Winters in Melbourne are more about beautifully crisp days, warm wear and endless cups of hot chocolate than ice and snow. However, that doesn’t mean you and your family can’t enjoy some time ice skating; a quintessential winter activity.

This winter, there are two pop up ice skating rinks in Melbourne. Held by the Skating At Festival, the skating rinks are at the Crown Riverbank at Southbank and Acland Street at St Kilda.

Why Take Your Little One Skating?

For anyone who knows how to do it, ice skating is an immensely satisfying experience; there’s nothing comparable to the grace and confidence that one feels when gliding on ice. It’s no different for children. As they gradually become more comfortable on ice, they’ll grow more confident in manoeuvring their bodies. They’ll be able to exercise their gross motor skills and improve their balance and flexibility. As they focus on balancing, they’ll also improve their focus.

Playing and skating in a new environment will enhance their curiosity and their connection with the world.

Of course, safety at the rink is extremely important. Make sure your child is kitted out with a well fitting helmet, well fitting skates and warm clothes.

For toddlers, it’s best not to allow them to navigate the rink on their own; use equipment and toys to ferry them around the ice to give them a feel of the environment. The Skating At Festival has many pieces of equipment that will allow you to safely navigate your child around the rink.

ice skating with your child helps ward off the winter blues

As well as ice skating, the festival will include food, drinks, rides, ice sliding and other fun activities to make for some all round family fun! The festival starts today and is on until June 15th, so grab your skates (or hire some there) and head over.

Head here for more information and to buy tickets.

Have a trip to Aurora Early Education: