If your kids like skating and you are located in Halifax or the HRM, you can breathe easy.  HRM Parent has compiled a great list of skating opportunities.

• Bedford Arena, 36 Holland Road, Bedford, 490-4664.

• Bowles Arena, 15 Ragus Road, Dartmouth, 490-6100: Their parent & tot skate is on Wednesdays from 10am to 11am. $2 per family.

• Cole Harbour Place, 51 Forest Hills Parkway, Dartmouth, 464-5100: No parent & tot skates, but their open/mid-morning skates generally aren’t very busy so a good time to come with beginner skaters. 10-11am, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Also family skates on the weekends but these will be busier. $3.25 adult, $2.25 child.

• Dalplex/Dalhousie Memorial Arena, corner of LeMarchant and South Streets, Halifax, 494-3372: Parent & tot skate here on Wednesdays from 10:10am to 11am. $2 per person.

• Dartmouth Sportsplex, 110 Wyse Road, Dartmouth, 464-2600, ext 328: No parent & tot skates, but the best public skates for younger kids are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:15am to 11:45am. These times are the quietest, and if necessary they will rope off an area for younger kids. Also have frames the attendant can get out for you.

• Devonshire Arena, 3395 Devonshire Ave, Halifax, 490-4633: Has a free family/public skate on Wednesdays from 4-5pm, but no specific parent & tot skates.

• Eastern Shore Community Centre, 67 Park Road, Musqudoboit Harbour, 889-2538: Parent & tot skates here on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to noon. $2 per person.

• Gray Arena, 15 Monique Ave., Dartmouth, 490-4551: This arena doesn’t have any parent & tot skates, but their family skate on Sundays from 3pm to 3:50pm has a section for younger kids roped off. Free.

• Halifax Centennial Arena, 27 Vimy Avenue, Halifax, 445-4080: Parent & tot skate here on Mondays from 9am to 10:30am, $1 per person.

• Halifax Forum, 2901 Windsor Street, Halifax, 490-4614: The Forum’s parent & tot skate is on Fridays from 9am to 11am.

• Sackville Sports Stadium, 409 Glendale Drive, Lower Sackville, 869-4141: No parent & tot skates but family skates where preschoolers can use hockey sticks are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:35am to 11:55am. $3 child under 7, $4 adult, $8 family (max 5 people).

• Spryfield Lions Rink, Drysdale Rd, Halifax, 477-5466: Their parent & tot skate is on Wednesdays from 10am to noon for $2 per person.

• St. Margaret’s Centre, 12 Westwood Boulevard, Upper Tantallon, 826-2100: Parent & tot skates here on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 11:50am. Lots of room to skate and feel free to bring a hockey stick too. $2.50 per person or $6 per family.