The most common bane of any modern parent’s existence is the avalanche of toys cluttering up their kids’ rooms, the rest of the household, and, most unfortunately of all, making their way underfoot to stab or trip you when you least expect it! (Let us take a moment of silence for our fellow parents who have fallen victim to the dreaded stepping-on-a-lego-block experience.)

Besides the clutter, the environmental toll of all that plastic, and in some cases, the annoying sound effects of the toys, there’s also another downside. How many times has your child begged for that Hot New Toy™ only to lose interest in it a week later? If you’re looking for a way to make your child’s birthday special without adding to the toy clutter, you’re not alone! A lot of other parents feel the same way, and there are some great ideas out there for non-toy birthday gifts. 

Check out a few of our favorite ideas below, and come celebrate your family’s birthdays (belated or yet-to-come) with a roller skating birthday party once we reopen! 

Non-Toy Birthday Gifts for Kids

Choosing the right birthday gift for your kid depends on the child’s age, maturity level, and interests, but you’re sure to find something on this list that your little one will love! 

Books

One of the best gifts you can give your child is the gift of reading. Sure, your child will learn to read in school and will read some of the classics along the way, but instilling a real love of reading is a gift that will benefit them for life in so many ways. According to We Are Teachers,

When children have a home library, as few as 20 books of their own at home (think: one bookshelf full), they achieve three more years of schooling than children who don’t have any books at home.

Add to that the fact that reading lowers stress and improves vocabulary, and it’s easy to see why books make excellent birthday gifts. 

For younger kids, choose beautifully written and illustrated children’s books that you can read together at bedtime. Older kids will enjoy chapter books, from classics like The Secret Garden to silly-scary hits like the Goosebumps series. Whatever their interests are, you’re guaranteed to find books about it.

If your child isn’t in love with reading (or even if they are), comic books and graphic novels are a fantastic option to get them excited about reading. The best option is to visit your local comic book shop, where they’ll be more than happy to recommend some options for young readers. If you shop online, just keep in mind that comics have a rating system, similar (but not identical) to movie ratings. Selecting All Ages- or Everyone-rated comics will ensure that they’re age-appropriate for younger kids.

Creative Materials

Providing whatever your child needs to get creative is another good alternative to toy gifts. If your kid loves to draw, paint, or get crafty, they’ll be thrilled with some cool new art supplies, a sketch book and markers, or a craft kit.

If your child is musically inclined, gifting an instrument can build a lifelong passion. While a guitar, drum set, or piano would make a pretty awesome gift, it doesn’t have to be that big…Or loud. Shaker eggs, a kid keyboard, bongos, or a tambourine can be super fun, too! 

Of course, your child doesn’t have to be an artist or musician to appreciate a creative gift. Puppets, dress up clothes, gardening tools, or even a carpentry kit are all great ways to get your kids unplugged from the TV and using their imaginations. 

An Experience

We saved the best non-toy birthday idea for last: Experiences! Most of us can’t remember what we got for our birthdays as kids, but we definitely remember some of the fun experiences from our childhoods. Gift your child with a day trip somewhere cool; tickets to a concert, sporting event, or performance; or an afternoon at the skating rink!

Working from home can be hard enough to begin with—there’s always the temptation to load up the dishwasher, do some laundry, or just play with the cat or dog—but if you have kids, the distractions multiply exponentially! You don’t have to resign yourself to low productivity while you wait for the office to re-open, you just need to work smarter. Check out these tips to help you make the most of your work from home time, so you can enjoy more quality time with your kids and spouse! (Or maybe just treat yourself to a quiet glass of wine, a book, and an hour alone… We all need a break from the togetherness every once in a while.)

Work from Home Tips for Parents

Teach them to fish. 

If your kids are old enough to safely get themselves food and water, they should be doing that. Make it easier on everyone by creating “snack stations.” For instance, devote a drawer in the refrigerator to healthy snacks the kids can grab when they’re hungry, like pre-cut fruit, cheese sticks, apple sauce, or lunch meat. You can even create your own Lunchables-inspired snack kits by portioning a few items out into snack bags ahead of time, like this mom/work-from-home legend suggests. A pitcher of water and kid-friendly cups located in an accessible place will also keep your kids hydrated without interrupting you every hour for water. 

Set clear boundaries.

If you have a home office and your kids are able to be left alone for short periods of time, going into a room and shutting the door is the best case scenario. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible, but you can still create some boundaries. For instance, you may want to commandeer the dining table during business hours. Instead of just telling your kids to stay out of the area (good luck with that), set up areas to keep them focused on other activities. Set up the coffee table or the desk in their room with all of the computer and school supplies they need to do their work. You can also create areas for other activities, like a drawing area with paper and colored pencils, or a reading area with pillows. 

Keep them entertained. 

It’s hard enough to deal with bored kids in normal circumstances, but when you’re trying to have a meeting or respond to emails, there’s nothing you want to hear less than “We’re bored!” Nip boredom in the bud by creating a system that your kids can use when they don’t know what to do. This activity board is a fantastic idea and you can easily customize the cards to fit your family. Include chores (make bed, put away laundry), quiet activities (reading, drawing, listening to music), and physical activities (bedroom dance party, practice yoga, take the dog for a walk, play tag with siblings outside).
We hope these tips help you survive until the coronavirus restrictions are lifted! It helps to have something to look forward to, so think about what you’ll do when you’re able to go out normally again. A visit to the skating rink never sounded so good.

In these unprecedented times of the global coronavirus pandemic, it’s hard to know how to explain the situation to kids. Most of us adults are struggling just to keep up with the news, the latest health recommendations, and local or state restrictions on gatherings and businesses. Kids pick up on the tension and worries of the adults around them; they know something big is happening, and they probably have some big questions for you. 

If you’re looking for some pointers on how to talk to kids about coronavirus, these tips from the CDC can help. 

Talking to Children About the Coronavirus Pandemic

Keep calm and carry on (a conversation).

One of the best things you can do for your kids is to keep calm. Kids may not have the vocabulary or capacity to understand the finer points of the situation, but they pick up on a lot more than we typically give them credit for. If you’re saying reassuring words, but are giving off panic vibes, your kids can tell. The same goes for your conversations with other adults. 

Foster an environment of open communication.

It’s important to let your kids know that you’re available to talk about the situation and that they can ask questions or express their concerns. Remember, these conversations don’t have to be a big, scary ordeal where everyone sits down for A Talk. Ask your kids how they’re feeling while out on a walk, or at the breakfast table. You don’t want to dwell on it, but checking in every so often can help, especially if your kids aren’t particularly forthcoming on their own. 

Don’t allow information overload.

Today’s 24 hour news cycle means that anyone can stay glued to the TV, computer, or phone nonstop, reading endless articles and watching back-to-back doom-and-gloom news shows. That information overload isn’t good for you or your kids. Marinating in a constant stream of coronavirus information can lead to anxiety, and you’re probably already anxious enough. Instead, limit screen time, both in general, and in regard to COVID-19 coverage. Choose one or two news sources you trust and set a certain time of day to check them. Then, force yourself to do and think about other things.
It’s also important to teach kids that not everything they see on the internet is true. With so much misinformation (and in some cases, full-blown conspiracy theories) floating around, it’s important that kids have accurate information as appropriate for their age and maturity level. The CDC and WHO are the best places to get up to date and scientifically-accurate information about COVID-19.  

Share useful information—and practice what you preach. 

Last, but certainly not least, make sure your kids know and practice the current health best practices, from sneezing into elbows to washing hands for two renditions of the “Happy Birthday” song. Discuss the reasons for these precautions, and help them understand how important it is. 
Have you checked out our coronavirus lockdown guide for parents and tips for avoiding cabin fever with kids? If not, we hope you’ll take a look!

With the state lockdown set to last until at least May 15th, parents and kids alike are getting antsy. What’s a stressed parent to do? If you feel like your kids have Watched All the Things, Played All the Games, and are now in the Let’s Bother Mom/Dad Until We Get a Reaction phase of the lockdown, we feel your pain. 

Check out these ideas to keep your kids entertained, and if you missed it, be sure to also go back and read our tips for staying sane despite coronavirus.

How to Keep Kids Entertained at Home: A Guide for Parents

Get crafty.

If your child is the creative type who can get absorbed in a project and work for hours, now is the time to let them loose in their very own “studio.” Whether it’s their bedroom desk, the kitchen table, or the back porch, create an area that you can leave in “studio mode” to allow your kid to work on projects that don’t require much supervision. Set up some cups full of crayons, markers, or colored pencils, lay a dropcloth down to protect the floor, and make sure to put some kid-safe scissors and glue nearby. Give them a stack of construction paper, or even printer paper if that’s what you’ve got. You can even cut open paper grocery bags to create a cheap, large format canvas for drawing, painting, collaging, and more. 

If your little artist needs some inspiration, check out these easy craft projects or art journal prompts for kids.

Be dramatic.

Instead of watching the same movies or shows over and over again, why not expose your kids to some new (to them) types of media? There are tons of great options, including: 

• The Shows Must Go On! This YouTube channel shares a classic musical each week by famous composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. 
• The Center for Puppetry Arts What kid doesn’t love puppets? The Center for Puppetry Arts isn’t just a museum full of famous puppets (though it’s definitely worth seeing beloved characters like Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch in person if you ever get the chance!), but it also offers weekly performances, workshops, and informational videos for kids, from Aesop’s Fantastical Fables to sock puppet tutorials.

See the sights.

As fascinating as the stunning vistas of your own home may be (BEHOLD the mountain of laundry! MARVEL at the canyon of junk your kids have created on their bedroom floors!), a change of scenery is a treat these days. Enter virtual tours from the National Park Service. Your kids can experience some of the most iconic locations in the country, and hey, they might even learn something. 
While we aren’t yet able to open up and let kids burn off some energy roller skating, we look forward to making up for lost time when it’s safe to reopen! Stay well and hang in there; you’ve got this.

They say fever is a symptom of COVID-19, but what if your temperature is normal and you’re simply going crazy from cabin fever? Social distancing has already started to take its toll on most of us, and we still have a ways to go before the end is in sight. 

Our North Tonawanda skating rink is currently closed due to the state shelter in place order, and our hearts go out to all of the patients, families, and medical professionals impacted by the pandemic. While necessary, we also know that this is a stressful time for all families, with many parents either out of work or working from home, and at the same time, having to learn how to effectively homeschool their kids so they can finish out the school year online.

It’s a lot to handle, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone! Check out these tips for how to deal with being stuck at home. We hope they help until we’re able to re-open and welcome you back for some in-person fun with friends and family!

Coronavirus Cabin Fever: How to Deal with Being Stuck at Home

Stay active.

One of the most important things you can do for yourself at this time is to stay active. Yes, gyms, yoga studios, skating rinks, and even parks are closing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get some workouts in. Take a virtual yoga class, take a nature walk at the park (only if it’s not crowded and you can maintain social distancing of 6 feet), or go old school with some “bootcamp” style push ups and jumping jacks in your living room. 

Be social. 

Just because you’re social distancing doesn’t mean you have to live like a hermit. Technology saves the day, allowing us to reconnect via FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Zoom, and so much more. You can even set up a watch party on Netflix or Facebook so you can watch a movie or TV show with your friends. 

Take care of yourself. 

You probably know how important it is to take care of your physical health right now, but don’t forget about your mental health. Most doctors are offering telemedicine to patients, and that typically includes mental health services and counseling. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, and talking to someone can really help to alleviate those feelings. 

This is also a good time to treat yourself to some self care. Have a family spa day with homemade face masks, give each other mani/pedis, or whatever makes you feel pampered. 

Spend quality time with your loved ones.

While you’re stuck at home with your spouse, kids, or roommates, take some time to spend quality time together that you normally don’t get to due to the everyday hustle and bustle of life. Play cards, bust out the board games you haven’t touched in years, flip through family photo albums, play charades, or watch old home movies. Get to know each other better with some of these conversation starters. 

Spring clean your house. 

Last, but certainly not least, it’s a great time to do some spring cleaning and organizing! You’ve probably heard the warnings to clean frequently-touched surfaces like light switches and doorknobs to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. In addition, you can also check off some deep cleaning tasks like wiping down baseboards, dusting ceiling fans, washing windows, and cleaning kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

North Tonawanda City Schools and many others all over the country are closing due to coronavirus, and with these closings, parents are having to learn how to homeschool along with their kids. It’s a challenging time, and the challenge increases exponentially depending on the number of kids you’re trying to teach. And in true parent form, you’re probably having to juggle not only this newfound role, but also your usual cooking, cleaning, and family management. If you’re really lucky and still have a job, you also get to add working from home on top of all the rest! 

There’s no denying that times are tough, and our hearts go out to you! Fortunately, thanks to the world wide web, you can still give your kids some cool experiences even while you’re stuck inside. Keep reading for some online/homeschooling tips for virtual field trips that will educate and entertain your kids. And hey, maybe you’ll learn something too! 

Virtual Field Trip Ideas for Homeschooling During Coronavirus

First up, be sure to explore the Educational Resources for Home Learning provided by North Tonawanda City Schools. You can search by grade level, and even apply for free internet service if you need it. But the internet is a big place, so there’s a lot more to see and do! Like…

Explore Museums.

You can see some of the most famous natural history, historical, and art objects at the world’s leading museums without even leaving the kitchen table. Check out this list of 12 World-Class Museums You Can Visit Online from Mental Floss and explore any subject your child is interested in, from dinosaurs to Egyptian antiquities. Haven’t you always wanted to visit the Louvre or take your kids to the Smithsonian? 

Experience Theater.

Theaters all over the world are streaming live and pre-recorded performances in any genre you can imagine, much of it free! Check out the puppet shows from the Center for Puppetry Arts, Shakespeare plays from the Globe Theatre, or even live “digital concert” performances from popular musicians. Use your library card to sign up for Kanopy, where you can watch award-winning films for free, including musicals. You can also sign up for a free trial of BroadwayHD to watch classic Broadway musicals, as well as ballets and plays. 

Discover Zoos, Aquariums, and National Parks.

Since you can’t explore the great outdoors, bring the great outdoors in to you. Your kids can tour National Parks, watch the live cam feeds from the San Diego Zoo, and get up-close-and-personal with aquatic creatures via the Georgia Aquarium Ocean Voyager live feeds.

We hope these resources will help keep your family engaged until things get back to normal. Once it’s safe to get out in the world again, you can book a STEM field trip here at Rainbow Roller Rink for active and interactive learning that can’t be beat!

Celebrities are notorious for throwing over-the-top birthday parties for their kids, but according to Marketwatch, it’s not just famous parents who feel the pressure to go big on birthday parties. With social media egging everyone on to one-up each other’s celebrations, it can be tempting to throw your budget to the wind when it comes to kids’ birthday parties. It’s understandable—after all, you want the best for your kids—but remember that it IS possible to throw your child a fun and memorable birthday party without breaking the bank. Check out these affordable birthday party tips to help you plan a kid’s birthday party on a budget. 

Birthday Planning on a Budget: Tips for Affordable Kids’ Birthday Parties

Decide on the budget.

You can’t stick to a budget if you don’t really know what the budget is! When budgeting for birthdays, it’s important to take everything into consideration; not just the gifts, party venue, and cake, but also the little things like invitations, goodie bags, tableware, balloons, etc. Consider using a budget tracker to help you stay within budget. 

Keep it simple. 

Remember that there’s always going to be someone “doing the most,” as the youth say. You don’t have to keep up with the Joneses, especially when it comes to planning kids parties. After all, kids tend to have pretty simple tastes, as any parent knows who has bought their child an expensive toy only to find them playing in the box!

Instead of creating an elaborate event that will be lost on your kid and their friends (not to mention hard on your wallet), focus on nailing the basics. It’s all about quality over quantity. 

Restrict the guest list. 

Speaking of quality over quantity, one easy way to stick to your child’s birthday party budget is to limit the guest list. Some parents choose to host a family-only party, while others opt to invite their child’s best friends rather than the entire class, soccer team, scout troop, etc. 

Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

Another smart way to make your birthday party budget go farther is to multitask where you can. For instance, instead of renting an event hall and hiring a DJ, magician, or princess, host your party somewhere with built-in entertainment. 

Here at Rainbow Roller Rink, we throw some of the best parties in the Buffalo area, not to mention the most affordable! When you book a kids’ birthday party at our North Tonawanda skating rink, it includes a reserved table for 2 hours; skate rentals; themed party tableware; pizza, popcorn, and soda; invitations; and even a party server to help with your event. The kids (and fun-loving adults) will have a blast skating to great music, and you can relax and enjoy the special day instead of stressing out about a list of party planning to-dos. 

Easy, affordable kids parties are our specialty, so check out our packages and book your party online to reserve your space!

It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the hottest weekly event in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area: Retro Skate Night at Rainbow Rink! This adults-only event is sure to be your new go-to when you need to inject a little fun into the daily grind of the work week. Read on to learn more about Retro Skate Night and why you will NOT want to miss it! 

Reasons to Join Us for Retro Skate Night

Girls/Boys Night Out

Gather your BFFs for a memorable night out! Drinks, skating, and getting your groove on make Retro Skate Night the perfect activity for a bachelor or bachelorette party, birthday celebration, or just because!  Take your party to the next level by getting the whole group to wear retro outfits. Pick a decade and channel The Breakfast Club, Clueless, Saturday Night Fever, or whatever your favorite “period film” may be.  

Best Date in Town

Speaking of memorable, if you’re looking for creative date ideas in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area, Retro Skate Night at Rainbow Rink is a must! Bring your sweetheart for a fun weeknight date that gives you the perfect excuse to hold hands. Spend the evening skating to your favorite classic songs from the 1970s through 1990s, make a toast to your love, and spend a night bonding with each other instead of your smartphones or Netflix queue. 

Get Up and Get Down

It’s easy to be a couch potato during the work week, but don’t waste your nights just zoning out in front of the TV when you could be having fun and meeting cool people. Whether you go with a friend, a significant other, or just yourself, you’ll feel much better if you get up and do something social and active. Skating and getting down to killer retro tunes is an instant mood booster on its own, but it’s also proven that exercise has mental health benefits in addition to physical ones! Skating is also a great way to tone and strengthen your abs, legs, and butt; build endurance; and improve balance and agility. 

Retro Skate Night in North Tonawanda

Ready for the details? Here’s everything you need to know about our weekly adults-only skate session. 

• Who: Adults 18 years and up only — don’t forget your ID!
• What: Roller skating to all of your favorite 70s, 80s, and 90s music! 
  • Adult beverages available for purchase with ID. (21+ only)
  • $6 admission
  • $3 skate rental
• When: Every Wednesday unless otherwise noted. 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm. 
• Where: Rainbow Rink, 101 Oliver St. North Tonawanda, NY 14120

What are you waiting for? Join us for our next Retro Skate Night at Rainbow Rink and prepare to have a blast from the past!

Everywhere you look, there are flowers, cards, and heart-shaped boxes of candy. Cupid is stringing his bow, and love is in the air. Yep, Valentine’s Day is almost here! If you haven’t made plans yet for Valentine’s Day weekend, it’s time to get moving. There are so many Valentine’s Day activities in Buffalo and the surrounding area, including our favorite: Roller skating! Don’t miss out on the fun; check out our Valentine’s Day weekend events at Rainbow Rink and feel the love. 

Valentine’s Day Weekend at Rainbow Rink

Friday, February 14th, 2020

Join us on Valentine’s Day for Friday Fun Skate! Bring your boo, your bestie, or your kids for a fun night of roller skating and great music to show them how much they mean to you. 

The Deets:  

• Friday Fun Skate
• 6:00 pm — 10:00 pm
• $7 admission
• $3 skate rental

Saturday, February 15th, 2020

When it’s cold outside, an indoor date is the way to go. Saturdays are always a blast at Rainbow Rink, with our Learn to Skate Class from 11:00 am to 11:45 am, and Family Mega Skate from noon to 10:00 pm. If your special someone isn’t confident on skates, bring them early for the skating class so they can learn the basics of roller skating from certified instructors. Plus, your class admission gets you into the Family Mega Skate session right after, so you can practice your moves together. For an even more impressive date, buy them their own pair of roller skates from our pro shop! Skates make a great Valentine’s Day present because they give you a reason to go on more skating dates. It’s a win-win! 

The Deets:

• Learn to Skate Class 
  • 11:00 am — 11:45 am
  • $7 admission
  • $3 skate rental
  • Get into the following skate session for free!
• Family Mega Skate
  • Noon — 10:00 pm
  • $7 admission
  • $3 skate rental

Sunday, February 16th, 2020

For more family-friendly fun, join us on Sunday for our Family Afternoon Skate. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun and togetherness. 

Of course, if you’ve got a kid-free evening and want to experience the best date in North Tonawanda, you’ll want to join us for our evening Adult R&B Skate with DJ E-Z Ed! This “grown folks” skate session is for ages 25 and up only. Adult beverages are available, so bring your Valentine and skate the night away to the best classic and current R&B jams. It’s the perfect way to cap off Valentine’s Day weekend with the one you love. And hey, if you’re single, come on out anyway. There’s no better place to meet someone special!

The Deets: 

• Family Afternoon Skate
  • Noon — 4:30 pm
  • $6 admission
  • $3 skate rental
• Adult R&B Skate with DJ E-Z Ed
  • 8:00 pm — midnight
  • $10 admission
  • FREE skate rental
  • Ages 25+
  • Bring your ID
  • Adult beverages available

Roller skating is one of the most fun sports you can do, but like any physical activity, you can end up with some aches and pains if you’re not careful. One of the most common complaints from roller skaters is that they are experiencing foot pain. Fortunately, there’s usually an easy fix to this! Check out these tips to learn how to relieve roller skating foot pain, from the pros at Rainbow Roller Rink in North Tonawanda, New York. 

Common Causes of Roller Skating Foot Pain—And How to Treat Them 

Roller skating is a great low-impact form of exercise, but if you experience pain while skating, you may need to make some adjustments to your skates. (Of course, always consult your doctor if you’re starting a new physical activity or experiencing problems when exercising.) 

Blisters

Like breaking in new shoes or going on a longer-than-usual hike, roller skating can sometimes result in blisters from the friction between your foot and the skate boot. Making sure you’re wearing properly fitted skates is important, but you can also prevent blisters with these tricks: 

• Wear thick socks or try layering socks.
• Add moleskin padding to the parts of the boot that are causing irritation to your foot.
• Keep your feet dry with good quality moisture-wicking socks or by using talcum powder.

Lace Bite

The other most common cause of foot pain from roller skating is known as lace bite or tongue bite, and it’s pretty much what you’d expect from the name—tight lacing on your skate causing it to cut into the tendons of your foot, hence the “bite.” The pain is generally sharp and can occur on the top of the foot from the toes up to the front of the ankle, and in some cases even up the shin. 

Lace bite is usually caused by wearing your skates laced too tightly, skating hard after a period of not skating, skating in brand new skates that are not broken in yet, or skating in old, worn-out skate boots that don’t have proper structure and support. Usually a bit of rest and icing the affected area will help lace bite go away fairly quickly. To avoid lace bite going forward, follow these tips:  

• Use a different lacing technique to redistribute the pressure on your foot and ankle.
• Break in new skates over time. Try wearing them for a few minutes a day around your house, increasing the time each day. Skate for a short period of time in your new skates and then switch back to an already-broken-in pair. Work your way up until your new skates are gradually broken in.
• Invest in a good pair of roller skates. Cheap skates often lack the support needed to skate comfortably, which you might be trying to compensate for by lacing them more tightly. Visit our North Tonawanda skating pro shop to buy new skates or get some advice on your skating equipment!