(Without Losing Your Mind or Your Car Keys)

Introduction:

So, your child wants to try figure skating. Or maybe you've signed them up for a few lessons because they loved a Christmas show or couldn’t stop twirling around the kitchen — or in the supermarket. Either way — welcome. You are about to step into a world of early mornings, sparkly tights, and more forgotten gloves than you can count. But it’s also a world filled with beauty, determination and joy.

As a mum of two skaters, I’ve lived this life — the cold rinks, the proud tears and the quiet panics over whether the tights are laddered five minutes before a routine... or they’ve just spilled hot chocolate all over their competition dress.

Here’s a gentle, no-fuss guide to getting started in figure skating, from one parent to another.

1. What Should They Wear for Their First Skating Lesson?

You don’t need to spend a fortune to start. Most children begin in basic group lessons (often called “Learn to Skate”) and comfort and warmth matter more than looks.

Start with:

• A helmet — Absolutely essential for beginners. Until your child has built up confidence and control (and a coach says otherwise), they should wear a helmet every time. Skating is beautiful, but it does involve falling — and sometimes bumping into others who haven’t yet learned how to stop.

• Snug, warm layers — Thermal tops, fleece leggings, and a jumper or zip-up jacket work well. Avoid jeans — they soak up water when your child falls (and they will fall), making them even colder.

• Thin gloves or mittens — Their hands will spend time on the ice.

• Thin socks or tights — Thick socks can cause blisters by bunching inside skates.

Some rinks rent out skates, which is fine for beginners (though often uncomfortable in the long run). If your child wants to keep going after a few sessions, look into getting properly fitted skates — but there is no rush. Many skating clubs also hold sales of second-hand skates, dresses and skatewear, which can be a great way to keep costs manageable in the early days.

The key is whether they’re enjoying it. The expensive part comes later, when they want to continue... regularly.

💡 Where to start? Contact your local rink — most have a skating club or offer taster sessions or group lessons, usually after school or at the weekend.

2. What Do You Actually ‘Do’ at the Rink?

First sessions are usually short — often just 30 minutes — and taught in small groups. They focus on fun, balance, and building confidence. Expect lots of shuffling, falling, and giggling. Most coaches will gently encourage new skaters to move away from the barrier, even if it’s just tiny steps at first. Finding balance in stiff boots balanced on thin blades is harder than it looks — especially when your ankles don’t yet know what to do. (Tying skates properly? That’s a whole other blog.)

A great coach will spot the wobbles, offer encouragement, and help your child take real steps forward — even in just one session.

Most parents watch from the side, wrapped in blankets and sipping lukewarm tea or coffee from a travel mug. Some even bring laptops to work. (I salute you — I never did this. I always wanted to watch everything.)

3. How Do You Know If Your Child Wants to Keep Going?

Figure skating is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. Progress is gradual, and patience is key — which, to be honest, many young skaters don’t naturally have! But that’s part of what makes this journey so rewarding.

Some children love it instantly. Others take a little longer to feel steady or brave. If your child is excited to go back each week, that’s a good sign. Progress looks different for every skater — some glide off quickly, others spend a few extra weeks just learning to trust their feet. All of it counts.

Skating takes resilience, not just skill. There will be frustration, plateaus and days when it feels like nothing is working — but those quiet little breakthroughs mean everything: a confident glide, the first bunnyhop into a drag, or a wobbly-but-wonderful spin that makes them grin from ear to ear.

If they’re still smiling after Lesson 4, you may well be joining the skating-parent club for the long haul. Welcome.

4. A Few Unexpected Things You’ll Learn Very Quickly

• There is no such thing as too many gloves. Keep spare pairs in the car.

• Hairbands disappear. Always bring extras.

• You’ll end up carrying skates, snacks, a coat and a water bottle while trying not to spill your coffee.

• Rinks are colder than you think. (Some more than others — I’ve been to rinks where I was overdressed and others where I froze after 30 minutes.) Dress accordingly and bring a blanket if you're staying to watch. Long puffer coats? Lifesavers.
  

5. Finding the Joy in the Chaos

Skating is a strange and beautiful world. It teaches balance, strength and resilience and the art of getting up after a fall (both literally and otherwise). You’ll watch your child grow more confident, more graceful and more determined with each lesson (or occasionally, more frustrated - also part of the journey).

And yes, you might find yourself in a freezing car park at 5am wondering how you got here. But then you’ll see them land that Salchow they’ve been practising for weeks, or glide across the rink in perfect teapot position — and suddenly, it’s all worth it.

A Little Sparkle for the Journey

As my girls skated, I started making jewellery inspired by the blade — that perfect moment when silver meets ice. If you’re starting this journey too, maybe a tiny silver skate charm necklace will one day mark your child’s first spin, or their first fall-and-get-up-again.

✨ Tiny victories deserve quiet celebration.