No matter how much we may TiVo and BlackBerry, circling the rink on a chilly night evokes roasting marshmallows, mittens on a string, and Hans Brinker read aloud by a fireplace. Most casual skaters rent, but there’s something special about starting off a young first-time skater with a pair of his or her own. The Little Rocket skates from American Athletic (a boys’ version comes in black with light-blue piping) have double-runner blades for extra stability, so kids can actually walk on the ice until they’re confident enough to glide. They’re also $15.98—so parents don’t have to invest too much in something that might not fly. Kids’ sizes range from 8 to 13 (Triangle Sports, 182 Flatbush Ave., at Fifth Ave., Park Slope; 718-638-5300).
Perfect Your Hockey Stop
Olympic figure-skating coaches hold daily lessons for kids and adults on two giant, beginner-friendly rinks at Chelsea Piers’ Sky Rink Skating School ($112 to $124 for four weeks; skate rental is $6.50; Pier 61 at 23rd St.; 212-336-6100).
Dress Up Your Skates
Little Miss Matched shoelaces come in packets of three for variety ($7 at FAO Schwarz, 767 Fifth Ave., at 58th St.; 212-644-9400).
Prevent Chapping
Peppermint oil in Bigelow’s Mentha Lip Shine feels tingly and freshens breath ($7.50 at Bigelow Chemists, 414 Sixth Ave., nr. 9th St.; 212-533-2700).
Warm and Waterproof
Lightly padded, ultrawarm Cloudveil gloves work on the ice and off ($72.95 at Paragon Sports, 867 Broadway, at 18th St.; 212-255-8066).
Thaw Frozen Toes
Give your feet a rest in furry Emu slippers ($50 at Last Chance, 2083 86th St., nr. 21st Ave., Bensonhurst; 718-946-8506).
And Afterward…
Defrost with Will Goldfarb’s take on the classic hot cocoa (Warm Chocolate Bubbles with espresso Jell-O, $9 at Dessert Studio at Chocolat Michel Cluizel, 888 Broadway, at 19th St.; 212-477-7335).
If Pom-poms Aren’t Your Style
Wrap yourself up in a lamb’s-wool scarf-cap ($88 at Anthropologie, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-246-0386).
Embrace Every Cliché
A reindeer sweater is obligatory ($148 at Ralph Lauren Rugby, 99 University Pl., at 12th St.; 212-677-1895).
Ditch the Backpack, Bypass the Lockers
Put credit cards, keys, and lip balm in a non-encumbering waist pack ($42 at Token, 258 Elizabeth St., nr. Houston St.; 212-226-9655).
Where the Ice Is
MANHATTAN
• Lasker Rink and Wollman Rink are open seven days a week. Check nycgovparks.org for hours. Admission is $9.50 to $12 for adults, $4.75 for seniors and children. Skate rental is $5 (Central Park N. at 107th St.; 917-492-3857; and Central Park S. at 63rd St.; 212-439-6900).
• The ice rink at Rockefeller Center is open seven days a week. Check rapatina.com/icerink for holiday hours. Admission is $13.50 and up for adults, $9.50 and up for seniors and children. Skate rental is $9 (Fifth Ave. at 49th St.; 212-332-7654).
• The Pond at Bryant Park is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight. Admission is free. Skate rental is $10 (40th St. nr. Sixth Ave.; 866-221-5157).
BROOKLYN
• Abe Stark Rink at the Coney Island Boardwalk is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Admission is $8; skate rental is $4.50 (Coney Island Boardwalk at W. 19th St.; 718-946-6536).
• Kate Wollman Rink in Prospect Park is open daily. Check nycgovparks.org for hours. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children. Skate rental is $5.50 (East Dr. nr. Parkside and Ocean Aves.; 718-287-6431).
QUEENS
• World’s Fair Ice Skating Rink (call for days and hours). Admission is $5 to $8. Skate rental is $4.50 (New York City Building, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park; 718-271-1996).
STATEN ISLAND
• Staten Island War Memorial Ice Skating Rink is open on weekends only. Admission is $8. Skate rental is $4.50 (Clove Lakes Park, Victory Blvd. nr. Clove Rd.; 718-720-1010).