Skating Party for Five Year Old

[1xmom]

My dd's birthday is coming up and she wants to have a roller skating party. She also does not know how to skate so I took her to the rink last week and she had an extremely hard time, but I have to say, she was persistant, even thru the tears. I never realized how heavy skates were (I haven't skated in over 20 years so it was a little wobbly for me too). After we left I asked her if she still wanted to have her party there and she said yes. My plan now is to at least take her skating a few more times before her birthday so she at least gets the hang of it. Then I was wondering about other kids that she would be inviting, and whether or not they could skate. Should I just go ahead and book the party or try to get her to have it someplace else. One of the good things about a skating party is that my nieces and nephew are a good bit older than her, so they will be entertain as well. There are also a few video games to play. What do u think? I'd hate to have a party where most of the guests were in tears or frustrated b/c they couldn't skate. Oh, I forgot to mention, they do have little toddler skates for beginners.

[alegna]

I'd say go for it, especially since your DD really wants it even AFTER realizing how hard it is. You're a super mommy for listening to her! Lots of moms would just say no.

Good luck!

-Angela

[Linda KS]

Have you checked out what the rink will be like at the time you plan on having the party? The only skating B-day party we went to was on a Saturday and there were a bunch of parties at the same time. It was loud, confused, and thoroughly unpleasant. The kids at the party didn't interact with each other at all.

Judging from my HS group, most 5 year olds don't know how to skate and many of them hate trying (there are, of couse, exceptions). Many moms won't skate with their kids.

If you are going to do this I suggest you plan the party for a slow time at the rink, talk to the other parents a head of time about skating with their kids, and limit the guest list.

[1xmom]

We did go to the rink where we plan to have the party and what I liked about it was that the party section was on the other side of the rink, kind of separate from the general public. I talked to some parents and it was kind of 50-50, so we'll see

[Kateri]

I would try talking her into another sort of party. It will be hard for the other 5 year olds and younger to try to skate.

[fayking]

i have no coordination and was once invited to a skate party..i was scared and felt totally stupid cos i couldnt take part. (and i was 12!) i think i would be cool if there was other activities aswell so everyone can join in.

[binxsmom]

my son just attended a skating party. he is 4 and was the youngest. most other kids were 8 - 12. the rink was only open to the party-goers. my son had a great time. he couldn't skate, of course, but had fun trying. dh skated with him. i was slinging dd so i didn't skate. at times, i did walk along side him in the rink (the managers said it was fine during the party).

i noticed that after about 45 minutes, many of the kids (ds included) started doing other stuff (foozball, arcade games), etc. and then everyone had cake, etc.

i think 5 year olds are too young to feel stupid and self-conscious about it. if anything, they'll just get bored or will be afraid to try. if there is a separate party area, maybe set up a few games like pin the tail on the donkey or a bag toss kinda game. if your daughter has hear heart set on skating, go for it.

[Meiri]

DD just went to a skating party yesterday. She'd never been on skates before and had a blast, even with the falling down. Maybe it's the way this group of kindergarten girls interacts, but a few times a line of 5 or 6 of them were out there holding hands and helping each other along. She's now asking if she can have a roller skating party in April.

One thing to ask the rink is if they have skates for beginners. The skates DD used have one wheel tightened so it doesn't roll so freely. This gives the child more control as she learns. They also have the kinds that strap over shoes which can be set to only roll forward.