Young kids roller skating vs. ice skating.

[Papa Deuce]

I asked my daughters if they wanted to learn to ice skate. They said "yes" but would raather learn to rollerblade. My kids are 5.

Any thoughts on whether one is better than another to teach first?

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

I loved to ice skate when I was a kid. But the good thing about roller skating is that you don't have to go to a rink to do it. You can roller skate in so many different places. So, I would vote for teaching the kids roller skating first.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I can roller skate and ice skate, but I can't rollerblade. Maybe I just suck, maybe rollerblading is harder to learn later.

Maybe I'm just old.

Let them take what they want. You're only a kid once.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I can roller skate and ice skate, but I can't rollerblade. Maybe I just suck, maybe rollerblading is harder to learn later.

Maybe I'm just old.

Let them take what they want. You're only a kid once.

Exactly the same with me... though I don't REALLY ice skate....

 

[mantysk8coach]

Well, I'm a figure skating coach so I'm a bit biased, but I am actually going to say either/or. They are actually both really different. I've been ice skating competitively for 12 years now, and I can hardly stand up on rollerblades. It is such a different feeling. There are pros and cons to starting with either one.

If they ice skate first, they will get used to standing and moving on a thin blade (DO NOT use double runners), and then the wider rollerblade wheel will seem easier to balance on if they learn that later. On the other hand, if they rollerblade first, they will be used to pushing off the sides of their feet, rather than pushing with the toe pick like so many beginning skaters do.

So really, they are just different. Rollerblading can be done anywhere so that can be easier, with ice skating, you have to find a rink, and hope that they are open hours that are convenient for you.

Ice skating has more possibilities for future shows and competitions if that is the route they ever want to go. Rollerblading would too I guess, speedskating or...freestyling like they do at the X-games.

Okay, so I probably was no help at all. But those are at least some factors to consider.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions at all about ice skating!

 

[va32h]

A couple pairs of rollerblades are cheaper than skating lessons, that's for sure.

And if they don't like it, you won't have driven all the way out to a rink.

 

[aprilgail2]

I just asked my 7 year old and she said roller skating was easier to learn than ice skating and it hurts less to fall when she roller skates. She has been ice skating since she was 3 1/2 and she started roller blading shortly after that

 

[Papa Deuce]

I just asked my 7 year old and she said roller skating was easier to learn than ice skating and it hurts less to fall when she roller skates. She has been ice skating since she was 3 1/2 and she started roller blading shortly after that

Surprising to me... but soemthing to consider.

 

[aprilgail2]

I think that is because when she falls outside its not freezing cold on her butt like when she falls on the ice LOL...

 

[xyzabc33]

I would go for the ice skating first --and I agree single blades dont do the double blade thing. I was never very good at regular side by side roller skating. Started ice skating lessons at 12, then took up roller blading when I was in my 20's. I still can not side by side skate but have no problem roller blading. I think it is the balance thing. I have to say that falling on ice is a more forgiving then concrete, at least the ice gives a little.

At 5 they will be changing their minds on what they want for a while yet. Make a compromise with them, ice for a while then blades. Just dont spend a fortune on skates(either kind) on them. Their feet grow so quick. Give them a taste of each before commiting the money.

hope this helps

 

[JunieJay]

I've done all 3 -- roller skated, roller bladed, and ice skated. IMO the easiest by far is roller skating -- anyone can learn to roller skate, you don't have to have great balance or anything. Roller blading and ice skating are a little more difficult and take longer to get the hang of. Of the 3 I probably like roller blading the most, probably because you can just go outside and do it. My kids have also done all 3 but probably like ice skating the most. We go to an outdoor rink a couple of times each season, and like riding a bike, they are a bit rusty when they first get on the skates but pick it up again without too much trouble.

 

[icebrat001]

I figure skated for 10 years, in my opinion figure skating is a thousand times easier than roller skating. Something about wheels, we don't get along.