Do young kids need ice skating lessons - or will they just get it? (Cambridge: rental)

[markmark09]

I have a 7 and 5 year old. They want to learn to ice skate. I don't know how, really, but I can stay upright. Can I just buy them a pair of skates and take them to the Frog Pond or wherever and expect them to just get it after awhile? Along the same lines, are there any pointers you recommend I give them to help them along?

[ryanms3030]

Do they just want to skate for fun or do they want to be figure skaters?

[timberline742]

I would suggest getting intro lessons. Some people just get it, lots don't. It is far more likely they'll enjoy it if the get tutelage on the basics.

And you might try to find a place where skates can be rented first.

[Parsec]

Why don't you try renting the first few times. It comes naturally for some kids, but not for others. You have to try it out first to see what works for your family. I didn't give my kids lessons, but one of them learned on her own and the other gave up after getting frustrated.

[porterhouse]

The learn to skate program at Simoni rink in Cambridge is great for this sort of thing. It is laid back and affordable. Sometimes its helpful to take the parent out of the equation. Kids will pick it up when they are ready. My advice would be not to push it is they don't like it, you can always try again next year.

Learn To Skate | Cambridge Youth Hockey

[rethcir]

Just go to the skating pond, take them around, hold their hand a little, then send them on their way. If they want to get into something technical like hockey or figure skating, then bring them to a lesson.

[western mass and love it]

Most local area rinks offer a learn to skate program. I wouldn't suggest just going to some random pond and trying it. Just know going in that rental skates hurt, ice skates should be about a size and a half to two sizes smaller than your shoe size. I wear a 9.5 shoe but a size 7.5 skate. And put the little ones in helmets, they are a necessity.

[bostonguy1960]

Considering some NHL players still take skating lessons in the off season via a skating coach, it can't be that intuitive, at least at higher levels.

I realize your kids may not aspire to hockey or figure sksting prowess,, but if you can afford lessons, why not, in order to achieve max proficiency and enjoyment -- a pastime for life if done well. And it may eliminate bad habits early.

Plus, it could get dangerous if they don't know how to stop properly, skate backwards or know how to navigate a skating rink in order to avoid a collision.

But I'm sure many hockey players, at least in past generations, just learned it naturally without lessons. It seems that it all starts early now with leagues and lessons in order to get a hockey scholarship.

Maybe try the Frog Pond as soon as it opens for the day when there may be fewer skaters, and perhaps less intimidating.


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