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!

How to Make Homework Fun for Kids

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!

Use positive reinforcement.

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. 

Do homework together.

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. 

Take it one step at a time. 

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. 

How to Beat the Back to School Blues

Get into a routine.

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. 

Make time for fun.

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!

Look at the big picture.

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. 

Talk about it.

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?

To Open or Not to Open: That is the Question.

Reasons to Open Gifts During a Birthday Party

There are plenty of reasons to open gifts during your child’s birthday party. To name just a few:

• Guests will get to see your child open their gift and experience the pleasure of their reaction. 
• Opening gifts at the party is a good chance for your child to practice being a gracious host. Make sure you discuss this with them beforehand—they should know to thank everyone for their gifts equally, not to insult or dismiss anyone’s gifts, etc.  

Reasons to Open Gifts After a Birthday Party

Of course, there are plenty of folks in the “Do not open gifts during the party!” camp, and they have some great points: 

• Watching someone else open a dozen or more presents is boring. It’s boring enough at adult events like baby showers. At a child’s birthday party full of sugar-hyped, fidgety kids, this part of the event can be excruciating!
• You have limited time together with your guests…Do you really want to use it on opening gifts instead of something more interactive and fun for everyone? Your guests would rather be roller skating, playing games, or almost anything other than sitting around watching your kid open gifts. 
• If your child isn’t old enough or socially mature enough to graciously thank each giver for their gift, you might want to avoid a public gift opening. Kids are nothing if not honest, so if the thought of your child saying “I don’t like this toy!” to the person who gifted it to them—in front of a party full of people, no less—makes your skin crawl, save opening the gifts for later. 
• Public gift opening can make some guests uncomfortable. If some families are able to give more extravagant gifts, the kids and parents who can’t do as much may feel embarrassed.  
• And finally, allowing your kid to open presents during their birthday party can result in lost or damaged gifts! Especially with younger kids, they’ll want to open the gift and play with it right then and there. This can result in arguments about sharing, losing parts or pieces, and even damage to the item.

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!

Creative Birthday Traditions for Kids

There are tons of ideas out there for kids’ birthday traditions, but these are some of our favorites. 

Birthday Interview

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: 

• Favorite color
• Favorite food
• What you want to be when you grow up
• Favorite subject in school
• Favorite song/movie/game
• Best friend
• Favorite memory from the year
• Hidden talent
• Thing you’re most proud of
• Anything you can think of! The more you personalize it for your family, the better it will be.

Balloon Explosion

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!

Compliment Collection

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. 

How to Limit Screen Time in Your Household

Provide fun alternatives. 

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: 

• Going outside. Pixels pale in comparison to the beauty and adventure of nature, and spending more time outside will naturally reduce the amount of time your family spends staring at screens. Visit your local park for a hike or nature walk, roller skate or ride bikes together, or even just take the dog on a walk around the block. 
• Making space for IRL fun. (That’s “in real life” for those who aren’t fluent in internet-speak.) Think about ways you can rearrange your home for maximum unplugged fun. If you have room, set up a gaming area with board games, puzzles, a flat surface like a coffee table, and some comfortable seating. You can tailor this “rec room” area to whatever your family is into—arts and crafts, musical instruments, gardening, reading. 
• Speaking of rec rooms, why not add some fun features like a ping pong table, pool table, dart set, air hockey, etc. to your home? These items can be pricey, but if you keep an eye out on Facebook marketplace or your local thrift shop, you may be able to score a good deal!

Lead by example. 

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. 

Focus on quality, not quantity.

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

What are quad skates? 

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).  

What are quad skate wheels made out of?

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. 

Why do the wheels matter? 

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. 

• For outdoor skating, you’ll want a softer, larger wheel. This type of wheel will allow you to roll over the bumps, cracks, and other imperfections you’re likely to encounter while skating outside on your driveway, neighborhood sidewalks, or paved paths at your local parks. Look for wheels with a hardness rating between 74A and 84A. The extra width also offers improved stability, which comes in handy when you’re skating out in the great outdoors. 
• Indoor skate wheels tend to be harder and smaller. They don’t need as much traction and stability, because the surface of the skating rink should already be smooth and clean. Harder wheels equal more speed. When shopping for indoor skate wheels, look for a hardness rating above 94A. 

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.

Summer is supposed to be a season of freedom and fun, at least for kids. While we adults can only dream of a summer-long vacation from work and responsibilities, kids end up getting bored with all of the unstructured free time. Plus, since many summer activities and attractions are canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are even fewer distractions to keep your kids occupied. If you’re tired of hearing “We’re bored!” all summer long, we’ve got you covered. 

July is National Anti-Boredom Month, so check out these ideas to beat summer boredom and keep your kids entertained and engaged despite the circumstances. 

Preventing Summer Boredom

No excuses. 

While it’s tempting to tell your kids “Only boring people get bored,” that’s unlikely to solve the problem. Instead, help set your kids up for summer success by creating a system to help them take charge of their own days.

There are plenty of ways to do this, but here are a few ideas: 

• Write chores, activities, and creativity prompts on popsicle sticks and put them in a jar on the counter or coffee table. If your kids feel boredom coming on, they can choose a popsicle stick and do whatever it says. 
• Work with your kids to create a daily schedule. This doesn’t have to be super strict, but if your child thrives on structure, having an idea of how to organize the day can be quite helpful. For example: 
  • Eat breakfast and brush teeth before 9 am.
  • 9-10 am active play/exercise
  • 10-11 am reading or tablet time 
  • 11-noon work on a craft or hobby
  • Noon-1 pm eat lunch, do chores
  • 1-2 pm screen time
  • 2-4 pm outside activity
  • 4-5 pm practice instrument, read, or work on summer school work if applicable. 

Encourage activity.

Sitting on the couch all summer is no good for your kids’ physical or mental health, leading to way too much screen time, and can even affect their mood. Include plenty of physically active ideas in your activity jar (or whatever system you use), like: 

• Roller skating
• Yoga
• Jumping rope
• Playing a dancing video game or learning choreography from YouTube
• Riding bikes, scooters, etc.
• Playing outside
• Walking the dog

Get their creative juices flowing. 

The school year is so structured, why not take advantage of summer to help your kids flex their creative muscles? There are so many ways to strengthen creativity, no matter what they’re interested in. These ideas can potentially keep them entertained for hours on end:  

• Keeping a daily journal
• Writing and illustrating a comic, book, or zine
• Writing songs or poetry
• Practicing an instrument
• Gardening
• Learning to whistle
• Building a fort
• Drawing, painting, sculpting, sidewalk chalk, coloring, crafts
• Play dress up or have a fashion show

We know our local skaters in North Tonawanda are missing the skating rink like crazy, and we miss seeing all of you! Hopefully these ideas can help your kids stave off the boredom and enjoy the summer until we’re able to reopen! 

We are still temporarily closed for the safety of our community, employees, and customers, but we miss seeing all of you here at Rainbow Roller Rink! It’s hard to wait while we look forward to the day we can finally re-open safely, and we know many of you are struggling to keep your kids entertained and active during this stressful time. Our bounce zone indoor playground and obstacle course is a local favorite for kids, but since it’s not accessible right now, we thought we’d share the next best thing: How to create your own obstacle course at home! Check out these ideas to build an obstacle course in your yard, driveway, or even your living room. 

How to Build an Indoor Obstacle Course for Your Kids

Building an at-home obstacle course can be as simple or as complicated as you want! Think back to when you were a kid and had to amuse yourself on a rainy day. Almost anything can become an obstacle element with some creativity; just remember to keep safety first and foremost, and tailor the course to your kids’ ability levels. Some ideas include: 

• Take the sofa pillows off and lay them out on the floor to create a “lilypad” trail that your kids can use to hop from one to the next like little frogs. 
• Line up chairs and have them “army crawl” underneath. 
• Use yarn, string, or even a broom laid across two chairs as a limbo-esque obstacle. 
• Set up rows of stuffed animals, starting with the smallest and increasing in size. Have your child jump them like hurdles. If they fall, the stuffies are sure to break their fall and put a smile on their face. 
• If your child plays soccer, have them dribble a ball down the hallway and “shoot” it into a laundry basket goal, or if they play basketball, see if they can sink a shot into the wastebasket. 
• Play “the floor is lava.” 

How to Build a DIY Obstacle Course in Your Yard

Want to take the fun outside? A homemade obstacle course works just as well—maybe even better—outside, where you can incorporate natural and landscape elements into the course.

• Do you have any existing play equipment like a slide? It can easily be incorporated into the obstacle course. For extra fun, you could even make a slip ‘n slide the grand finale! 
• Use pool noodles to create arches for crawling under or jumping over. 
• Use tent stakes with string to create a zig-zag maze to climb through. 
• Set up practice cones for your kids to dribble a soccer ball through.
• Lay a two-by-four across a couple of stepping stones or bricks to create a “balance beam.” 
• Lay hula hoops flat and get your kids to jump from one to the next (similar to the lilypad idea above). 

The only limit is your imagination, so look around your yard and start building your very own obstacle course. Just remember to keep safety in mind, and have fun!

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.