Should I Invest in Ice Skating Lessons for My Child?
Children do best when they have a hobby they feel passionate about. Helping kids invest in a hobby can have positive effects on their physical and even mental health. Why not ice skating?
Ice skating is a wonderful activity that combines patience, athleticism, and careful techniques. It’s also a lot of fun and a great way to get kids off their screens and participating in something meaningful.
Benefits of Ice Skating for Children
There are a lot of benefits to ice skating. It’s a physical, adventurous sport that requires your kids to use their bodies and minds simultaneously.
Other key benefits to ice skating include:
- Builds concentration & confidence. Ice skating is all about learning how to move and balance on the ice. As your child masters basic movements and begins learning more complex ones, their concentration and confidence will soar.
- Helps develop muscles. Your kid’s leg muscles will get a serious workout from ice skating! It will also help develop the muscles in their core, shoulders, arms, and neck. Using ice skates is a full-body balancing act, and it’s a great way to encourage your child’s physical health.
- Teaches the value of the learning process. No one is going to step out onto the ice for the first time and never fall. Ice skating teaches children and young people how to fall, dust themselves off, and get back up again.
- Hobbies are good for their mental health. Along with boosting their confidence and sense of self-reliance, ice skating could be beneficial to your child’s mental health. It may help them feel connected to something and encourage them to develop a drive to improve themselves and their techniques. The desire to learn and improve will be a huge asset to your child throughout their life.
- Encourages social interactions. Between group lessons and local rinks, ice skating can naturally create great social opportunities for your child. Being part of a skating community helps kids build relationships and confidence as they work toward their goals.
- Improves coordination and body awareness. Regular ice skating can also practically benefit children as their bodies grow. Skating can help build body awareness and control, as well as limb coordination. These skills then carry over to other sports and activities.
How to Get Started
The first step is to talk with your child and see if they’re even interested in ice skating. While most kids will jump at the opportunity, others may prefer a more low-key sport.
Once you know your child is interested, it’s time to look for a qualified skating instructor! There are plenty of online forums and groups you can join to find someone qualified in your area. You can call the local figure skating club to learn about the classes they offer and the rates.
You could even ask if you and your child can come and sit in during a lesson or performance, which will help your child feel more comfortable when they begin.
Of course, before your child can join a class, they’re going to need new ice skates! This is an exciting part of the process, and you want to make sure you get the right type of skates for a beginner.
Beginner Skates
Riedell ice skates are of great quality, and we have plenty of skate sets that are perfect for beginners. Our Horizon and Sparkle skate sets are the perfect place to start! They feature a light support rating, providing flexibility and control for new skaters.
Horizon and Sparkle are both equipped with the Spiral blade, which offers smooth, consistent performance and a straight rake toe pick designed for simple footwork. They’re also not as expensive as buying a custom skate, which is important for parents whose children are just getting started and will need to size up frequently.
You might also want to check out our Ruby Skate Set. Like Horizon and Sparkle, these skates provide the support and comfort needed to have a great experience while learning to skate.
Thinking About Lessons? Here Are a Few Things to Know
Ice skating lessons provide children with a firm foundation at a vital time in their skating journey.
But are ice skating lessons worth it? We think so. Lessons can help kids feel safe, confident, and enthusiastic when on the ice.
Furthermore:
- Many rinks offer group classes through programs like Learn to Skate USA, as well as private lessons for one-on-one attention.
- Kids can usually start lessons as young as 3 or 4 years old.
- Early lessons will teach them how to stand up safely, glide, stop, and steer.
- As they progress, instructors will introduce kids to edges, crossovers, and even beginner spins and jumps.
Lessons provide new ice skaters with a structured way to grow, learning proper techniques and staying safe along the way.
What About the Costs and Time Commitment?
Of course, getting started may require some costs and time commitment. It can be helpful to know upfront what this looks like.
Lesson costs vary by rink, and some parents may find private lessons out of their budget.
However, group lessons can often be an affordable option. Costs for beginner ice skates will depend on where you buy them. If you’re unsure whether you want to commit to a brand-new set, you can always rent!
Group lessons may run for six to eight weeks, meeting with instructors once a week. Note also that instructors will very likely recommend at-home practice, so consider that time in your schedule as well.
Thankfully, you’ll have options as your child’s first strides on the ice will come with manageable investments.
Keeping Them Safe on the Ice
We know safety on the ice is of the utmost importance. They can also help kids feel confident as they learn. At minimum, they should wear gloves and warm, flexible layers (stiff layers will prevent movement). We also recommend helmets. Most helmets will work fine, even bike helmets.
For extra protection, there’s no harm in adding knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. We recommend these for younger children, as they are more likely to fall.
FAQs
Kids can skate as young as 3 or 4 years old, as long as they can follow basic instructions and keep their balance.
Beginner classes may be around six to eight weeks, lasting around an hour for each session.
Kids can learn with their parents or other adults, provided the right attention is paid to technique. However, structured lessons may be more effective.
It’s perfectly fine to rent at first. Once they’re committed to the sport, it makes more sense to find a new pair just for them.
Start Your Child’s Skating Journey Today with Riedell
Ice skating lessons aren’t just for would-be competitive skaters. They are an excellent way to get your child outside and physically active.If you need a pair of skates to get you started, take a look at our catalog. We offer a wide range of ice skate models. Check whether one of our dealers is nearby.