoor party, which doubles or triples your venue and activity options. From backyard barbecues to park pavilion parties, there are lots of places to celebrate outdoors… Which as we all know, has been crucial during the coronavirus pandemic. But what about all of those winter babies? We can’t let people with winter birthdays go uncelebrated! Not to worry, because you can still have a fun, safe birthday party this winter, and we’re going to tell you how.
There are a few problems that must be solved when it comes to a winter birthday party this year. For starters, it’s cold outside—really cold. So you have to plan your party in such a way that your guests don’t end up like frozen popsicles. That could be outside with space heaters or a firepit; it could also be indoors somewhere large enough that people can comfortably stay socially distanced. That’s where we come in!
At our North Tonawanda skating rink, we’re taking all the precautions to keep our staff and customers safe, with mandatory masks/face coverings, social distancing, limited admission to reduce the number of people in the rink at one time, and increased cleaning and sanitation.
When it’s freezing outside, you can still have a fun, active party with roller skating, arcade games, and even our Bounce Zone indoor playground for kids under 54 inches.
At Rainbow Roller Rink, we always make birthday parties fun, special, and best of all, easy. You’ve got enough on your plate these days without the added pressure of planning a party, which is why our roller skating birthday parties are such a good deal. We take care of the food and drinks, the tableware, and even the invitations. You’ll even get a Party Server to keep your party running smoothly, so all you have to do is relax and have fun! When you’re not stressing over the details, you’ll have an even better time and be able to make some fantastic memories with your child on their special day.
Looking for the perfect birthday gift for your kid’s skating birthday party? Why not give them their very own roller skates? There are so many cool styles of skates these days, and we’re happy to help you select the right ones to fit your child’s level of skating prowess, and of course their personal style. Pile on the accessories—a skate bag, skate tool, some cool colorful wheels (or even light up wheels!), and fun socks and laces—and you’ve got the recipe for an unforgettable birthday, from the gift to the party.
Want to celebrate the spooky season with a fun, socially-distant activity? Roller skating Halloween parties are the way to go! And of course, no Halloween party is complete without costumes… So what will you wear? If you’re feeling crafty, creative, or just need to come up with a costume on a budget, these creative DIY Halloween costume ideas are sure to make you feel like a million bats—er, bucks.
One of the easiest ways to create an affordable, DIY Halloween costume is to shop your closet… And then fill in the gaps with a trip to your favorite thrift store and/or costume shop. Retro costumes work particularly well with this approach, for instance:
You really can’t go wrong with some of the classic Halloween costumes. After all, they’re tried-and-true for a reason!
The internet is your friend when it comes to making your own Halloween costume. There are literally thousands of DIY Halloween costume tutorials out there, but these are some of our favorites:
Whatever you choose to wear, we can help you throw an awesome Halloween party that your friends will love! Check out our tips for hosting your first Halloween roller skating party, and give us a call at 715-693-1100 for more information.
2020 has been rough for everyone, but parents have been particularly tested this year by unusual circumstances. Working from home, working on the front lines, or looking for work are all stressful enough, but add in e-learning or unconventional school schedules plus a cooped-up kid, and things suddenly get a whole lot more challenging. With so much going on, many kids are having trouble concentrating, which makes homework even more of a chore. Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can make homework fun for your kids, and maybe even for yourself!
Every kid is different, so some of these may work better than others for your kids depending on their ages, abilities, and personalities. Don’t be afraid to try new things until you find the homework tips that work best for your family!
Positive reinforcement modifies behavior by rewarding good behavior as opposed to punishing poor behavior. It works with kids, adults, and even pets! Think about it, you’ve probably felt a lot more motivated at work when there was a commission, award, or some kind of benefit to be had. The threat of punishment usually only motivates people to do the bare minimum.
The same goes for your kids. Think of ways to motivate that make them excited to do it. For instance, let’s say you have a family fun day once a week here at Rainbow Roller Rink. You track your child’s homework every day and for every assignment completed on-time and up to snuff, they earn an additional arcade token to use at the end of the week in our Game Zone.
If your child is a visual or tactile learner, they might benefit from writing out their “to-do” list for the week and checking it off as they go.
One of the best ways to make homework more fun is to do it together! With younger kids, that might mean sitting with them and helping them do it; for older kids, just working in the same room with some good focus music will make the work go faster. You could do some “adult homework” like paying bills, clipping coupons, or reading a professional development book while your kids work, or tackle something like meal prep.
It’s well known at this point that people are more productive when they take regular breaks than when working non-stop, marathon-style. Try using “power hours” to get your kids to focus on a particular task. Set an egg timer or your phone for one hour, and when it goes off, everyone gets up to stretch, go for a short walk (or skate), play a quick game of catch outside, or eat a healthy snack on the porch.
It’s not unusual for kids to experience the back-to-school blues—anxiety and depression that can range from mild to severe. After all, there are a lot of changes to deal with at the start of a new school year. It’s the end of summer freedom and a return to structure and hard work. Kids will be in new classes, learning new things, with new kids and a new teacher. There are anxieties about measuring up, standardized tests, and report cards. And of course, you can’t forget about the social concerns—which lunch table to sit at, who to hang out with at recess, etc.
But while those things are relatable to students (and former students) of all ages, the unprecedented events of 2020 add a new layer of stress to the back to school season. Kids today aren’t just worried about losing their homework; they’re also grappling with the global COVID-19 pandemic that has killed over 200,000 people in the U.S. alone. They may not be at high risk from the virus themselves, but even young kids know that their parents, grandparents, and other family members are worried and that something big is going on.
That’s why it’s even more important than ever to pay attention to your kids’ mental health. Get proactive. Check out these tips to help you beat the back to school blues.
Lack of sleep isn’t good for anyone’s mood, so one way to help your kids shake off scholastic depression is to ensure that they’re getting enough sleep. That means a regular bedtime for
everyone in the household (earlier for younger kids, later for teens and adults), as well as limiting bedtime social media scrolling or mobile gaming. The more you abide by the schedule and lead by example, the easier it will be to get your kids to do the same.
You’ve heard the old saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Well, that’s as true now as it ever was, so it’s crucial to make time for relaxation amidst all of the demands of school, sports, clubs, and work. Roller skating is a great family activity to do in North Tonawanda, and it’s a fun workout to boot!
Remember that grades aren’t the only metric for your kids’ success. In addition to their academic work, it’s important to pay attention to their social lives, sports and extra-curricular activities, how they feel about their teachers, peers, what they’re learning in school, etc.
If you’re wondering how to do all of that, well, that’s where this tip comes in: Talk about it! If your kids are younger, go ahead and get in the habit of talking with them about their hopes, fears, and worries. For older kids, it might take a little more for them to open up, but it’s still important to be curious and engaged about their lives. The more they feel comfortable discussing the day-to-day stuff, the more likely they’ll be to come to you about larger issues. Are your kids showing any signs of the back to school blues? Join us at Rainbow Roller Rink for a public skate session and lift their spirits!
Who would think that a child’s birthday party could generate so many etiquette questions? Parents, that’s who! If you’re a parent planning to throw your child a birthday party, there are plenty of etiquette questions you may be mulling over. This is one of the most common birthday etiquette dilemmas: Should the birthday kid open presents during or after the birthday party?
There are plenty of reasons to open gifts during your child’s birthday party. To name just a few:
Of course, there are plenty of folks in the “Do not open gifts during the party!” camp, and they have some great points:
Unfortunately, there’s really no solid “yes” or “no” to be had on this particular birthday etiquette question. You just have to go with what feels right for your family or take cues from the parties of the other kids in your child’s class. However you decide to handle birthday gifts, make sure to slow down, have fun, and enjoy the moment! We’re here to help you do just that with roller skating birthday parties in North Tonawanda.
Birthdays are special, especially for kids. Hosting birthday parties is one of our favorite things that we do here at Rainbow Roller Rink. We just love giving our local families in North Tonawanda a fun place to celebrate and make memories! Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we haven’t been able to host parties for quite a while—but that’s no reason to give up on the birthday magic. Check out these creative birthday traditions to start with your kids, and get ready for some extra special birthday fun!
There are tons of ideas out there for kids’ birthday traditions, but these are some of our favorites.
This could be written down in a journal or scrapbook, recorded on audio or video, or posted to social media. Come up with a list of questions to ask your child every year on their birthday. When they’re older, you’ll all be able to look back and get a kick out of their changing interests. Include questions like:
Don’t worry, no actual explosions are involved. But your kid might freak out (in a good way) when they see the balloon extravaganza you orchestrated while they were sleeping! There are several ways to do this. Some folks wait until their child is sound asleep before quietly filling the bedroom with a layer of balloons over the floor, furniture, etc. Others use saran wrap to create a “wall” of balloons in the doorway for the birthday kid to see when they open the door in the morning. You can also create a balloon curtain effect by tying ribbons to the balloons and hanging/taping them from the top of the door jamb. And for the “extra” parents, there’s the ultra-dramatic balloon avalanche from above!
Since this is all about celebrating the birthday person in question, why not tell them how you really feel? Have your family go around the breakfast or dinner table and tell the birthday kid what they admire most about them, or share a memory that made them proud of their child/sibling.
Another fun way to do this is to have people write a note to the birthday kid on a slip of paper (if you’re hosting an in-person party) or submit notes to you via email/social media. You can pass on the well-wishes or let your child read through the notes afterward to help them remember the party and the people who were there.
For parents of a certain age, you probably had an “analog” childhood compared to the digital world today’s kids are growing up in. We’re constantly being told how important it is to limit screen time for both kids and adults, yet it’s much easier said than done to actually follow through. We’re all a little bit addicted to our technology, whether it’s your kid’s Switch or your own smartphone. Fortunately, there are ways to limit kids’ screen time without earning yourself the title of Most Hated Parent.
The very best way to unglue your kids from their screens is not to nag, cajole, or threaten. Instead, provide alternatives that are so fun and enjoyable that your kids willingly choose them. There are many ways to do this, including:
One of the most annoying aspects of parenting is the fact that kids are always watching, listening, and learning from the adults around them… Even when you’d rather they didn’t. As any parent who’s ever slipped up and used some “choice words” in front of their kids knows all too well, they’re going to do as you do, not as you say.
One of the most effective ways to get your kids to unplug is to do so yourself first. When they see how much you’re enjoying reading an actual book, gardening, doing yoga, or whatever offline activities you enjoy, they’re more likely to put their own tech down and join in… Or at least find their own offline fun.
Finally, don’t get so hung up on the time your kids are clocking with screens, and instead, focus on quality over quantity. According to some researchers, the supposed dangers of screen time are less relevant than how that time is used. Are your kids using tech to watch or play educational content? Are they getting some much-needed social interaction via Animal Crossing, FaceTiming with their friends, etc.? If you’re aware of what they’re consuming and are helping them make good choices, and their screen time isn’t interfering with family time, sleep, or physical activity, it’s all good!
Those of us who love to skate miss the social interaction and the fun atmosphere of the skating rink, but just because coronavirus has taken a toll on the summer doesn’t mean that you have to kiss rollerskating goodbye. By simply changing from indoor skate wheels to outdoor skate wheels, you can enjoy skating outdoors until coronavirus restrictions are lifted and our North Tonawanda skating rink is able to reopen.
Quad skates are the classic roller skates that most people think of, as opposed to inline skates or “rollerblades.” Consisting of a boot (the shoe-like part your foot goes into), a plate, and four wheels (hence the term quad), these skates come in a wide variety of styles for different types of skating. Some of the most popular types of quad skates include speed skates, jam skates, dance skates, artistic skates, and derby skates.
The main differences among these various types of skates lie in the ankles, which may be cut higher to provide more ankle support (useful for landing jumps in artistic skating) or lower for increased range of movement (useful for jam skaters doing fancy footwork).
Most quad skate wheels are made from polyurethane, a long-lasting, durable material. In addition to its endurance, polyurethane also offers plenty of grip, or traction, on the skating surface. The hardness and size of the wheels you’ll need depends on whether you’re skating inside on a maple skating rink floor or outside on a paved sidewalk.
Just as the tires on a car affect performance, your wheels have the most direct impact on the performance of your roller skates. Check out these tips to learn which type of skate wheels you need.
With the right roller skate wheels, you can convert your indoor skates to outdoor skates and get that wind-in-your-hair feeling even without visiting the skating rink. Outdoor skating is a great way to keep your skating skills sharp and get some much-needed exercise during the corona virus pandemic. And of course, we hope to be open to the public again soon, so when that day comes, you can easily switch your skates back to indoor wheels! Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on our announcements.