Would you take an almost 5yo ice skating for the first time?

[JoyNChrist]

A local casino has an ice rink set up in one of their event centers. I was thinking about taking Avery (will be 5 in March) tomorrow since I have the day free and have someone to look after the babies.

I like to ice skate, but he's never been. Do you think he's too young to enjoy it?

It's $15 per person with skate rental, which I don't think is too expensive, but at the same time I'd hate to spend $30 and leave after ten minutes.

DS tends to be a pretty active kid, and he's usually up for trying new things.

[baileygirl]

I don't think he is too young! My ds1 just turned 5 and he is a great ice skater (he plays hockey)! We haven't taken ds2 (2.5 years) but he says he wants to ice skate. I have seen some places allow walker type things (or a chair) on the ice to help with balance. I have always made ds1 wear a helmet (just a bike helmet before hockey helmet), since they do fall a lot. That said, I wouldn't expect him to want to spend a lot of time on the ice. Maybe skate for awhile, get hot chocolate and go back on?

[kellij]

Just took DD who is 5 to a temporary ice skating rink here today. She LOVED it. DS, who is 7, did not. She thought it was great fun and he was frustrated because they don't know how to roller skate, much less ice skate. So it probably has more to do with personality than age.

[ahisma]

My DS had lessons at 4 and took to it right away. DD is 13 and still can't skate. She's not very athletic though, was super late to lose the training wheels, doesn't enjoy sports, not a strong swimmer...etc.

[momtoonegirl]

DD (5 years old) went ice skating for the first time with her Daisy troop last month and loved it! I say go for it, especially since he likes to try new things.

[MommyAllison]

Several of DD1's friends ice skate and seem to love it! I'd dress him warmly, bring a helmet and go for it. :)

[mommytoC]

I don't think he is too young! My ds1 just turned 5 and he is a great ice skater (he plays hockey)! We haven't taken ds2 (2.5 years) but he says he wants to ice skate. I have seen some places allow walker type things (or a chair) on the ice to help with balance. I have always made ds1 wear a helmet (just a bike helmet before hockey helmet), since they do fall a lot. That said, I wouldn't expect him to want to spend a lot of time on the ice. Maybe skate for awhile, get hot chocolate and go back on?

:yeahthat:
My DD#1 started skating at that age (just before turning 5). She used a "helper chair" the first couple of times (but still had lots of fun :)), then was able to skate
on her own. She did a (hockey-style) learn-to-skate program last year, and is playing hockey this year. We bought cheap adjustable skates for DD#2 (2.5), and have taken her once so far (our rink has monthly dollar skate nights). (She spent most of her time sitting on the ice - toasty warm with her waterproof mittens, down coat and bibs - but did push her chair around a bit, and definitely loved her hot chocolate "breaks" :).)

[WatchingThemGrow]

I got a punch pass for our rink through livingsocial and took DD several times as a 5yo. One day, I even took DS1 who was still 3. He LOVED it. She loved it too, but he REALLY loved it. When I took him, I borrowed, then rented a skate aid made of molded plastic. It saved my back, and I think it really helped in our enjoyment of the outing. http://skatingforums2.com/index.php?topic=2597.0

[blisstwins]

Absolutely. Wear ski pants and/or bring a change of clothes. Make sure he wears a helmet and gloves, bring extra gloves in case the first pair gets wet. Explain that he should keep his weight over his knees. If he feels like he is going to fall he should bend his knees and put his hands on them. Otherwise, little marches with your hands in front as if they are on a table. It is such fun. My children are 7 and have been skating since 3. I think 5 or 6 is the perfect age to learn.

[TwinFoxes]

DH signed our girls up for lessons, so no I don't think 5 is too young.

[swissair81]

I just took my kids skating at Navy Pier. My almost 5 year old wasn't scared, but she wanted to get off after the first time around. People weren't really being considerate and wouldn't move away from the side for her, even if they were just talking to someone. Every time she moved away from the wall, she fell. It was exhausting for me.

[gobadgers]

DD is 4.5 and just started ice skating - she LOVES it!

Be sure to bring gloves or mittens for him, since they have to touch the ice to get up after a fall. Helmets are required at our rink too.

[fauve01]

I took my dd for the first time when she was 3--it was one of her preschool field trips. the kids loved it! I think it depends on the kid whether it's a good time or not.

don't forget to bring mittens! also have your dc wear snow pants if you have them--then he has extra padding if he falls. dd and i usually wear a fleece jacket and down vest on top to have a little more mobility.

the best tip i have for beginners is keep your knees bent and your butt out.

have fun!
anne + dd 10-03

[Simon]

I would only go if they let the kids have chairs/support on the ice. We've been taking Ds1 since he was about 2yo, but its free around here (outdoors)and we just let him "skate" in his shoes until last year (5yo).

That said, the one time we took him indoors with real skates when he was younger, he hated it. Two steps on the ice and he was done. Because they allowed chairs, he was able to sit while we pushed him around the rink and had a good time in the end.

I agree with a Pp that it can be very tiring for the adult too!

[kijip]

Yes. I think that age is fine.

But wowza that is high priced. I guess there are not a lot of rinks in Louisiana!

[elliput]

I started taking DS skating last winter at 2.5y. I still have to hold on to him in order for him to move, but he seems to like it. DD (6yo) also started skating last winter, she picked it up really well and can move around the ice pretty much by herself, but has a difficult time standing back up after falling. Our local skate rink has a couple days a week where they have $2 passes and $2 rental.

[JoyNChrist]

Yes. I think that age is fine.

But wowza that is high priced. I guess there are not a lot of rinks in Louisiana!

Haha, yeah, they're definitely not common here. We used to have a hockey team in a nearby town (when I was in junior high/high school) so I got to skate pretty often, but it didn't last too long. This rink is just temporary...I think it's closing at the end of January.

We're planning to go this afternoon. We watched a few YouTube videos of kids skating and Avery thought it looked like fun. I'll update and let y'all know how it goes. :)

[smilequeen]

Yeah, both of my older 2 can skate (oldest plays hockey) so definitely not too young. Just have an idea of how to teach him. Our rink does not teach with crutches (no buckets, chairs, etc.). Practice getting up off the ice. Practice marching at first. If you are holding him up it's better to hold under both arms and not by the hands.

That price is crazy high to me too. I think a public session at our rink is $5. We have to pay $10/hour for DS1 to do stick and puck.

I recommend a helmet, gloves (preferably something with non stick pads), and smooth warm pants. (no fleece, it sticks to the ice when they fall)

[salsah]

I don't think that the age is as much a concern as the personality. I took dd2 when she was 3 and she loved it. dd1 was 5 and was miserable. dd2 has no fear and usually jumps right in when trying something new. dd1 was terrified of falling and is very cautious by nature. it wasn't even her first time, she just hadn't been in a long time. She did much better when she was younger.