How to In-Line Skate-- For Kids

In-line skates, also called rollerblades, are used for recreational skating or roller hockey. In-line skates have three or four wheels in a single line, and some brands offer a stop brake used for slowing down while skating. When teaching kids how to in-line skate, safety should be a priority. Use protective gear like a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads to help avoid injuries. The pads also help to lessen the child's fear of falling as they learn to skate.

Things You'll Need

  • In-line skates
  • Wrist guards
  • Knee pads
  • Elbow pads
  • Helmet
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pick a grassy area to gather all the equipment. Put on the protective gear and lace up the skates. Tighten all the buckles, if your skates have them, for a snug and comfortable fit.

    • 2

      Stay on the grass and stand in place while slightly bending the knees. The grass will provide more balance and friction to prevent falls. The youth skater can hold on to the adult for stability. Stay in place for 5-to-10 minutes to get accustomed to the skates.

    • 3

      Start walking towards a flat, cemented surface like the sidewalk. Choose a safe and traffic-free pathway for young children.

    • 4

      Stand with slightly-bent knees and your hands hands in front of your body. Position your feet shoulder-width apart. Assume the V-stance position by bringing in the heels of your skates so that both toes point outwards, forming a "V".

    • 5

      Take a step forward while keeping the toes pointed outward. Take another step forward with the other foot and position it next to the first foot. Keep feet in the V-stance.

    • 6

      Practice by taking continuous steps while keeping balance. Keep your toes pointed outward as you glide along forward. Stop by applying the heel brake.

    • 7

      Play games to allow children to have fun and relax while learning in-line skating. Play the Hokey Pokey game by singing and acting out the lyrics: "Scissor right foot in, scissor right foot out, and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey-Pokey, and you turn yourself around, that's what it's all about." Doing the movements helps reinforce the use of heel brake stops and learning maneuvers like parallel turns.