Corporate holiday parties are expected at most companies, but how often are they actually enjoyable for the employees (and possibly their spouses or partners) in attendance? If you’re in charge of planning your company holiday party, don’t panic. We’re here to help with some tips for planning a corporate holiday party that everyone will love, from the interns to the CEO. 

Skating parties to the rescue! 

Let’s be honest, no one wants to party in the office (except maybe Accounting). You spend enough time there as it is! While booking a venue may seem like a budget-buster, selecting the right venue can make or break your event. 

At Chester Skateland, we host all types of gatherings, from small birthday parties to large private events. You’re not just getting a physical location for your corporate holiday party, you’re also getting atmosphere and entertainment! With the built-in activity of roller skating, you don’t have to come up with tons of activities to fill the evening, and our skating rink is already a fun and festive environment, so you don’t need to worry about hiring a DJ or decorator. 

Give people plenty of notice. 

If you haven’t booked your company holiday party yet, it’s past time! Get in touch as soon as possible to book your event so you can nail down a date and announce it at the office. People may need to arrange for childcare or transportation, and you want to get them before they commit to other holiday social obligations. 

The food and music should both be crowd-pleasers.

No party is complete without great tunes and delicious food. Fortunately you can have both at our Chester skating rink. Unlike some venues, we do allow you to bring in your own food and drinks. When arranging catering for your event, you can go casual with pizzas (because who doesn’t love pizza?) or get fancy with a catered buffet. Just keep in mind that people want to have fun, so a multi-course gourmet meal is not required or appropriate. Instead, consider a taco bar, BBQ, or even a food truck! 

The music is another aspect you want to be sure to get right. Fortunately our private event bookings include a DJ who can spin whatever your crowd is into, from holiday songs to dance hits. 

Add something unexpected. 

Any good party includes a little something extra to surprise your guests. Whether you splurge on gift bags, set up a fun photo booth, or recognize select employees or teams for an outstanding accomplishment, make sure you have something in store beyond the expected. It’s also a nice idea to plan for some time for company leadership to make a speech or toast. The key is to keep it short and sweet! 

The turkey’s been carved, you’re stuffed full of stuffing, and there are only so many times you can compliment Uncle Jerry’s contribution to the dessert table … But your family’s in town for the weekend and you’ve got to come up with something to entertain them. What to do? First of all, don’t panic; we’ve got you covered! When it comes to fun things to do with family during Thanksgiving break, Chester Skateland is the place to be. 

5 Reasons to Go Skating During Thanksgiving Break

Whether you’re entertaining out of town guests or just trying to keep the kids occupied until school starts back, we’ve got the cure for your Thanksgiving break boredom. Check out these reasons to come skating with us, and get ready to have a blast! 

One of the Best Family Fun Deals in Richmond

When planning things to do with family during Thanksgiving break, cost is probably one of your top considerations. After all, some activities can really add up when you have to pay for multiple kids and adults! Fortunately there are ways to save money on family fun in and around Richmond, like our Groupon Deal. 

For a limited time, get admission, roller skate rental, and small sodas for four people for just $18! That’s a value of $50 for less than a $20 bill. We also have a 2-person deal, so head over to Groupon to learn more and get yours before they’re gone! 

Good for All Ages

Aside from the value of skating at Chester Skateland, we’re also a great destination when you want to entertain a mixed group of kids and adults. Skating is fun and accessible for everyone from little kids to teens to parents, and even grandparents. 

We play great music and the atmosphere is always positive and family-friendly. Turns out it’s pretty much impossible to be in a bad mood when you’re cruising around on wheels! 

Healthy and Active Fun 

While there are so many reasons to bring your family to our Chester, Virginia skating rink, one of the most important reasons is the physical activity skating provides. Roller skating isn’t just fun, it’s also a wonderful low-impact exercise that burns calories, tones muscles, improves stamina, and can even improve balance and spatial awareness. 

In addition to helping kids improve their coordination skills, skating is a great cross-training exercise for athletes who run or play soccer, basketball, etc. Because it’s low-impact (meaning it’s easier on your joints) skating can be a gentle way to stay moving even when you need a rest day from more intense forms of exercise. 

It’s easy to fall off the wagon with your fitness routine and nutrition during the holidays, but remember, you can enjoy seasonal treats and still stay active despite the cold weather and shorter days. We hope to see you skating with us soon! 

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? All over the world, people are coming together to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research, as well as public health education and support for patients and families battling this all-too-common disease. 

At Chester Skateland, we believe that one of the most important principles we can pass on to future generations is the power of working together for the common good. That’s why we host Roller Skate To Raise events benefiting a variety of causes near to our hearts, as well as offering incredible private parties and fundraiser events that can help your organization raise money and visibility in the community. Check out these tips to learn how to put on a roller skating fundraiser and how to make your fundraiser successful! 

Plan ahead: Book your event venue early. 

One of the most crucial aspects to planning a roller skating fundraiser event is making your reservation early. It’s always best to lock down your event venue as far ahead as possible so you don’t lose out on prime dates or times. As the holidays approach and people’s social calendars get filled, it can be hard to ensure good attendance if you spring it on them last minute. Planning your fundraiser well ahead of time also ensures that you have adequate time to do this next part. 

Get the word out: Marketing your event. 

Arguably the most important part of planning a skating fundraiser is letting people know it’s happening! Low turnout means fewer people hearing your message and donating to your cause, so you want to shout your fundraiser from the rooftops. Create an event page on Facebook where you can post information and updates; invite your friends and neighbors, even try to get on your local news or radio broadcast! There are also lots of community resources you can use to spread the word—submit your event to local event calendars, newspapers, magazines, and parenting blogs; see if there are any local businesses who would like to cross promote or make a donation. 

Work smarter, not harder: Use these event planning tips. 

Planning a fundraiser event can be extremely time consuming, complicated, and stressful. Fortunately, at Chester Skateland, we make events easy! From birthday parties to charity events, we have experience with events large and small. Let us take some of the stress off your plate so you can focus on the other details. Don’t be afraid to delegate some planning jobs if you need help; people want to be helpful, so let them!

Are you planning a fundraiser event in Chester? If so, we can help you make it a success, so give us a call at 804-748-0379 or use our online form to contact us for private event inquiries. 

With October in full swing, we are seeing pumpkins, brooms, cobwebs and more strewn across our neighbors front yard. Children and adults alike have already begun thinking up a costume for Halloween. We are more than ready to celebrate Halloween at Chester Skateland and we want to help you prepare.

First, do your kids ever ask you how Halloween got started or what it’s about? Do you just ever wonder about the history yourself? Well, here is Halloween history in a nutshell with the help of the History Channel:

Halloween dates back to an old Celtic Festival over 2,000 years ago. The Celts celebrated the end of harvest and the beginning of a cold, dark winter they often associated with death. They believed on October 31st that the worlds of the living and dead collided. They would wear costumes and burn massive bonfires throughout the night to scare the ghosts away. From there the holiday just grew and morphed into what it is today.

After that holiday history refresher, let’s talk about the best ways to celebrate Halloween. First, we have our annual Halloween Spooktober Skate on October 25th at 7:30 p.m.. This fun night of music, skating and scares will be complete with a DJ and everyone in costume. If you want to plan your own Halloween Celebration, Chester Skateland would love to host and help! We have some awesome private party options with the ability to bring your own freaky food and drinks. Our private parties include a DJ to provide music to you and your guests for the entirety of the party.

Want to host a Halloween Party at Chester Skateland but aren’t sure of how to make it something different? We are here to help! Here are some fun ways to spook out your private party at Chester:

• Costume party (obviously).
• Pick a Theme (Day of the Dead, Zombie Apocalypse, famous killers, famous killer couples, Alien invasion).
• Since you can bring your own food to Chester, have everyone bring their favorite spooky or gross dish.
• Onesie Party. Onesies are surprisingly easy to roller skate in and are super comfy. Have your guests find their favorite at Wal-Mart, Target or Amazon for under $20 and see who the party favorite is.
• Start or end the night back at your house with a screening of My Super Psycho Sweet 16, a horror film centered around a roller skating rink.
• For an adult party, collect a few dollars per person and host a costumer contest voted on by all of the guests. Winner(s) get to keep the cash collected.

We hope you learned a little something about Halloween and all of the ways you can celebrate with us at Chester Skateland. Please contact us with any questions you have about our Halloween party, planning one of your own or anything Chester related. We hope you have a hair-raising Halloween and a fantastic fall season.

We live in a time when we have less activity and more screen time. Children are spending more and more time in front of a TV or device rather than up and moving. Schools are cramming in more class time and making less time for recess or PE, which is promoting a sedentary lifestyle.

But is this what’s best for kids? When children are active they’re able to pay better attention in class.  Studies have shown that there is a correlation between physical activity and children’s ability to learn. In Nebraska, a study was conducted of 12,000 students who were tested on their physical fitness through a timed run. Researchers compared the results from the run with students’ test scores and found that the students who were more physically fit had higher test scores. It has also been proven that when students are more physically active, they get better sleep. We all know that we’re not performing our best when we don’t get enough sleep. Better sleep helps kids pay attention in class and remain focused. 

Benefits of Activity for Kids:

• Improved Mood: When we exercise our bodies release endorphins, which are also known as the happy chemical. 
• Better Sleep: Our bodies become tired from exercise, causing us to fall asleep more easily rather than feeling restless right before bed. 
• Increased Memory: Studies have shown that those who exercise are able to distinguish and retain information better than those who don’t. 
• Exercise can be fun!: You can make anything into good physical fitness, whether that’s roller skating or running around outside. Exercise can be done with friends, which makes working out even better.

Here at Chester Skateland, we put a fun spin on exercise. Roller skating has so many health benefits. Just one hour of roller skating burns up to 600 calories! It works muscle groups such as the quads, glutes, abs, calves, and arms. That’s a full body workout! If you’re looking for a good after school activity for your kids, we have you covered. Not only do we offer open skating and roller skating lessons, but we also have a roller hockey program! Exercise is such a vital part of our kids’ health and success. Now let’s make it fun!

Chester Skateland has been around for 40 years, and we pride ourselves on making roller skating fun and accessible to all ages and skill levels. If you’d like to start roller skating in Chester, VA you’ve come to the right place. Check out these frequently asked roller skating questions and answers to start planning your visit! 

How should I dress for a roller skating party? 

Roller skating is a physical activity, so you should dress comfortably in an outfit that gives you a wide range of movement and fits the dress code. And no matter what, make sure to wear or bring socks with you! You won’t be able to rent roller skates without socks, both for hygiene and comfort. Since most skates are cut higher on the ankle, you’ll want to bring tall socks to prevent the top of the boot from rubbing against your skin. 

How old do kids need to be to learn how to roller skate? 

There’s really no hard and fast rule for this; it all depends on your child’s individual development, skills, personality, etc. Some people learn to roller skate as toddlers, but for most kids, 5-8 is a good age range to learn the basics. However, it’s never too late to learn how to roller skate! Our roller skating lessons are a great deal and make it easy to get started. 

What can I expect at the skating rink? 

Well first of all, you can expect to have a lot of fun! Once you get the hang of it, roller skating is a great way to relax, socialize with friends, get some exercise, and enjoy great music. Here at Chester Skateland, we have a Pro Shop with everything you need to customize your skates and your overall look, from wheels and skate bearings to novelties and glow accessories. Expect to hear some classic jams and new favorites that get you in the rhythm. 

Birthday parties come in all shapes and sizes these days, but have you ever hosted a birthday party at a roller skating rink?

If you have, we are giving you all of the reasons why it is time for another. If you haven’t, we’ll give you all of the reasons why it is time for a birthday at Chester Skateland.

What you need to know about Chester Skateland birthday packages:

1. We have three different party packages.
2. You may bring your own dessert.
3. All of our packages come with some sort of food from our fully-stacked food bar.
4. All of our packages include free admission and skate rentals to party guests.
5. There is only a small deposit at time of booking.

We are also running a summer birthday special through August 31st. The package includes admission and skate rentals for the birthday child and ten of their friends, pizza, soda and paper goods. This special is only $99 through the rest of the month and is valid on Saturdays and Sundays, so make your reservation today!

Want to put a fun twist on your roller skating party? We have included a list of fun but safe ways to put a fresh spin on your next Chester Skateland birthday party.

• Wear your favorite sports jersey.
• Have everyone dress in the Birthday girl or boy’s favorite color.
• Make it a white party and bring glow sticks or fun UV face paint.
• Wear your favorite pair of high socks.
• Match your cake or dessert with whatever theme you choose.
• Send out themed invitations or e-vites.

We would love to celebrate you or your loved one’s next birthday with you. If you have any questions about a party or anything roller skating related, don’t hesitate to contact us.

A new pair of custom roller skates today, can cost anywhere between $100 and $1000. So how do you know if you should make the investment or stick with the trusty rentals?

When deciding whether or not to purchase your own pair of roller skates, there are a few factors to consider.

1. Age. This is the most important factor because if your feet are still growing then buying skates is a waste of money. Roller skates are not cheap and if you are still growing then you could need new skates in a matter of months.
2. Frequency. How often you roller skate should play a factor in buying your own pair. If you go monthly or weekly, investing in custom roller skates would be a great idea. However, if you only go every couple of months, we would suggest increasing your time at Chester Skate before investing in your own skates.
3. Budget. Like we said earlier, skates can range a ton in price. For this reason, we suggest finding which boot, wheels and accessories you like and feel best with your feet. From there, see how much the ideal skate for you would cost. Chester Skate Pro Shop has a variety of roller skates and accessories. Stop in or call with any questions you have.

We hope our tips help guide you in the right direction to buy skates or stick with our trusty rentals. If you have any questions about roller skate purchases or anything roller skate related, feel free to contact Chester Skate and we would be happy to help!

Are you learning to roller skate? If so, congratulations! Roller skating is not only a fun social activity, but can also help you stay in shape. Once you’re confident staying upright on skates, it’s time to learn how to stop once you’re in motion. Today, we’re going to teach you how to T-Stop on skates, one of the many skating skills covered in our roller skating lessons! 

How to stop on skates

There are several common methods of stopping on roller skates: 

• Knee Stop (only if wearing knee pads)
• Using the toe stop on quad skates or the heel stop on inline skates
• Plow Stop
• T-Stop

How to do a T-Stop

1. Bend your knees – This is important to lower your center of gravity and help you keep your balance when coming to a stop.
2. Move your feet into position – Your dominant foot should move forward slightly, while your non-dominant foot moves backward. Shift more of your weight onto your dominant/front foot, so that your non-dominant/back foot will be free to reposition. 
3. Make the T – Raise your back foot slightly so that you are gliding on only your front foot. Turn your back foot at a 90 degree angle, perpendicular to your front foot. Gently lower your back foot, allowing it to make contact with the skating rink floor. Continue to keep most of your weight on your front foot. 
4. Maintain your trajectory – Keep your hips facing forward in line with your front foot. If you allow your hips to open up or get pulled to the side, you’ll start to veer off course, which could result in a collision with another skater. 
5. Come to a stop – Continue dragging your back foot until you come to a stop. The more pressure you apply to that foot, the faster you’ll stop – but be careful not to stomp down too abruptly or you may lose your balance. 

If you want to learn more basic roller skating skills, we encourage you to join our skating lessons at Chester Skateland! And remember, practice makes perfect, so you can always come out to our open skating sessions to hone your skills and have a great time!