This past weekend, I took my four year old daughter ice skating for the first time at Schenley Park Ice Rink in Pittsburgh, PA. It was a lot of fun!
I was a little apprehensive about taking her because I wasn’t sure if she would be able to skate on her own or not. But she did great! We spent a couple of hours out on the ice, and she had a blast.
I’m so glad I was able to spend some quality mother and daughter time with her. And I’m sure we’ll be hitting the rink again soon.
Preparing for a First Ice Skating Experience
Any time you take a first-timer ice skating, there are some preparations you need to take into account. For one, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper attire. That means hats, gloves, snowsuits and boots, preferably waterproof. It’s also important to dress in layers so you can easily adjust as you get warm or colder.
Another key factor is selecting the right location. We decided to go to Schenley Park Ice Rink in Pittsburgh, PA. It was the perfect spot for our first time out. They have a nice rink with plenty of space for newbies, and the staff was super helpful and encouraging.
And finally, make sure you’re taking the experience seriously. This isn’t something to be taken lightly—you’re introducing your child to a winter sport! Be safe, have fun and enjoy quality mother and daughter time together.
Tips for Holding Onto a Four Year Old on the Ice
Parenting can be a lot of trial and error, and when it comes to taking your four year old ice skating for the first time, you don’t want to mess up. I was a little anxious leading up to our trip to the park, but thankfully, I had some helpful tips from my friends who are experienced skaters. Here are some things I learned:
- Bring a lot of snacks and drinks. You’re going to be there for a while, and your child will get hungry and thirsty.
- Make sure your child is wearing a heavy coat, hat, and gloves. It’s going to be cold on the ice.
- Dress yourself in layers too. You’ll be grateful for the extra warmth.
- Go during off-peak hours. The rink will be less crowded and your child will have more room to skate.
- Hold onto your child’s hand (or better yet, hold onto their waist) when they’re skating. This will help keep them from getting lost or running into someone else.
Fun Activities to Do on the Rink With a Little One
I was so excited to take my daughter ice skating for the first time, so I had some ideas ready on what activities we could do on the rink. We ended up playing tag, racing eachother, and a variety of different games. All while holding onto each other, of course. The more we moved around on the ice, the easier it got and she eventually (finally!) was able to stand up and move around on her own!
It was amazing to watch all of my teaching actually pay off and I couldn’t help but beam with pride each time she took a few steps across the ice without me holding her hand. I also taught her how to stop and turn—essential skills when it comes to ice skating—and then hit the real challenge: teaching her how to go backwards. It took a few tries but she eventually got the hang of it.
It really was so wonderful seeing how much our quality mother-daughter time meant to both of us as we laughed and giggled together while gliding across the ice.
Playing Games After Hitting the Ice
After about one hour of skating, my daughter and I were both thoroughly exhausted. We had skated all around the rink, even managed a few loops, and worked on balance by playing tag.
But the fun didn’t stop there. After we decided to take a break from skating, we settled down in an area with some chairs and benches to just relax and talk for a bit. We decided to come up with our own creative game of ‘ice skating tic-tac-toe’!
Using two copies of the program handed out at the rink (which included rink rules, information about lessons and more) we marked off nine boxes on each sheet. We took turns grabbing some small rocks that were lying around outside, using one rock for ‘x’s’ and the other for ‘o’s.
It was fun watching her strategy while trying to beat me at this game; she thought it was hilarious when I had to move rocks from one side of the paper to another! Trust me—as simple as it sounds, it was an enjoyable way to end our afternoon ice skating together at Schenley Park.
As I was holding my daughter’s hand and watching her learn how to skate, I couldn’t help but feel thankful. This trip had become a special moment for both of us. It was a reminder that it doesn’t take much effort to create an experience that is fun and memorable, and that quality time doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. All it takes is mindful planning, the right location and some careful safety considerations.
This special mother-daughter trip was the perfect embodiment of why spending quality time with the people we love matters so much. It can bring joy, connection, and lasting memories—something my
This concludes my story of taking my 4 year old daughter ice skating for the first time. We had a lot of fun, and it was a great experience for both of us. My daughter enjoyed skating around the rink, and I loved spending quality time with her. I would definitely recommend ice skating to other mothers and daughters, as it is a fun and affordable way to spend some time together. Thanks for reading!