If you haven’t yet come to see the newly renovated Skate-O-Rama, then you must pay us a visit soon. We closed for a couple of months at the end of 2013 to undergo massive and much-needed, renovations. The result? A bright, vibrant and exciting roller skating rink in East Texas. This is the perfect destination for birthday parties, fun family nights or just anytime you feel the need to get out of the house and have a good time.

The renovations included gutting the entire facility and starting anew. We have new carpet, a new kitchen and new bathrooms. Basically, the only thing that was not replaced was the roller rink itself, but it did get spruced up. The new paint and carpet have brightened up the entire facility, and you won’t even recognize it anymore.

We have updated the eating areas:

 

 

 

 

 

And the party area as well:

 

 

 

 

 

We also have given the skate rental counter a new look:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, of course, the rink itself:

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are very excited to share these before and after pictures with you, but you cannot experience the excitement in the atmosphere simply from a photo. You need to come see us in person. We have skating sessions on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For specific hours, you can check our schedule, and we cannot wait for you to see it and let us know what you think.

These Spring months are a popular time for birthday parties as well as end of season celebrations for sports. Kids have spent the past three months learning team building skills through soccer, football, baseball, lacrosse and other team sports. Yet, come April/May the seasons start concluding, and what better way to celebrate than by having an end of season party at the roller rink.

Party Venues in Eastern Texas

Skate Ranch and Skate-O-Rama offer some of the most affordable party packages in Eastern Texas. In fact, when you take into consideration everything you need to purchase in order to host a party at home or at a park as well as your time investment, having your party at one of our roller rinks can actually be cheaper.

All of our party packages include two hours of skating time as well as access to our party area. We provide pitchers of soda and snacks of your choice (basically you can choose popcorn, hot dogs or pizza based on the party package you prefer). We provide all of the tableware that you might need – plates, cups, napkins, etc. Then the icing on the cake is that you get to go home and leave the mess to us.

Party times are available on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays and you can book online for added convenience. So, whether you are celebrating a birthday or the end of your sports season, there is no question that a skating party would be a tremendous hit with everyone.

The 2014 Winter Olympics concluded a few weeks ago, and one of the most popular events is the figure skating. While watching these amazingly talented athletes, you can’t help but think “They make ice skating look so easy.” And while that is part of the beauty of the sport, skating is easy for these Olympians. In most cases, they began skating on the ice at only 3 years old (or sometime around then). Starting that young makes skating second nature to them. They are completely comfortable on the ice, and skating comes just as easily as walking. The same “start them young” concept applies to roller skating as well.

Although you may not be training a future Olympians, if you want your kids to take to skating with ease and confidence, you have to start them young. We’ve seen skaters as young as 2 on the rink before. Basically, as long as they are walking without difficulty, you can introduce them to skates. There are tools to help make the transition from walking to skating as smooth as possible, including skates that attach to the shoes and skate mates. Skate mates (pictured to the left) help keep your young skater balanced by giving him/her something to hold on to while skating, and we have them available at our Texas roller rinks on a first-come, first-served basis for $3.

Every week, we provide the perfect setting for you to introduce your young kids to skating with our ‘Lil Bit Skate. The ‘Lil Bit Skate takes place Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon at both Skate Ranch and Skate-O-Rama, and it is restricted to kids 11 years old and younger, plus their families. The rinks will be filled with kids the same age and the same skate level as your own, so you don’t have to worry about big kids going too fast or weaving around your young skater. Admission is only $3 for the ‘Lil Bit Skate, and your Kids Skate Free passes are valid during this time.

If you have any questions about the best methods for introducing your young toddler to skating, please do not hesitate to contact us and we would be delighted to help.

Most likely, the first thing you do upon entering Skate Ranch or Skate-O-Rama is head to the skate rental counter to get your skates. Yes, it is incredibly convenient not to have to worry about bringing your own and just spend the extra $3 for skate rental at these Texas roller rinks. However, there are quite a few advantages to having your own pair of skates as opposed to relying on the roller rink to provide them.

Owning Skates Can Save Money

Purchasing a pair of your own skates is more of an investment up front, but over the long haul,  you will end up saving money by not paying the extra $3 for skate rental every time you come skating.

Your Own Skates are More Comfortable

How many times have you had to guess the appropriate skate size at the counter? Then, you try it on and find, while it is perfectly fine, there is just something kind of off about the fit. Maybe you need the skate to be a little wider or you would like one that rests below the ankle. Well, when you purchase your own skates, you can find one that fits your perfectly. Also, have you noticed that once you wear shoes multiple times that they sort of form to fit your foot? Well, the same thing can happen with skates.

You Get To Express Your Personal Style

While our rental skates are perfectly acceptable for hours of skating, they don’t really offer a lot of style. When you buy your own, you can make a fashion statement with your skates. Roller skates come in a variety of different colors, and so do the wheels and laces. In fact, with your own skates, you can change the color of the wheels as often as you want.

If you want to purchase your own skates, we sell them! Next time you are at Skate Ranch or Skate-O-Rama ask to see one of our catalogs and we can place your order. Whether you are looking for speed, inline skates or something eye-catching, we will help you find the perfect skates for your needs and that fit your feet perfectly. Of course, we will always have skates available for rent as well.

Planning a child’s birthday party can be an overwhelming ordeal. You want to provide your child with a party that he/she will cherish for years to come as well as delight all of his/her friends, but you also don’t want to spend an exuberant amount of money. Due to budget restrictions, many people are resorting to hosting birthday parties at home, but is this really the cheaper option? Let’s break it down and see.

Our basic roller skating birthday party package is only $70, and that is for 10 kids plus the birthday boy/girl, which equates to less than $7  per person. This package includes two hours of rink time, skate rentals, four pitchers of soda, unlimited popcorn, invitations and a party hostess. The only thing you will have to bring in addition is a cake and goody bags. You could easily pull off your child’s birthday party for less than $100, and you don’t have to deal with cleaning up after the party.

So the big question is could you host a party at home for 11 kids and still come in under $100? While you will save money on renting a space, every single detail is now on your shoulders and your wallet. You are responsible for the invitations, snacks, beverages, cake, goody bags and the entertainment. Plus, at home entertainment can still run a hefty price tag, especially if you plan on renting a bounce house or hiring a magician. Then there is also the hassle of actually hosting the party at your house. You need to make sure your house is clean and in “party condition” before everyone arrives, then you have to clean up the destruction once it is over.

Spare yourself the hassle of hosting a party at home, especially since it is not always the cheapest option. We promise to do everything in our power to make your child’s party a spectacular experience, and we offer a variety of packages that are sure to cater to your needs. You can even make your reservations online. So, book your kid’s next party at a Texas roller skating rink, and call us if you have any questions.

photo credit: Doug Kline via photopin cc

It’s time to let our best kept secret out of the bag for all families to take advantage of – KidsSkateFree.com. Both of our Texas roller skating rinks are part of the program, and all you have to do is sign up with an email address to start receiving coupons every week. The passes are valid for kids 12 and younger and do not include skate rentals.

Now is a great time to sign up for Kids Skate Free because the unpredictable winter weather makes it difficult to get outside and play. On the days that it is too cold or raining, you won’t be confined to the house since you have free passes to the roller skating rink. It will be so nice to be able to get the kids out of the house while maintaining your budget.

The passes can be used during the following hours:

• Tuesday 6 to 8 p.m.
• Friday 5 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 5 p.m.
• Sunday 12:30 to 5 p.m.

We are big advocates for keeping kids active, and, in our opinion, roller skating is the best option around. By participating in the Kids Skate Free program, we hope that we are providing Lufkin and Nacogdoches with cheap things to do for the family, and making it possible for all kids to enjoy some active play every week.

Sign up today so that your kids can skate free at Skate Ranch or Skate-O-Rama.

Roller skating has returned to Nacogdoches since Skate-O-Rama has re-opened after a major renovation. January 1, 2014 was our first day back and we are humbled by the support of the community. Thank you to everyone for coming out to see the new and improved Skate-O-Rama.

We completely gutted the old rink to make way for new construction. In fact, the only thing that we kept from the original structure was the maple floor, but even that got spruced up to enhance its natural beauty and really make it shine. For more specifics about the renovation check out the Daily Sentinel. They wrote a beautiful feature story about our re-opening, and it includes details about what has changed.

With all of the new improvements, there is no denying that Skate-O-Rama is now the perfect destination for roller skating in Nacogdoches. We’ve opened with a new look and new hours:

• Tuesday 6 to 8 p.m. – Take it Back Tuesday features $1 admission, $1 drinks, hot dogs and pizza slices
• Friday 5 to 7 p.m. – Family Skate Friday with $3 admission
• Friday 7 to 10 p.m. – Teen Night Friday with $7 admission
• Saturday 10 a.m. to noon – Lil’ Bit Skate (for skaters 11 and younger plus their families) with $3 admission
• Saturday 12:30 to 5 – Afternoon skate $6 admission
• Saturday 8 to 11 p.m. – Family Fun Night where you purchase a family fun pack for $29 and get admission for four, four soft drinks and four hot dogs or one large pizza. Individual admission is $7
• Sunday 12:30 to 5 – Lazy Day Skate with $6 admission

*Admission does not include skate rentals, which is $3

Of course you will want to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on our special holiday hours and events. Also, remember that we are a great venue for your next birthday party, corporate event, family reunion or other celebration. We have a variety of different party packages, which you can now book online. We are so happy to be open again and serving the Nacogdoches community. See you soon!

Roller skating in Lufkin is no longer limited to the weekends. Yes, Skate Ranch is happy to report that we have new hours effective today – December 6, 2013.  Not only are we implementing new hours, but we have a variety of different skating options for everyone to enjoy:

Tuesday Night Skating:

You will not want to miss our Take it Back Tuesday nights, and it could be the best deal in town for some family fun. We will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday nights, and admission is only $1. You read that right, $1 admission!! We will also have food and drink specials – like dollar drinks, hot dogs and slices of pizza.

Family Skate Friday:

If you are looking for a bargain of a way to spend Friday evenings, bring the family to Skate Ranch from 5 to 7 p.m. This is Family Skate Friday and the admission is only $3 per person. The evening concludes early enough for everyone to make their bedtime.

Teen Night:

Friday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. are now reserved for teens – it’s important for them to get some time to themselves. Admission is $7.

‘Lil Bit Skate:

Saturday mornings will now be all about the youngins’. From 10 a.m. to noon, children 11 years old and younger will have the rink to themselves – well them and the family members that accompany them. Admission is only $3.

Family Fun Night:

Saturday nights are the family fun nights. So, bring the whole crew and take advantage of our $29 family fun pack, which includes admission for a family of four, four regular soft drinks and four hot dogs or one large pizza. An adult must be present to receive the fun pack deal. Individual admission is $7.

Afternoon Skate:

On Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 5, Skate Ranch will be open for afternoon skate. All ages are welcome and admission is only $6.

We should mention that admission does not include skate rental, which is $3. See you this weekend at Skate Ranch!

With the holidays upon us, it is common for you to start to worry about all of the excess calories you’ll be consuming. No doubt, you have been invited to a plethora of parties, and you may even be hosting one of your own. The stores are filled with tasty cookies, cakes and candies, some of which are sure to make their way into your home. Everyone wants to enjoy this time of year, and sampling all of the festive treats is one of the ways we celebrate.  So, we say, don’t avoid the goodies, just earn those extra calories by skating.

What do you consider to the best form of exercise? Running? Cycling? Lifting weights? Yes, these are all great ways to get in shape, but we think the best form of exercise is the kind where you don’t even realize you are doing it. Say, for example, roller skating. So, let’s go over a few reasons why you should include roller skating in your fitness routine.

Low Impact

Any runner will tell you that running is hard on the body. The high impact from basically jumping up and down on asphalt or concrete for extended periods of time can result in knee problems, back problems or both. This is why you will find runners are very particular about their shoes. Skating, on the other hand, is a low impact aerobic exercise. So, you can skate for long periods of time and not have to worry about what it is doing to your joints.

Complete Aerobic Workout

Roller skating is equivalent to jogging in terms of health benefits, and it targets more muscle groups. Obviously your legs and glutes get a workout, but also your abs, back, shoulders and arms as you try to balance. Plus, it is a cardiovascular exercise, so you are giving your heart a workout, too. In terms of calories burned per hour, it depends on how vigorously you are skating, but  just one hour of moderate roller skating has been proven to burn 330 calories for a 143-pound person. So, even when you aren’t really trying,  you are still burning more calories than during a brisk walk.

It’s Fun

This point goes back to the “don’t really know you are exercising” thing. When you put on your running shoes and spend 30 minutes on the treadmill, you are aware that you are exercising, and, if you are anything like me, you spend those 30 minutes thinking “how much longer.” However, when you put on roller skates and circle the rink with your friends, laughing and singing along to music, the idea that “I’m getting a great workout” doesn’t really sit heavily on your mind. Instead you think “I’m having so much fun!”

So, enjoy those holiday cookies and the cakes that only come out during this time of year – just make sure you are visiting our Texas roller skating rinks every week!