Now that the holidays are officially over and 2020 is in full swing, we already need to go back. Just for a second, we need to talk about a scene in one of our favorite holiday movies. In Four Christmases, there is a scene involving a bounce house and everything not to do in one. Reese Witherspoon, whose character had an incident as a child and has a fear of bounce houses, was tested by her niece, who stole a pregnancy test she was awaiting an answer on. After chasing her niece around the house, the niece escapes into the jump house. Reese’s character follows behind and ends up being beaten up by a bunch of eight year-olds.

This whole scene got us thinking. How many movies depict bounce houses as something scary? Well, bounce houses would not be so scary if everyone knew the rules and etiquette! Bounce houses are supposed to be all about fun with friends and not fearful. With these few basics on lock, no one will be scared or intimidated of the bounce house again.

Basics of the Bounce House

1. Take off your shoes. We try to keep bounce houses as clean and safe as possible. No one wants mud (or a shoe) flying at them in a bounce house.
2. No sharp objects. This is so important because if the bounce house pops in collapses in on you fast as the air pours out. This won’t happen unless you break the rules and bring in something pointy.
3. Listen to the operator. If there is someone at the door of any bounce house keeping tally of people inside, just listen to him or her. Likewise with any Rainbow Rink employees. Stay smart and listen up!
4. Wait a little after eating. Jumping up and down on a full stomach can get really messy really quickly.
5. Wash your hands. You never know if and when germs can be passed in a public space, so make sure to wash your hands before and after jumping in a bounce house so you don’t transmit or pick up any unwanted germs.

With these basics on bounce house etiquette in mind, please remember to pass these tidbits along to the smaller versions of you that play in bounce houses. Then put their listening skills to the test with a visit to our bounce zone. The bounce zone at Rainbow Roller Rink is complete with bouncers, mazes, slides, and an obstacle course. Check out our new schedule for 2020 and plan your next family day out.

The holidays are here! Kids are out of school, family and friends are visiting, and you may be scrambling for fun, affordable things to do in North Tonawanda. Don’t stress; the answer is simple—just come on out and roller skate at Rainbow Roller Rink! 

Reasons to Go Skating During the Holidays (Or Any Time!)

Roller skating is the kind of good, old-fashioned fun that the whole family can enjoy, which makes it the perfect activity for holidays, school breaks, or any time when you want to get together with loved ones. 

Indoor Activities for All Ages

One of the best reasons to hit the rink with your family and friends during the holidays is to combat cabin fever. It’s boring enough to be stuck inside due to the weather; if there are extra people staying in your home, it’s even more important to get out of the house and do something fun in order to avoid getting on each others’ nerves. 

At Rainbow Roller Rink, we have roller skating, an arcade full of awesome classic and new games, and even a bouncy indoor playground for the kids! (Please note that the Bounce Zone height limit is 54 inches.) An afternoon or evening out will help everyone get along and even provide a way to make new memories and traditions with your family. 

Skating is Active, Healthy Fun

When you think of the holidays, you probably think of three things: Family, gifts, and of course food. Big family dinners, sweet treats from the neighbors, holiday cocktail parties, seasonal flavors, and warm, welcoming comfort food make the holidays the tastiest time of the year—but all of those rich foods and drinks can leave you feeling a little less than festive. That’s where roller skating comes in! 

Combine merry-making with some aerobic exercise by going roller skating. Check out our schedule to see weekly specials and events, and be sure to take a look at our holiday events, too. Exercise is a proven mood-booster, and roller skating is a great way to get moving without feeling like you’re on Santa’s naughty list. You’ll be getting aerobic exercise, strengthening muscles, improving stamina, and toning your core, all while having a blast. Take that, treadmill! 

Plus, physical activities like roller skating are also great for your mental health. The holidays can be stressful, so it’s important to take time for self-care and relaxation. Feel like a kid again as you glide around the skating rink to your favorite skate jams, and pass the fun on to the next generation by teaching your kids, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren how to skate. 

We hope your holidays are merry and bright! Come visit us for family-friendly fun at Rainbow Roller Rink and be sure to share your photos with us on social media.  

Roller skating is an awesome activity to take up at almost any age. It’s not only fun, but also has health benefits—both physical and mental. If you’ve leveled up from renting skates to buying your own, you’ve probably realized that you’re going to have to get familiar with your skates. While it’s nice to have your very own pair of roller skates that are only for you, the trade off is that you will have to perform maintenance on them, just like we do on all of the rental skates at our skating rink. 

Learning the parts of a roller skate is a good place to start. One of the parts of your skate that is subject to wear and tear and will need to be adjusted or replaced at some point is the toe stop. The toe stop is the big rubber piece bolted onto the toe of your skate boot. Just like it sounds, it can help you come to a stop while you’re skating. All you have to do is point your toe down and the friction of the rubber stop will slow or stop you. 

While toe stops are an important part of the skate for many people, others find that the bulky protuberance gets in their way. Jam skaters, who do a lot of intricate footwork and dance moves, are especially likely to feel that the toe stop is unnecessary. In that case, they will replace the toe stops on their skates with jam plugs. These alternatives to toe stops will not help you stop like a toe stop would, but they will keep the skating rink floor from getting damaged. 

What to look for when buying toe stops

• Think about how you skate and what you plan to do with it. 
• If you’re new to skating and are still finding your footing, you may want to opt for larger stops, which can help you with your balance. 
• If you primarily skate indoors at a skating rink, you should opt for softer toe stops, which have a little more bounce to them. 
• Harder toe stops have extra grip that can come in handy if you skate outdoors. For outdoor roller skating, you’ll need need that grippiness to stabilize you as you encounter many more textures and uneven surfaces like concrete, asphalt, gravel, etc. 
• Skating is incredibly individualistic, so while it can be helpful to talk to other skaters about how their skates are set up, ultimately you may need to try things and see what works for you. 

You can always visit us at the Rainbow Roller Rink pro shop to discuss your skate questions; we’re happy to help you find exactly what you need.

What do you know about roller skating? You’re probably aware that it’s the most fun you can have on 8 wheels, that it’s a good aerobic exercise, and that roller skating parties are some of the most fun celebrations around. But you probably don’t know about these other benefits of roller skating. Read on to learn why you should make skating a regular part of your social and fitness routines. 

More Benefits of Roller Skating

Here at Rainbow Roller Rink in North Tonawanda, we have public skating sessions every day of the week except Thursday, as well as a calendar of fun events like Christian Music Night and Christmas Break Skate. Check out these lesser-known benefits of roller skating to see why you should join us! 

Almost anyone can do it. 

Many people don’t realize that roller skating is such an accessible activity. In fact, kids as young as two or three years old can learn to skate if they’re interested and have developed the necessary coordination. Even more kids are able to learn by the time they’re 4 years old! Here at our skating rink, we carry rental skates in toddler size 6 all the way up to adult size 14. We also offer skating lessons, so if your kids are interested in skating, we can help them master the basics. 

Of course, roller skating isn’t just for the kids. Because roller skating is a low-impact exercise (meaning one foot is always in contact with the ground, thereby putting less stress on the joints), it is a great way for adults to stay active well into their senior years. Need proof? Just check out the video of this 81-year-old skater who still has some killer moves! 

It’s a great way to socialize. 

One of the reasons roller skating is so fun is because it’s also an inherently social activity. Why struggle through another boring and lonely run on the treadmill when you could be skating to fun music with other people who are just as happy to be there as you are? Studies show that maintaining social connections is important for brain health, and can even reduce your likelihood of dementia! Invite some friends, plan a date, or just come as you are and enjoy the camaraderie of roller skating. 

There are many physical benefits. 

Most people know that skating is a good aerobic workout that gets your heart rate up, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the great health and fitness perks of roller skating. Skating regularly will also help you build and strengthen muscles in your legs, butt, and even your abdomen and back! When you skate, you’re not just supporting your weight and pushing off with your legs; you’re also having to make almost imperceptible movements in your core to maintain your balance. Over time this can help you tone those important core muscle groups, which in turn can improve your posture and balance. 

Skating is also a great way to improve your agility and reflexes, as the other skaters on the rink move around you, forcing you to adjust your speed and trajectory. 

It’s hard to believe that there are less than 2 months left in 2019, but here we are! If you’re looking for employee appreciation ideas to thank your team for all of their hard work this year, congratulations—you found it. Read on to learn why you should host a roller skating party for your employees at Rainbow Roller Rink. 

Reasons to Throw a Company Holiday Party

While it may not seem as necessary as the cost of replacing toner cartridges or stocking up on office supplies, throwing a company holiday party is an important way to keep employee morale high and show your team that they are appreciated. 

According to one study, throwing a company holiday party can lead to happier employees, increased sense of satisfaction with work, and higher employee retention rates. People need to feel appreciated and feel a sense of belonging—both of which can be communicated by throwing a really fun party for your employees. 

So, now that you know why to throw a holiday party for your employees, how can you make sure it’s a hit? 

Corporate Events and Company Outings in North Tonawanda

Throwing a successful company holiday party requires a few key elements: 

• A fun venue – Rule number one of throwing a great office party is to take it out of the office! Your employees spend enough time at work, so don’t make them hang out in the office after hours.
  Choose a fun venue that can easily accommodate your group, whether that’s a local bar or restaurant, an event hall, or… a skating rink!
  The venue you choose will set the mood for the whole event, so make sure to select a location that is fun, festive, and has adequate facilities for your group. Skating parties are particularly smart because they have entertainment built right in. Most people have fond memories of skating as a kid, and strapping those skates on can make anyone feel like a kid again. Add in some fun music and atmosphere, and you’ve got an instant, crowd-pleasing party.
• Good food – Food and drinks are a must-have party staple. They don’t need to be fancy; classic fun foods like pizza and popcorn are usually popular with party guests. When you book a private event with us, we ensure that your group can snack away with a fully-staffed concessions room serving up cheese and crackers trays, chips and dips, a variety of sodas, pizza, popcorn, and more. If you’d like, we can even provide a cash bar. 
• Employee recognition – Don’t forget to set some time aside during your company party to ensure that you recognize the hard work of your team. Some CEOs will use the opportunity to hand out awards to top performers or employees who have achieved notable goals, while others make a speech thanking everyone for their hard work. You could even award some silly superlatives like “Most Exciting Desk Decor” or “Most Likely to Charm Clients.”  

At Rainbow Roller Rink, we’ve been bringing the fun to western New York since 1949. While a lot has changed in the last 70 years, one thing has stayed the same: Our North Tonawanda skating rink is still the place to go for a good time! From birthday parties to fundraisers and everything in between, we make it easy to host crowd-pleasing events that your guests will remember for years to come. 

The jack o’lanterns are carved and the costumes are ready, so check out our tips for hosting a frightfully fun Halloween roller skating party! 

Costumes Mandatory

The first rule of Halloween parties is “No one comes un-costumed to the Halloween party.” Make sure to let your guests know (by printed invitation, e-vite, or Facebook event) that everyone will be dressed up, so they’d better show up with their A game! And no, “I’m dressed as myself” will not fly. Consider providing some fun accessories (hats, feather boas, glitter gel, etc.) to ensure that any under-dressed guests can elevate their looks for the evening. With a well-dressed party and the colorful lights of the skating rink, you’re sure to not only have a great time, but also get some great pics for the ‘gram.

Safety First

Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year, but just ask anyone who’s ever worked in the ER and they’ll tell you that it can also be a pretty dangerous day. Combine a bunch of excited, mostly unsupervised kids with unwieldy costumes, running around town at night, plus adults doing the same thing (while possibly under the influence) and it’s easy to see why some folks opt to celebrate Halloween indoors! Hosting your own Halloween roller skating party is a great alternative that keeps everyone safely off the streets while still being active and fun. 

Make sure your guests know not to wear long capes, robes, or gowns; masks (notoriously dangerous because they obscure vision); or anything else that could be a safety hazard. Everyone will have a much better time if they’re wearing something comfortable and safe, not just for skating but in general! 

Fun for Everyone

The key to a good party is ensuring that there are activities to please all of your guests, even if that’s not necessarily the same thing at the same time. That’s one of the reasons why roller skating parties are a good choice for birthdays and other special occasions! Here at Rainbow Roller Rink, we have arcade games and a bounce zone (height limit 54”) in addition to roller skating and great music! We even show current games on our large screen TVs for the sports fans. 

Good Eats

Of course, no party is complete without some fun snacks! Don’t worry about cooking or arranging catering, because we have all the tasty treats your guests will love, including pizza, fries, cheese sticks, hot pretzels, chicken nuggets, nachos, chips, candy, drinks, and more. 

Ready to start planning your roller skating party? Give us a call at 716-693-1100!

If you’re a parent or teacher (or—gasp—both!) you no doubt have a busy schedule and a seemingly unending to-do list. Between your job, family obligations, sports and clubs, housekeeping, and all of the other responsibilities you’re juggling, you’ve got a lot on your plate and not a lot of time to get it all done. So how are you supposed to plan a school fundraiser, much less make it successful? 

First, take a deep breath. You’ve got this! Second, check out these easy school fundraiser ideas. It’s all about delegating and spending your precious time and energy where you really need it. So sit back, enjoy a soothing beverage of your choice, and get ready to throw a school fundraiser that will earn you a spot on the Honor Roll with these tips from your local fundraiser event experts at Rainbow Roller Rink.  

Event Planning Made Simple

One of the most important ways to make sure that planning your fundraiser doesn’t become a second full-time job is to select an event venue with inclusive features like entertainment and catering. For instance, if you book a fundraiser event here in our Tonawanda family entertainment center, we take many of the planning tasks off your plate, including: 

• Hiring a DJ – We play the music of your choice! 
• Coming up with games and activities – Your event rental includes supervised programmed activities, access to the Game Room, and even a Light Show Extravaganza! For an additional charge, your event can also include access to our Bounce Zone for guests shorter than 54”. 
• Feeding your guests – Our fully stocked Concession counter serves up pizza, popcorn, chips & dip, veggie trays, and more!
• Hiring bartenders – We’re happy to provide bar services if requested. 

Easy School Fundraiser Ideas

Maximize your time and budget with a smart fundraiser that will get parents and kids excited. These are some of our favorite easy school fundraiser ideas. 

Fundraiser Rebate Party

Available on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5 pm to 8 pm, this is one of our most popular school fundraiser options. Guests pay the regular public session price and your group earns money back per admission. (Skate rental is included.) 

Private Party 

Our private parties are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm, and on Sundays from 5 pm to 7 pm. For $300 you can host 150 guests ($3 per additional guest), with skate and roller blade rentals available for $3. There are a couple of ways to make this type of fundraiser work for you. 

1. Sell tickets to your event, marked up accordingly, and get most of your donations from ticket sales.
2. Entice people to attend with lower ticket prices (you can still mark these up over the base cost per guest), but generate revenue through other means. Raffles and silent auctions are particularly effective, especially if you can get local businesses to donate goods and services to use as prizes. 

Whatever your fundraiser goals may be, we’d love to help you reach them with a school skating party at Rainbow Roller Rink! Contact us today to discuss your upcoming Tonawanda events. 

It’s hard to believe that school is back in session, the leaves are starting to change, and 2019 is more than halfway over. If you’re looking for fun fall activities and things to do in Tonawanda, you’re in the right place. Check out these fall events and make some time for family fun! 

3 Fun Fall Activities for Families in North Tonawanda

Christian Music Skate Night

We hold Christian Music Skate Night once a month, so you can skate to your favorite contemporary Christian jams and enjoy fellowship with friends and family. Admission is only $6 and skate rental is free! The upcoming events will be on October 1st and November 5th. 

Fall Fest at the Boulevard

Celebrate the season of pumpkins and sweaters at this local festival featuring live music, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, and other children’s activities. Fall Fest will take place on October 5th from 11 am to 2 pm. 

Elmlawn Family Fall Fest

Don’t miss the 5th year of the Elmlawn Family Fall Fest at Elmlawn Memorial Park! This unique festival takes place in an actual cemetery, where you can take a hayride, meet the local Police and Fire departments, enjoy food trucks, and much more. (Don’t worry, the activities happen a respectful distance from any of the burial areas.) The free event takes place on October 20th from 10 am to 3 pm. 

As the leaves continue to change colors and the temperature drops, remember you can always join us at Rainbow Roller Rink for some indoor fun and physical activity on the skating rink! 

There are some hobbies and activities that just invoke nostalgia. Getting on a bike brings back memories of riding your bike to and from school or around the neighborhood with friends. Going to a skating rink brings you back to free skate with your friends while filling up on junk food at the snack bar.

For those of you who have never roller skated before, here is your chance to make new memories and learn a fun new hobby. It is never too late to learn how to roller skate.

Why should adults learn to roller skate if they have gone so long without it? First, it’s a ton of fun. Second, it has a ton of health benefits.

Health Benefits of Roller Skating

• Mood Booster
• Improves endurance
• Great cross training
• Improves coordination, balance and agility
• Calorie Burner
• Easy on joints
• Improves heart strength

Have we convinced you yet that roller skating is worth trying? Give it a go! The main thing to remember when learning how to skate is that balance is key.

Things to keep in mind when learning to skate at any age:

• Bend your knees. Place your feet shoulder width apart, bend your knees and slightly squat into it.
• Toes out. Just like skiing, you want to keep your toes facing outwards so that your feet don’t get tangled in each other.
• Keep your arms in front. By keeping your arms out front bent at the elbow, you will keep your gravity low while also maintaining balance.
• Breaking. You will want to get to know the basics like the plow stop and the T stop.
• For a more in-depth look at learning to skate, check out this website.

No matter your age, you can always learn to roller skate. Head down to Rainbow Rink and we would be happy to help in any way. With any questions before arriving, don’t hesitate to contact us. Happy skating!

We may be called Rainbow Roller Rink, but did you know we also have a bouncy playground for kids and a game zone for all ages? If you enjoy challenging yourself and your friends in the game zone, check out these tips on how to get better at arcade games!

How to beat your friends at air hockey

While there’s no substitute for practice, these are some of the best ways to improve your air hockey game. 

• Unless your opponent is really bad at air hockey, just blasting them with straight on shots is not going to work. Angled shots are much better, especially if you can fake them out as to which way you’re going. 
• Aim for speed and power. If you’re taking three times as many shots as your opponent, your odds of getting one in are better. Plus, this is a great way to fluster a player with slower reflexes. 
• Avoid holding the mallet too firmly; you want an agile grip that allows you to channel the power of your wrist and arm through your fingers. Rather than grabbing the middle knob, try placing 2-3 fingers in the groove between the center and the outside edge. This can help you get some real power behind your shots with minimal energy. 

Other arcade game tips

• With shooting games like mini basketball or skee ball, don’t take too long lining up your shots. Instead, try to get in a rhythm! You might be surprised at how well you do when you loosen up and just get in a flow. 
• Crane games, aka claw machines, are challenging, but if you actually manage to nab the item you’re trying for, you’ll feel incredible! However, this is often easier said than done. If you’re looking to maximize your crane game success, go for items close to the hole or at the top of a pile that may be easy to dislodge, or at least knock closer to where you need them to be. 
• If your end goal is to earn tickets for redemption prizes, find the game you’re best at and stick with it while you’re in the groove. Of course, practice makes perfect, so if you’re wondering how to get better at arcade games, the key is repetition. 

Whether you’re in it for the skating, the arcade games or both, visit us at Rainbow Roller Rink in Tonawanda, NY whenever you need a dose of fun!