As parents, we want what’s best for our children and their well-being. With screentime on the rise, we worry about them leading a sedentary life, and rightly so.

According to Medline Plus, health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle include obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and even increased feelings of depression and anxiety.

But how do we get our kids to put down the screen long enough for physical activity? The best way to do so is to make it fun so they don’t feel like it’s a chore. 

Roller skating can be a relaxing and enjoyable way for our kiddos to do some exercise without even noticing it. 

You can choose a peaceful, scenic route, or you can take your youngsters to a skating rink, such as Portland’s Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink, for some fun for the entire family. 

Benefits of Roller Skating

Incorporating physical activity into our daily lives can have a long-lasting impact. For children, it can create healthy habits early on that can last a lifetime.

Skating of any kind can be a wonderful, easy way to improve everyone’s fitness levels. According to the American Heart Association, roller skating can be a great way to be active and heart-healthy. 

Moreover, roller skating can be a whole-body aerobic exercise since it provides resistance training as it works many of your muscle groups, like glutes, quads, abs, calves, and arms.

Furthermore, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, you only need about five minutes of aerobic activity to stimulate anti-anxiety effects.

With so much uncertainty and stress our children face nowadays, it’s great to know roller skating can be an easy and beneficial activity you can enjoy with your children.

Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink

Taking your kids to the Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink is an easy, healthy solution to combat screen addiction and a sedentary lifestyle.

Cold or rainy days in the Northwest can sometimes hinder your outdoor plans. And there is only so much you can do at home to get your kiddo’s energy out and heart rates up. 

The beauty of the rink, aside from the affordable prices, is that your children can still be physically active in a fun, indoor setting when the weather keeps them from exercising outside. 

History

As the oldest in the country, the Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink is famous across the United States and is considered the largest one west of the Mississippi.

Established in 1905, the rink is part of Oaks Park, one of the “oldest continually operating amusement parks in America.”

To help conserve a piece of Portland’s history, in 1985, the Bollinger Family donated Oaks Park to the non-profit Oaks Park Association.

Location

The Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink is located within the amusement park, about 10 minutes from downtown Portland, on the southeast end of Sellwood Bridge. 

By car, you can find the park at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202.

If you choose eco-friendly transportation to the park, the closest bus stop to the park is roughly a mile walk from it. However, keep the bus schedule in mind during the weekends, as service may be limited.

Cycling to the park when the weather permits can be a great way for your family to get to the park since it is adjacent to the Springwater Corridor Trail. You can find bike racks next to the Ferris Wheel inside the park.

Details

The skating rink offers a fun bonding opportunity for the whole family. It is open to the general public from Tuesday through Sunday. Depending on the day and time, you may enjoy wonderful pipe organ music, a mix of fun top 40s and retro hits, or a guest DJ during your skating session.

Check their Spring Session Schedule on their homepage for times and their hours calendar for summer, holiday, and school-out hours. 

At $12 per skater, the admission includes standard skate rental. It is best to purchase tickets in advance as the number of spaces is limited per session. Non-skaters are welcome free of charge.

A fun aspect of the Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink is the variety of Specialty Sessions they offer. From Adult Skate to Gay Skate and themed special nights, like Retro Roll and Glow Skate, there is something for everyone. Be sure to check age restrictions, as some Specialty Sessions are for those 18 or 21 and older. 

For the little ones, they offer Kid’s Morning and Preschool Skate. Check age specifications as well as dates and times available.

Additional Attractions

Once you are done with your fun exercise activity at the rink, you can make your way to the amusement park where you can enjoy 24 rides, play carnival or arcade games, try your hand at Chipper’s Woods Miniature Golf Course, or enjoy a meal or snack at their various cafes, grills, and food carts.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your children physically active is not always easy. The best way to motivate them to lead an active lifestyle is to introduce fun activities to keep those habits going. 

Roller skating has many health benefits, and it is an enjoyable way to add a fun activity to your child’s routine. Visiting skating rinks, like Portland’s Oaks Park Skating Rink, is a wonderful way to bond with your kids while having fun and exercising.