A child's first time on skates can be the start of a lifelong habit or a cold, teary half hour. The difference usually comes down to preparation: the right session, the right gear and realistic expectations. Here is what experienced skating parents wish they had known.

Choose the right session

A busy public skate on a weekend afternoon is not the best place for a first try. If your city offers them, look for:

  • Parent & tot sessions (also called parent and child, or preschool skates), reserved for young children with an adult. The ice is calmer, the pace is slower and nobody minds a toddler sitting down in the middle of the rink.
  • Family skates, open to all ages but aimed at families.
  • Quiet times: a weekday public skate or the first session of the day tends to be less crowded.

Most parent and tot sessions expect the adult to be on the ice too, on skates. Check the session details: some arenas allow parents in boots, many do not.

Protect the head

Children fall often, and they tend to fall backward. A helmet is the single most important piece of equipment:

  • Choose a hockey helmet certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Hockey helmets are built for falls on ice and impacts with the boards. Many arenas require them for children, and some do not allow bicycle helmets.
  • The helmet should fit snugly, sit level just above the eyebrows and have its chin strap fastened.
  • Replace a helmet after a hard impact, or when it is cracked or no longer fits.

Parents set the example: wearing a helmet yourself makes the conversation much easier.

Dress for the cold, but not too much

  • Warm layers they can move in: a base layer, a fleece, and splash pants or snow pants for a young child who will spend time sitting on the ice.
  • Waterproof mittens or gloves. Wet hands are the fastest way to end a session.
  • One pair of good socks, not two.
  • No long scarves that can catch or trail on the ice; a neck warmer is safer.

Skates that actually fit

It is tempting to buy skates a size or two too big so they last longer. It is also the most common reason children struggle on the ice: their foot slides inside the boot and their ankles collapse. A skate should be snug, with the heel locked in place and the toes just touching the front when standing. Hand-me-downs and second-hand skates are a good option, as long as they fit and the blades are in good shape. Our article on fitting and sharpening skates has more details.

Skating aids

Many arenas lend or rent skating aids: plastic frames or figures that a child can push in front of them. They help a beginner stay upright and build confidence. Use them as a stepping stone: once your child can stand and shuffle forward, encourage a few pushes without the aid. Some sessions do not allow aids, or limit them to young children; ask at the counter.

On the ice

  • Teach falling and getting up first. Show them how to bend their knees and sit down to the side when they feel unsteady, then roll onto their hands and knees, put one foot flat between their hands, then the other, and stand. Practise it a few times on purpose; it takes the fear out of falling.
  • Little steps before gliding. Have them march in place, then take small duck-footed steps with their toes pointing out. Gliding comes later.
  • Hold hands, not arms. Pulling a child by the arms throws off their balance. Skate beside them, or slightly ahead, and offer a hand they can let go of.
  • Stay near the boards at first, and away from the fast lane.
  • Keep it short. Twenty to thirty minutes is plenty for a first time. Stop while it is still fun, and promise to come back.

Supervision

Arenas set their own rules on how old a child must be to skate without an adult; it is common for younger children to need an adult or an older teen with them. Even when it is not required, staying close is the best way to keep a young skater safe in a crowd.

Make it a routine

Progress on skates comes from repetition more than lessons. A regular, short session once a week does more than an occasional long one. Pick a nearby arena with a session that fits your family's schedule, add it to your calendar, and let the habit do the work. When your child is ready for more, many cities offer learn-to-skate programs that build on what you started.

Rules, fees and equipment requirements vary from one arena to another. Before you go, check the session details on the arena's official page, linked from every arena on this site.