We tried roller skating for the first time today at Skateland, which is in north Des Moines, just south of Johnston. Overall, it was a great experience but it was my husband and I who enjoyed skating, whereas my kids preferred to play arcade games and eat snacks from the concession stand.
Roller skating was really popular when I was a kid, and everyone I knew skated regularly so I was surprised to see that very few kids there today knew how to roller skate. The good news is that the skate trainers you can rent come in various heights, in fact I saw a grandma using one too.
The prices are reasonable, but they can really add up. There's the admission fee, skate rental fee, skate trainer fee (if needed), and locker rental fee ($10 but you get $7 back when you return the key). I really wish they had cubbies for shoes and jackets. Most people avoided paying for a locker by leaving their jackets, bags and shoes on the tables, which meant there was nowhere to sit when eating snacks.
They play games every 20 minutes, which was the only part of skating my kids enjoyed. Their favorite game was played to the song You've Got a Friend in Me. Each time they announced "Andy's Coming!" everyone had to drop to the floor and lay still.
I'd like to visit again, but next time on a Wednesday because they have a discounted deal from 4-8 pm where admission + skate rental is only $10. They also offer lessons, which I'd like my kids to try.
