Family skating

Lace up your skates and glide through winter as a family

By Sandra E. Martin

Originally published in Today's Parent, March 2007

If you haven't laced up with your kids this season, what are you waiting for? "Growing up, I first started skating in my driveway in Montreal," says John Ferguson, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team and a former pro player. If that's not possible at your place, take advantage of free family skate times at your community outdoor rink.

Worried about the cost of equipment? Look around at swaps and second-hand stores. "There's still value left in those skates when they've only been worn a season," says Ferguson, whose children — Emily, nine, Johnny, eight, and Grace, six —all enjoy time spent skating.

Make your skating excursion fun off the ice, too. "Bring a Thermos of hot chocolate," Ferguson suggests. Add a ready-to-eat snack, and you've got yourself the perfect rink-side picnic.

Wearing a CSA-approved helmet should be non-negotiable for kids on the ice —especially if they're playing shinny. And don't stop there. "A helmet can prevent certain types of injuries from sticks and falls," says Ferguson. "But nothing can really protect the player, no matter what age, who has trouble turning or stopping near the boards or other players."

But the best safety tip, Ferguson says, is, "Get comfortable and get balanced on your blades." Consider lessons, especially if your kid's into hockey.

"Keep it fun," urges Ferguson. When ice sports get "too competitive too early, there can be some burnout. You really want them to want to come back."

Two pairs of warm feet, plus two tasty snacks, plus two happy skaters asking, "When can we come back?" In our books that equals mission accomplished.

Originally published in Today's Parent, December 2008