Have you tried outdoor ice skating this year? Your local pop-up rink might still be open this half term – why not check it out.
Over the winter, temporary open air ice rinks spring up all over the place (some better than others) making it a great time of year for our mini adventurers to try skating. Being outdoors adds another dimension to the excitement.
In January our Cub pack organised a day trip to Newcastle-upon-Tyne for a bit of culture in the north east’s big city; open air ice skating, a meal in Chinatown, walking the city walls and a matchday visit it to the NUFC shop!
On the Bus
Scouting is all about outdoor adventure, personal challenge, new experiences and life skills as well as fun with friends and lots of laughs. Our Scout group is based in a valley village in rural Northumberland so Akela arranged to take a public bus for the hour long journey to the city.
In the end only 3 Cubs attended, all girls, who loved the independence on the bus.
We walked from the bus stop to the temporary ice rink in Newcastle’s Times Square getting the girls to direct us using iphone maps – modern navigation skills!
Open Air Ice Skating
Ice skating, whether indoors or out, is another exciting challenge for kids, especially the first time they experience it, battling nerves, balance and finding the determination to succeed.
As a family we’ve tried a few outdoor ice rinks over the years, in fact I don’t think Caroline’s skated at an indoor rink yet!
We don’t rate the plastic ones much (with bumpy joins and amusingly added fairy liquid for slipperiness) except for when she was a tiny toddler and could use a penguin support.
After kitting up in thick socks and skating boots we spent a fun-filled and increasingly warm hour (note the gradual removal of clothing layers in the photos!) outside the Science Life Centre. (where Caroline attends genetic appointments as part of her post-cancer monitoring.)
There was the usual twenty minutes or so of teetering around getting our balance and then by the end of the hour we were all ‘experts’ and didn’t want to leave.
Newcastle’s Old City Walls
Having worked up healthy appetites we walked to Chinatown via the old city walls.
Newcastle’s Medieval stone walls were built to defend the city in the 13th and 14th centuries and stand up to 25 feet high (7.6m). They are currently a Scheduled Ancient Monument that you can see in places around the city free of charge.
International Culture in Chinatown
We had a delicious meal before exploring a Chinese supermarket to buy some cute gifts for Chinese New Year.
Newcastle United Football Club Store
The walk back to the bus stop took us via the merchandise shop at Newcastle’s St James’ Park football stadium where a match was in progress. We popped in for more black and white Magpie-style goodies. An eclectic day if ever there was one!
It tipped it down the whole way home so we were incredibly lucky to have had a dry day out and about in toon.
What will you be doing outdoors this half term?
2019 Skating Prices at Science Life Centre, Newcastle
The Newcastle open air ice rink is open until 24th February 2019 so there’s still time to take the kids.
Family (2 adults + 2 children OR 1 adult + 3 children) £27.00
Adult (aged 18+) £10.00
Concessions (OAP, student or unwaged) £9.00
Child (aged 5-17) £7.50
Child (aged 4 and under) £3.00
Maximum of 2 under 4s per adult on the ice rink
My girls like to have a skate once a year, normally on Boxing Day, its become a bit of a tradition, but one is far better than the other, much to the others dismay! Mich x #Countrykids
I never thought of that with twins, I bet it brings a whole new meaning to the concept of sibling rivalry!
Looks like you all had fun, I’m not a fan of ice skating so we haven’t been with my son but hopefully he can go with friends one day #countrykids
It’s one of those frustrating activities that needs to be done regularly otherwise you seem to spend half the session re-learning! Maybe your son will go with Scouting one day?!
I had a look for ice skating rinks in our region this year, but found them all so pricey. I guess it’s the fact that I had ice skating available to me for free every winter when growing up (in Sweden), that makes me stubborn about paying much for it… Also, I’d like to find somewhere which isn’t busy, and that’s easier said than done. Perhaps I’ll have better luck next year. The place you went to seems fairly reasonable 🙂 xx
#CountryKids
It’s not a cheap pastime that’s for sure but we love it for a treat once a year. I always want to be so much better than I am!! And paying when you’ve grown up skating free must really gall. Thanks for popping by
My uncle (in law) is a Scout leader so I wonder if he’s ever taken them skating. I know my eldest wants to do this too and it would be great to get my girls into this club but understand there’s a long waiting list. #CountryKids
I don’t think skating would be on many Scout packs agenda unless the rink was close by, as it’s not cheap. Our Scouts went curling last year too. They loved it but I missed the session unfortunately. One for the list!
Glad the weather stayed dry while you were out. Outdoor ice-skating is fun – once you get past those first twenty minutes of re-learning how to balance and skate around again! Caroline looks like she really enjoyed it. #CountryKids
Caroline loved it though she took a huge tumble along the way that really winded her. No stopping though, quick breather and she was off again!
I love going to London’s stunning ice-skating rinks, but these days I am more of a spectator! With hot cocoa in hand, of course. #CULTUREDKIDS
Hopefully hot cocoa and Bailey’s or Kahlua?!
Lovely to see the historic walls of Newcastle. I’m definitely more of a coat holder than a skater myself! The teen loves it though so those excursions to ice rinks when she was younger were well worth it #CulturedKids
Ha ha! Coat holding is all good, at least it means the kids are having fun!
Happy Days, I was a student in Newcastle (many years ago) and used to live opposite the football ground. No ice rinks in my day but a great Cultural City. #CulturedKids
There’s so much more to do in Newcastle than people realise! I love those old buildings by the football ground.
We first tried ice-skating a few years back at one of those popup rinks in Dublin around Christmas time, but we haven’t done it this past 2 winters. To be honest, the crowds, and the prices, sort of put me off. It looks like your 3 cubs had a fab time about town though!
#CulturedKids
I know, why are they so expensive? Such a shame but great fun as a treat
We LOVE ice skating, such a fun thing to do. #culturedkids
Us too. I used to go to rink as a child in Birmingham but we’re a little too out in the sticks now!