Winter traditions like sledding, snowball fights, and ice-skating are centuries old for one reason: they’re fun! A great way to stay warm and active, and to keep your fun factor to a maximum, ice rinks are prime spots for birthday parties, learning new skills, or just afternoons of sheer, gliding joy with the family. Get your kids out on the ice this winter (or even year-round!) at these family-oriented local rinks.

The Campus Ice Rink

The Campus of Chester County, 4533 Lincoln Highway, Downingtown

Established in 2022, the Campus of Chester County is an expansive family activity complex situated on 26 woodland acres. The campus includes a turf field, outdoor swimming pool, climbing tower, play structure, a cafe — and an ice rink! On the weekends, the ice rink hosts public skating with music, food available for purchase, and fun! Visit The Campus’ public skating page to find out hours, as well as admission and skate rental cost.

Center Ice of Oaks

100 Pennco Road, Oaks

Hit the town of Oaks, just off Route 422 to visit Oaks Center Ice, a rink with lots of public sessions, including Friday night public skate. There’s also skating lessons and clinics, adult and youth hockey, figure skating, and a party room where you can host your tween’s next birthday party (party room is closed June–August). Work up an appetite practicing your best Olympic moves or just trying to stay upright, then stop in to Jake’s Cafe to refuel.

Flight on Ice!

Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink, 4901 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square

Skate and chill at Flight on Ice, an outdoor ice skating and entertainment experience in Delaware County. This winter wonderland has fun for the whole family with ice skating sessions, music, a lounge area, a heated tent, and great food and beverages. Plus, Flight on Ice donates a portion of all proceeds to the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association.

Haverford Skatium

1001 Darby Road, Havertown

Established in 1974, The Skatium is a local legend, hosting frozen fun for two generations and counting! Here you’ll find public skate sessions, ice hockey, and learn-to-skate lessons, plus this ice rink has an in-house eatery and a pro shop. Rent skates, or bring your own. Ice schedule changes regularly so be sure to consult The Skatium site for details.

Ice Line Quad Rinks

700 Lawrence Drive, West Chester

Ice Line Quad Rinks is a sprawling center for all things skate: lessons, open skate, tournaments, leagues, and more, for all ages. Not only does Ice Line provide a pro shop and The Grille for a bite, there’s also Goal Line Pub for an adult dining experience while the kids skate, including happy hour! Check their public skating schedule for hours and cost.

Philadelphia Skating Club & Humane Society

220 Holland Avenue, Ardmore

At 150 years old, PSCHS is America’s first ice skating club! From family weekend skating to synchronized skating to competitive skating, this club’s focus is on fun and figures. While there is no hockey at this rink, group lessons and rink rentals are available. Check their public skating schedule for hours, admission and rentals.

Power Play Rinks

701 Haywood Drive, Exton

Inside this 45,000 sq. foot facility, there is something for everyone in the family: skating lessons, youth and adult hockey programs, figure skating programs, speed skating, a dance academy and a training center. And if you’re just here to watch the kids, there’s a warm and inviting lobby with access to free Wi-Fi and our snack bar. This busy ice rink offers plenty of public skating sessions, but pre-registration is required. Check their public skating page for hours and admission prices.

PNY Sports Arena

1646 West Chester Pike, West Chester

PNY Sports Arena, located in West Chester, is equipped with a full service cafe, pro shop with skate sharpening, skate rental, and party rooms. Public skating sessions run through December and resume after hockey season in late February. In December, watch for their special Skate with Santa sessions! In addition, PNY runs Just Skate, a learn-to-skate program with sessions in fall, winter, and spring.

Springfield Ice Skating Rink

400 West Sproul Road, Springfield

Be sure to include Springfield Skating Rink in your rounds of the local ice. This Delco rink hosts a Hockey league, private and group lessons, and a few choice public skating sessions per week, as well as private events, birthday parties, groups, games, and more!

Wissahickon Skating Club

550 West Willow Grove Avenue, Philadelphia

The Wissahickon Skating Club was founded in 1954 by a group of Chestnut Hill families who wanted an ice skating facility in their their community. Although the youth and adult figure skating and hockey programs require a membership to the club, there are regular public skating sessions at the rink!

Lead photo courtesy of iStock. Beth Gilbert-Crowell contributed to this article.