Learn to Skate & Play Sessions
Our Learn to Skate & Learn to Play programs provide a fun, welcoming introduction to skating and hockey for kids of all experience levels. Players progress at their own pace as they build confidence, develop fundamental skating skills, and eventually learn the basics of hockey through stick and puck instruction. No previous skating or hockey experience is needed to get started!
Ages
Learn to Skate is recommended for boys and girls ages 3–10, but beginners of all ages are welcome!
Children should be able to walk independently and follow basic instructions. No previous skating or hockey experience is required—whether your child is 3 and stepping on the ice for the first time or an older child interested in trying hockey, Learn to Skate is the perfect place to start.
When
A New Format This Season!
This year, we’re trying something new with our Learn to Skate & Play program! Instead of offering two longer sessions, we will be dividing the season into four shorter sessions.
Families can choose the sessions that work best for their schedule, and players can continue into additional sessions throughout the season as they develop their skills.
2026–2027 Session Dates
Session 1: October 19 – November 14, 2026
Session 2: November 16 – December 12, 2026
Session 3: January 4 – January 30, 2027
Session 4: February 1 – February 27, 2027
Where
Mason City Arena
111 S. Washington Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
Practices
All Learn to Skate & Learn to Play levels will practice twice per week for 30 minutes. Practices will be held on Mondays and Saturdays, with specific practice times released at a later date.
Need Equipment? We’ve Got You Covered!
Hockey equipment is available for participants to borrow at no cost during each Learn to Skate & Learn to Play session. Available equipment includes a helmet, elbow pads, shoulder/chest pads, hockey pants (breezers), and shin guards.
To borrow equipment, we simply ask families to provide a $100 refundable equipment deposit by check. Your check will be held throughout the session and will not be cashed as long as all borrowed equipment is returned at the end of the session. If the equipment is not returned, the $100 deposit check will be cashed.
Our goal is to make it as easy and affordable as possible for kids to give hockey a try without families having to purchase a full set of equipment before they know if hockey is right for them.
Skates
Thanks to the generous support of the Mason City Parks & Recreation Department, skates will be provided for all Learn to Skate & Learn to Play participants at no additional cost, helping make it easier and more affordable for every child to get on the ice and give hockey a try.
Jerseys
First Citizens Bank is proud to help get our youngest Mohawks on the ice by providing jerseys for all Learn to Skate & Learn to Play participants. Jerseys will be provided for use throughout each session and collected at the end of the session for future participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my child need to wear or bring for Learn to Skate?
Please have your skater bring:
- A helmet
- Warm, comfortable clothing that allows them to move easily
- Gloves or mittens
- A water bottle
Skates will be available for participants who need them
Can I be on the ice with my child?
We are always looking for parents who would like to help with Learn to Skate! You do not need to be an experienced hockey coach to get involved.
Any parent who would like to be on the ice helping with participants will need to complete the applicable USA Hockey registration and required training before participating. This may include USA Hockey registration, SafeSport training, a background screening, and any required coaching education.
All coaches and on-ice volunteers are also required to wear a helmet while on the ice. Please make sure you have a helmet available before your first time helping.
If you’re interested in helping, please reach out to us and we can walk you through exactly what you need to complete before getting on the ice. We’d love to have you!
Can my child move up a level during a session?
Players Can Progress at Their Own Pace
Our Learn to Skate & Play levels are designed to meet each child where they are. Players are not required to remain in the same level for an entire session.
Our coaching staff will continually evaluate each player’s development. If a child is progressing quickly and is ready for the next step, we will move them to the next level—even in the middle of a session.
Likewise, there is no pressure to move up before a player is ready. Our goal is to make sure each child is appropriately challenged while continuing to build confidence and have fun on the ice.
Every player develops at a different pace, and our new format gives us the flexibility to provide a more individualized path from Learn to Skate Level 1 → Level 2 → Learn to Play.
Fall 2026
A New Format This Season!
This year, we’re trying something new with our Learn to Skate & Play program! Instead of offering two longer sessions, we will be dividing the season into four shorter sessions.
Why the change?
We know families are balancing multiple sports, activities, and busy schedules throughout the year. Shorter sessions give families more flexibility to fit hockey into their schedule without committing to a long season.
The new format also allows us to be more intentional with player development. Each session will focus on building specific skills and confidence, allowing players to progress from Learn to Skate Level 1 → Learn to Skate Level 2 → Learn to Play as they are ready.
Families can choose the sessions that work best for their schedule, and players can continue into additional sessions throughout the season as they develop their skills.
2026–2027 Session Dates
Session 1: October 19 – November 14, 2026
Session 2: November 16 – December 12, 2026
Session 3: January 4 – January 30, 2027
Session 4: February 1 – February 27, 2027
Making Hockey More Accessible
Our goal is to make trying hockey easy, affordable, and accessible for local families.
Every participant will have access to skates courtesy of the Mason City Parks & Recreation Department, helping remove one of the biggest barriers to getting started.
We are also grateful to First Citizens Bank for helping provide jerseys for the program.
Whether your child has never stepped on the ice or is ready to start learning the game of hockey, there’s a place for them to get started!
Which Level Is Right for My Child?
Learn to Skate – Level 1
Designed for first-time and beginner skaters who are learning to feel comfortable and confident on the ice.
Skaters will work on foundational skills including balance, falling down and getting back up, marching, gliding, stopping, and forward skating.
No previous skating or hockey experience is required.
Learn to Skate – Level 2
Designed for skaters who have completed Learn to Skate Level 1 or already have basic skating skills.
Skaters should be comfortable standing and moving forward on their own, getting up independently after falling, and beginning to stop.
Level 2 builds on those fundamentals with a focus on stronger forward skating, stopping, turning, balance, and overall confidence on the ice.
Learn to Play
Designed for skaters who have developed basic skating skills and are ready to begin learning the fundamentals of hockey.
Players will continue developing their skating while being introduced to stickhandling, passing, shooting, puck control, and basic hockey concepts.
Learn to Play helps bridge the gap between learning to skate and becoming ready to participate in organized youth hockey.
Players Can Progress at Their Own Pace
Our Learn to Skate & Play levels are designed to meet each child where they are. Players are not required to remain in the same level for an entire session.
Our coaching staff will continually evaluate each player’s development. If a child is progressing quickly and is ready for the next step, we will move them to the next level—even in the middle of a session.
Likewise, there is no pressure to move up before a player is ready. Our goal is to make sure each child is appropriately challenged while continuing to build confidence and have fun on the ice.
Every player develops at a different pace, and our new format gives us the flexibility to provide a more individualized path from Learn to Skate Level 1 → Level 2 → Learn to Play.