Ice skating kit for children
Children grow out of skates quickly, so the trick is to buy kit that keeps them safe and warm without spending a fortune every six months. Here is what a young skater needs, roughly in order of importance.
1. A helmet
Strongly advised for young children and required at some rinks for classes. A well-fitting cycle helmet is usually fine. See protective gear.
2. Gloves and warm, flexible layers
Waterproof gloves or mittens, leggings or tracksuit bottoms (snow trousers for tiny ones), a long-sleeved top and a fleece. Pack spare gloves and socks. More in what to wear.
3. Skates
For occasional sessions, hire skates are fine. For a child doing weekly lessons, their own skates make a real difference to comfort and progress.
- Adjustable skates expand by several sizes with a button or slider. They are excellent value for younger children and for recreational skating, though they tend to be heavier and less precise than fixed-size boots.
- Fixed-size beginner figure or hockey skates fit better and suit children moving up the learn-to-skate levels. Buy for the current foot, not two sizes up: a boot that is too big gives no support. A thin extra sock is not the answer either.
- Second-hand skates from a rink notice board or club sale are often a sensible buy for growing feet, provided the boot is not broken down at the ankle and the blade can still be sharpened.
4. Knee pads and padded shorts
Cheap, light and worn underneath clothes, they take the sting out of the inevitable falls and help nervous children relax.
5. Skating aids
Many rinks hire out push-along skating aids for young children. They are useful for a first session but keep them brief: children learn balance faster without leaning on a frame.
6. Guards and a bag
If they have their own skates, add hard guards for walking, soakers for storage and a skate bag. See skate care.
Lessons first
The best investment of all is a course of learn-to-skate lessons. See skating lessons in Romford and Essex, and for birthdays, skating parties.