We checked four places to ice skate with little kids in and around Akron–Canton: two holiday or outdoor rinks and two indoor rinks with public skating. Lock 3 ice rink (Archie the Snowman) opens Fri, Nov 27. Three post skate aids for beginners, like Lock 3 ice rink (Archie the Snowman). They’re spread over three areas, with the most in Canton.
Season at a glance
Every rink on one timeline, so you can see what’s open the weekend you want to go. Tap a rink for prices and hours.
Holiday season
Seasonal and pop-up rinks, soonest first. The four boxes are what parents ask first: season, price, skate rental and skate aids.
Lock 3 · Akron, OH · downtown
Everyone signs a waiver before skating.
Canton, OH · downtown
Hours: Open December through February, weather permitting; weekdays 5–9 p.m.
A small open-air city rink downtown with lights and music.
Outdoor rinks close for warm or wet weather. Check the rink’s page the morning you go.
Any season
Public skate sessions open to families. Session times change week to week, so each card links to the rink’s own page.
Kent, OH · about 12 miles from Akron
Public sessions are listed on the page, including weekend afternoons.
Canton, OH
Register online before every open skate session.
Before you go
SafetyBring a helmetFalls are part of learning. A bike or hockey helmet protects little heads, and some rinks ask for one.Skate aidsAsk about skate aidsA walker-style aid lets new skaters push and glide on their own. Each card says whether the rink posts them.
FitThin socks, warm mittensOne pair of thin socks fits rental skates best. Waterproof mittens keep hands dry after a tumble.Keep planning
November: things to do in Akron–CantonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Akron–CantonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Akron–CantonFree days, free events and places that never charge
Library storytimes in Akron–CantonBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Thanksgiving weekend in Akron–CantonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in Akron–CantonParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
The Nutcracker in Akron–CantonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Akron–CantonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in Akron–CantonDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Lock 3 ice rink (Archie the Snowman) (Akron, OH · downtown); Hall of Fame City Ice Rink (Canton, OH · downtown); Kent State University Ice Arena public skating (Kent, OH · about 12 miles from Akron); Center Ice Sports Complex open skate (Canton, OH). Two are holiday or outdoor rinks, listed first; indoor rinks with public skating follow.
Lock 3 ice rink (Archie the Snowman): Opens Fri, Nov 27. Dates come from each rink’s own page, and warm or wet weather can close outdoor rinks for the day.
Lock 3 ice rink (Archie the Snowman): Double-blade buckle skates for beginners. Kent State University Ice Arena public skating: Skate helpers $6 for one, $10 for two. Center Ice Sports Complex open skate: Skate trainers and a few toddler skates, first come, first served. Rinks that don’t mention aids say Not listed on their card.
Lock 3 ice rink (Archie the Snowman): $10 with rental skates; skate rental Included in the $10 price. Hall of Fame City Ice Rink: $4 admission; skate rental $2. Kent State University Ice Arena public skating: $14 general admission; skate rental Included. Center Ice Sports Complex open skate: $13 admission; skate rental $4. Prices are the rink’s own and can change on holidays.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week from October through February. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Akron–Canton that weekend, rinks included.
