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Ice skating is a fun and inexpensive activity that the entire family can enjoy. It is also a great form of exercise that can improve cardiovascular health and tone muscles. Ice skating can be enjoyed at indoor or outdoor rinks, and there are many different types of skating that can be learned, such as hockey, speed skating, and figure skating.
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Ice skating is an activity the whole family can relish. Children learn to balance and steer while parents can reminisce about childhood winters spent coasting around their neighborhood rink. Here are some fun ice-skating activities that you can enjoy with your family:
1. Ice Skating Races
Ice skating races are a fun and competitive way to enjoy ice skating with your family. You can race each other around the rink or set up an obstacle course for added fun. This will test your skating skills and get your heart pumping. Some basic precautions that should be taken are to wear gloves, proper footwear, a helmet, and other protective gear. Keep in mind that the goal is to have fun and stay safe!
Skaters should avoid big crowds, as crowded spaces can make it easier for them to fall. It is also important to be aware of your surroundings, as you don’t want to skate into someone or something. Be sure to stay hydrated, as skating can be taxing on your body. Lastly, don’t forget to warm up before you head out onto the ice!
2. Ice Sculpture Contest
Get creative with an ice sculpture contest. Using chisels, saws, and other tools, you can create unique sculptures from a large block of ice. This is a great activity for the whole family to enjoy together. This will enable your family to work together and create some amazing sculptures that everyone will love. These sculptures can be entered into a contest for prizes or built just for fun. It can be really rewarding to see what your family can create together when working towards a common goal.
3. Ice Skating Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course on the ice and see who can complete it the fastest. This is a fantastic way to improve your skating skills and have some friendly competition with your family. You can create the course in whatever order you like, but here are a few suggestions for how to make it challenging and exciting for both kids and adults.
- Start with two small cones placed about 10 feet apart. Create an imaginary line across the width of the rink from cone to cone—this will be your starting line. Skate towards one of the cones, making sure to keep your balance as you slide around it, then skate back to the start line before proceeding to the second cone and skating around that one too. Once you’ve completed both laps, return to your original starting position. If you fall down at any point during the race, you must get up and skate all the way around the cone again before continuing on.
- The next section of your course can involve weaving in between larger cones placed further apart from each other than the first two were. Again, make sure to complete laps around each cone before moving on to the next one in line. You can also place obstacles such as small handheld mirrors or plastic balls on top of some of the cones to add an extra challenge.
- The third and final section of the course can involve cones placed closer together than the first two sections, making it more difficult to maneuver around them without hitting one. You can also add obstacles such as small jumps or balance beam-style challenges to this section.
Once you’ve completed the entire course, time yourself to see how fast you can do it! Then, try again and see if you can beat your previous time. Do the same with your family.
4. Ice Skating Tag
Ice skating tag is a great way to get everyone moving and enjoying the ice. One person is “it” and has to chase the others around the rink, tagging them with their hands. The person who is “it” can also be changed frequently so that everyone gets a turn.
Some basic rules of the ice-skating tag are:
- No one is allowed to leave the rink.
- If someone falls, they are safe and cannot be tagged.
- The person who is “it” cannot use skates to tag people, they must use their hands.
- There should be a clear boundary of the rink so that people know when they are safe.
5. Musical Chairs on Ice
This is a variation of the classic game that can be played on ice skates. Set up chairs around the edge of the rink and have skaters skate around them as the music plays. When the music stops, skaters must find a chair and sit down quickly. The last skater without a chair is out, and one chair is removed until there is only one skater remaining—the winner!
6. Freeze Dance on Ice
This is another lively ice-skating game that is sure to get your family excited. In freeze dance on ice, players take turns spinning around on the ice and then have to freeze in place when the music stops. The last player standing is the winner.
How to Play
- Put on your ice skates and get ready to skate!
- Start the music and skate around the rink.
- When the music stops, everyone must freeze in place.
- The last person to freeze is out of the game.
- The next round starts with the remaining players and the process is repeated until there is only one player left, who is declared the winner.
7. Figure Skating
Figure skating is a pleasurable activity for the entire family. Many community ice rinks offer public skating sessions where everyone is welcome to come and skate around, or you can invest in some figure skates and take up this elegant sport.
Rules to Play
- Make sure you have the proper equipment. You will need a pair of figure skates, gloves, and a helmet (for beginners).
- Start by practicing basic skating moves like forwards and backward crossovers, backward wiggles, and stops. Once you feel comfortable on your skates, you can try more advanced moves like spins and jumps.
- After mastering the basics, you can start practicing your routines. Figure skating routines are choreographed to music and often include various difficult jumps and spins.
- If you want to compete, there are many competitions held throughout the year at various levels (local, regional, national, international). Simply find a competition that you are eligible for and sign up!
- Have fun skating with your family and friends!
Ice skating is a fun-loving winter activity for families. It is an invigorating way to stay active and get some exercise. This blog post provided a list of some fun ice-skating activities for families. To find the best ice-skating activities for your family, read our buyer’s guides. We also provide useful information on top BBQ propane grills on Amazon, the best inflatable hot tubs for relaxation, and the best budget fish finder for kayaks.