Your kids will never experience the rush of Xanadu, but with disco balls and thumping music over the loud speakers, what’s retro has become cool again. Roller skating is a low-impact, aerobic workout under the guise of a limbo stick and the Hokey Pokey. With family-focused skate times and inline skates available at most rinks, the kids will be too busy hugging the curves to realize they’re exercising. Book your kid’s next birthday party or just go for an inexpensive family date night or lesson at these skating rinks in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Texas Skatium // Garland
Lace up your skates for ’80s nights with the family each Thursday from 6:30–8:30pm and hit up the bounce houses anytime during open hours Thursday–Sunday. Show up at 10am for Saturday morning lessons and check their calendar for occasional all-night skates throughout the year, like New Year’s Eve.
2020 Rowlett Road, Garland; 972/240-6455
Southern Skates Roller Rink // Dallas
This city-owned rink, managed by Dallas Park & Recreation, is open Thursdays through Sundays during select hours, with late nights on Thursdays reserved for adults 18 and up and Saturday nights reserved for teens. For the fall season, the rink also opens up on Wednesdays for open skate. $3 admission before 5pm and $5 after 5pm; $3 skate rental or bring your own (skates or blades welcome); $5 for skate mates, which help children learn to balance on their own.
2939 E. Ledbetter Drive, Dallas; 214/670-1190
Forum Roller World // Grand Prairie
Bring your own skates, rent them or invest in a new pair from the pro shop at this rink, open Tuesdays and Fridays through Sundays. Thursdays is 21 and up only from 9:30pm–1am. Look online for the latest coupons and skating lesson schedule, usually on Saturday from 11am–noon. The intro class runs only $7, including rental skates, or you can buy the class pass for $50 for 6 weeks. Print the online coupon for Sunday Family Fun Day deal: $50 for four admissions and skate rentals, four large drinks and a large pizza.
1900 S. Great SW Pkwy., Grand Prairie; 972/641-0661
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Interskate Roller Rink // Lewisville
This family-favorite rink offers a special way for the kids to develop stability on wheels. Rent a three-wheeled PVC walker available in three different heights for $2 per hour. For a bargain price of $3 for admission and skate rentals, join the open skate for Moms & Tots from 9–11am on Wednesdays or skate lessons each Saturday from 9–10am.
1408 South Business Hwy 121, Lewisville; 972/221-4666
Arlington Skatium // Arlington
Kids too young to skate by themselves? No problem. Join other moms during the Preschoolers/Stroller Skate on the first Friday of the month from 10am–noon. Older siblings are welcome on the floor and skate trainers are available for $4. The rink is open Wednesday–Sunday and offers lessons from 10–11am on Saturdays. Pay $6 per lesson, or get a $25 punch card for five. Double up on lessons on Wednesday nights at 5:30pm followed by a Cheap Skate from 6:30–8:30pm.
5515 S. Cooper St., Arlington; 817/784-6222
Thunderbird Roller Rink // Plano
Only cash is accepted at this rink in Plano, open weekends with a family skate on Sunday from 2–5pm. Admission includes quad skate rental, or pay $3 extra for inline skates. For lessons on the basics, join other beginners of all ages on Saturdays from 10–11am. You’ll learn how to safely move forward, stop and skate in reverse. The $10 fee covers the open skate session afterward.
3200 Thunderbird Lane, Plano; 972/422-4447
Westlake Skate Center // Garland
Search for #westlakeskatecenter on TikTok to see the smooth operators who frequent this rink that’s been family-owned and operated for over 40 years. Open Thursdays through Sundays during select hours, and open on the first and third Wednesdays for (alcohol-free) adult nights from 8:30–11:30pm ($10). Bring the kids on Thursdays when admission is only $4. The prices for public skate times include regular skates; additional $3 to rent inline or speed skates.
413 S. Yale Drive, Garland; 972/272-0921
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Dad’s Broadway Skateland // Mesquite
“Dad” is owner Randy Dryke, who opened the rink in 2001. You may see his grandchildren working the rink when you bring your own kids for family night on Tuesdays (open 6–8pm for $2) or for lessons on Saturdays (1–2pm for $8).
3022 Moon Drive, Mesquite; 972/279-0421
RollerWorld NorthEast // Haltom City
Bring your older kids for teen night on Fridays, and rent a Skate Mate available at different heights for your little ones. All ages are welcome to the Wednesday night Cheap Skate for $3 and at the Saturday morning skate lessons for $6.
5817 Denton Hwy., Fort Worth; 817/485-8222
Redbird Skateland // Duncanville
Open Thursdays through Sundays. Come on Saturdays from 11–11:45am for all-ages skating lessons ($5 includes skate rental), and come on the first Thursdays month: $4 admission toddler and stroller skate from 9–10:30am for 5 and younger and for homeschoolers of all ages from 10am–noon.
1206 N. Duncanville Road, Duncanville; 972/298-7400
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Image: iStock
