Bringing a toddler or young child onto the ice for the first time? It’s worth considering whether skate aids for childrenare actually right for your little skater before hiring one.
Our skate aids are designed to provide additional balance and stability while learning to skate. They are intentionally sturdy and relatively heavy so that they remain stable when a skater leans on them.
This does mean they may not be suitable for very small children.
For a skate aid to work effectively, your child should be able to:
- Stand independently on their skates.
- Comfortably reach and hold the skate aid.
- Push and move the skate aid themselves across the ice.
What about height?
As a general guide, we recommend skate aids for children who are approximately 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) tall or above.
Height alone doesn’t determine whether a skate aid is suitable. Children vary in strength, coordination and confidence, so the most important consideration is whether your child can comfortably hold and independently move the skate aid while wearing skates.
If your child is significantly below 1 metre tall, the skate aid may be too large or heavy for them to use effectively.
Does my child need a skate aid?
Not necessarily!
Skate aids are a relatively modern addition to recreational ice skating. Long before they became commonplace at ice rinks, generations of children learned to skate by staying close to the rink barrier, holding on when they needed support and gradually gaining the confidence to let go.
That remains a perfectly good way for a young beginner to experience the ice.
For some very young children, staying close to the barrier with a parent or responsible adult nearby may actually be more appropriate than struggling to move a skate aid that is too large or heavy for them.
The aim isn’t to get away from the barrier as quickly as possible. It’s to allow your child to become comfortable standing and moving on the ice and to build confidence at their own pace.
One important thing to remember
Skate aids aren’t ride-ons or pushchairs.
They are designed to be pushed by the person learning to skate. Children should not sit or ride on a skate aid, and adults should not use one to push a child around the rink.
💡 Our tip for parents: If your little one can’t comfortably push the skate aid themselves, don’t worry. Staying close to the barrier and gradually building their confidence can be a great way to start.
If you’re unsure, just ask a member of our team when you arrive. We’ll be happy to help you decide what will give your little skater the best experience on the ice.
Reserving a skate aid at Harrogate Ice Pavilion
We have a limited number of skate aids available, so we strongly recommend reserving one when making your online booking.
Reserved online: £7.50 per skate aid, per session.
If the skate aid option is not shown when you book, unfortunately all available aids for that session have already been reserved.
A limited number may occasionally be available on arrival. Skate aids hired at the rink, subject to availability, cost £8.00 per session.
To avoid disappointment, we recommend reserving your skate aid in advance when booking your skating session at Harrogate Ice Pavilion.