By Cynthia J. Drake | Published on March 23, 2022
And you're off! You're flying, your cheeks are red from the wind, chips of ice are shooting up like sparks, and you're letting out a holler all the way down. You're zipping down a snowy hill on a sled, your kid is next to you on a sled of their own, racing you to the bottom. This is what a winter vacation is all about, unleashing your inner child with fun winter activities by turning them into games in snow while bonding with family despite the cold and early sunsets.
If you're used to spending the cold months indoors cozied up by the fire, discovering a fun wintertime sport may be just what you need, and perhaps it holds the key to unlocking a new tradition for your family. There are some truly iconic ice skating rinks throughout the world like London's Hyde Park, the 10th floor of the Eiffel Tower, Red Square in Moscow, St. Basil's Cathedral, and, of course, New York's Rockefeller Center. The rinks dazzle during the holidays with twinkle lights and grandiose Christmas trees, making you feel like you're inside a snowglobe. But no matter where you choose to hit the ice, for kids and novice skaters, there are so many options to help you gain confidence on skates, from double-bladed skates, which add more stability, to skate aids, which you can hold on to for support.
Assuming your family isn't composed of Olympic skating hopefuls, create a silly skating competition where each family member must come up with the most ridiculous and outrageous ice dancing routine — chicken flaps and booty shakes are highly encouraged. Bonus points if sequins and music choreography are involved. You'll have so much fun on the ice, you won't even care if you fall!