Ice Skate Craft for Kids with Free Printable: Go USA!

The Winter Olympics aren’t known for their diversity in sports. Chalk it up to the demographics in cold weather countries, the economics of cold weather sports or the various theories out there on oppression, but the Winter Olympics aren’t very reflective of my multiracial family. That’s when we found an amazing American skater and decided to celebrate him with an ice skate craft great for preschoolers and toddlers!

Ice Skate Craft

I’ll admit, my kids probably won’t grow up skiing or snowboarding – the one and only time I made my way down a mountain, I got stuck and had to have the dog sled rescue me – but I’m all about supporting our country as our athletes compete in global sports. Add Black History Month to the mix, and our house is ready to support Shani Davis and the Olympic competitors in the global arena.

Shani Davis In The Winter Olympics

Shani Davis: the first African American to win winter gold in an individual event only 8 years ago! Can you believe that? This 31-year-old speed skater is now heading to Sochi – proudly representing the United States – to compete in the 500, 1000 and 11,500-meter races. Growing up in Chicago’s South Side, this will be Davis’s third Winter Olympics…. and I think that is SO cool and a beautiful example of history being made – Black history, but also AMERICAN history – in real-time.

We got all our supplies from our local Walmart in their craft section. I was delighted to find such a huge variety. That place seriously has everything.

For this kid craft, you’ll need:

• Foam sheets
• Star glitter stickers
• Silver glitter
• Yarn
• Glue
• Dowel or stick
• Various decorations as desired

The tools you’ll need are sharp scissors, hole puncher and makers or paints. And the free printable below, too!

Ice Skating Craft for Kids

Trace the printable onto the foam sheet. Using sharp scissors, cut out the ice skate. Don’t worry about cutting out the small holes for the laces, simply use your hole puncher. Lace the yarn through each hole. Decorate the ice skate as desired. Cover the blade area with glue and apply plenty of silver glitter! We printed out extra copies of the ice skates to color, too.

While it works on fine motor skills, I wanted this craft to give us the opportunity to talk about Shani Davis. Yes, because he is African American, but also to stand in awe of the amount of dedication it takes to be the best in your country and, if you win a medal, the best in the world. I wanted Alina to see Shani Davis’s picture, learn his life story and internalize the fact that Black people win gold medals at the Winter Olympics too. As we chatted, her eyes widened when I said “the best in the world”. She holds her sign, happily singing “Go Shani Davis! Go USA!” and I hope she never lets cultural or societal barriers stand in her way of greatness.

Olympic Crafts for Kids

Raising multiracial children and celebrating Black History Month means many things. For Daddy D and I, two people who love sports and healthy competition, it means exploring the diverse example in this year’s Winter Olympics to showcase how no amount of barriers. Shani Davis is a stunning example, and I’m proud to cheer for him – and our country- during the winter games!

*Photo Credit of Shani Davis goes to Onno Kluyt.