Wheels Skating Center

1200 Odenton Road | Odenton, MD | (410) 674-9661 | P.O. Box 439

Ice-Breaker, Friend-Maker: Why You Should Plan a Back-To-School Skate Party

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Boy walking down road with red backpack

Time flies when you’re having fun, and this sure has been a fun summer! While it may be hard to believe, there’s actually less than a month until the first day of school in Odenton. If you have a child in elementary, middle, or high school – or if you teach school – consider planning a back-to-school class party at Wheels Skate Center. 

Why Plan a Back-To-School Party? 

While summer break is a much-needed respite for teachers, parents, and kids alike, it can also be pretty disruptive to learning and socialization for some kids. Check out just a few reasons why you should plan a back-to-school skating party in Odenton this year. 

  • Skating is great for breaking the ice. Instead of those boring icebreaker games we’ve all played dozens of times, doing a group activity gives everyone the opportunity to meet and mingle in a more natural, low-pressure environment. Plus, roller skating is sure to put everyone in a good mood, ideal for making friends and first-impressions. 
  • Skating parties are for everyone. Especially when it comes to elementary and middle school students, it’s important to choose a venue and/or activity that the whole family can attend. Many students have younger siblings, so a roller skating party is an ideal way to ensure the whole family can come without having to get a sitter. 
  • We put the FUN in fundraiser parties! If you’re getting a group together at the skating rink anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone by soliciting donations for your school, organization, or project? We offer school fundraiser events as well as private parties, so you can choose the event that’s right for your group. 

Want to schedule an event with us? Please fill out our reservation request form to get started. 

Summer Birthdays at Wheels Are the Best!

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If there is one thing we do well at Wheels Skate Center, it’s birthday parties. If you’re looking for a fun, all-inclusive, affordable way to celebrate your kid’s birthday, look no further. We’ve got you covered!

Fun for Everyone

Skating can be a great birthday celebration for everyone, which is why when you purchase a birthday party package from us, you unlock fun for people of all ages. Each package includes admission and skate rentals for up to 22 children and 6 parents who are attending the party. That way, parents can keep an eye on their kids on the rink and you won’t be completely outnumbered by the little ones.

Dinner Is On Us

Nothing tastes better than a slice of pizza and an ice cold soda once you step off the rink. That’s why we include one slice of pizza and one 8 oz soda per party member. Plus, we give you a free pitcher of soda so nobody is left thirsting for some cola. You don’t have to worry about clean-up either! The party package includes a table cover, plates, and utensils, as well as 45 minutes at a party table and a hostess to set up and clean up. Leave it all to us!

Party Favors? No Problem

The fun doesn’t end when the kids step off the rink! Our party package comes with a $5 Wheels Stuff Shop Certificate for the birthday child, a coupon for four free group skating lessons for the birthday child, and one free skate pass for each party guest to use at a later date. The fun must go on!


Contact us for more information about birthday parties at Wheels.

To Buy or Not Buy, That is the Question

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Whether you love stylish skates or you prefer the simplicity of rentals, we’re here to help you decide whether it’s time to buy your own roller skates.

Did you know that if you rented skates once a week for a year, it would cost over $300? When you bring a date or your kids, that number multiplies quickly. But how do you know if you really need your own pair of roller skates? Well, there are a few things to consider when making your decision and we’ve broken them down below.

What to consider before buying a pair of roller skates:

  1. Age. Age is the most important factor to consider. Skates are an investment and if your kids’ feet are still growing, then it’s an investment wasted. Wait a few years or look into adjustable skates.
  2. Frequency. As we mentioned earlier, if you rent roller skates often it can really add up. However, if you don’t skate frequently then it may be worth paying the rental fee each time you skate.
  3. Fashion. Skates are completely customizable. If you’re over the rental skate’s basic color scheme, then design a pair of skates that are just your style.
  4. Budget. There are skates and accessories in every style, color and price range. Do some research and compare your favorite styles vs. what’s in your price range. We have an awesome pro shop with a variety of options for you to choose from. If we don’t have what you’re looking for in stock, we can get within a week.

Not sure if you’re ready to invest in new skates? Test out a few rental options while you take advantage of our summer specials. Whatever skates you’re taking for a spin, there’s always fun to be had at Wheels.

Why Protective Gear is Important for Skating Fun

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If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably heard your mom say “it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt” more than enough times. But hey, she has a good point! Skating is always a good time, but it’s important to take safety precautions to ensure that everyone can enjoy themselves and avoid a serious injury. Here are a few reasons why protective gear is vital for having fun at Wheels Skate Center.

Protecting Your Limbs

Purchasing knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards can prevent you from breaking anything important while skating. You’re likely to fall a couple a couple of times, especially if you are new to skating, and it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Protecting Your Brain

This one is especially important! Make sure to always wear a helmet when skating to protect your brain and skull. Helmets can prevent you from getting a concussion if you happen to take a hard fall, so it’s always a good idea to strap one on before hitting the rink. The good news? You can get one at our pro shop!

Protecting Your Hips and Mouth

You probably only need to worry about these two pieces of protective gear if you plan on participating in roller derby, but if you want to be ultra-proactive on safety you can get padded shorts and a mouth guard. These two pieces of gear will keep you from being busted and bruised during a game of roller derby and you can be sure to leave with all of your teeth intact.


Contact us for more ways to protect yourself while skating.

How to Make the Most of Your Summer Break

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Woman listening to headphones outsideSummer break is here! Make sure to make the most of it with these tips:

  • Get Together with Friends – Just because school is out, doesn’t mean you should lose touch with your friends. Make it a point to spend time with your friends so that you’ll have some new stories to share when school starts back up. Our Odenton skating center is the perfect place to catch up with even large groups of friends.
  • Get off the Couch – Skating is a wonderfully effective way to tone up, cross train, and build endurance. If you play a sport during the school year, you don’t want to lose all your conditioning by chilling with Netflix all summer. Skating is a great way to get a cardio and muscle-building workout that will keep you nimble for your sport of choice, but is also low-impact so you’re not stressing your joints in the off season. Skating also burns roughly the same number of calories as jogging (but without the joint stress).
  • Bond with Your Siblings – Being stuck inside with your siblings can lead to headbutting sometimes, but really summer’s a great time to get to know your siblings a little bit better while you’re both out of school. Get out of your house and do something fun with your siblings and you might be surprised how much fun you have together.

So make this summer count by making the most of it! Check out our hours and upcoming Odenton events and then make your plans to visit our Odenton skating center this summer.

Plan Your End of School Party at Wheels!

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Child Working in SchoolSummer is almost here, and school is almost out! This is an exciting time for children, so why not celebrate with them by planning an end of the school year party? You’re sure to make summer special by hosting your party at Wheels Skate Center and here’s why:

  • An End of Year Party Helps Build Healthy Relationships – The end of school can be bittersweet. Summer is fun, but not seeing your friends regularly can be a drag. That’s why starting the summer off with a party is such a good way to keep your child in touch with their friends while engaging in a fun, physical activity!
  • Skating is Perfect for All Ages – It can be hard to keep up with a growing child’s ever changing interests, but skating is a fun activity that has been loved by children of all ages for nearly a hundred years.
  • Kids Love Music – Music makes the party, and thanks to our DJ, you won’t have to worry about picking the right tunes for your party.
  • The Party Doesn’t Quit – At Wheels, your end of the school year party is just the beginning thanks to our Odenton skating summer camps! Our summer camps allow your child to keep the skating fun going all summer.

To start your child’s summer off with a bang, contact us at (410) 674-9661 for more information about hosting an end of the year shindig at our Odenton party venue. And don’t forget to check out our calendar for more fun Odenton summer events, including our summer camps!

You Deserve a Fun Night Out – Here’s Why!

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Woman working at a desk biting pencil from stressDon’t get so used to the daily grind that you forget to take care of yourself! Here’s why you need (and deserve) a fun night out in Odenton:

    1. Work is Stressful – Work is hard. That’s why it’s called WORK. It’s easy to get so worn down by the daily grind that you don’t take care of yourself. Sometimes sleeping in is great, but you also have to make sure to schedule time for activities that are exciting, fun, and new.
    2. Your Kids Are Bouncing off the Walls – Kids are a lot of work! Taking care of kids and all their excess energy is a surefire way to drain all of your energy. Participating in a fun activity (that doesn’t involve chasing little people around for hours on end) is necessary for your mental and physical health.
    3. You Know You Need a Break – Over doing it isn’t good for anyone or anything. Overworking leads to decreased productivity and burn out, so take yourself a break!
    4. Life’s Too Short to Not Make Time for Fun – If you’re not having a little fun every now and again then what’s the point? You don’t really need an excuse to treat yourself with a night away from all the monotony and stress, so go out there and have some fun!

Our Odenton skating rink is the perfect place to treat yourself! Skating is a unique, fun, low-impact activity that melts away stress. So check out our hours and upcoming Odenton events and make plans to treat yourself to a night out.

We Party All of the Time, Not Just for Birthdays!

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roller skates

What is the first thing you think about when you hear “skating rink”? If you thought “children’s birthday,” then you are like most parents. Did you know there is so much more fun to be had at Wheels besides birthday parties?

For our new mothers that are tired of walking the same cul-de-sac every day with the stroller, come to our weekly stroll-n-roll every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-10 a.m.. This is a great way to not only change your scenery, but also meet and chat with other new moms around the area.

For our parents that need a night out or our child-free roller skaters, we have adults only skate sessions every Tuesday from 7:30 until 9:30 p.m.. This is a time to get your friends together and just get away for a few hours of fun.

We also have weekly open skates and lessons for anyone trying to improve their roller skating ability.

Something unique to Wheels Skate Center is that we not only host several roller skating tournaments and championships throughout the year, but we also have our own competitive roller skating team. The roller skating team practices twice a week and participates in various tournaments throughout the year. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you or your child may be interested in participating.

Earlier, we said we don’t only do birthdays, but when we do them, they are awesome! Check out our website for more information on birthday parties at Wheels. We have different package options, time slots and a bunch of awesome surprises for the guest of honor and your party guests.

If you are still wishing for some fun, check out our full monthly schedule here. We hope we’ve debunked any misconceptions you may have had about roller rinks being “birthday parties only”!

How to Teach Your Kids to Skate

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Happy girl smilingSkating is a wonderful activity for the whole family. It’s a low impact exercise, so it’s a great activity for the young and old. Of course, teaching very young children to skate can be tricky, but with a little extra attention, children as young as 3 can learn to skate with relative ease.

Here are some tips to teaching young children how to skate:

  • Be Patient – This one is probably a given for anyone with young children, but it’s worth mentioning. Skating on the rink can be intimidating for a small child, especially when they’re surrounded by much bigger people going much faster.
  • Start with the Basics – When we say “basics,” we mean it. Try starting with falling and safely getting up. Most people don’t think of falling as something to teach, but once a child is comfortable safely falling and getting up, there’s much less for them to worry about.
  • Get Help from the Professionals – Our Odenton skating lessons are designed for skaters of all ages and abilities. Children still learning to skate will fit right in at our Beginner Classes, which focus on teaching basic skills like balancing on skates, proper posture, roller skating safety, how to start and stop, and how to skate forward and backward. Skaters who have mastered these basics can move onto our Intermediate Class, which teaches how to roll on one foot, crossing, how to turn forward to backward and vice versa, and even basic figure skating and dance skating moves.

Our skating lessons are held each Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The cost is only $5.00 and includes a quad roller skate rental. For more information about our Odenton skating lessons (or our private Advanced skating lesson), contact us at (410) 674-9661!

Enjoy a Spring Break Odenton “Staycation”

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Woman laying in sunlight on grassSpring break is nearly here, so it’s time to start planning a few fun family activities to do with your kids. Here are a few family-friendly Odenton “staycation” ideas:

  • Explore the National Wildlife Visitor Center – Just because school is out doesn’t mean that your kids can’t learn something! The National Wildlife Visitor Center has a ton of wonderful things to do both indoors and outdoors. There are dozens of miles of trails which are great for horseback riding, hiking, and bike riding. Inside there are also lots of wonderful interactive environmental exhibits.
  • Visit Be With Me: The Children’s Playseum – This is a cool book and toy store for children, but it is also an amazing experience for families, as the whole place is designed like a child-sized city. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon with your child, and a great place to pick up a new book to read together for a little spring break reading.
  • Skate at Wheels Skate Center – Our Odenton skate center is the perfect place to spend your child’s spring break! Not only is skating fun for all ages, but skating also makes for an amazing exercise. Children are used to daily PE and recess, so without their normal scheduled physical activities, it’s easy to just spend the day on the couch watching TV. But thankfully, skating is the perfect remedy for being cooped up inside all day!

Check out our hours and upcoming Odenton events, and make your plans to spend a little family time at our amazing Odenton skate center.