Is Ice Skating Dangerous For Kids?

Ice skating can be a great way for your kids to have fun and burn off some energy with their friends and family. As they glide across the ice, you can be confident that they’ll be smiling all the way through! It really is an experience worth remembering.

But as parents, we know to always think ahead for our children's safety. Is ice skating really a suitable activity for kids? It's a common question for someone who hasn't tried it yet, and the idea of gliding across a slippery ice surface on sharp blades can seem daunting for those of us who don’t have much experience.

No need to worry — here are some frequently asked questions you might have regarding ice skating and how safe it is for our kids:

How dangerous is ice skating?

To sum it up in a few words, not dangerous at all. The worst that can happen is you slip on the ice and fall on your bottom! It really isn’t that bad. That is, of course, unless you’re a professional ice skater and are whizzing around the rink at top speed - in which case you could slip and hurt yourself. However we’re going to assume that your kids aren’t professional and will be going at a more pedestrian pace!

When beginners learn to skate, they need to find a way to stay balanced rather than perform tricks on a slippery surface. Less difficulty = No injuries!

Is ice skating kid-friendly?

Ice skating can be a very simple sport to start off with and poses a very limited danger to kids. Lots of ice rinks have a separate, smaller rink for kids so they can get to grips with the slippery surface. This means they’ll have a much easier time figuring out how to skate and will be in an environment that is more comfortable and conducive to their learning.

A lot of ice skating rinks also offer kids-only sessions where your child will only be skating around with other kids of a similar age. This means they’ll be much more comfortable. Almost all rinks offer skating aids for children so they are able to skate without learning how to be perfectly comfortable with balancing.

Still, it’s fair to say ice skating can be pretty complicated to learn - especially if it’s your child’s first time. If you’re worried about your little one slipping and getting hurt, then don’t worry too much as ice skating rinks offer protective gear for kids, including head gear, knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves! With all these precautions, you can rest assured that your child will have the time of their lives and gain the confidence needed to withstand the slippery surface.

How do I protect my kid from getting injured?

The most important question of them all — we all know that accidents happen, but with preventative measures, they can be mitigated. To protect your kid from injuries and cuts, give them a quick pep talk to not go too fast on the ice! It’s also important to remember that there are lots of other people skating around, so they’ve got to be aware of their surroundings when on the rink.

Wear the protective equipment required and relax! Ice skating is a very safe sport - let your kids roam and have a great time.

Photo by Anton Belitskiy