How to Dress Your Child for Indoor Ice Skating

Most indoor ice skating rinks maintain a temperature between 45 and 60 degrees, depending on the outside temperature. When dressing your child for ice skating lessons or free skating on the ice rink, their first challenge will be warmth.

Skaters will exercise vigorously, so it is important to dress your child in thin layers that can be easily removed as their bodies warm up. Avoid dressing your child in a bulky winter coat, as heavy coats hinder freedom of movement. A warm turtleneck under a warm, fitted sweater will keep your child warmer than a winter coat and allow him to move freely.

Many girls want to wear a skating dress. If you plan on having your daughter take lessons, then a simple skating dress and leggings can be a good investment. However, if you are just going to skate recreationally from time to time, this may not be an investment you want to make.

Skinny sweatpants or zip-up windbreakers are good choices for both boys and girls. Jeans don’t have a lot of stretchability, easily absorb moisture, and dry very slowly, making them a less optimal option for skating.

One of the most important parts of your skater’s wardrobe should be a thin, comfortable pair of seamless socks. A sock with seams can rub against the foot and cause blisters. Because skate boots are designed to be snug, thick socks can squeeze the foot and reduce circulation, making your child’s feet feel cold more quickly.

If your child is renting ice skates, bring a thicker pair of socks to wear over the slim pair to provide extra padding in case the rented rink skates don’t fit perfectly or are badly worn.

For various reasons, skaters should always wear gloves. Gloves will obviously keep a skater’s hands warm. They also provide some protection in the event of a fall on the ice or if another skater encounters a child who has fallen.

A warm beanie will keep your skater’s head and ears warm. Avoid head covering that may alter your skater’s vision. “Hoodies” or parka hoods should be avoided.

For the same reason, skaters should never wear scarves, which can obstruct vision or catch a skate. Many rinks forbid any type of scarf on the ice.

Girls should always wear their hair tied up or tied, so that it does not get into their eyes.

Avoid having your skater wear jewelry. Most rinks prohibit any type of jewelry, which can break and fall on the ice and trip another skater.

And finally a note to parents of children: Children will be extremely uncomfortable if asked to wear white skates. If you’ve inherited a pair of white skates your child has, dye them black (black shoe polish will work too, but can get messy) or cover them with black skateboard covers. Your child will skate with much more confidence if he “fits in” with the other kids on the rink.

If your child is taking ice skating lessons, you can see what the other students are wearing before the first lesson and talk to the coach about appropriate clothing for the lessons.