How to Teach Kids to Ice Skate

Posted on Jan 17, 2015 | 0 comments

With winter well underway, ice skating has been on my brain. Ice skating is one of my favorite things to do in the winter. Whether we can go outside on a frozen pond or to an indoor rink, ice skating is something I have looked forward to doing with my children for a long time.

We recently went ice skating (a few times!) to an indoor rink on a trip back east. It was so much fun, I can’t wait to go again! Though we do not have any public rinks here in Malibu, there are a few in our neighboring towns. There is another week to visit the Woodlands Hills Ice Rink and a few more days in Santa Monica. There is also a year round Ice Rink in Simi Valley that I have not yet tried.

When you teach your kids to ice skate, you are spending quality family time with them and building a bond that will last a lifetime.

Here are some tips that really helped make our ice skating experiences not only successful but really fun too!!

1^st Tip: How to Teach Kids to Ice Skate

Dress properly! They are going to fall, go for as much padding as you can! I had my kids in thick snow pants. Also put a helmet on them! I had mine wear their ski helmets. If you have ever seen someone take a nasty dump on the ice, you know how unforgiving this can be with only a small hat for protection! Please, make sure they have thick socks, pants, gloves and a helmet on – it will make a huge difference.

2^nd Tip: How to Teach Kids to Ice Skate

Use skates with the teeth in front only. I figured this one out the hard way. On the first day we rented skates. My daughter was given the figure skates with teeth on the front, my son hockey skates – no teeth. Because it was his first time, those skates were too slippery for him. He could not even get moving, while his sister was jammin away – it was a disaster!! I exchanged them for the ones with teeth and it was much, much better!

3^rd Tip: How to Teach Kids to Ice Skate

Let them walk a bit before they get on the ice in their ice skates. This will allow them to find their ankle balance.

4^th Tip: How to Teach Kids to Ice Skate

Call ahead to make sure they have some kind of walker for the kids to use. This will not only save your back but help build your little one’s confidence faster as they can do it without you holding onto it. I did have them hold onto the front and stand with their knees slightly bent then I put my arms under theirs and held onto the side of the walker and skated pushing us forward so they could get the feeling. I did this for 2 laps and then they wanted to try it on their own. If you are heading to a frozen pond (that you have checked to make sure is frozen threw), bring boxes for the kids to lean on, or try an umbrella stroller – I have and that worked great for balance, or stack two milk crates – all are good options for you to use to teach kids to ice skate with.

5^th Tip: How to Teach Kids to Ice Skate

Teach them to stabilize, fall and stop first. They are going to fall, just like we do! Show them how, teach them if they feel out of control to get into The Safety Position: bend knees, put hands on knees. This will slow them down and help stabilize them. Show them the ‘pie position’ and have them lean towards the inside of their skate so they get the feeling of how to stop.

6^th Tip: How to Teach Kids to Ice Skate

Be encouraging and have fun!! When they see you having fun and encouraging them along, their progress will be limitless! Enjoy this time with your kids!