Winter sports are one of the few things Ray and I both do. We both ice skate, we both ski (well, I snow blade, but close enough) and we want to be able to do these things with Rowan. I'm not ready to have her try skiing yet but I'd like to get her some toddler ice skates for Christmas. Anyone have any suggestions of good brands or what to look for in a toddler ice skate? Any suggestions or stories about teaching little kids how to skate?

I like CCM but they are more hockey skates, I don't know if they do wee bairns first skates or not.

There are lots of group/family type skates out there, with lovely pylons and such for kids to grab a hold of and skate with. It probably helps to see the other kids do it (unless she is very shy).

HELMET!

Don't they have kindergarten skiing classes in the winter resorts? Our kids learn to ski at something like four years old. It's cute to watch.

As for ice skating...hm...I'd say avoid the white figure skates, they hurt my feet as a kid. Get ice hockey skates instead. Pack her up in warm stuffed clothes and show her it's not a big deal if she trips and falls over on the ice.

Always make her wear hats and mittens, otherwise when someone skates over her fingers it gets ugly.

I got skating lessons and quite enjoyed them but if you're good you can just teach Rowan how you do it.

Carry her out to the middle of the rink, leave her there, skate back to the edge and start sipping hot chocolate and eating candy canes. She'll figure out how to get back to you.

Fatherhood has made you cruel, JP.

*shakes head sadly*

Graeme learned to skate at preschool when he was 3. We got him these skates which are great since he can still wear them even after several seasons.

At his preschool, the kids pushed around small chairs on the ice until they got steady enough. The older, more steady children would also give their friends rides in the chairs. We have a video on YouTube of Graeme skating when he was 4.

quote:

Originally posted by His Noodle Girl:
Fatherhood has made you cruel, JP.

*shakes head sadly*

I didn't say it was my method, just a method

*sticks tongue out at JP* Not really a method for learning how to ice skate, though. More a method for learning how to ice crawl.

Thanks Meadra! Those are exactly the skates I was looking at but I wasn't sure if adjustable skates would be less comfortable or supportive than regular skates.