Discover the best ice skates for kids and teens, featuring options from trusted brands like Riedell and Bauer, suitable for all skill levels.

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Explore the Best Children’s Ice Skates

Searching for the perfect ice skates for your child can be overwhelming due to the vast array of choices available online. With 27 years of experience in the skating industry, I have curated a list of top-rated skate options from Amazon and Ice Warehouse. This selection features trusted brands like Riedell, Bauer, CCM, Jackson, K2, Botas, Roces, Bladerunner, and Lake Placid. These brands are known for consistently delivering quality and safety, ensuring a rewarding and secure initial ice skating experience for your child. This guide simplifies your search process, ensuring your child, whether a beginner or intermediate skater, gets the best gear for their ice-skating journey.

Our Picks for the Best Kids’ Ice Skates

Discover the perfect pair of ice skates for your young skater with our curated list of the top options for kids and teens. Our selection includes skates that blend comfort, safety, and style, suitable for beginners and advanced young enthusiasts. Whether your child is skating for casual fun or competitive flair, you’ll find the ideal match to boost their confidence and performance on the ice.

The Lake Placid Summit offers a durable and economical option for budget-conscious families without sacrificing performance. On the premium side, the Bladerunner Micro XT and the K2 Marlee and Raider skates provide elite adjustability and top-tier features. The Jackson Finesse 452 and Jackson Ultima Finesse 180 Softskate are great for young figure skaters, combining comfort with precision and flexibility, respectively.

In hockey, the Bauer X-LS stands out for toddlers, providing essential support and agility. For older children, the Jackson Softec Sport introduces a hockey-style recreational skate that merges the agility needed for hockey with the comfort of recreational skates. With this range of options, every young skater can find the perfect skates to meet their needs and budget.

Lake Placid Summit

The Lake Placid Summit adjustable ice skates are an excellent choice for beginner skaters, offering great value and solid quality. These skates are designed to accommodate the rapidly growing feet of children, featuring the ability to expand up to four sizes. They also provide options for a figure skate or hockey skate frame, catering to different skating preferences. While not the highest-quality skates on the market, their affordability makes them particularly attractive to parents who are still determining their child’s long-term interest in ice skating.

When it comes to comfort and safety, the Lake Placid Summit skates are a top choice. They come with a soft foam lining that ensures warmth in colder environments and reinforced ankle support to prevent injuries. These safety features make the skates not only comfortable but also safe for young learners. Striking a perfect balance between quality and affordability, the Lake Placid Summit skates are ideal for kids just starting out on the ice, helping them develop confidence and skills in a supportive and cost-effective manner. ($35.41 – $44.99)

Related: 45 Amazing Hockey-Themed Toys and Gifts Kids Will Love

Bauer X-LS

The Bauer X-LS ice hockey skates are an ideal first pair for toddlers, designed explicitly with beginner skaters in mind. These skates offer immediate comfort straight out of the box, equipped with user-friendly velcro straps that simplify putting them on and taking them off. Their innovative design features an easy-to-balance 13′ runner that helps new skaters feel stable and confident on the ice, making them perfect for little ones just starting their skating journeys.

The Bauer X-LS skates strike an excellent balance between comfort and support, making them a top choice for young, budding skaters. The boot’s softness ensures comfort, while its sturdiness supports the learning process. Inside, extra-thick foams provide a snug and comfortable fit, allowing young skaters to focus on developing their skills without discomfort. ($49.99)

Related: The Best Roller Skates for Kids and Teens

Bladerunner micro ice

The Bladerunner Micro Ice skates are an excellent choice for young ice enthusiasts and budget-conscious parents looking for a durable and adjustable option. These skates feature four-size adjustability with a convenient push-button system, allowing them to grow with your child and serve as a long-term skating solution. Their robust construction ensures longevity and makes them ideal for passing down to younger siblings or friends, enhancing their value as a family investment.

Designed with a comfortable, well-padded liner and a sturdy, supportive structure, the Bladerunner Micro Ice skates prioritize safety and ease of movement. Their lightweight design promotes a lower center of gravity, which enhances stability, balance, and control — crucial for young skaters developing their skills. Additionally, the integrated buckle, strap, and lace closure system securely fastens the feet and snugly locks in the ankles, ensuring an optimized and comfortable skating experience. These features make the Bladerunner Micro Ice skates a top pick for parents and kids alike. ($58.99 – $69.97)

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Roces MCK II

The Roces MCK II Hockey Skate and Roces MCK II Figure Skate are excellent entry-level options for young skaters, specifically designed to accommodate growing feet. These highly adaptable skates provide a seamless experience for beginners, featuring warmth and water resistance that are perfect for mastering basic skating techniques. Key features include a removable anatomic thermal-insulation liner and a carbon steel figure blade, which contribute to both comfort and performance on the ice.

Additionally, the Roces MCK II skates have a two-micrometric memory buckle that allows for quick and precise closure, ensuring a snug and secure fit every time. This design detail helps young skaters feel more confident and stable, allowing them to focus on developing their skills. Ideal for kids starting their skating journeys, the Roces MCK II skates combine essential comfort features with a sturdy build to support both casual and more focused ice skating activities. ($69.99)

Related: The 10 Best Inline Skates for Kids

Riedell soar

The Riedell Soar ice skates provide kids with both comfort and quality, making them ideal for hours of fun at a price that parents appreciate. These skates feature a sleek design with a foam-backed velvet lining and durable, maintenance-free uppers, ensuring comfort during skating sessions. Thinsulate insulation keeps feet warm for outdoor skating, while lightweight PVC soles simplify skate care. Additionally, the stainless steel Spiral blade offers a smooth edge for effortless gliding, enhancing the skating experience.

Whether your child is exploring local pond skating spots or enjoying time with family and friends, the Riedell Soar Ice Skates are an excellent choice for any young skater. These skates are designed to be a reliable companion for all kinds of ice skating adventures, providing performance and ease of use that encourages more time on the ice and less time preparing for it. Perfect for budding enthusiasts, the Riedell Soar Ice Skates promise to make every skating outing enjoyable and memorable. ($78.42 – $89.00)

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Botas Regina

The Botas Regina figure ice skates are a top choice for kids, offering a perfect blend of style and comfort. Constructed from high-quality synthetic materials and featuring a waterproof finish, these skates are not only comfortable but also built to last. The interior is lined with brushed knit and foam, ensuring that each skating session is warm and comfortable. These features, along with their durability, make the Botas Regina skates a reliable choice for young skaters who are eager to hit the ice.

Young girls, in particular, will appreciate the thoughtful design of the Botas Regina skates, which include extra ankle padding, a cushioned tongue, and a flexible collar tailored to fit their calves comfortably. These skates focus on comfort, making them ideal for recreational ice skating and perfect for encouraging young enthusiasts to pursue their figure skating passion confidently. ($89.95 – $129.95)

Related: The 24 Best Scooters for Kids from Toddlers to Teens

Bladerunner Micro XT

The Micro XT Hockey Skate and Micro XT Figure Skate are top choices for beginners and recreational skaters, offering the perfect blend of affordability and quality. Designed for comfort, these skates feature a four-size adjustability with a user-friendly push-button system, making them adaptable and long-lasting. Ideal for continuous use over the years, the Micro XT Ice skates are built to withstand the rigors of learning and growing in the sport.

Thanks to their durability and adjustable design, these skates are also great for passing down to younger siblings. Each pair comes equipped with a plush, well-padded liner and a supportive structure that ensures immediate comfort right out of the box. Tailored to accommodate children of various skill levels, the Micro XT skates provide excellent support, comfort, and value, making them perfect for memorable ice skating adventures. ($67.99 – $99.99)

K2 Marlee and Raider

Elevate the thrill of skating with the K2 Marlee Ice for girls and the K2 Raider Ice for boys. These hockey-style skates are performance-oriented and designed with stability and comfort in mind, perfect for recreational use. One of their standout features is the ability to adjust up to five sizes, which allows these skates to grow with your child, ensuring a perfect fit for several seasons and saving parents the hassle and expense of buying new skates every year.

In addition to their size flexibility, the K2 skates feature an integrated blade mount that lowers a young skater’s center of gravity, significantly easing the ability to maintain balance on the ice. The blend of the plush comfort of the Original SoftBoot® and the sturdy support of the Junior Cuff enriches the skating experience, making it both comfortable and stable. Together, the Marlee and Raider Ice skates seamlessly combine comfort with performance, promising a skating experience that is both enjoyable and efficient, making them an ideal choice for budding young skaters. ($89.95)

Bauer Colorado

The Bauer Colorado Skates, a perfect choice for kids and adults who enjoy recreational skating, provide a pampering experience. The skates feature easy-to-use D-ring lacing, which simplifies the process of putting them on and taking them off, making the experience straightforward and hassle-free. The skates boast extra-plush internal padding, including thick collar padding, which provides skaters with immediate comfort and a delightful experience as soon as they step onto the ice. Additionally, the skates come pre-sharpened with a 3/4″ hollow, ensuring they are ready for action right out of the box.

Further enhancing their appeal, the Bauer Colorado Skates are designed with a 3D one-piece shell that offers added flexibility, ideal for casual skaters who prioritize comfort and ease of use. A key feature of these skates is the removable insulated liner, which helps retain warmth throughout the skating session and can be easily removed for washing. This design not only enhances comfort but also makes maintaining hygiene simple, aligning with the overall user-friendly nature of the skates. ($99.99 – $119.99)

Related: Best Youth Hockey Skates

Jackson Softec

The Jackson Softec Sport Ice Skates are specifically designed for entry-level recreational hockey skaters, from kids to adults, focusing on user comfort. These skates feature a soft boot design with a Thinsulate® lined upper and tongue, ensuring maximum comfort and warmth even in colder conditions. The addition of cushiony foam padding wraps the feet in a snug embrace, enhancing the comfort level during skating sessions.

In terms of design, the Jackson Softec Sport Ice Skates boast a modern aesthetic coupled with lightweight yet durable nylon construction, which helps reduce the overall weight without compromising performance or longevity. The synthetic outsole adds to the durability and enhances on-ice performance. Overall, the Jackson Softec Sport Ice Skates offer a perfect blend of style, comfort, and value, ensuring each skating experience is enjoyable and rewarding. ($149.95)

Jackson Ultima Finesse 180 Softskate

The Jackson Ultime Finesse 180 Softskate Ice Skates are ideal beginner figure skates for girls and women, known for their exceptional value. Part of Jackson’s Ultima line, these skates are designed for comfort from the start, featuring a deluxe feel. They are equipped with a sturdy vinyl top, a cushioned tongue, and a soft collar, all contributing to support and warmth during skating sessions.

These skates are fitted with the Ultima Mark I blade, which features a simpler pick pattern than the Mark II. They are made of durable stainless steel that requires minimal maintenance and comes pre-sharpened. The Finesse skates also boast stylish, easy-care PVC soles and shiny chrome details that enhance their visual appeal. Inside, soft foam padding provides comfort and protection, making these skates a solid choice for those starting their figure skating journey. ($124.95 – $134.95)

Riedell Ruby

The Riedell Ruby figure ice skates are the perfect choice for beginners venturing onto the ice. These skates are designed with a strong emphasis on comfort and support, two crucial factors for new skaters. They integrate synthetic reinforcements that provide light yet effective support, allowing learners to enjoy every glide and turn with confidence. The modern ergonomic toe fit offers instant comfort, while the plush hand-rolled collar supports the Achilles tendon, and the flex notch design facilitates proper knee and ankle movement, enhancing the skating experience.

On the aesthetic front, the Ruby skates are visually appealing and designed to stand out. They are adorned with faux crystals on the backstay and a decorative gem lace bar, adding a touch of sparkle and style to the ice. These embellishments ensure that learners perform well and look great as they develop their skills. Complementing their beautiful design, the skates feature a stainless steel Luna blade known for its smooth edges, which enhances the overall skating experience by ensuring that each move is executed with precision and grace. ($139.00)

Jackson Finesse 452

The Jackson Finesse 452 Figure Skate is an excellent choice for boys and men beginning their skating lessons and aspiring to perform advanced moves. The boot’s design is intentionally stiffer to provide added support essential for developing skaters, and it features a rolled collar to prevent ankle abrasions. Additionally, the skate comes equipped with a pre-sharpened Mark I stainless steel blade, firmly attached to a hassle-free PVC outsole, simplifying maintenance and readiness for the ice.

In terms of aesthetics, these skates offer a classic upper design enhanced with stylish chrome inserts that catch the eye. They are equipped with a padded felt tongue, which adds another layer of comfort and support for the foot during long practice sessions. Moreover, the reinforced vinyl-coated uppers add durability to the skates and provide the necessary strength and support for performing various skating maneuvers. ($134.95 – $144.95)

Recommended Accessories

To maintain and protect your child’s skates, certain accessories are crucial. These include blade guards, a sturdy skate bag for transportation, and a soft cloth for wiping down the skates after each use. These items help ensure the skates stay safe and in excellent condition over time.

Guardog Adjustable Ice Blade Guards

Guardog’s Top Notch Guards are designed to shield your ice skate blades when you’re off the ice. They adjust to fit a variety of blade sizes, suitable for most figure skates and some hockey blades ranging from 6 to 10+ inches. Simply use the included sizing chart to customize the fit, leaving a small gap between the guard segments. With built-in springs, these guards easily and quickly snap onto your blades for a secure fit. Made in Canada, each pair guarantees quality and longevity, keeping your blades in top condition.

Athletico Ice Skate Bag

The Athletico Skate Bag is spacious enough to accommodate ice, roller, and inline skates, fitting most up to a men’s US size 13. It also features a large central compartment, offering plenty of room for clothes, pads, and other necessary accessories.

Adjustable vs. Non-Adjustable Ice Skates

The choice between adjustable and non-adjustable models is crucial when considering ice skates for kids. Adjustable skates offer the advantage of accommodating the rapid growth of children’s feet. Designed with resizing mechanisms, they can be extended or tightened, providing a fit that can evolve with the child’s growth spurts. This adaptability ensures prolonged use and cost-effectiveness and means the skates can be passed on to younger siblings or friends.

In contrast, non-adjustable skates provide a fixed fit. While they might offer a more precise and consistent fit at the time of purchase, they can be outgrown relatively quickly, leading to more frequent replacements. Adjustable skates often emerge as the more economical and practical choice for parents anticipating rapid growth or looking for extended usability. However, if precision and a consistent fit are paramount, especially for advanced or competitive young skaters, non-adjustable models might be more suitable.

Understanding Different Types of Ice Skates

Ice skates for children come in various styles, each tailored for specific activities and skill levels. The two primary types are figure skates and hockey skates. Figure skates have a longer blade with serrated edges at the front, known as toe picks. These toe picks aid in performing jumps, spins, and other intricate maneuvers characteristic of figure skating. On the other hand, hockey skates are designed with a shorter, curved blade that allows for quick, agile movements on the ice, making them ideal for the dynamic nature of hockey games. The blade’s curve provides stability, facilitating rapid direction changes, which are essential in hockey.

Several factors come into play when determining the right style for your child. Firstly, consider the intended activity: if your child is drawn to the artistry and choreography of figure skating, then figure skates would be the appropriate choice. However, if they’re interested in playing hockey or prefer a more freestyle form of skating, hockey skates would be better suited. Another critical factor is the comfort and fit of the skate. Choosing a style that provides adequate support, especially around the ankle, is essential to prevent injuries and ensure a positive skating experience. Lastly, as with any sport, the child’s skill level can also influence the choice. Initially, beginners might benefit from a more general-purpose skate with a longer blade, whereas more advanced young skaters may require specialized skates that cater to their specific needs.