With freezing temperatures and a snowy December, one family-friendly activity that we are gearing up for is ice skating. Lacing up the skates and getting outside is a great way to get some exercise during the winter months. Whether you are an experienced skater or looking to get your kids into this winter activity, January is a great time to get to it with the holiday rush having ended. Our blog this week gives you some tips on getting started and some places to visit throughout the state.

Equipment

Ice skates are the main piece of equipment you will need to get out on the ice. If you are just getting your kids started, you may want to look at renting the first few times before making the investment in purchasing. Once you have determined that your kids enjoy ice skating it’s time to get them their own skates. This will save money over time and, if you live near outdoor skating areas, they can go any time. The same issue with buying shoes presents itself with ice skates as our kids’ feet grow quickly. For this reason, buying used is a good option for the casual skater.

Play It Again Sports is a reputable dealer offering new and used equipment with knowledge staff.  Give a call to a local rink and ask where the best place to buy used skates is in your areas as well.  Below are the Play It Again Sports locations in the state:

• Dedham (630 Washington Street - 781.493.6796)
• Leominster (814 N Main Street - 978.537.2063)
• Hyannis (25 Iyannough Road - 508.771.6979)
• Stoneham (62 E Montvale Avenue - 781.438.2399)
• North Reading (265 Main Street - 978.664.9363)

This online guide is worth a read if you are new to purchasing ice skates.

But, It’s Freezing Outside!

With Ice Skating comes dealing with the cold. Regardless of whether you decide to visit an indoor rink or live near a cranberry bog, you have to dress appropriately. Starting from the feet up, make sure your kids wear thick, warm socks (double up if you only have normal weight) that reach at least half way up their calf. If you are venturing outside, you may consider thermal under pants and shirts as a first layer following by another layer or warm clothing with a water-proof shell on top and bottom. Falling down on the ice is inevitable, so you want to make sure your kids stay as dry as possible.

We all know how much heats escapes through the head, so cover up with a nice wool hat and get their hands into some gloves or mittens.

Where to Skate

There are two main options to look at: ice skating rinks or natural bodies of water. With rinks, there are indoor and outdoor options while ponds, lakes, and cranberry bogs round out your outdoor, natural options.

If being outside is not your thing or your kids are just getting started, indoor rinks are a great place to get started. Many rinks offer skate rentals, food options, and are much warmer than our typical New England winter day. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has put together a nice list of public rinks (linked here) throughout the state. Make sure to call ahead to confirm public skating hours and check on skating lessons.

If you and your kids are ready to brave the outdoors, you’ll need to find a local place that offers safe skating. Other than the cold, the biggest safety concern with outdoor skating is ensuring you are skating on thick enough ice to support all the skaters involved. Check out the DCR’s news release [pdf] on ice safety for more information.

Crazy Kids Picks - The following are some of our favorite places to bring the family for skating fun.

• The Frog Pond is a fun place to bring your family for some skating fun in a nostalgic setting of the Boston Common.
• Steriti Memorial Rink is an indoor skating rink in the heart of the North End offering free skating during public hours.
• Kendall Square Community Ice Skating is a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink located in Kendall Square. An all-day pass is $5 for adults and $1 for kids under 13. Rentals are available as well.
• Old Sturbridge Village has added an outdoor skating rink this year. They do not offer rentals, so bring your own skates and enjoy some hot cider or cocoa and a cookie at the Miner Grant Store or the Village Café.
• The Rink at The Charles Hotel is back for another season! This 2,900 square foot ice rink is open to hotel guests and the public. Skate rentals, season passes, and lessons are available.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 6:45 am and is filed under Places to Go. If you use RSS, you can subscribe to the RSS feed , or if you would rather receive an e-mail, please subscribe to the e-mail in the lower right hand corner of this page. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.