We checked three places to ice skate with little kids in and around New York City: three holiday or outdoor rinks. The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park opened Wed, Oct 28 and runs to Feb 28. Two post skate aids for beginners, like The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park. They’re spread over three areas, from Midtown Manhattan to Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
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.
Bryant Park · Between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, New York, NY 10018
Open daily, weather permitting. Reserve a time slot online. Bags aren’t allowed on the ice; shoe check is free and bag check is $6.24 an item.
Central Park · 830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065
Hours: Mon–Tue 10am–2:30pm; Wed–Thu and Sun 10am–9pm; Fri–Sat 10am–10pm
With littles: Strollers are allowed; children under 16 need a chaperone 21 or older
Everyone signs a waiver; no re-entry.
Prospect Park · 171 East Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Hours: Covered rink daily from noon (to 4:45pm most days); open-air rink from Nov 15, daily 9am–6pm; Fri–Sat evening sessions
With littles: Skaters can’t carry children on the ice; kids 13 and under need an adult 18 or older.
Two rinks, one covered and one open-air, through the winter. Walk up or reserve.
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.
We add indoor rinks once their own page posts public skate times and prices.
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 NYCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in NYCEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in NYCFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in NYCIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Thanksgiving weekend in NYCParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in NYCKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in NYCParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in NYCPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in NYCBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in NYCChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in NYCWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in NYCDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park (Midtown Manhattan); Wollman Rink (Central Park); LeFrak Center at Lakeside (Prospect Park, Brooklyn). Three are holiday or outdoor rinks, listed first; indoor rinks with public skating follow.
The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park: Oct 28 – Feb 28. Wollman Rink: Oct 28 – Mar 16. LeFrak Center at Lakeside: Opens Sat, Oct 31. Dates come from each rink’s own page, and warm or wet weather can close outdoor rinks for the day.
The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park: Skate aid rental $26 (free before 10:30am when available). Wollman Rink: Skate aids $25 for kids 12 and under, under 4 feet tall. Rinks that don’t mention aids say Not listed on their card.
The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park: Free admission; skate rental Skate rentals $18.72–$64.48 depending on time. Wollman Rink: Kids 4–12 $12; skate rental $12 (smallest size toddler 8). LeFrak Center at Lakeside: $10 Tue–Fri daytime, $5 Mondays; skate rental $10. Prices are the rink’s own and can change on holidays.
Wollman Rink: Strollers are allowed; children under 16 need a chaperone 21 or older. LeFrak Center at Lakeside: Skaters can’t carry children on the ice; kids 13 and under need an adult 18 or older.
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 29, 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 NYC that weekend, rinks included.
