Who doesn’t love Halloween? The holiday is a great excuse to let your inner kid go wild, from the candy to the costumes. If you’re looking for great Halloween costume ideas for 2019, you’re in the right place. Check out some of our favorite Halloween costumes that go great with roller skates, so you can be the talk of the skating rink or the block party! 

Halloween Costume Ideas for 2019

• Hawkins forever – Channel everyone’s favorite gang of lovable misfits with a Stranger Things group costume! You can’t go wrong with Eleven’s iconic pink-dress-plus-blonde-wig look, but the third season gave us plenty of other style inspiration, from Hopper’s floral shirt to Billy’s lifeguard look, and of course the unforgettable Scoops Ahoy sailor outfits rocked by Steve and Robin! 
• Reign supreme, disco queen – The number one costume choice for a roller skating Halloween party is obvious: Roller disco, baby! While roller skating has been enjoyed through many decades, nothing is as synonymous with roller skating as the sparkly, shiny, polyester-y looks of roller disco. And don’t forget to wear plenty of eye shadow for a historically accurate disco makeup look! 
• Make it magical, Sabrina-style – What could be more Halloween-appropriate than Sabrina and her frenemies, the Weird Sisters? Dark, long sleeved dresses with oversized lace collars make this a relatively easy group costume to pull off. Don’t forget the headbands and dark lipstick! If you have a larger group, include other characters like Hilda and Zelda, Ambrose, Father Blackwood, Harvey, Roz, Theo, and Dr. Cerberus.
• Cause some trouble as the Derry Girls – If you’ve watched Derry Girls on Netflix, you know this is the perfect costume for a friend group, especially if your squad finds its way into more than its fair share of trouble. All you’ll need is some Catholic school-esque attire; think plaid skirts, sweater vests, blazers, ties, and some delightfully bad 1990s hair styles. (A side pony and/or crunchy bangs will make the look.)  
• Play the game of thrones– Regardless of what you thought of the finale, the final episode of Game of Thrones marked the end of an era. The possibilities are vast, thanks to the huge list of characters in the show, but some of the most costume-worthy are Daenarys and her dragons, the Lannister siblings, Jon Snow, Sansa and Arya Stark, Lord Varys, Khal Drogo, Melisandre, and of course, the Night King. Just remember to keep robes, dresses, and capes short or pinned up so they don’t cause you or another skater to trip! 
• Embrace your inner kid – 2019 has been a good year for the inner kid in all of us, from Toy Story 4 to Detective Pikachu. It’s pretty easy to find costumes of Buzz, Woody, and Bo Peep at local Halloween stores or online. Or if you’re in more of a closet costuming mood, you can probably whip up a Pokemon trainer outfit from clothes you already own! For extra cool points, orchestrate a whole group of friends dressed as Pokemon trainers and various Pokemon. 

September is National Self-Improvement Month, a time to take stock of where you are in life, from personal relationships and professional development to fitness and social goals. What’s going well, and what do you wish were going better? There are a lot of ways to improve yourself, from small, practical lifehacks to major life changes, but what’s most important is for you to decide what you want to change and how you’re willing to make it happen. If you’re stuck for ideas, check out these 3 self-improvement ideas you can do right here at Lanham Skate Center! 

Make a difference. 

Life can get pretty busy, especially if you have kids, so it can be easy to let charitable activities fall by the wayside. If there’s a cause close to your heart, you can make a difference by raising money with a roller skating fundraiser! Contact us to learn about our private events and fundraiser parties for schools, sports teams, charities, scouting groups, and other worthy causes. 

Be more active. 

Speaking of being busy, how often do you make it to the gym? One important way to improve your life is by getting more exercise! Let’s face it, one of the biggest obstacles for most people is boredom; it’s hard to be motivated to get your workouts in when you’re bored. Fortunately you can jumpstart your physical activity by including some new and fun activities. Roller skating is an excellent choice, because it’s not only fun and social, but can also give you a great full-body workout. Skating strengthens your core and lower body, improves cardiovascular conditioning, and can even help you gain better balance and agility. Check out our schedule to see our open skating sessions. 

Strengthen your relationships. 

One of the most common regrets people express later in life is not spending enough time with loved ones. Whether it’s your spouse, your children, your siblings, your best friend, or even your parents, make it a point to spend some quality time together. Plan a date night with your spouse and enjoy skating to “your song” and holding hands like you did when you first met. Schedule a regular family fun night with your kids when everyone puts down their devices, unplugs, and just has fun hanging out. 
Whatever your self-improvement goals may be, we hope to see you soon at our Lanham skating rink!

If you are anything like us, those ASPCA commercials with Sarah McLachlan playing in the background get you every time. These commercials on the television or the person you see on the street corner make you feel compelled to help in some way.

With all of the hurricane destruction in the forefronts of our minds and televisions, many people are wondering how they can help. Well, there are tons of organizations to donate money, supplies and even blood to. However, why not do something different? Lanham Skate is the perfect place to host the most fun fundraiser yet! Sure, you can throw a bake sale or clothing drive, but doesn’t a skate party sound more fun?

4 Reasons why a skate party makes the best fundraiser

1. Excuse to get the family all together for a night of fun.
2. Ability to meet and interact with new parents in a social setting.
3. Skate parties do not take a lot of money up front or time planning.
4. Local businesses love supporting local organizations.

Here are some ways to make a skating fundraiser even more fun:

• Have a competition between grades, schools in the district, or sports teams to see who has the most attendees and monetary donations.
• Create a theme for the fundraiser.
  • You could do a unified theme like favorite sports jerseys, decades, luau, etc.
  • You could do a divided theme, like color wars, if you plan on doing a competition.
• Suggest costumes with the themes and have a costume contest.

There are so many different ways to get people involved while still having a blast. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about your next fundraiser or party with Lanham Skate.

They say time flies when you’re having fun, but it’s still hard to believe that the first day of school for students in Prince George’s County will be in less than a month, on Tuesday, September 3rd! While you’re checking off those school supply lists, shopping for clothes and backpacks, and stocking up on hand sanitizer, don’t forget to make a reservation for your back-to-school party at Lanham Skate Center! 

Why host a back-to-school party at all? 

There are many reasons to celebrate the start of a new school year with a roller skating party, but these are a few of our favorites: 

• Keep the summer fun going – Returning to a rigid schedule full of catching the bus, homework, and all of the other school year responsibilities can feel like a lot for kids, especially if they’ve spent all summer with a less-structured schedule. A roller skating party will help them remember that the fun doesn’t stop just because school is in session. 
• Break the ice – Even more importantly, a back-to-school skating party can help new classmates break the ice and get more comfortable with each other. And it’s not just the kids who will benefit; parents and teachers will also appreciate getting to know each other outside of the drop-off/pick-up line. 
• Get the kids moving – Summer is a sedentary season for many kids, which can contribute to childhood obesity. Kick off the year with some physical activity by throwing a skating party. Roller skating is a great workout that doesn’t feel like a workout, even though you’re strengthening muscles, improving balance, and burning calories. 

No matter what kind of event you’re planning, we can help you make it a winner! Check out our group event info page to learn more, and give us a call to make your school group reservation today. 

If you love to skate, it makes sense to buy your own pair of skates. Proper care and maintenance will help them last a long time, but eventually, you’ll need to replace your tried-and-true skates. Wondering how to tell when you need new skates? Check out these warning signs that you need to replace your skates and come see us at our pro shop in Lanham, Maryland to get rolling with a new set of wheels.

Nothing lasts forever.

No matter how much TLC you shower on your roller skates, they will eventually succumb to wear and tear. The hardware (trucks, wheels, bearings) can be replaced, but if the boot is cracked or warped, the ankles are shapeless and unsupportive, or the lace holes are torn, there’s not much you can do but retire them and start with a fresh pair. 

They just don’t fit!

OK, this one is more for kids than adults, but it’s really important to wear skates that fit! If your child is outgrowing their roller skates, they need to rent or buy a larger pair to avoid hurting their feet. Do your skates hurt when you wear them? You may have the wrong size skate boot as well. Visit our pro shop for help troubleshooting your skate situation. You may need a different size, or it may be something as easy as changing the way you lace them. 

It’s not you, it’s me.

Sometimes you need to replace your skates not because they are worn out, but because you’ve changed as a skater! If you’ve gone from a beginner or casual skater to participating in jam skating, roller derby, artistic skating, or speed skating, you’ll need to upgrade your skates to an appropriate model designed for that activity. 

Whether you bring your own or rent them from us, we hope to see you soon at one of our upcoming skating sessions!

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or “just because,” it can be hard to choose the perfect gift for someone you care about. Ideally, you want to give them something they wouldn’t buy for themselves; something that they can enjoy for years to come; and of course something that will surprise and delight them! If that sounds like a tall order, don’t worry; your friends at Lanham Skate Center have you covered. The perfect gift is waiting for you at our pro shop!

That’s right, the memorable gift you’ve been wracking your brain to come up with was here all along: roller skates! Learn our top reasons why roller skates are one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give, and how to make your gift extra special for the recipient.

• Roller skates make you feel like a kid again. It’s pretty much impossible to feel stressed or anxious when you’re skating to your favorite tunes! Gifting someone you care about a pair of skates will save them the rental fee every time they go to the skating rink, so they can skate more often and save money.
• There’s a skate to fit every style. These days, roller skates come in pretty much every color and pattern you can think of, not to mention all of the different types – speed skating, roller derby, jam skating, and so much more.
• You’re not just gifting an object, you’re gifting an experience! According to scientists, experiences give people more happiness than possessions. So don’t just give someone the gift of roller skates – plan a trip to your local skating rink as well! As much as they’ll love the gift of their very own skates, they’ll treasure the memories of your skate date even more!

Want to celebrate a noteworthy event, connect with friends and family, or just capture the joy of gliding on wheels? Check out our schedule for hours, prices, and more.

There aren’t many things in this world more fun than a roller skating party – except, of course, a roller skating party with a theme! Because who doesn’t love an excuse to play dress up? If you’re considering hosting a roller skating party in Lanham, check out these ideas to help you level up your party with a retro theme that you and your guests will love. 

1950s Sock Hop Party

Channel the wholesome fun of 1950s drive-ins and sock hops by encouraging your guests to show up in their best mid-century styles. Here are some 50s fashion ideas to get you started: 

• Poodle skirts
• Cat-eye glasses and scarves
• Powder blue jackets
• Your favorite 50s celebrity: Elvis, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe
• Or channel your favorite Grease characters and dress like a Pink Lady or T-Bird!

1970s Roller Disco Party

Roller skating has had many heydays, but the 1970s era of roller disco parties was a golden age for fashion and roller skating alike. Encourage your guests to arrive in these looks: 

• Gold lame, slinky jersey, boldly patterned silk, or any stretchy, shiny material
• Bell bottoms, especially with suede vests, jackets, or boots for a hippie look
• Jump suits, wrap dresses, or hot pants with tall socks or boots
• Don’t forget to add some bright blue eye shadow and big earrings!

1990s Skating Party

The great thing about a 1990s themed party is that you can take it in so many directions. From grunge and riot grrls to classic hip hop to club looks to the X Games, there’s something for everyone – and every closet! 

• Channel your inner Spice Girl or Backstreet Boy.
• Rock flannel, a band shirt, and baggy jeans like grunge musicians of the day.
• Break out those mini butterfly hair clips or wear your hair in space buns.
• Halter tops, spaghetti straps, snakeskin prints, metallic and holo fabrics, or athletic brands like Adidas.
• Emulate one of your favorite iconic 1990s movies like Clueless, The Craft, or Empire Records.
• Dress like your favorite character from Friends, Saved By the Bell, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, or Seinfeld. 

No matter what party theme you choose, you’re sure to have a ball at Lanham Skate Center! Check out our birthday party packages, or contact us to learn more about private events, fundraisers, and more. 

So, you think you can skate. You know how to get rolling, how to (mostly) stay upright, how to fall safely, and how to stop on skates. Maybe you’ve even learned to skate backwards or bust a move when your favorite song comes on. But you want more. You want to learn how to be a better skater – and you’ve come to the right place. 

At Lanham Skate Center, we love helping people learn how to roller skate and build their skills so everyone can enjoy the unique happiness that can only be felt cruising around a skating rink. Read on to learn the answers to some Frequently Asked Skating Questions, and give us a call today to sign up for skating lessons!

I see other people gliding around like they were born on skates. How can I skate like that? 

When learning to skate, you’ve probably been told by plenty of people to “Just relax!” That relaxation, that ease, is what makes experienced skaters look so graceful. But here’s a secret: They didn’t start out that way! Truly great skaters have logged so many hours on the rink that they have muscle memory – they’re not constantly worrying about their feet, so they can sort of “turn their brains off” and go with the flow. So while it might sound cliche, it’s really true: Practice makes perfect. Just keep skating regularly, and eventually it will come to you. 

I skate all the time and I’m tired of paying rental fees. What kind of roller skates should I buy? 

This depends largely on what you enjoy! Are you interested in competing in speed skating, roller derby, or artistic skating? Those activities all require specific types of skates. Take a look at our pro shop to see some of the different options in high top, low top, and inline skates to fit your needs. 

How can I learn roller skating tricks? 

First of all, take lessons! As mentioned above, our Lanham skating lessons are a great way to build your skills. Watch other skaters who have great moves and see what you can learn. And of course, don’t forget about the greatest educational tool the internet has to offer: YouTube! Just search for the type of trick you want to learn, like skating on your heels, doing the grapevine, or how to Moonwalk! 

Just like any new skill, learning to roller skate comes with its share of ups and downs. However, the “downs” of roller skating can be a bit painful if you’re not prepared! If you’re interested in learning to skate, or teaching your child/partner/friend how to skate, check out the benefits of wearing protective skating gear from your friends at Lanham Skate Center.

• First stop, helmets! Helmets are an important piece of safety gear for many sports, but you’ll want to make sure to choose one that is appropriate for the activity. While there is no “concussion-proof” helmet, they can prevent serious head and brain injuries caused by a fall or collision. Check out the CDC’s Helmet Safety page to learn more.
• Next up, elbow and knee pads. These protective pads are a smart choice for beginning skaters, especially if skating outdoors! While taking a fall on the hard floor of a skating rink might not feel great, concrete or asphalt will be even more painful. Wearing elbow and knee pads protects these fragile areas that often take the hardest impacts from falling.
• Last, but not least, don’t forget wrist guards! Learning to skate inevitably involves some falls, and it’s natural to stick your hands out to break your fall. Unfortunately, wrist injuries are one of the most common reasons skaters end up seeking medical attention, so it pays to protect them. Wrist guards provide both impact protection and bracing support to ensure that your tumbles don’t end in an ER visit.

Now that you know safety gear isn’t just for roller derby, you may also want to consider skating lessons. We can teach you how to roll and stop, how to turn, and even how to fall safely! To learn more about roller skating lessons in Lanham, check out our Fun to Roll Lanham skating lessons or contact us at (301) 577-1733!