On the fence about making the investment to put your kid in hockey? I understand. I’ve been there myself. And I highly recommend you give the sport a try for free at a Try Hockey For Free Day event. This program gives kids (ages 4-9) a shot at experiencing the basics of hockey without financial commitment. It’s strictly for fun! Plus, coaches will be on hand to offer tips and provide equipment.
USA Hockey’s 2022-23 Try Hockey For Free Day Details
Who can participate: Boys and girls ages 4-9 are invited to these programs
When:
- Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Saturday, February 24, 2024
What it is:Â Sample day for kids to try out hockey as a sport for FREE! No previous experience of skills necessary. Register for one or both days!
How to participate: Register Here.
Where: Rinks around the country, hosted by 450 local associations.
Useful Information:
- If they have them, kids should bring their own helmet (bike helmets work) and skates, but they’ll have both available. You are encouraged to bring your own hockey equipment if you have it, also. But again, they’ll have loaners available.
- Dress like you will be playing outdoors. It is cold on the ice and in the spectator areas. Participants should wear:
- A loose-fitting pair of sweatpants or snow pants
- A pair of gloves (they don’t need to be hockey gloves- mittens are fine)
- A jacket or sweater appropriate for the cold. We visited on a relatively warm day, and the indoor rink was actually colder than outdoors.
Find a Participating Twin Cities Rink
Participating locations change from year to year, but you can type in your zip code and find the closest arena here. All locations will have limited equipment available for use.
Practice Hockey and Ice Skating Free All Winter
Who knows? This might be the beginning of a lifelong love of hockey. It certainly helps us get through our long Minnesota winters! Once your kids are hooked, find an outdoor rink near you here:Â Skate the Twin Cities: Where To Find Free Outdoor Ice Rinks. (Most of these open mid-December and close mid-February and are weather-dependent.)
Where to Find Hockey Skates:
Joy’s family loves to use the Minneapolis parks for ice skating because they offer free loaner skates for her kids ever-growing feet. Gianna outfits her kids at Play It Again Sports each year. If you are looking to buy new, purchasing through the link below (anything, not just the skates we feature) will help to keep FFTC going.
If you miss these opportunities, watch for the next date. We usually see one in early November and another in February or March each season.
Other Sports that Offer Try FREE Days in the Twin Cities
Try Lacrosse for Free
For more ideas for fun physical activities try these 50+ Fun Physical Activities for Kids of All Ages or check out our Family Sports & Fitness Page.