Things to do: Ice skating at Brenton Plaza, plus 6 ice skating games to try with the kids

Mackenzie Ryan
The Des Moines Register
Brenton Skating Plaza will open November 17, 2017.

It didn't happen right away. The fear of falling was too much.

But after a few laps around Brenton Skating Plaza in downtown Des Moines, my boyfriend's son was grinning. Then he started flossing along with the music.

Exactly the kind of joy I was hoping to share.

Growing up in Minnesota, ice skating was ubiquitous as snow. Soccer and baseball fields are flooded each winter to form expansive outdoor ice rinks.

I never learned to figure skate nor did I play hockey, but I can hold my own on the ice — largely because of ice skating games we played in school. 

That's right, I learned to ice skate in my elementary school gym class. 

► MORE: Outdoor Des Moines metro skating rinks

In a nod to my childhood, this weekend I played tag and train and a few other ice skating games with my boyfriend and his kids.

It was exactly the kind of laugh-inducing fun that helps lighten the frustration of learning to skate. 

After taking a break to allow the Zamboni to make its rounds, the boys were first in line to go back out on the ice. 

Soon, his oldest had skated backwards — and his youngest had skated the entire rink by himself.

"I finally got around," his 7-year-old said as we drove home. "I couldn't do anything, then since I practiced I got better."

Friends enjoy ice skating at Brenton Skating Plaza in downtown Des Moines.

Ice skating games 

Waddle like a penguin. Okay, this isn't a game, but it's a decent metaphor for that side-to-side motion of ice skating. And it's kind of fun to say.

Follow the leader. This is almost like Simon Says; when the leader goes left, everyone goes left. When the leader lifts one foot, everyone else does too.

Tag. This requires some ground rules to safely play with other skaters around, such as no darting between people or going the wrong way. Otherwise, it's "tag, you're it!" on ice.

Floss. A circa-2018 game, but fun none-the-less. When we took a break along the rail, start flossing (aka dancing) to the music. Who can floss fastest? Who can glide and floss?

Duck below. Two people hold hands and another skates underneath them. It's especially fun with little but confident skaters.

Skating train. This is sometimes called a chain, where one person is the leader and the rest hold onto the waist of person in front of them. The leader pulls everyone forward.

Ice skating at Brenton Skating Plaza is for all ages and skill levels.

A trip to Brenton Plaza

Location: Brenton Skating Plaza is located at 520 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines.

Contact: (515) 284-1000 dsmpartnership.com/brentonplaza/ice-skating, or on Facebook

Hours: Monday through Thursday from noon-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon-11 p.m., Sunday from noon-6 p.m

Admission: Typically $8.50 for adults, $5.25 for children ages 6-12, $4.75 for skate rental. Admission increases by $1 on holidays.

What to know

Use a Groupon. Why pay full price when you can get a coupon? Deals include $19 for two tickets and skate rentals any day, and $35 for four tickets and skate rentals any day.

Lot parking. There's free parking for Brenton Skating participants after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday on Sunday. Signs mark the lot on the corner of Des Moines Street and Robert D. Ray Drive.

Bring change. Streets near Brenton Plaza have metered parking from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, so don't forget to bring change just in case.

Prepare for a rush. We went around dinnertime Saturday and it wasn't too busy, but the staff said that was lucky. It's usually packed on the weekends. Weekday skating is less crowded and less expensive

Skating aids allow the youngest skates to hold onto a plastic half-box to stay upright. They're $5 to rent and require shoes or keys for collateral.

Warm up with treats. There's candy and cookies for sale for $1, hot chocolate, apple cider and coffee for $2, and and pizza, nachos and pretzel slices for $4.