Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For helmet and gear, what does kid wear to learn to ice skate for protection? Does bike helmet work? Mitten or snow glove? And, does kid need to wear elbow or knee pad?

And, what do they wear in summertime when they go to indoor ice skating arena to ice skate?

Bike helmets work (I think; I grew up figure skating and don't remember wearing anyone ever wearing a helmet but I think they're standard these days/around here). Gloves should be tight so kids can grip things with them on. I'd only provide knee pads if the kids ends up consistently falling on their knees/gets bruised. For skating indoors in summer, same as in winter (although obviously in layers to avoid overheating on the way there). But I think unless they get serious about it, most people just do casual ice skating in the winter. And if you're serious about it, it's a good workout, so you're not really wearing a lot of clothes -- leggings or tights and a practice dress, maybe a sweater and gloves.

Also endorse the PP's suggestion of buying kids their own secondhand skates. If they're only skating socially, skates last for ages and can be resold/passed on when the kids grow. Rental skates aren't well maintained or sharpened frequently enough and can be a big hindrance in learning to skate.

Anonymous wrote:For helmet and gear, what does kid wear to learn to ice skate for protection? Does bike helmet work? Mitten or snow glove? And, does kid need to wear elbow or knee pad?

And, what do they wear in summertime when they go to indoor ice skating arena to ice skate?

Bike helmets work (I think; I grew up figure skating and don't remember wearing anyone ever wearing a helmet but I think they're standard these days/around here). Gloves should be tight so kids can grip things with them on. I'd only provide knee pads if the kids ends up consistently falling on their knees/gets bruised. For skating indoors in summer, same as in winter (although obviously in layers to avoid overheating on the way there). But I think unless they get serious about it, most people just do casual ice skating in the winter. And if you're serious about it, it's a good workout, so you're not really wearing a lot of clothes -- leggings or tights and a practice dress, maybe a sweater and gloves.

Group beginner lessons for the kids. The first thing they help the kids learn is how to fall and get back up. Once they learn the basics of skating and get around the rink once, you are done. They will be able to do it going forward. Looking back it was definitely worth paying for beginner lessons and was a life skill. They didn't go ice skating that often but when they did, I never had to worry about it bc it only took them a few minutes to adjust.

I would also suggest buying them their own skates. You can easily buy some second hand or get some on amazon that are inexpensive. Do not buy the kind with double blades and make sure to get the lace up type so you can tighten them. You want them to be tight around the ankle.

For helmet and gear, what does kid wear to learn to ice skate for protection? Does bike helmet work? Mitten or snow glove? And, does kid need to wear elbow or knee pad?

And, what do they wear in summertime when they go to indoor ice skating arena to ice skate?

Medstar Iceplex (Ballston) rink has learn to skate lessons. They have been great for our kids.

https://www.medstarcapitalsiceplex.com/page/show/2237768-learn-to-skate-classes

I don't know anyone who takes lessons at Rockville other than hockey lessons.

Cabin John is great. Ask the director which classes are in the small back rink which is great for this age and less chaotic than lessons on the big rink.

Op here. Which one is better for public skating sessions & kid learn to skate classes (3 & 6)? Cabin John ice rink or Rockville ice arena? And why?

Anonymous wrote:Kids can learn without lessons, but the lessons make it easier.

I was a competitive figure skater and am now a competitive speed skater, but I still signed my daughter up for lessons. When she skated with me, she wanted to hold my hand and/or use a skate helper, but the lessons force them to build good habits from the start.

The Learn to Skate program is really good, and starts with the very basics. Also, the lessons let them learn without other kids zooming around them. Finally, the lessons are not a big commitment. You can always do one term and then drop it if it is not working for you.

Another former figure skater with little kids learning to skate and I agree. My 3yo seemed hopeless when I tried to teach her, but after a few sessions of learn to skate she's now cruising quite well and loving it.

Kids can learn without lessons, but the lessons make it easier.

I was a competitive figure skater and am now a competitive speed skater, but I still signed my daughter up for lessons. When she skated with me, she wanted to hold my hand and/or use a skate helper, but the lessons force them to build good habits from the start.

The Learn to Skate program is really good, and starts with the very basics. Also, the lessons let them learn without other kids zooming around them. Finally, the lessons are not a big commitment. You can always do one term and then drop it if it is not working for you.

Anonymous wrote:Unlike swimming, ice skating isn’t really a necessary skill to have. If your kids want to learn how to skate, sign them up for group lessons. If they don’t care, I’d skip it.

The other good news is that if someone really wants to do it they can pick it up fairly easily later. It is not something you must learn as a small child unless you are trying to be competitive in some manner. If you love ice skating, i agree that it is sad to not have your family to do it with. But that is another issue entirely.

Unlike swimming, ice skating isn’t really a necessary skill to have. If your kids want to learn how to skate, sign them up for group lessons. If they don’t care, I’d skip it.

I think it would be really hard to learn to skate without someone who knows what they’re doing to give advice. I would sign your kids up for lessons — it’s pretty common for kids in beginner classes to be scared to skate without holding onto something/someone’s hands; that’s what the lessons are for. Either that or shady going to public skates with an adult friend who really knows what they’re doing to give all of you some help.

- I taught beginner skating in high school

They request us to rent that skate helper every time we go, and they do enjoy ice skating with it.

I, DH, and my 3 and 6 year old can't ice skate. We have tried once together holding onto the ice rink border and rent an skate helper (those blue big bulk things to hold onto). They both hesitate to signup for ice skating classes.

So, they are scared and cried when without skate helper. I can't help much because I can't balance and hold onto the border or skate helper. Should I just sign them up for classes or should we go often to public skating hours keep trying and getting used to it? Can people learn basic ice skating by going to public practice hours?