Do you need a kids birthday gift idea? Whether you’re trying to come up with a gift for a family member or a gift for your child to take to a friend’s birthday party, deciding what to gift can be oddly challenging! After all, most kids these days already have so much stuff. Do they really need another plastic toy to add to the clutter, or a new video game to keep them glued to the TV? Instead, why not give a handmade gift that you can customize perfectly for them? 

Handmade Birthday Gifts for Kids

Dress-Up Clothes

If you’re handy with a sewing machine, dress up clothes are always an awesome gift! The possibilities are endless, but here are a few classics to consider: 

• Capes: Perfect for superheroes, swashbucklers, vampires, and so much more!
• Masks: There are tons of cool DIY mask ideas out there, but these felt masks for kids are particularly neat. 
• Wings: Fairies, birds, and bugs, oh my! Let their imaginations fly with a set of DIY wings. 
• Dresses, Vests, or Cloaks: For an extra-special spin on this idea, head to your local thrift store and find some cool formal wear. Anything with bright colors, lace, sequins, or cool decorative elements will make it that much more magical for the kids who’ll be playing with it. Cut old prom or bridesmaid dresses down to a shorter length and you’ve got the perfect princess wardrobe. Or get creative and re-purpose a unique fabric or clothing item into a new, kid-sized dress up piece. Keep an eye out for fun hats, scarves, sunglasses, and purses, as kids love to accessorize their dress-up outfits!

Fort Building Kit

If you’re more comfortable with power tools than a sewing machine, a fort building kit is the ultimate gift that any kid will adore. There are lots of ideas out there, but we think this PVC set is great due to the relative ease of the project, the low cost, and the infinite possibilities for junior fort architects. Once the birthday kid learns how to put the pipes and connectors together, they can experiment with all kinds of structures, from a living room blanket hut for hanging out with the family pet, to a backyard tent where they can read, draw, or daydream.

Fake Food for Play Kitchens

Little kids just love a play kitchen, so if you know the birthday kid has one, why not stock them up with all the fake food they need to complete their restaurant vision? There are several clever tutorials online, from these play groceries made from scrap wood to this smorgasbord of felt foods. 

Good luck with your birthday gifting, and don’t forget that the best kids’ parties in North Tonawanda are at Rainbow Roller Rink! 

April showers bring May flowers, as the saying goes, but all that rain can put a serious damper on your ability to enjoy the great outdoors! Fortunately, you can still be active and have a blast at the skating rink. Rainbow Roller Rink is your destination for fun with family and friends in Niagara County, whether you’re planning a party for a special occasion or spontaneously meeting up with friends. 

Reasons to Skate With Us This Spring

Exercise 

If you’ve been more sedentary than normal during the COVID pandemic (don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone!), roller skating is a great way to get back in the fitness game while still having fun. Few workouts can boast the health benefits of roller skating while also being such free-wheeling fun.
Skating regularly can help you feel better mentally and physically, providing benefits like: 

• Increasing stamina and cardiovascular fitness
• Improving balance and agility
• Strengthening core abdominal muscles and legs
• Releasing mood-lifting endorphins
• Providing a social outlet for kids and adults alike

Socialize

The social aspect of skating is one of the reasons why so many people love it! Humans are social animals, after all, so making time for socializing is an important part of overall wellness. Fortunately, local skating rinks are awesome places to hang out with friends! Here at Rainbow Roller Rink, we are proud to provide folks of all ages with a clean, safe, and FUN place to gather. There’s nothing like hitting the rink with your besties when “your song” comes on! When you need a break, you can head over to the arcade and enjoy a bit of friendly competition. We even have an indoor playground—the Bounce Zone—where kids can jump, play, and make friends with other little ones. (Kids must be 54” or shorter to enter.)  

Energize

One of the best parts of roller skating is the energy. And it’s not just the energy bump that comes from exercise; there’s something about the combination of the lights, the music, and the flow of skaters gliding around the rink that just creates good vibes. Lace up your skates and hit the rink, and you’ll understand!

We’re open Wednesday, as well as Friday through Sunday with a variety of public skate sessions available for various ages and interests.  Wednesdays are for After School Skate and later in the evening, Adult Retro Skate. Fridays we host Fun Skate for all ages. Saturday we have kids’ skating class as well as multiple afternoon sessions and an evening session. And finally, we offer a Sunday Afternoon Skate session as well as Sunday night R&B Skate with DJs E-Z Ed and Ready Rob. (Please note, Sunday R&B Skate is only for patrons aged 25+ with valid state ID.) 

So you’ve watched the TikToks, seen the music videos, and decided to take up roller skating as a hobby. Congratulations, and welcome to the wonderful world of wheels! Roller skating is not just a hobby, not just a sport, not just fun, social, and freeing…It’s all of those things and so much more. Get ready for the rink with these first-time roller skating tips for beginners, and join us for an upcoming public skating session!

Beginner Roller Skating Tips

Dress for success.

Fashion and roller skating go together like peanut butter and jelly, but keep in mind that skating is a physical activity. Wear clothes that are comfortable—not too tight, not too loose, nothing that will trip you or someone else, nothing that you can’t move freely in. 

Besides comfort and range of motion, you might also want to wear safety gear. While it’s not mandatory, wearing elbow pads, knee pads, wrist braces, and a helmet can help you feel more confident while you get the hang of skating. Even experienced skaters sometimes wear pads when learning new moves, so don’t be embarrassed to gear up! If you choose to skate outdoors, you’ll definitely want to wear pads and a helmet, no matter how experienced you are. And last, but definitely not least, don’t forget your socks! You can’t rent roller skates without socks, and for your own comfort you should wear (or bring with you) thick, comfortable socks that come up higher on your ankles. Leave those no-show socks for non-skating days to avoid chafing on your ankles from the skate boots. 

Remember, safety first! 

Speaking of outdoor skating, we recommend getting comfortable on skates indoors, in the safety of the skating rink, before you venture out into the world of sidewalk cracks, sticks, rocks, traffic, and other skating hazards. 

When skating at the skating rink, remember to skate with the flow of traffic. Do not go against the flow or cut across the rink in front of other skaters. Doing so can cause you to injure yourself or other skaters who might have to swerve to avoid you. 

Get this show on the roll. 

You’re dressed, you’re ready, it’s time to skate! Keep these beginner skating tips in mind: 

• Get into position. Your stance should be loose, with your feet shoulder-width apart, and your knees slightly bent, like you’re doing squats at the gym. Your feet should be making a v shape, with your toes pointed out slightly and your heels closer together. 
• Start slowly by walking on your skates like this to get used to the feeling. Once you start to get the hang of it, take longer strides. Work your way up to pushing off with one foot and gliding on the other. Eventually, you’ll find your balance and stride, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a rink rat!

Birthdays should be special, whether you’re 6, 16, or 60! Celebrating another trip around the sun is a great opportunity to have fun with friends and family, to make memories that will last a lifetime, and to show the birthday person just how loved and appreciated they are. At Rainbow Roller Rink, we love getting to be part of those happy birthday memories. In fact, birthday parties are our specialty, and we’ve made hosting a birthday party in North Tonawanda super easy with our birthday party packages. 

Roller Skating Birthday Parties Made Simple

Wondering what to expect when you book a skating party at Rainbow Rink? All of our birthday party packages include 8 admissions with skate rental (for 7 guests + the birthday person), a reserved table for 2 hours, and a party server to take care of your group. We also provide the food—pizza, popcorn, and soda—as well as party plates, napkins, and cups. Our parties even include invitations, discount coupons for future visits, and a visit to the Party Booth for the birthday honoree!
The deposit to reserve your party is only $25, and you can make a reservation online. 

How to Host the Best Birthday Parties Ever

Our basic birthday parties are fun, simple, and convenient, but what if you want to level up your party? We’ve got you covered with extra special party packages, including: 

Super Glow Parties

Who doesn’t love a good glow party? This party upgrade adds an extra pizza pie to your party’s food, upgrades you to unlimited soda and popcorn, and gets the party started with flashing drink pitchers and a glowing centerpiece. You’ll also get the Glow Pack: A lighted 12 oz cup, binky, laser fingers, and necklace!
In addition, your glow party comes with a rink pass for the birthday person (4 free admissions to use on a future visit), and free skating for 1 parent per guest. If you’re hosting a skate party for younger kids whose parents will be staying for the party, this is a great way to make it fun for everyone! 

Super Parties

Upgrade your birthday party to a Super Party to get unlimited soda and popcorn, an extra pizza pie for your group to share, a rink pass for the birthday child (same as above, 4 free admissions for a future visit), and the parents of the birthday kid get to skate for free, too! This package also includes the choice of one glow/blinking item: Grill, laser fingers, or binky. 

Deluxe Parties

Our Deluxe parties allow the birthday kid’s parents to skate for free, and also include one free admission for the birthday kid to use at a later date. 

Birthday parties are available during the following time slots: 

• Wednesday 5-7 pm or 5:30-7:30 pm
• Saturday noon-2 pm or 3:30-5:30 pm or 7-9 pm
• Sunday noon-2 pm or 2:30-4:30 pm

Ready to get the party started? Contact us or reserve your party online!

We’re nearing a year of life under pandemic restrictions, and the pandemic blues have set in for many folks. While it won’t solve all of your problems, now is a good time to take up a new hobby or get back into a hobby you’ve previously enjoyed! We recommend roller skating. Sure, we’re biased, but you should still consider these reasons why you should take up roller skating!

Need a New Hobby? Try Roller Skating!

Skating Can Lift Your Mood and Improve Your Health

Did you know that roller skating can burn 9-10 calories per minute? While it may not seem like a workout at the time (having fun is the best distraction), roller skating actually works your core abdominal and leg muscles, builds stamina, and burns calories. All of those physical health benefits of skating are great on their own, but add in the fact that more physical activity can be good for your mental health, and it’s clear that roller skating is one of the best hobbies you can get into! Besides, who wants to go for a run in the cold and wet when you can get a workout while staying dry and comfortable at the skating rink? 

Skating Offers Socially-Distanced Socializing

Finding things to do that follow COVID restrictions and don’t put you or others at unnecessary risk has been quite a challenge, and that challenge has only grown harder thanks to winter weather. It’s smart to avoid gyms and fitness studios, but it’s too cold outside most days to get an outdoor workout in without freezing. Fortunately, our indoor skating rink is nice and spacious, so you can skate up a sweat while maintaining the appropriate distance from others. 

As for Rainbow Roller Rink, we’re doing our part to keep our guests and staff safe, by requiring masks to be worn at all times as per New York law. We’ve also stepped up our cleaning and sanitation routines, added hand sanitizer stations, and decreased the capacity of the skating rink to avoid heavy crowds. 

Skating Is Just Plain Fun!

Last, but not least, there’s one thing a new hobby has to offer: FUN! We’ve got it in spades, and the only missing ingredient is you. Whether you join us for after school skating, skate classes, Adult Skate Night, or one of our general fun skate sessions, we’ll have the music pumping and the rink ready for you to get your skate on. Check out our skating session schedule for times and admission prices, and follow us on Facebook to hear about upcoming events and specials! 

We can’t wait to see you, so grab your mask, put some good socks on, and come see us at Rainbow Roller Rink!

The weather outside is frightful, but Adult Skate nights at Rainbow Roller Rink are delightful! If you’re looking for a fun, socially-distanced night out in North Tonawanda, you will not want to miss these adults-only roller skating events. These are just a few of the reasons to mark your calendar and head to the skating rink.

Reasons You Do NOT Want to Miss Adult Skate Night

Good Music

Music is the key ingredient for a truly great night of roller skating, and we’ve got it on lock with our adult skate nights. There’s something for everyone… Except the kids! (Don’t worry, kids are welcome at all of our other skate sessions.)

Join us on Wednesday evenings from 8 pm to 10:30 pm for Adult Retro Skate and get down to your favorite skate anthems from “back in the day.” We play your favorite hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and adult beverages are available for purchase. This event is for folks ages 18 and up only. (You must be 21+ with valid I.D. to drink.) 

If R&B is more your style, join us on Sunday nights from 8 pm to 11 pm for Adult R&B Skate. “Roll, bounce, rock, skate” the night away without worrying about kids underfoot while DJs E-Z Ed and Ready Rob spin the best R&B skating songs. (R&B nights are for ages 25 and up only.) 

Good Friends

The last year has been tough, especially for extroverts! If you’ve been missing time with friends, roller skating is a perfect way to hang out while still keeping your distance. Masks are required for our employees and guests, according to New York State law, and we are carefully managing the capacity of the rink to allow for social distancing and escalated sanitation practices. 

Invite your BFFs, strap on some skates, and enjoy skating together. You can practice your solo moves or choreograph a group routine to show your 

Good Fun 

If there’s one thing more fun than roller skating, it’s roller skating at our adult events! While we always try to show our guests a good time, adult nights at the skating rink are extra-high-energy. It’s a Good Vibes Only zone because sometimes us grownups need to feel like kids again. There’s nothing like letting your hair down and cruising the rink to get your mind off the nitty gritty details of everyday life. And hey, it doesn’t hurt that roller skating is a whole-body workout to boot. You can burn anywhere from 330 to 590 calories in an hour (depending on your body size and how hard you’re skating), and you’ll also get a great ab, butt, and leg workout. Who knew that leg day could be so fun?!

As the year winds down (and what a year it was), it’s time to look ahead to 2021. What are your hopes for the coming year? What are your goals for yourself and your family? While New Year’s resolutions are a popular tradition, actually sticking to them is another matter entirely. This year, why not take a different approach and make some family New Year’s resolutions that are not just doable, but actually fun?

Family New Year’s Resolutions for 2021

Prioritize quality time over quantity of time

2020 has been an intense year in the best cases, even the closest families have struggled with the emotional toll of physical and social isolation. Parents and kids alike are ready to escape the house and go back to the “good old days” of in-person school and work. But while you may feel you’ve had a little too much family time this year, remember that quality matters more than quantity. Even when the world gets back to normal (or as close as possible), try to carve out some intentional family time for you and your kids. It doesn’t have to be an all-day, everyday thing; even a weekly game night or monthly family outing can help you and your kids feel closer and more connected than months of sitting in the same house, staring at screens. 

Move more (and make it fun)

Health and fitness-related goals are some of the most common New Year’s resolutions, but most people struggle with actually sticking to an exercise plan or diet as the year goes on. Instead of setting unrealistic exercise goals and feeling bad when you don’t meet them, try making a family resolution to move more. The best way to ensure that you, your partner, and your kids get enough exercise is to find fun fitness activities that you all enjoy. 

Roller skating is a great sport to get your family into for exercise and fun. Kids can start as young as 4 years old, and skating is an activity they can continue throughout life, even into their senior years! It’s a cardio workout, tones and strengthens core and leg muscles, and can even help improve balance and agility. 

In addition to the physical benefits, skating is a fun, social, and affordable family activity that you can do rain or shine! Join us at Rainbow Roller Rink in North Tonawanda for our public skating sessions, or change to outdoor wheels and skate in your neighborhood, or on a trail at a local park. 

Do something to make the world a better place

Finally, why not team up with your family to make the world a better place? Sometimes the sheer number of things we’re supposed to care about can be overwhelming. Instead of making a vague resolution, pick one small thing that your whole family can commit to in the coming year. Whether it’s recycling, volunteering at a food bank, or fostering rescue dogs, find your family’s common passion and put it into action!

Finding the perfect gift can be tricky. After all, the perfect gift depends on the person. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as the saying goes. Fortunately, if you’re shopping for someone who loves roller skating (or you have a strong hunch they might love it, given the opportunity), there’s a world of possibilities when it comes to gift-giving! Keep reading to learn some creative, thoughtful, and downright cool roller skating gift ideas to put a smile on their face, whether you’re shopping for the holidays, a birthday, or just because.

Give the Gift of Roller Skating

Roller Skates (Obviously!)

It’s not uncommon for hardcore skaters to own multiple pairs of roller skates. After all, they might want a dedicated pair for outdoor skating, speed skates for roller derby, and some snazzy fashion skates for hanging out at the skating rink. Or, if your gift recipient has been renting skates for a while, you can surprise them with their very own pair that fits their style and needs perfectly. You’re not just giving them the gift of new skates, you’re also saving them money on skate rentals in the future. 

We’re happy to help you find the perfect gift, so visit our pro shop or browse the latest roller skates.

Skating Goodies: Stocking Stuffers and Bonus Gifts

Buying gifts for someone with a hobby is almost always a treat because you have an endless array of possible gift ideas to choose from! Roller skating is no exception, which means you can gift lots of fun and useful skating accessories for years to come. Some of the best roller skating gifts to give (alone or in addition to skates) include:

• Skate bag or carrying strap
• Colorful laces
• Pom poms
• Wheels (Nothing says “celebration” quite like light-up skate wheels!)
• Boot covers
• Toe caps
• Toe stops
• Bearings
• Skate tool
• Bearings cleaning kit
• Safety equipment (elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, helmets)

Roller Skating Art

Head to Etsy or other artist-focused online marketplaces and peruse the wide variety of roller skating-inspired clothes, accessories, and pretty much anything you can imagine! From enamel pins and skater shirts to lace locks and art prints, you can find something awesome and unique for your favorite skater to wear, use, or display. And hey, if you find something you just have to have, why not treat yourself?

Your Presence is Present Enough

And last, but not least, give the gift of happy memories by taking your gift recipient out to skate at the local skating rink! Join us for one of our public skating sessions, or go all out and plan a surprise party. Either way, they’ll love the roller skates, but they’ll always remember the memories you make skating together.

We are officially re-opening on Wednesday, December 16th! Our doors might be re-opening, but your health and safety still remains as our first priority. We will continue to have augmented daily cleaning procedures and are taking proactive measures to minimize exposure. 

For the time being, we will operate under revised conditions based on government guidelines. So, please read this entire update to learn more about how we plan to operate safely. 

Per social distancing guidelines, for your safety and that of the Rainbow Rink staff:  

• All employees will be wearing masks and gloves. All guests are required by New York State law to bring and wear your mask/protective face covering.
• Maintain social distance from other people
• We are managing the number and flow of people utilizing the rink.
• We will sanitize the bathrooms every hour.
• We are going to set up multiple hand sanitizer stations around the facility. It is still a good idea to bring your own hand sanitizer or wipes for your personal use.
• If you or someone in your family is sick, or feels sick, please do not come skate.

Operating hours during initial re-open phase: 

Wednesday: 

• 5:00-7:30 After School Skate
• 8:00-10:30 Adult Retro Skate 

Friday: 

• 6:00-10:00 Fun Skate 

Saturday: 

• 11:00-11:45 Children’s Learn to Skate Class 
• 12:00-2:30 Afternoon Skate 
• 3:30-6:00 Fun Skate 
• 7:00-10:00 Evening Skate 

Sunday: 

• 12:00-4:30 Afternoon Skate 
• 8:00-11:00 R & B Skate with DJs E-Z Ed and Ready Rob 

We at Rainbow Rink are very thankful for our wonderful customers, and we hope to see you 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. 

Tips for Healthy, Holly Jolly Holidays

Don’t hibernate on the couch.

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. 

Exercise moderation in all things…Even moderation.

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. 

Take care of your physical and mental health. 

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.