Skating has been such an important part of the culture for so long, that it’s no wonder that there are so many impressive, hilarious, and otherwise amazing depictions of skating in film and on TV.

Here are just a few of our favorite skating moments in popular culture:

• Career Opportunities –  This 1991 John Hughes movie stars Jennifer Connelly and Frank Whaley as two very different people who fall for each other. It all starts late one night while they are both locked in a Target unaware of each other’s presence. It’s at this point that Jim (Whaley) decides to have a little fun by skating around the empty store:

• Malcolm In the Middle – In one of the best moments from the show, Hal (played by the talented Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame) gets his roller boogie on, much to the surprise of his son:

• Roll Bounce – This 2005 movie stars Bow Wow, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Nick Cannon, and Meagan Good. Set in 1978 Chicago, this one is a must for any fan of roller disco:

Of course, as much fun as it is to watch skating moments in film and TV, it is always better to go skating yourself! So check out our hours and schedule of upcoming Lanham events and make your plans to visit our Lanham skating center today. We even offer Fun to Roll Lanham skating lessons so that even the youngest in your family can get in on the fun!

Most of us have fond memories of hanging out at the skating rink as kids — spending time with friends, zipping around the rink, and getting excited when the DJ played “your song!” If you want to pass the fun of skating on to the next generation, check out these tips for teaching kids how to roller skate.

• • Start Small – The first step is learning how to stay balanced on skates. Then kids can practice pushing off and rolling, keeping feet parallel, and stopping using the toe stop on their skates (or learning another method like the T-stop).

• • Rent a Skate Mate – Skate mates are sort of a cross between a walker and training wheels. The PVC structure allows beginning skaters to hold on for extra stability while getting used to the feel of skating. Ask us about renting a skate mate for your child on your next visit to Lanham Skate Center.
  • Leave it to the Pros – We’ve been teaching people to skate for years, and over time we’ve developed some effective ways to help wobbly beginners find their groove and discover a love of skating. If your child is interested in roller skating, sign them up for our Fun to Roll Lanham skating lessons! For more information about skating lessons, contact us at (301) 577-1733.

With a little help (and maybe a skate mate), your child will have a blast at our Lanham skating center. Check out our hours and schedule of Lanham events and make your plans to visit us today.

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States? According to the CDC, 25% of all the deaths in the United States are due to heart disease.

That is why February is American Heart Month. So check out these tips to keep your ticker going strong!

• Make healthy substitutions – Instead of celebrating with food and alcohol, choose healthier options like an activity you enjoy that also happens to be good for you! Roller skating is great for this, whether you’re looking for a fun night out with that special someone or you want to get together with all your friends. It’s also a good aerobic workout, which leads us to . . . 
• Get moving – Regular exercise is crucial to a healthy heart. Make sure you’re getting your recommended 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 5 times a week. It’s also important not to sit for long periods of time, so make sure to get up from your desk or couch, stretch your legs, and consider standing or walking while talking on the phone. When choosing an exercise, make sure to find something that you enjoy, like roller skating. If you enjoy the activity, then you’ll be much more likely to do it regularly.
• Manage stress – Finally, you have to manage your stress. Sometimes you just need to cut loose and let the stress of the work week go. Skating to great music is a good way to relax, blow off steam, and get in some exercise all at the same time. 

Ready for an activity that’s as fun as it is healthy? Check out our hours and schedule of upcoming Lanham events, and make your plans to visit our Lanham skate center for your heart today!

We all learned how to tie our shoes as kids – insert bunny-themed nursery rhyme here – so you probably think you’ve got your lacing game on lock. But did you know that the way you lace and tie your skates can affect their fit and performance?

Read on to learn some tips to help you lace your skates like a pro!

High Arches

Skate boots tend to be much sturdier than regular shoes. This can make things uncomfortable if you have high arches, as the hard boot may apply pressure on the top of your foot. Try lacing your boots parallel so that you can easily loosen the specific areas that are giving you problems.

Heel Slipping

If you’re having issues with your heel slipping, make sure your skates aren’t too big. If they are the correct size (or if one foot is slightly smaller than the other) tighten your laces towards the back of the shoe to add stability at your ankle and heel. You make also need to try wearing thicker socks.

Toe Issues

Ingrown toenails, corns, hammer toe, or just general tightness on your toes can be lessen through careful lacing. Start lacing with each end of the lace over the eyelets closest to your toes. Then measure the laces so that the lace closest to the painful toe is 5 inches shorter. Use the longer lace to zigzag through all of the skate’s eyelets. The shorter lace can then be crossed across the entire skate, straight to the eyelet closest to your opposite sided ankle.Then just tighten your skates normally. This will relieve pressure from the problem toe, but will still keep your skates tight enough.

Now that you know how to lace your roller skates, it’s time to get out there and skate! Check out our hours and schedule of Lanham events and make your plans to visit our Lanham skating rink today!

Everyone knows those holiday treats are hard to resist and sometimes the best time of year comes with a few unwanted calories. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered! At Lanham Skate Center, we provide the perfect way to burn those extra calories after indulging over winter break, as well as a great way to get a jump start on your 2019 New Year’s resolutions: roller skating!

Roller skating, like any other form of cardio, burns plenty of calories (more than enough to get rid of any extra you acquired over the holidays), exercises your heart, and gets your blood flowing. Cardio such as roller skating prevents several cardiovascular diseases and improves your overall health. Not only that, but roller skating is also a great strengthening and toning exercise for the muscles in your arms and legs. Roller skating can help increase balance and coordination skills, and also releases endorphins that make you feel elated. Roller skating is a great way for you and your family to workout while also having a really fun time!

If some of your 2019 New Year’s resolutions are to get fit or to simply have more fun with your family, roller skating with us at Lanham Skate Center is the best way to do both! If you’re new to roller skating, check out our lessons to learn or touch-up on skills with your family. In addition to our lessons, you can check out our schedule to find daily prices, events, and more.
Contact us for any comments, questions, or concerns regarding lessons, schedule, and birthday parties, and more.

The holidays are upon us! The winter break from school combined with all the fun winter activities around Lanham makes this the perfect time to plan some quality family fun together!

Here are just a few ideas to get you started having holiday fun around Lanham:

• Holiday Events Around Lanham – There are lots of fun things to do around town. Shoppers will enjoy crossing a few names of their shopping list at one of the many holiday markets. If you’re looking to do something with the kids, then consider a holiday tree lighting or pictures with Santa! If you want to spend a little time away, consider getting a babysitter for the day so you can visit a vineyard!
• Fun at Home – If the cold weather is too much for you, there are plenty of fun things to do at home with your kids. Consider a fun arts and craft project, a game night, or a fun inside game to entertain the kids during their holiday break.
• Plan a Holiday Event – The holidays are about community, so now is a great time to plan a community event. Hosting a neighborhood cookie swap or food drive is a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and get to know your neighbors better!
• Visit Lanham Skate! – Being cooped up all day because of the weather can lead to hyperactive and unhappy kids. Give them a chance to work off some energy by skating at our Lanham skating center! Skating is a great way to exercise when it’s too cold outside.

No matter how you and your family plan to celebrate, we hope you have a fun and safe holiday. And we hope to see you soon!

If you want to throw an amazing holiday party, then you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re planning a corporate holiday party, a church event, or just a party for your friends and family, check out these tips for throwing a holiday party to make your get-together one people will be talking about for years to come!

Start by picking a unique location. A good Lanham holiday party venue, like Lanham Skate Center, will give your guests something exciting that’s out of the ordinary! Plus if you host your party at Lanham Skate Center, you’ll have a built-in activity to enjoy.

This brings us to planning games and activities. Ideally, your venue will offer some fun activities, like skating! But you can also make your own fun. Everyone loves some friendly competition so consider having a game or hosting a gift exchange. If you want to spice things up a bit, consider one of these fun alternatives to the usual gift exchange. The musical chairs variant or the holiday trivia gift exchange might even become a fun new tradition for your work, family, or church group.

Remember to always plan ahead. You don’t want to ruin your party before it even begins, so make sure all your guests are invited with plenty of time to commit to going. Remember that the holidays are a busy time, so give them as much notice as possible.

Contact us at (301) 577-1733 for more information about our party packages or book your Lanham party with us today!

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us! During this time of year, many of us reflect on all the things that we have to be thankful for. However, it’s equally important to help those less fortunate than us, which is why we encourage you to give back this holiday season in Lanham.

Here are a few ways to celebrate the holidays with service to your community:

• Food is a huge part of celebrating Thanksgiving, but there are many who don’t have enough to eat. That’s why Lanham food pantries, soup kitchens, and food banks are so critical to a thriving community. You can help by organizing a food drive with your coworkers or social club. Of course food banks also need volunteers, so giving your time to volunteer in person is also a great option.
• Volunteer at a local nursing home. There are lots of nearby nursing and retirement homes, such as the Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home. Often these homes need people for simple tasks such as visiting with or reading to their residents. A little of your time can go a long way to help others have a good holiday season.
• Helping build homes. Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland does amazing work building homes for those in need. Consider volunteering to help, either as an individual or with a large group!
• Host a fundraiser to benefit a local Lanham charity. Lanham Skate Center is a wonderful place to host a charity benefit this holiday season!

For more information about hosting a fundraiser or event at Lanham Skate Center, contact us at (301) 577-1733 today!