Toddler Ice Skates

If you are going to a rink, rent real skates. Their feet grow so much and if your child does end up loving to skate then buy, but I would not buy them if there are rentals available for the first few times out. Using real skates teaches them the proper feel, ability to tigten laces or velcro to get a good feel on the foot. No ponds in our area are ready for skaters yet but once they are if going to a rink now a decision can be made later of what to purchase.

I second that; I used the double runner ones for my daughter last year (she was 2.5 then), and they were easy to use. We weren't sure she'd even like skating, so it was cheap way to get her on the ice! And they adjusted to whatever shoes she was wearing. No point to getting really nice single blades when you don't know if they'll really enjoy it. They were also great because her ankles didn't twist in, and she was able to do a bit of skating by herself because the balance was a little easier to figure out.
Have fun!

I have three skating children, the youngest having just turned 2. I would HIGHLY recommend actually using real skates. Skates that fit over the shoes will not give ankle support and will make it difficult for the child and present more risk for injury. Skates for that age are not too expensive and actually have pretty good resale value. Definitely "pad her up" with a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and good gloves as well. There will be a lot of falling and getting back up. She also should practice just walking around with the skates quite a bit before hitting the ice.

Dear J.-

When my kids were young, and my parents lived in NH...I got them the double blades that buckled over the boots...

Not sureif it was easier for them...but sure was easier for ME when they decided they were done skating...and wanted to 'sled'...

BTW...they can all skate now...single blades! lol

Michele/cat

Don't get the skates that go on over shoes...They are basically "double runners" and are dangerous..They don't "turn" on the ice and it's easy to twist a knee or even break a leg. For a 2.5 year old, just rent a pair of skates at the rink (what rink are you going to?) Most decent rinks have sizes down to a 6...which is the smallest size that is made...Should you need more information contact me. My good friend is a skating coach.