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?

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.