What to wear ice skating?

[bartleby1]

Hi all! This probably sounds strange, but I'm taking my DD (7) ice skating at a rink for the first time today and I haven't been since I was a young kid myself. What do we need to wear to an ice skating rink? I'm assuming it is cold? Are jeans ok? Sweat pants better? Do we need mittens? Hats? Also, they have helmet rentals there, can she use her bike helmet if I bring that?

I'm thinking I should strap a pillow to my butt, lol!

Thanks to anyone who can help a clueless Mom!

 

[azgal81]

Last time I went ice skating I wore jeans, a sweater, gloves, hat and a scarf. It's cold on the ice. I don't know about helmets. Have fun!

 

[hydster]

We wear Jeans, sweatshirt or sweater, gloves, scarf and bring a mountain of Ibuprofen. If you are skating inside at a rink you shouldn't need to wear a whole lot of layers. When we skate outside it's usually at night so we bundle up a lot more. I've never seen helmets on the kids around here but maybe we are just big risk takers or clueless horrible parents.

 

[bartleby1]

Thanks, looks like I need to go find my winter stuff, lol! It's been so unseasonably warm here in NJ that I haven't even gotten my gloves and stuff out yet!

Anyone know about a helmet? I know that we didn't use them when I was little, but times have changed. I'd like to save the rental fee if possible and just use her bike helmet but I don't want to look silly bringing it for nothing!


ETA: Oops, we must have been posting at the same time, hydster. I'm thinking that the skating rink might require helmets for kids? I know they have a rental fee listed. I never would have thought of it otherwise.

 

[clh2]

Are you skating in an indoor rink or an outside rink?

Personally, if this is the first time she is skating, it won't make a difference if she is wearing pants or sweatpants. (I.e., she won't be doing any fancy moves) I would highly recommend wearing gloves, because if you do fall, the ice is cold on the hands. If you are skating indoors, a hat would probably be optional, the rink we skate at is about 50 degrees. I am a freezy-cat, and am cold all the time, and I don't find a hat is necessary. I can't answer the question about the helmets. And, I would recommend wearing layers on the upper half. Some kids skate in t-shirts, others wear sweatshirts, I wear a lightweight winter jacket, and usually have it unzipped. Oddly enough, I wear the same stuff if we are skating in the summer too, because the rink temp stays the same all year long.

 

[pixiepower1971]

When we take our girls ice skating we wear jeans, sweatshirts and gloves. No helmets. I have never seen any of the kids at our rink wearing helmets either.

 

[buzzlady]

After just reading a lice thread, I wouldn't want to rent a helmet. Bring your own and just keep it in the car. If you do need one, you can always run out and get it.

 

[bartleby1]

After just reading a lice thread, I wouldn't want to rent a helmet. Bring your own and just keep it in the car. If you do need one, you can always run out and get it.

Eeeeewww, I didn't think of that! I think I will bring it just in case. We certainly don't need lice going around the family.

BTW, this is an indoor rink. I guess we'll just do layers so we can take off what we don't need.

Now I just hope to come home in one piece, lol!

 

[robinb]

Sweatpants are better than jeans since they allow easier movement. I would also wear a sweatshirt/fleece and bring mittens and/or gloves. I would personally skip the helmet. Our local rink requires them for the 6 and under kids but not for the older kids.

 

[LJC1861]

Personally I think any beginner skater should wear a helmet, be it child or adult. Here in Asheville we only have public skating for 6 weeks each winter. I am a figure skater but I skated alot on those sessions as they are the only ice available. So many beginner skaters step out on the ice and have no idea how to stop, fall and end up banging their heads off the ice. It is really more dangerous than people realize. I personally assisted between 15 and 20 people off the ice after they hurt themselves during the couse of the season last year.

If you haven't skated in a long time, or is you have never skated, wear a helmet until you get a feel for the ice. Truth be told, there were times when I was learning things where I needed and should have been wearing a helmet.

Linda

 

[momz]

absolutely put a helmet on that child. my kids always wear one. they have their own (bike helmets), and on more than one occassion, i have been grateful they had them. (they are 5 and 3, and are new to skating as well). the helmet serves it's purpose when the child falls on their bottom, little ones don't have great head control and inevitably, they just keep going onto their back and can easily bonk the back of their head.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'm in NJ, and younger kids DO wear helmets skating (bike helmets are fine). Children taking beginners lessons have to wear them. Mine don't anymore (10, 8, 5), but they've taken lessons and are really good skaters. Gloves are very important too!

 

[starwatcher]

also wear tights under your jeans they better than socks and help prevent blisters

 

[JunieJay]

We just went ice skating the other day. We all wore loose fitting sweat pants and ski jackets with gloves. No helmets, but if you feel more comfortable with your DD wearing one, bring her bike helmet. Its cold at first but once you get skating you do get hot so wear layers you can take off as you go along.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

If you don't get cold really easily, jeans, tights, socks, shirt, sweater, scarf should be enough, and gloves are a MUST (not just for warmth, but you WILL fall and they help protect your hands, especially if someone skates too close to them while they're still on the ice). If you or DD get cold easily, I would do long johns instead of tights, another layer under the sweater (maybe an undershirt), and a hat. As for the helmet, they are a great idea. We went over Christmas vacation and DD4 wore one.

Edited to add: these comments are for an indoor rink.

 

[Art Vandalay]

If you do more than limp around the rink clinging to the side I wouldn't dress too warm. You'll warm up as you skate. Gloves might be a good idea for when you fall. That ice is... well... cold