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. 

It’s officially Spooky Season, and if you haven’t started planning your costume yet… Well, what are you waiting for?! While it may look a little different this year, but there are still socially-distant and safe ways to celebrate Halloween, even in a pandemic. Keep reading for some Halloween costume ideas you can wear while roller skating. 

Roll Out in These Creative Halloween Costume Ideas

There’s only one thing that can make the Halloween season even more fun, and that’s roller skating! Whether you skate outside to enjoy the fall weather or join us here at Skate Moore for family-friendly fun at the skating rink, everything is just more fun on wheels. (Check out our skating sessions to plan your visit.) 

Wondering what type of costumes go with roller skates? Here are some fun ideas:

1950s Carhop, Greaser, or Sock Hopper

You can’t go wrong with a 1950s themed costume, especially if you want to incorporate your skates. The great thing about these costumes is that you can “shop your closet” for some of the pieces. For instance, jeans, boots or Chucks, and a leather jacket will have you well on your way to a respectable James Dean look. Saddle shoes are a must for any sock hop look, and in addition to the iconic poodle skirt, you could also rock pedal pushers with a neck scarf and high ponytail, or rolled up jeans and a bowling shirt. And of course, we can’t ignore that iconic 1950s character, the carhop! These servers-on-wheels could be found wearing an apron, a jaunty “soda jerk hat,” and rolling by with a tray full of burgers, fries, and milkshakes. 

1970s Roller Discothequer

The 70s is another go-to era when it comes to roller skating costumes. How can you resist the over-the-top fashion of the disco era? Tall socks, shiny fabrics, big hair, and lots of glitter will give you that disco look. You could even dress up as one of the era’s many iconic celebrity skaters, like Cher, Diana Ross, or Hugh Hefner! 

1990s Roller Blader

If you’re more of a 1990s fan, you can also create some great roller skating looks just by shopping your closet. Bonus points if you’re wearing roller blades instead of the traditional quad skates. After all, the 90s was prime time for “extreme” sports! Tie a flannel shirt around your waist for a grunge look, or apply some butterfly hair clips, “frosted” lipstick, and body glitter for a dash of mall culture. If all else fails, an alien head babydoll tee and tattoo or yin yang choker will like, totally give you a nineties vibe. 

What Not to Wear

Pretty much any costume is cooler on skates, but there are some things you should NOT include in a roller skating costume: 

• Long capes, robes, skirts, or anything that could get caught in your (or someone else’s) skates or cause them to trip and fall. Ditto for long cords/belts/tentacles, fringe, etc.
• Hats or costume masks that impede your peripheral vision.
• Anything uncomfortable or hard to move around in. 

If you know about Skate Moore, you know that our goal is to provide a safe, clean, and FUN place for the best sport in the world—roller skating. While we might be biased, we really do think that roller skating is an awesome activity for kids, teens, and adults alike. It’s social, it’s active, and you can’t beat the music. Skate jams forever! 

Of course, like any sport or physical activity, roller skating requires some safety guidelines for an optimal experience. Keep reading to learn the skating rink safety rules you need to know to make your next visit to Skate Moore a success!

Skating Rink Safety Rules

Do your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We’re so glad to be open and able to give local families a fun, socially distant place to skate during these unprecedented times. Please help us ensure the safety of our employees and other guests by following these rules:

• Wear your mask. Masks are required for all visitors to Skate Moore at all times. If you don’t have a mask with you, you may purchase one at the door for $1.00. 
• Practice good hand hygiene. 
• Stay home if you have a fever, are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, or have been exposed to anyone who is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. 
• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from people outside of your own household. 
• Wear your mask properly. It should cover your nose and mouth at all times while in our facility. 

Pay attention to your surroundings.

• Always go with the flow of skaters, usually in a counter-clockwise direction. It’s very important to skate with the crowd, because skating against the flow can cause you or someone else to get hurt. 
• Don’t cut through the middle of the skating rink floor; that area is typically full of people doing tricks or dancing. Respect their space and skating rink etiquette and stay to the outside “lane” of skating traffic. 
• Pay attention to the other skaters around you to prevent accidents. You should already be social distancing, but keep an eye out for each other to avoid collisions.
• Falling is totally normal, but remember to keep your hands OFF the floor and get back up as quickly as possible. Skating traffic doesn’t stop, so pay attention and try not to trip another skater or get yourself run over in the process of getting back up. Learn how to safely fall and get up on skates with this quick video. 

Skate unto others as you would have them skate unto you. (Just be nice!)

• Roller skating is all about good vibes, so just be nice and considerate when skating. Don’t skate so fast that you’re out of control, so you don’t accidentally wipe out and take other skaters with you.
• Pay attention to the skaters around you and be careful when “changing lanes” and when stepping on or off of the skate floor. 

With these simple roller skating safety tips, you can have a blast at the skating rink! We’d love to see you, so come on out to one of our skate sessions and get your fun on a roll.

For many kids, summer means sleeping in, freedom, having fun, and being lazy. School has its own type of fun, but the early mornings, structure, and academic pressure can be a rude awakening after months of summer vacation. Throw in a global pandemic, add multiple Moore students testing positive for COVID-19, and it’s clear that this school year is going to be a little more challenging for everyone involved. 

While there’s no silver bullet for these unprecedented challenges, we hope these tips will help you and your family navigate the transition back to school a little easier. And when you need to de-stress, just mask-up and come skate with us at Skate Moore!

Back to School Tips 2020

Get your routine on track. 

Getting back on a school year schedule is always important for starting the year off on a good foot, but it’s even more important in the midst of coronavirus. Being well rested is incredibly important for kids; being tired can affect their ability to pay attention, retain information, and participate fully in school. But aside from the mental and cognitive effects of not getting enough sleep, it can also lower immunity, making the body more vulnerable to viruses. That’s obviously the last thing you want when your kids are attending school in a pandemic!

Get organized.

Kids have a lot to keep track of these days, so set them up for success by creating an area to store their school things. For some families, a row of hooks by the door for bookbags is sufficient, while others prefer a cubby system where each kid can stash their homework, books, etc. Browse Pinterest or your favorite DIY site for ideas by searching for “backpack station” or  “kids command center.” 

Harness technology.

As the saying goes, “We have the technology.” So use it! There are tons of great apps to help your family stay connected, organized, and on track. These are some of the top apps for parents in 2020: 

• Chore Monster
• Cozi Family Organizer
• Picniic
• Forest – Stay Focused

Make time for fun.

With so much stress and uncertainty in the world right now, it’s more important than ever to check in with your kids, spend some quality time together, and stay active. Roller skating is a great way to do all three, so come visit us at Skate Moore for Thursday Cheap Skate or one of our other public skating sessions. 

Remember to bring your masks, practice good hand hygiene and social distancing, and wear above the ankle socks. (If you forget, we sell masks at the door for $1.) And of course, if you feel sick, have a fever, or have been exposed to someone who may have COVID, please stay home! We promise we’ll be here for you when you get back.

Remember the good old days, when you could actually hug your friends? Well, just because you’re social distancing doesn’t mean you have to be lonely!

We’re open and skating safely here at Skate Moore! After the way 2020 has gone so far, we all need to have some fun and reconnect with friends—even from 6 feet away. Check out these roller skating games to try out with your friends next time you meet up at the rink. 

Roller Skating Games

Freeze Skate

This roller skating game is sort of like a combination of freeze tag and musical chairs, or maybe “not it.” If you’ve ever played freeze dance, you’ll get the idea. To start out, everyone skates around, doing their favorite moves and just grooving to the music. Suddenly, the music stops. All players have to “freeze” in place, in whatever pose or position they happen to be in. (Doing this on wheels adds a new level of challenge!) Whoever freezes last, is out, and the music resumes while players continue to skate. Repeat this process until there’s only one person left … The winner! 

Glide Off

This is a super fun game to play with your friends, sort of like a mini tournament. Two players start at the same place (but 6 feet apart). Each is allowed to take a certain number of strides (usually 2 or 3, depending on how much room you have) and then must glide as far as possible using only the momentum from those strides. You can battle it out this way until half the group has been eliminated, then go to the next round of eliminations. If you want to spice things up a bit, try adding a new challenge to each round, like gliding on one foot or backwards!

Follow the Leader

This game is a classic, and it’s even more fun when you play it on roller skates. To play, designate one person as the leader. This person will do a skate move (spinning, jumping, dancing, etc.) and all of the other players must copy them as closely as possible. 

If you can’t reproduce the leader’s moves, you’re out! If all of the players are able to perfectly reproduce the leader’s moves, the leader loses the title and becomes a player. Another leader must be chosen, and the cycle starts all over again. 

A (Kinda Sorta) Conga Line

Who doesn’t love a good conga line at a party? While grabbing each other’s waists is off limits at the moment due to social distancing guidelines, you can still have some fun with a socially-distanced line of dancers. Free-form your way around the rink, or play a line-dancing song like the Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Macarena, or Electric Slide and enjoy busting a move with your besties! Just remember to maintain at least 6 feet between each skater, and remember to wear your mask at all times. 

Drop a comment if you play any of our roller skating games!

Whether your child’s birthday is coming up, or they’re patiently waiting to cash in that rain check for their corona-cancelled party earlier this year, we’ve got you covered with the best birthday parties in Moore, Oklahoma. Keep reading to learn more about how to make your child’s summer birthday party a success, and check out our birthday party packages to make planning a breeze.  

Summer Birthday Parties: Tips and Tricks from the Pros

That’s right, we’re not just pros in the pro shop—we’re also experienced at hosting all kinds of group events, from birthday parties to fundraisers and beyond. Summer birthday parties can be particularly tricky, especially now that we’re all trying to stay safe from the coronavirus pandemic. 

Be cool. 

The first and most important step in hosting a successful summer birthday party is to keep it cool! It’s HOT outside, and no one wants to spend hours roasting outside under the sun. If you’re looking for a way to party while also being active, you can have the best of both worlds at Skate Moore. Our skating rink is blissfully air conditioned, so your kid and their friends can skate their hearts out (instead of sweating them out). 

Stay safe.

Partying in a pandemic is riskier than usual, so it’s important to take precautions to keep you and your guests safe. But just because you’re focused on safety doesn’t mean you can’t keep the party attitude going! Instead of gift or goody bags given to guests at the end of the party, prep them for the party ahead of time by sending some goodies like a fun mask and a mini hand sanitizer on a keychain. You can even keep them in line with the theme of your party; just search for “kids mini hand sanitizer keychain” and you’ll find pretty much anything, from dinosaurs to unicorns. 

Give guests a heads up.

Summer is generally a tough time to throw a kid’s birthday party thanks to family vacations, summer camp, etc. To maximize your attendance, send invitations out as early as possible. This will help other parents plan ahead and put you on their calendar before something else comes up. 

Whether you plan to host a private birthday party or a public one, our party packages have something for everyone, with skating admission, pizza, drinks, and more. Don’t wait too long to book your summer birthday party; spots are going fast. Give us a call at 405-794-4644 to discuss your event!

Like most of the rest of the country and even the world, Oklahoma families are grappling with the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. While we’re sad to be temporarily closed, we know this period of isolation is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, and our thoughts go out to all of the patients, medical workers, other frontline workers, and their families affected by the pandemic. 

For parents who are lucky enough to still have jobs and work from home, the situation is less dangerous, but still a lot to handle. It’s tough to focus on spreadsheets or emails when your kids are right next to you, restless and struggling to learn all of the tools needed for successful distance learning! We hope that these at-home quarantine activity ideas for kids will help even a little bit to take your family’s minds off the stress and bring some much-needed smiles to your faces. Stay #MooreStrong and we will see you when it’s safe to skate again!

At-Home Quarantine Activities to Keep Your Kids Occupied During COVID-19 Isolation

Take a virtual field trip… Or several!

While the internet has its pros and cons just like anything else, it’s really coming in clutch right now. This is a great time to take advantage of all the incredible virtual field trips out there, many of which are free! There are so many out there that we can’t list them all, but here are some fun ones to start with. 

• Google Arts & Culture has an incredible array of virtual experiences available, including tours of some of the world’s best museums, like the Musee d’Orsay, National Gallery of Art, the Van Gogh Museum, and MoMA. 
• The Center for Puppetry Arts has a ton of excellent content for kids, from puppet shows to workshops where they can make their own puppets with stuff you probably already have laying around the house!
• The San Diego Zoo lets you get up-close-and-personal with animals thanks to their live zoo cams. Watch elephants, koalas, tigers, giraffes, polar bears, and more. 

Hold P.E. class right in your backyard.

No gym, no equipment… No problem! Staying active is important for both mental and physical health, so check out these backyard P.E. at home ideas to get you and your kids off the couch and burn off some of that pent-up energy. 

Feed the belly and the soul with homemade treats.

Baking is good for the soul, so why not use the time at home to teach your kids how to make some family favorites or try a new recipe? With easy, kid-friendly meal ideas like this, you can even enlist your kids to make (or at least help with) their own lunches!

Drop us a comment if you tried any of our quarantine activities for kids!

As a parent, you’re always on the lookout for ways to help your kids be healthier and happier. From feeding them nutritious food, enrolling them in sports and after school activities, and making sure they get a good education, to exposing them to arts and culture, travel, and adventure, there are so many things you can do as a parent to help your kids live their best lives. But did you know that roller skating is one of them? Keep reading to learn more from your friends at Skate Moore Skate Center in Moore, Oklahoma! 

Tips for Happy and Healthy Kids

Make Family Time a Priority

According to some studies, quality time spent with parents can positively affect kids in several ways, including: 

• Increasing academic achievement
• Reducing risk for violent behavior
• Reducing the risk for substance abuse

It can be hard to fit in quality family time with today’s busy schedules, but making it a priority will be worth it for your child’s sense of belonging and support, as well as your relationships with each other. Consider making one day a week “Family Night” so that you and your kids can spend time together doing something fun. 

Roller skating is a great option because it’s affordable, even if you have multiple kids! It also encourages everyone to stop looking at their phones and live in the moment. That’s where you’ll make those family memories that last a lifetime. 

Get Plenty of Exercise

Both adults and kids are more sedentary than ever these days, which has a host of negative effects on health. That’s why it’s so important to help your kids find physical activities they like doing! We all know how hard it is to stick to an exercise program when you’re bored, but the answer isn’t to give up and hit the couch; instead, find ways to exercise that are so fun, you’re actually excited to do it instead of viewing it as a chore. 

Once again, roller skating swoops in to save the day! While most people think of skating as just a fun activity, it’s actually a really good way to get some exercise. You can get a great cardiovascular workout from skating laps around the rink, and the action of roller skating gives your legs, butt, back, and abs an amazing toning workout that builds muscle and keeps you limber. Best of all, roller skating is a low impact exercise, so if you get your kids hooked on it, they’ll be able to enjoy skating for many years to come. 

Let Kids Be Kids

With so much stress on kids today to perform well in school, sports, and extra curricular activities, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that they’re just kids! They need time to forge friendships, test out independence, and feel like part of a community. Most importantly, they need a chance to de-stress. Our weekly roller skating sessions and other special events are a great way for your kids to hang out with their friends in a safe, family-friendly environment. 

We also offer the best parties in Moore, Oklahoma, from birthday celebrations and team parties to youth group events and charity fundraisers. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have, so give us a call at 405-794-4644.

Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, so it’s time to start making plans for how you’ll spend the day with your sweetheart. If you’re looking for fun Valentine’s Day dates around Oklahoma City and Moore, OK, you’re in the right place. 

Valentine’s Day (Or Any Day) Dates in OKC

There are always so many things to do around Oklahoma City, from arts, music, and museums to dining and nightlife. With so many options, it can be hard to narrow down what you actually want to do, but these creative and unique date ideas can save the day. 

Sweetheart Skating Date

OK, we can’t say we’re not biased, but is there anything more romantic than skating under a mirror ball and colorful lights to “your song” while holding hands with your significant other? Roller skating is a perfect date because it’s fun, active, and nostalgic… And hey, who doesn’t love an affordable date idea? 

Bring your Valentine to Skate Moore and enjoy a few hours of roller skating, and for extra bonus points, buy them a new pair of roller skates from our pro shop! Buying them their own pair of skates in a style and color that fits their personality will be sure to earn you MVP (Most Valentine-able Person) from your boo. 

Dinner and an Indie Movie Date

You may be thinking, “Nothing could be less unique than a dinner and a movie date,” and normally, you’d be correct…But not if your date involves dinner at one of OKC’s fantastic local restaurants and a movie at local independent movie theater Rodeo Cinema. 

With the right person, even exploring restaurants and things to do in your own city can feel like a new and exciting adventure. Show your Valentine how much you care by planning a day of activities that make home feel like a vacation. 

Chocolate Lovers Date

No Valentine’s Day is complete without chocolate. If your significant other has a sweet tooth, you’ll rock their world with a trip to the Normal Chocolate Festival! This annual event is legendary, bringing together 30 local OKC restaurants, bakeries, and confectioners to show off their most delicious and decadent chocolate masterpieces. Your general admission ticket will get you 10 free samples, but you can also indulge with a VIP tasting session that includes 15 samples and a drink—plus a to-go container for all of the chocolate you want to take home for later.  

No matter what you choose to do for Valentine’s Day, make sure that you let the people you love know how you feel. Fancy gifts and expensive nights out are fun, but hearing “I love you… And here’s why” will beat any material item you can give them.