Roller skating has been a favorite pastime for generations of American kids; though the popularity of skating rinks peaked in the 1970′s and 1990′s, there are still hundreds across the country. These rinks are often one of the childhood institutions of a community; here are ten of the reasons why kids keep coming back.

1. Physically Active Pastime – Though American children are coming under fire for their sedentary lifestyle and dependence on technology, there are plenty of kids who crave an outlet for their boundless energy. Hitting the skating rink is a great way to burn off that energy while having fun.
2. Inclement Weather-Proof – Unlike many other school break and weekend activities, a trip to the skating rink won’t be canceled due to bad weather. These indoor fun facilities almost always have a snack bar for refreshments, making an off-site snack break unnecessary.
3. Social Interaction – Kids that are a bit too young for group outings but too old for arranged play-dates love visiting the skating rink with their friends. Parents can supervise from a respectful distance, leaving kids to feel a bit of independent social interaction.
4. Games and Races – Most skating rinks stage races or skating-related games throughout the day at scheduled intervals. These activities can keep kids interested for an entire afternoon, without a single cry of boredom.
5. The Pride of Learning a New Skill – Younger kids who are just learning to skate love their visits to the rink because they can show off their newly-acquired skill. This boost in self-esteem can often spill over into other areas, leaving kids confident and ready to tackle new things.
6. Improving Their Skills – After kids become established skaters, there’s still always room for improvement. Learning to skate backwards, at high speeds or perform other tricks keeps them interested in honing their skills.
7. Competing With Their Friends – Because they’re competitive by nature, kids love to challenge their friends to races and other displays of skill at the skating rink. This good-natured competition inspires kids to try their best, and to tenaciously pursue their goals.
8. Building a Peer Group Outside of School – The community skating rink can often be a social hub for kids from several different schools, allowing them to widen their social circle and make new friends.
9. Couples’ Skate – Puppy love might be unsettling for some parents, but it’s an almost unavoidable part of childhood. Innocently skating hand-in-hand during the Couples’ Skate might irk some of the grown-ups and charm others, but it’s certainly one of the things that tweens and young teens like best about an afternoon at the rink.
10. Age-Appropriate Throughout Childhood and Teen Years – Very few activities are age-appropriate from toddlerhood to high school, but roller skating is one of them. A quick glance around a busy roller rink is enough to register the fact; little ones inching forward cautiously with the help of a parent while older kids and teenagers glide by effortlessly. When other interests are set aside for fear of teasing or seeming “babyish,” roller skating is one that kids can hold on to.