Ahh, the smell of notebook paper and freshly-sharpened pencils is in the air. That can only mean one thing: It’s back to school time! Get your family’s school year started off on the right foot (or skate) with these tips. 

Back to School Tips for Families in 2021

It’s always bittersweet to bid adieu to the lazy days of summer, but heading back to school has its own undeniable appeal. Kids are excited to be reunited with their friends and to meet new classmates and teachers, fall sports are back in the mix, and all sorts of fun extracurriculars make the season fly by. Of course, it can also be a little stressful for kids and parents, so here are a few back to school tips to help your family adjust to the school year with top marks.

Get Back On A Schedule

One of the most important things you can do for your health and happiness at any age is to get enough sleep. (Easier said than done for parents, undoubtedly.) That means it’s essential to get your family on a schedule that works for everyone, from babies and little kids to teens to parents. Life happens, so don’t feel bad if you fall off the schedule once in a while. Just keep tweaking until you find the right fit for your family. These are some great tips for creating and sticking to a family schedule. 

Stay (Or Get) Active

It’s easy to be active in the summer, but the demands of school and work during the fall can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle. Combat the couch-potato-appeal by finding fun ways to move for you and your kids. One of the reasons we’re so passionate about roller skating is that it really is an incredible way to stay fit, and unlike high-impact forms of exercise, roller skating can be a healthy activity from childhood to senior citizen years. 

One hour of skating burns up to 600 calories, giving you an aerobic workout while also strengthening the calves, glutes, quads, arms, and abs. Of course, exercise only helps you if you actually do it regularly. Fortunately skating is so fun, it feels more like a party than a workout! Whatever type of activity you do, staying active will help you and your kids sleep better and feel more energetic, so you can give it your all in the office or the classroom. 

Make Time for Family Activities

Another challenge many families face during the fall is lack of quality time together. Hectic schedules, homework, and never-ending to-do lists can get the best of anyone, and before you know it, you and your loved ones are like ships passing in the night. Keep those relationships strong by carving out time for rest and relaxation together. It will not only help you keep your stress levels down, but also makes space for you to create important family memories that you’ll always cherish. Join us at Skate Moore for family-friendly fun in OKC during our public roller skating sessions, and get the academic year rolling on the right skate!

 

There comes a time in any skater’s life when they must decide: To buy, or not to buy? That is the question. And—spoiler alert—the answer is almost always going to be a resounding “BUY!” While paying to rent roller skates every time you visit the rink isn’t particularly expensive, it does add up over time. And if you love to skate, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth out of a pair of skates. Before you buy, check out these tips for purchasing roller skates to find the right pair for you.

How to Choose Which Roller Skates to Buy

There are several factors to consider when choosing roller skates. First, think about what type of skating you enjoy most. Are you primarily into dance skating (like rhythm skating, shuffle skating, or JB skating) or are you a speed demon? Do you want to learn how to own the rink like a jam skater, or do you dream of playing roller derby? Just like you’d need specialized gear for any other sport, the type of skating you plan to do will inform what type of skates you should buy. 

Inline or Quad Roller Skates?

If you plan to do a lot of outdoor skating or vert skating (think half pipe grinding at your local skate park), you might want to opt for inline skates. Just like the name implies, the wheels on inline skates (usually 3-5) are in a line one after the other underneath the skate boot. 

If you’re more interested in dance skating, rink skating, speed skating, jam skating, or roller derby, quad skates are the way to go. Quad skates are the “classic” skates you probably think of when you hear “roller skates.” Instead of the wheels  being aligned under the boot, quad skate wheels are set up like a car, with two wheels side-by-side in the front and two side-by-side in the back. 

Hard or Soft Boots?

Once you’ve decided on the type of skates you want to buy, you’ll need to choose between a hard boot (the part your foot goes into) or a soft boot. Hard boots provide more stability and ankle support, which makes them great for outdoor skating and vert skating. You can cruise for miles in hard boot skates. On the other hand, soft boot skates offer more flexibility, which is important if you want to be able to dance in them. Soft boots are also more breathable, allowing air to circulate, and they’re much lighter weight than their hard boot counterparts. 

What Size Roller Skates Should I Buy?

Just like any other clothing or accessories, you should always try on or measure skates to determine the correct size. However, in general, you should be able to wear a skate that is the same size or slightly larger than your shoe size, as long as it’s laced properly. 

If you need some guidance on selecting your roller skates, we’re here to help! Give us a call, shop our online store, or swing by and see us in person during an open skating session.

Summer break is always a welcome reprieve for kids (and adults, if they get one), but this year the freedom to get out of the house and have fun with friends is even better! Summer 2020 was basically canceled, so there’s a sense of making up for lost time. Here at Skate Moore, we’re so glad things are getting back to normal and we’re seeing more familiar faces back at the skating rink. If you’re looking for things to do with friends this summer, visit us for one of our public skating sessions. Play one of these roller skating games, or just groove to the music—whatever floats your boat!

Roller Skating Games

Some of these skating games are great for the skating rink (you may even see us start them here at Skate Moore!) while others might work better in your driveway or another safe outdoor skating area. Remember to be aware of your surroundings and respect other skaters while playing. 

Follow the Leader

This game is just what it sounds like, and the only way to lose is to not play! Get your crew out on the rink and take turns being the leader. As the leader, it’s your job to come up with your own signature moves, which everyone behind you imitates. Think line dancing, but on skates, and way more fun because you can put your own spin on it!

Limbo

If you’ve ever played limbo at a party, you know how fun this game is! Just remember, unlike normal limbo in which you lean backwards to walk under the limbo pole, you’re going to lean forward on skates. (Unless skating while bent backwards is your special talent, in which case, go off!) After each round, once everyone has had a turn, the pole lowers slightly. How low can you go without touching the pole? 

Shoot the Duck

If you’ve been around the rink a time or two, you might know that “shooting the duck” is a roller skating move in which you glide forward on one foot in a squat position, with the other extended straight out in front of you. Yes, it sounds weird! However, it’s actually not that hard if you’re flexible enough, and once you see a demonstration you should be able to get the hang of it fairly quickly. 

So what makes this a game? Well on its own, nothing. But once you turn it into a race, the competition is on! See who can roll the farthest while shooting the duck, or set start and finish lines and see who wins in a speed race. 

Freeze Tag

Once again, if you’re familiar with normal freeze tag, you should be able to jump into a game of skating freeze tag with no problems. Split into teams of “it” and “not it.” The “it” team has to tag the other team, and if they get tagged, they have to “freeze” in place until one of their teammates comes along and tags them to “unfreeze.”

Summer is officially here for students in Moore! Now that you’ve had time to recover from those end-of-the-year stresses—taking exams, cleaning out your locker,  saying goodbye to classmates who are leaving, paying that library fine that you’ve been racking up all semester—it’s time to start your summer right. Time flies when you’re on summer break, so make the most of the season! Keep reading for some tips to make this your best summer yet. 

How to Have an Awesome Summer

Make a Plan

You know the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun”? Well, as you get older, you’ll learn that unfortunately “time flies” whether you’re having fun or not! Make sure you incorporate the things you really care about into your summer; take a look at your calendar and mark any important dates like family vacations, when school starts up again, summer jobs, friends’ vacations or college departure dates, etc. Getting a big picture idea of your summer can help you manage your time and fit in all of the things you want to accomplish. 

Making plans ahead of time with your friends is a great way to stay in touch over the break. Check out our calendar of events and plan something with your friends, teammates, or classmates. From end of the school year celebrations to team bonding outings to club parties, we make it easy to plan events that your whole group will love. And you definitely won’t want to miss our epic End of School Skate Party on Friday, May 28th! The party starts at 7 pm, goes until 11 pm, and costs just $10. (Inline skate rental is $5 extra.) We’ll be closed Memorial Day Weekend (May 29th through 31st), so don’t miss the chance to kick off summer with your friends!

But Leave Room for Spontaneity

Of course, while scheduling some fun activities can help you make the most of your summer, it’s also important not to cram every day with a mile-long list of things to do. That’s only going to stress you out! You’ll either be exhausted from doing too much, or disappointed that you didn’t get to do everything. Summer is all about freedom, so make sure you reserve plenty of time for doing nothing, or doing something totally spontaneous. Want to lay under a tree reading a book for 3 hours? You got it. Want to sit on your porch eating popsicles with your siblings? Go for it! Want to hit the skating rink with your bestie and choreograph an amazing routine to your favorite song, just because? We can’t wait to see you. It’s summer, and that can mean whatever YOU want it to!

Get Some Exercise

Being a little bit lazy during the summer is kind of a given, but living on the couch and constantly telling Netflix that yes, you ARE still watching isn’t doing yourself any favors. Remember to get up and move around every once in a while! Walk your dog, do some yoga, or go roller skating. You’ll feel more energetic, and that will allow you to really make the most of your summer vacation. 

You’ve seen the TikToks, the movies, the music videos of people roller skating, and now you want in. You’re ready to reclaim the carefree feeling of the wind in your hair as you zoom around the skating rink, or neighborhood, or local park. Congratulations! Your skating journey has begun, and you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn how to get started and what protective gear is needed for roller skating.

Skate Safely with This Essential Roller Skating Gear

Falling down is part of roller skating, and you should definitely learn how to fall safely on roller skates. However, it can take a while to internalize the best ways to fall, so why not protect yourself in the meantime?  

If you’re new to skating (or just coming back after many years), you’re definitely going to want to wear protective skate gear while you get the hang of it. Knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and a helmet are standard. If you want to go the extra mile, you could follow the lead of roller derby players and add a mouthguard. There are even padded shorts out there to protect your tailbone!

Many skaters forego some or all of that safety gear inside the skating rink once they’re more comfortable on skates, but it’s also totally fine to keep wearing it. The skating rink floor is pretty hard, after all! But when it comes to skating outdoors, you should always gear up before you go. Skating outside not only exposes you to rough, cracked, and otherwise unpredictable surfaces, but also carries the added risks of traffic, other pedestrians, hills, etc. Ready to roll? Here’s what you need:

Elbow and Knee Pads 

Knees and elbows are particularly prone to injury in a fall, and bruising or spraining one can really hurt! Roller skating pads are typically constructed from a soft sleeve or strap with some padding and a hard outer shell—sort of like a helmet for your knee or elbow. 

When buying knee and elbow pads, make sure you choose the correct sizes. To measure your elbow size, use a soft measuring tape or string to determine the circumference around your arm about an inch above your elbow. For a knee measurement, use the measuring tape to get the circumference around the leg 1-2 inches above the knee. Look for good, sturdy straps to keep them in place and adjust for comfort. 

Wrist Guards

Falling onto your wrists can result in a sprain, fracture, or full-on broken bone. That’s why so many skaters choose to wear wrist guards! While you should always try to avoid catching yourself on your wrists when falling, using a wrist guard can reduce the risk of serious injury.

There are two main kinds of wrist guards—slip-on and wrap. Slip-on wrist guards slip over your hand, similar to a fingerless glove, but with plenty of rigid support. Wrap wrist guards also contain rigid supports, but instead of slipping on like a glove, you wrap them around your hand and wrist, then secure them with straps to get a closer fit.  

Helmets

Wearing a helmet is a smart move, whether you’re roller skating or biking. Helmets protect against everything from cuts and bruises to concussions and serious brain injury. To measure for helmet size, use your soft tape measure to wrap around your head. Position the tape about 2 finger widths over your eyebrows and 1-2 above your ears. The tape should be tight against the skin, but not constricting. You just want the most accurate measurement possible without it being too tight. Look for a helmet that sits low on your forehead, is snug but not uncomfortable, and sits flat on the top of the head without tilting back/up. The side straps should form a Y shape with the straps joining just below your ear.

Learning how to roller skate is not just a childhood milestone (or adulthood if you missed out earlier—no shame in this game!), it’s also a great way to add some fun, healthy physical activity to your routine. Of course, once you have the basics down and are confident on skates, you might want to expand your skating skills a bit more. There are some easy tricks you can learn to start, like skating backward, gliding on one foot, and spinning. Today, we’re going to share some tips and tricks to help you learn how to spin on roller skates. Before long, you’ll be spinning like a top and impressing your friends at the skating rink!  

How to Spin on Skates

Spinning on skates is easier than it looks, so don’t be intimidated! While you might not have the grace of a figure skater or the agility of a roller derby player, you can still learn how to do a roller skating spin with some patience and practice. 

Before you start, consider gearing up with elbow and knee pads, wrist braces, and a helmet. Knowing you’re protected if you fall can help you relax and feel more comfortable on skates. Falling is practically inevitable when learning a new skating trick (just ask those aforementioned figure skaters and derby players). And hey, if you do fall, you’ll be able to pop back up and try, try again!

Step 1: Give yourself some space.

Spinning on roller skates is a great trick to learn because it doesn’t take as much room to practice as some other tricks. However, it’s still important to be aware of your surroundings and make sure you’re not going to collide with other skaters, especially if the rink is busy. 

Step 2: Get in position. 

Posture is very important when it comes to learning any roller skating trick. To get in position for a spin, you should be balanced on your skates, knees slightly bent, feet shoulder-width apart, and hips square. 

Step 3: Start the spin.

Start skating with your arms straight out to your sides, like you’re making a “T” shape. Rotate your arms to the same side while lowering them alongside your body. The movement of your arms provides rotational momentum to get you into the spin. 

Step 4: Keep it going.

As the motion of your arms pulls you into the spin, move the skate on that side backward while moving the other forward. So if you pulled your arms to the left, your left skate should move back and your right skate should move forward. As your momentum grows, move your skates closer together and elongate your body upward. 

Once you’ve got a two-foot spin down pat, challenge yourself to mastering a one-foot spin! Practice makes perfect, so join us at an upcoming public skate session here at Skate Moore.

Toys: Kids these days have A LOT of them, and most parents will tell you that the toy tsunami is a real problem. The older your kids get, the more the toys start to take over the whole house, spilling out of your child’s bedroom or play space to the living room, kitchen, closets, yard, porch, garage, attic, and basement. After enduring the agony of stepping on a lego block barefoot, or tripping over yet another stuffed animal in the dark, you’ve had enough! But if you put the kibosh on toy-giving for your child’s birthday, what kind of gifts does that leave?  

Not to worry; there are actually lots of really fun, exciting non-toy birthday gift alternatives that will still put a smile on your child’s face… Without adding yet another soon-forgotten toy to the mountain of action figures, blocks, balls, stuffed animals, dolls, board games, and other gizmos in your kid’s toybox. Keep reading for some inspiration!

Non-Toy Birthday Gift Alternatives

Sports or Exercise Equipment

Any birthday gift that gets kids to be more active is a great toy alternative, so think about what type of sports or exercise equipment the birthday kid would enjoy. Whether it’s a jump rope, soccer ball, bike, trampoline, or roller skates, they’ll have a blast and burn off some energy all at the same time! 

If you’re in the market for roller skates, visit our pro shop. We’re always happy to help you pick out the right roller skates and equipment, whether you’re shopping for a gift or for yourself!

Subscriptions

What’s better than one birthday gift? 12 birthday gifts! Treating a birthday kid to a subscription is an awesome gift because it just keeps on giving. There are tons of options for kids’ subscriptions, from magazines and “book of the month” clubs to monthly sensory play or STEM activity boxes. 

DIY Kits

Speaking of activities, DIY kits are another fun and educational alternative to toys. There is a wide variety of options out there, from painting, sculpting, and drawing to jewelry crafts, model building, and engineering projects. 

Books and Music

It seems like kids these days are hooked on screens almost from birth, so why not give the gift of unplugging? Kids can never have too many books, and instilling a love of reading from a young age (even before they can read themselves) has been shown to have lots of benefits. 

Music is another important developmental tool for kids, not to mention the fun memories that often result from sharing songs. Gift the birthday kid with some cool music, their very own boombox or bluetooth speaker, or better yet, their very own instrument! 

If changing things up sounds good to you, check out our birthday cake alternatives that are just as delicious! 

Variety is the spice of life, and the same is true when it comes to birthday parties! While it’s nice to have traditions that stay the same year after year, there are some times when you just want to shake things up. Birthday cake is a perfect example, so check out these birthday cake alternatives that are creative, unexpected, and every bit as delicious. 

Let Them Eat Cake… Or Whatever Tickles Their Tastebuds!

Slice a Nice Birthday Pie

If you’re opting for a non-traditional birthday dessert for the first time, you don’t have to go full-on “out there.” Just turn to the cake’s humble-yet-equally-delicious cousin: Pie!
Pie is just as special and yummy, so if the birthday person prefers pie, go ahead and stick some candles into that crust and serenade them as usual. There are so many options, so make sure you know their favorite pies. Are they super into fruit pies like cherry, apple, or mixed berry? Or do they favor a creamy pie, like key lime, chocolate, lemon meringue, or peanut butter? If you want to make their birthday pie extra special, let your local bakery know that it’s for a birthday so they can add a little extra “wow” to the decoration. 

Donut Be Afraid to Change Things Up

Look, a platter stacked high with donuts might not be a traditional birthday dessert, but who wouldn’t be happy to have a platter stacked high with donuts regardless? For the best look, choose a variety of donuts iced in different colors. You can use bamboo skewers to stabilize your stacks, or create your own unique skewer birthday decorations. 

Give Them Their Just Desserts

For a truly unique and personalized birthday, give your loved one their favorite dessert—even if it’s not cake! The options are limitless: Cookies, brownies, banana pudding, flan, trifle, ice cream sundae, creme brulee, or even just an artfully-arranged plate of fruit!  

Get Wheel-y Creative

While birthday cake and its sugary counterparts are great for folks with a sweet tooth, some people just don’t love sweets. In that case, you can make their day with a savory, indulgent treat, like this towering cheese wheel “cake.” In fact, there is good precedent for ending a meal with a cheese course. European meals traditionally include a cheese course after the main course, which can actually help to balance out the acidity of the meal and aid in digestion.  

Savory Every Moment

If a tower of cheese isn’t sparking joy for you, there are plenty of other savory birthday cake alternatives. Just search your favorite recipe site for “savory cake ideas” and you’ll find plenty of options, from sushi cake (vinegared rice, seaweed, fish, and other favorite sushi fillings and toppings like roe, avocado, or sesame seeds) to cornbread cake (tender cornbread filled with jalapenos, bacon, etc. and topped with butter or cream cheese). 

The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination run wild! And if you’re looking for an exciting birthday party venue in Moore, Oklahoma, contact us to make a reservation at Skate Moore Skate Center!

We’ve all seen it: The seemingly perfect Instagram parents whose impeccably-dressed children celebrate their birthdays with elaborate, color-coordinated, #aesthetic parties that look like they belong in a magazine. While there’s nothing wrong with an elaborate party, most of us have neither the time nor desire to painstakingly decorate 100 Paw Patrol cookies with royal icing, or hand-stitch custom bunting from vintage fabric, or create a personally-branded photo booth. Fortunately for the more laid-back parents among us, we don’t have to fit a Pinterest board’s worth of ideas into every birthday. Just one or two simple birthday traditions can make your child feel special and spark memories that last a lifetime. 

Creative Birthday Traditions for Kids

Birthday Breakfast

Breakfast may not be the most important meal of the day, but it’s definitely the most fun! Treat your birthday kid to a special surprise by cooking their favorite breakfast—smiley face pancakes with chocolate chips, waffles with fruit and whipped cream, egg in a basket, or whatever else their heart desires! Cooking a special breakfast is so simple, but it’s one of those things your kids will look back on in 20 years and remember fondly. Maybe they’ll even carry on the tradition with their own kids one day! 

Balloon Wakeup Call

Another fun birthday tradition is to cover the floor of your child’s room in colorful balloons before they wake up. They’ll have a blast walking through the sea of balloons, and it’s sure to put a smile on their face to start the day.
If balloons aren’t quite your style, you could hang streamers all over the room or create a streamer curtain in the doorway. Better yet, why not make a balloon avalanche to great your kid when they open the door?

Time Capsule

Mark your child’s latest trip around the sun by creating a time capsule. This is a really fun tradition because you can look back at past years and see how much your child has grown and changed. Or fill out an “interview” like this one to have a record of their favorite color, book, song, etc. If your child likes to craft, you could even work together to create a collage or scrapbook page about the year. 

Birthday Mail

For an even more special birthday tradition/gift, write your child a letter on every birthday. You can include some fun memories from throughout the year, and when they’re older, they’ll be able to look back through the letters and take an incredible trip down memory lane. 

Of course, if you’re looking for a happy medium between a labor-intensive party and no party at all, we can help! Our Moore roller skating parties take the legwork out of party planning, so you and your child can have a great time without the stress and mess of hosting a party at home. 

Thanksgiving is almost here, and many families are wondering how to make the holiday special even though they may not be able to travel or host visitors due to the pandemic. While current circumstances may put a temporary hold on your normal holiday traditions, there are still plenty of ways you can have fun and make memories this year in Oklahoma City! Keep reading for some ideas for fun family activities in OKC this Thanksgiving. 

Fun Thanksgiving Activities in OKC

It’s still important to wear masks and observe social distancing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the holidays this year. Look for activities that are outdoors or in large spaces that don’t force visitors to be close to each other during their visits. Here are some examples to get you started: 

Let the Good Times Roll

Looking for a family activity that works for multiple ages of kids and adults?  Here at Skate Moore, our skating rink offers a place for skaters of all ages to have fun in a safe, family-friendly environment. With great music, a fun atmosphere, and free skate rental included with admission, roller skating is perfect for getting everyone active after a big meal like Thanksgiving. Not only is it a fun, socially-distant activity; it’s also an excellent workout for your core, lower body, and abs. Even young kids typically get the hang of it pretty quickly, and skating can help them develop their balance, coordination, strength, and stamina! It’s also low-impact, so it’s easy on the joints for us grownups. Remember to bring your masks, as they are required at all times for skaters and spectators. (If you forget, we do have masks available for purchase at the door.)

Hit the Trail

Another fun way to get off the couch and have some fun after Thanksgiving is to go on a hike or nature walk. It can be as easy or intense as your family needs; a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood park with plenty of stops for admiring leaves, watching birds, or picking up pretty rocks, or a more adventurous outing to one of Oklahoma City’s many awesome trails. Did you know that we even have a mountain biking park in the area? 

Get Festive

These days, Thanksgiving is basically the unofficial start of the holiday season… So why not dive right in with some fun, festive holiday activities? There are plenty of outdoor holiday activities and events in OKC, as well as virtual events. These are just a few ways to celebrate while staying safe!

• Lights on Broadway will be lighting up historic Automobile Alley on four separate Saturdays to reduce crowds and give everyone a chance to enjoy the event. The planned activities include free carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus, a free photo booth, outdoor movie screenings, live music, and more. 
• The annual tree lighting festival is a beloved tradition here in OKC, so no pandemic is getting in the way! Necessity is the mother of invention, as the saying goes, so this year the tree lighting festival will take place online and on the local news. Make some cocoa or a hot toddy and settle in to watch the magic happen on News 9 or streaming on your phone, TV, tablet, or computer. 
• Take a drive through a winter wonderland at Yukon’s free Christmas in the Park! As the state’s biggest drive through lights display, this is a must-see, with 5 million lights and hundreds of lighted displays. In addition to driving through the display, you can also park and take part in the outdoor activities like ice skating or riding the Santa Express.