Ice Skating with a Toddler in Bryant Park

Living in NYC has it’s perks, especially when it comes to the holiday season. One of those perks is ice skating in the middle of Manhattan at the Winter Village in Bryant Park. I have been looking forward to taking my oldest ice skating for a while now. I’m not particularly good at ice skating, but I love it so much, especially in New York City.

Growing up in California, I think the first time I went ice skating was in high school, at an indoor ice skating rink. I loved it then too, but nothing compares to being outdoors on a cold winter day, all bundled up and keeping your blood flowing, by skating on the ice. And like most parents, I want my kiddos to experience all the things I didn’t as a young child, so we took Jayden for his first ice skating adventure at the ripe young age of three!

Jayden and I had been talking about ice skating for a couple weeks prior and last Saturday was the perfect day for it. We invited Just Kidz Studio to join us and capture the moment with Jayden and I on the ice and Daddy and Jude cheering us on, along the sidelines.

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Things you’ll need:

  • Skates: No need to bring skates, just rent them. Little kids feet grow way to quickly to invest in skates this young, in my opinion. *Note: it is free to skate in Bryant Park if you bring your own skates, but I still don’t think its worth it to invest in skates so young.

  • Gloves: Warm padded gloves. When your kiddos falls, you want to make sure their hands are protected and stay warm.

  • Safety Gear: If you think your kid will be going super fast, a helmet and kneepads would be a good idea too (you could also rent the things there).

  • Balance: A skate balance helper… most rinks have these as well. At the Bryant Park Ice Skating rink, we rented the little penguin.

  • Coat: Warm puffy coat, snow pants would be cool too, but I also know for my kiddo, snow pants restrict movement so we opted to stick with regular jeans and he was fine, even with a few falls.

  • Photographer: Someone to take photos so you can remember the moment, doesn’t have to be a professional, but doesn’t hurt either! (thanks Just Kidz Studio)

  • Patience, patience, patience. You will go slow around the rink, at least we did, and only did one full lap total (which is a bit crazy when you add up the cost) but it was so worth it.

Things your wont need… your stroller! If you plan to go to Bryant Park, they charge to store your stroller, so make sure you either leave it behind or have someone on the outside to watch it. The cost add up quickly, with renting skates, the penguin, etc., might as well save a few bucks.

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Mommy, I did it, I did it! I really like ice skating.
— Jayden, Age 3

Nothing brings me more joy that experiences things I love, for the first time with my kids. It’s like you get to experience it all over, for the first time too. How old were your kids when you took them ice skating for the first time?

Photos by the amazing duo behind Just Kidz Studio