| When you are dressing your child for ice skating | | | | thicker pair of socks to wear over the thin pair to |
| lessons or free skating at the ice rink, your first | | | | provide extra padding in case the rented rink |
| challenge will be keeping your child warm, but not | | | | skates don't fit perfectly or are well-worn. |
| too warm. Most indoor ice skating rinks maintain a | | | | For several reasons skaters should always wear |
| temperature between 45 and 60 degrees, | | | | gloves. Gloves obviously will keep a skater's hands |
| depending on the temperature outside. This will | | | | warm. They also provide some protection in case |
| feel quite chilly at first. | | | | of a fall on the ice or if another skater runs into a |
| Skaters will be exercising strenuously, so it is | | | | child who has fallen. |
| important to dress your child in thin layers that | | | | A warm wool hat will keep your skater's head |
| can be removed easily as their bodies warm up. | | | | and ears warm. Avoid any head covering that |
| Avoid dressing your child in a bulky winter coat, | | | | could impair your skater's vision. "Hoodies" or |
| as heavy coats make it difficult to move freely. | | | | parka hoods should be avoided. |
| A warm turtleneck under a warm, close-fitting | | | | For the same reason, skaters should never wear |
| sweater will keep your child warmer than a winter | | | | scarves, which can obstruct vision or catch a |
| coat, and will permit free movement. | | | | skate. Many rinks prohibit any kind of scarf on the |
| Many girls want to wear a skating dress. If you | | | | ice. |
| plan to have your daughter take lessons, then a | | | | Girls should always have their hair pulled back or |
| simple skating dress and tights may be a good | | | | restrained, so that it cannot get into the eyes. |
| investment. However, if she is simply going to | | | | Avoid letting your skater wear jewelry. Most rinks |
| skate recreationally now and then, this might not | | | | prohibit any kind of jewelry, which can break and |
| be an investment you want to make. | | | | fall onto the ice and trip another skater. |
| Close fitting sweat pants or zipped wind pants are | | | | And finally a note to parents of boys: Boys will be |
| good choices for both boys and girls. Jeans do not | | | | extremely uncomfortable if they are asked to |
| have much ability to stretch, they easily absorb | | | | wear white skates. If you have inherited a pair of |
| moisture, and they are very slow to dry, which | | | | white skates that fit your boy, either dye them |
| makes them a less optimum choice for skating. | | | | black (black shoe polish will also work, but it can |
| One of the most important parts of your skater's | | | | be messy), or cover them with black skate |
| wardrobe should be a comfortable pair of thin, | | | | covers. Your son will skate much more |
| seamless socks. A sock with seams can rub | | | | confidently if he "fits in" with the other boys at |
| against the foot and cause blisters. Because skate | | | | the rink. |
| boots are designed to be tight, thick socks can | | | | If your child will be taking ice skating lessons, you |
| squeeze the foot and reduce circulation, which will | | | | can observe what the other students are wearing |
| make your child's feet feel cold more quickly. | | | | before the first lesson and talk to the coach |
| If you child will be renting ice skates, bring along a | | | | about appropriate clothing for lessons. |