Skating rink facts for kids

A skating rink is a special place designed for people to glide and have fun on skates! These areas provide a smooth, safe surface for various skating activities. There are two main types of skating rinks: those made for ice skates and those for roller skates. Both offer exciting ways to exercise, learn new skills, and enjoy time with friends and family.

What is a Skating Rink?

A skating rink is essentially a flat, prepared area where people can skate. These rinks are built to be very smooth and even, which makes it easy for skates to glide across the surface. They often have barriers or walls around the edge to keep skaters safe and to contain the action, especially during sports like hockey or roller derby.

Ice Skating Rinks

An ice skating rink is a large, flat area of frozen water. The ice needs to be kept very cold, usually below freezing point, to stay solid for skating. These rinks are popular for many different activities.

Activities on Ice

• Figure skating: Skaters perform amazing jumps, spins, and graceful movements, often to music. It's a beautiful sport that requires a lot of balance and practice.
• Ice hockey: This is a fast-paced team sport where players use sticks to hit a puck into the opponent's net. Players wear protective gear because the game can be very physical.
• Public skating: Many rinks offer times when anyone can come and skate for fun. It's a great way to enjoy the ice with friends or family.
• Speed skating: Athletes race around an oval track on ice, trying to be the fastest.
• Curling: This is a unique sport where players slide stones across the ice towards a target area.

How Ice Rinks are Made

Creating an ice rink involves a special system. Underneath the concrete floor, there are many pipes filled with a very cold liquid, like chilled brine or ammonia. This liquid cools the concrete, which then freezes a thin layer of water poured on top. Machines called Zambonis or ice resurfacers drive over the ice to smooth it out and keep it perfect for skating. They shave off the top layer of rough ice and then lay down a fresh, thin layer of warm water that freezes quickly.

Roller Skating Rinks

A roller skating rink is a smooth, hard surface, usually made of wood, concrete, or a special synthetic material. Unlike ice rinks, these rinks are kept at room temperature. They are designed for roller skates, which have wheels, instead of blades.

Activities on Wheels

• Roller skating: This is the most common activity, where people simply skate around for fun, often to music. Many rinks have disco lights and a lively atmosphere.
• Roller derby: This is a full-contact team sport played on quad roller skates. Players skate around an oval track, trying to score points by passing opponents.
• Roller hockey: Similar to ice hockey, but played on roller skates with a ball or puck.
• Speed skating: Athletes race on roller skates around a track, similar to ice speed skating.
• Lessons: Many rinks offer classes to teach beginners how to skate or to help experienced skaters improve their skills.

History of Roller Rinks

Roller skating became very popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The first public roller rink in the United States opened in 1866 in Newport, Rhode Island. Roller rinks saw another big boom in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, especially with the rise of disco music.

Safety at Skating Rinks

No matter what type of skating you do, safety is always important.

• Wear protective gear: Helmets, knee pads, and wrist guards can help prevent injuries, especially for beginners or when playing sports.
• Follow rink rules: Every rink has rules to keep everyone safe, like skating in the same direction or not skating too fast.
• Be aware of others: Look out for other skaters to avoid collisions.
• Take lessons: Learning from an instructor can help you develop good skating habits and techniques safely.

Skating rinks provide a fantastic place for people of all ages to enjoy the thrill of gliding, whether on ice or wheels!