What age to start daughters ice skating?

[Papa Deuce]

My daughters are 4. They love watching Skating with Celebrities. So, I thought we might take them ice skating.

Think they can handle it?

 

[icebrat001]

I used to teach 3 and 4 year olds for figure skating. I think 4 is the perfect age to start group lessons and begin private at 6 years old. Brace yourself, its very expensive!

 

[Kimberle]

Sure! I'd rent the skates the first few times to see if they enjoy it.

Have fun.

 

[damo]

Oh ya, they are plenty old enough to skate! It is such a fun family activity. Make sure they wear helmets!

 

[transparant]

My son started ice hockey at 4 and my daughter started figure skating at 4. Great age because they have no fear. But like the other poster said - once they get serious about it...it's mighty expensive!

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

My daughter started at 4 and loved it. You can usually find a cheap six week intro class before committing to the more expensive (at this age we found it comparable to gym and dance) 12 week ones.

 

[mantysk8coach]

At my club, kids can start group lessons at 4 1/2. I think that is a good age. Your daughters will be fine, and if they have already shown an interest, all the better.

My club uses the United States Figure Skating "Skate with US" basic skills program. It's a great, well structured program, you could check it out on their website. They would start in the Snowplow Sam level.

Take them to a public skating session first just to see how they do. I've already tried taking my 20 month old out. But I'm a crazy skating coach, that's what we do to our kids!

I've taught little kids for about 8 years now. Let me know if you have any questions!

It's a really fun sport, but ditto that it's expensive if they want to start competing!

 

[Papa Deuce]

At my club, kids can start group lessons at 4 1/2. I think that is a good age. Your daughters will be fine, and if they have already shown an interest, all the better.

My club uses the United States Figure Skating "Skate with US" basic skills program. It's a great, well structured program, you could check it out on their website. They would start in the Snowplow Sam level.

Take them to a public skating session first just to see how they do. I've already tried taking my 20 month old out. But I'm a crazy skating coach, that's what we do to our kids!

I've taught little kids for about 8 years now. Let me know if you have any questions!

It's a really fun sport, but ditto that it's expensive if they want to start competing!

Well, we won't be allowing them to be competitive for a while, at least. Every quarter we try something new..... Gymnastics, karate, swimming, cuurently doing soccer.... next up is ice skating, I guess.

 

[aprilgail2]

my daughter started at age 4....up until now I have been buying all her skates off ebay since she outgrows them so fast...but in Nov I bought her a brand new pair for her birthday that still fit her and I have her old size 11's here to put on ebay to sell when I get a chance!

 

[Ava83]

We just did ice skating with Ava and she is 3.5..too young for her, but both Corey and I feel that in a year it would be fine.

The older children did real good, Miss Ava was opposed to the falling part of ice skating..she was the youngest kid in the program.


You know what was amazing..these kids would put on the skates (first time) and were able just walk on them no problem (even on the ice, for the most part)

Every quarter we try something new..... Gymnastics, karate, swimming, cuurently doing soccer.... next up is ice skating, I guess.

We do that also, see what she likes and enjoys..our next one I think will be soccer, she just started ballet (which she loves)

 

[Jeafl]

My son started tot hockey at about 3 1/2, and both of my daughters started ice skating at around 3. With all 3 kids it has become quite a passion and both of my daughters have finished the entire USFSA program which was levels Basic 1-8 and Freestyle 1-6. My son is in his 9th year of playing hockey.

They love it, it is great exercise and it teaches them discipline. I say go for it and see what happens. If you find they are too young, wait awhile and try again another time.

 

[mickeyboat]

My kids have gone skating a couple of times, and it has taken a long time for them to get the hang of it. The rink several contraptions which are two milk crates stacked together, to help them balance. They tend to lean on them a lot, and like to have us push them around while they sit on top.

Our town rec department does lessons - one set while I am at work and one on Sunday afternoons. Both sessions were full, so we will try again next year.

I hope your daughters enjoy skating.

Denae

 

[makinorlando]

My DD started at 4 years old. The first couple lessons were difficult, and she wanted to quit, but once she got the feel of the skates and learned to fall, the fear was conquered and she did well. She took lessons for 2 years until we moved to Orlando. The closest rink is rather far from our home, and when we first moved here there was so much more to do and explore. I would have liked for her to have been able to continue, but she lost interest. We do equestrian/hunter lessons now!

She went to an ice skating party a few months ago, and had not lost what she learned. It was funny coming from up north and skating all my life to see how many kids had never been on skates!!!

 

[Rachie0507]

My kids both started skating at 3. DS has been on the ice since he was 18 mos. but just this year at 3 is able to move around on his own. He will play ice hockey next year. DD5 can skate fine and she took lessons. But she just likes to go around the rink at her own pace, nothing special. Skating and ice hockey are the big things to do around here. DH is so proud that our little runt of a son wants to play hockey!

 

[budbeerlady]

DD(5) started when she was 3. She just loves it!!!! The skates I bought her on winter clearance last year are adjustable for several sizes so she can wear them untill she is a shoe size 3. They are single blades (gotta love the old double blades I learned on.) She gets a bit wobbly when she is turning the corner at the rink but other wise she is doing great! Plus the outdoor rink by us is only $3 if you bring your own skates.

 

[georgina]

Our local skating rink has things that look like the walkers that elderly people use, for kids to support themselves at first as they get the hang of skating. We like to go skating occasionally as a family, just for recreation; my kids have never done lessons or had any interest in getting competitive, it ws just fun.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We live near University of Delaware. They used to, and may still, have a "Mommy and Me" skating class. I took each kid when they were about 4 or 5 to this. It was fun for both of us.

 

[Aneille]

I think the 4 is a great age.

My oldest started last year at right after she turned 3, my youngest started at 2. She's 2 1/2 now and doesn't need my help at all. Now she doesn't glide all that much but she can get up herself and get from one end to the other albeit slow!

My oldest is now 4 and is moving on to hockey. Like others said they have no fear and they don't seem to get hurt when the fall at all! I did purchase for both my kids hockey helmets with cages (I didn't want broken teeth or heads) and my oldest has hockey shin guards and elbow pads. My youngest wears her bike knee guards thats it.

One of our local rinks has a toddler program that only kids 2-K can go and no parents on the ice. One guy is out there with a bunch of toddlers/preschoolers and they got these walkers and if one falls and can't get back up, he skates over and helps them up or carries them back to the parent. It is really a great thing for the young kids because they learn some independence and the parents don't get broken backs! Its a smaller studio rink not a full size.

My youngest like I said is 2 1/2 and will be taking her first real learn to skate lessons with a local hockey group next week. I can't wait to see how it goes! It should be interesting to see if she can follow the instructions.

 

[rt2dz]

One of my sister's started all her girls when they turned 3. Her DD#2 quit as soon as she was old enough (6yo) to start horseback riding lessons. Her DD#1 is 9 and is training for the olympics in 2014. It is very expensive.