Winter arrives and your kids are not inclined to stay indoors, just because of colder temperatures. Dress them appropriately and help them learn to enjoy sports activities designed around snow and ice. Whether you travel hundreds of miles to a ski slope or down the street to an icy pond, kids that learn winter sports activities when they are young often participate for a lifetime.
Ice Hockey
One winter sports activity for kids that requires specific safety equipment is ice hockey. Played on a 200-foot-long by 85-foot-wide ice rink with rounded corners, kids need ice skates, pads, a helmet and a hockey stick to participate. Two teams with six players each are on the ice rink at one time; each teams consists of a goaltender, three forwards and two defense players. Teams pass the puck, a small, hard, rubber disc, to each other using the hockey sticks with the ultimate objective of sending it into their team's goal, a net at each end of the rink.
Ice Skating
Kids can enjoy ice skating year round if a they have access to an indoor ice rink. Other kids may only enjoy ice skating in the winter, when local ponds are frozen. Kids as young as 3 can begin learning to ice skate, as long as they have the core strength and coordination necessary to maintain balance on the ice. The only equipment necessary is a pair of ice skates, but wearing a helmet with a face guard and multiple clothing layers, rather than protective pads, is recommended. Kid's ice skates should fit snugly at the heel, but have room to wiggle their toes. Both figure skates and hockey stakes work for the sport of ice skating.
Snow Skiing
Snow skiing is one winter activity that kids can begin learning at around age 4. Ski school is advisable for beginners; the instructors are trained specifically to teach kids and kids often learn better in groups of their peers. Equipment required for this winter sport includes skis, poles, a helmet, goggles, a hat and warm, layered clothing designed to dry quickly. Ski slopes are rated based on skill levels; educate kids on how to obey and follow slope signs and how to be responsible and respect others on the slopes.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a winter sport activity that kids can do on a designated ski slope or on a backyard hill. The equipment for snowboarding includes a snowboard, boots, helmet and goggles, along with wrist guards for added protection. Kids should wear a hat and dress in layers of clothing made with fibers that do not absorb water; cotton is not recommended. Kids new to snowboarding can determine their best stance on the board by sliding across a hard floor while wearing socks; the foot that goes naturally forward determines their best snowboarding stance. Formal snowboarding lessons are available for kids ages 6 and older.
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