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Ice Hockey for NYC Kids: Fun and Affordable

9/18/07 - By Anna Fader

I should never admit this, but when I was younger I kind of liked the idea of being a soccer mom. The image of popping my athletic kids into a station wagon and driving them around our little town to their various activities seem kind of nice. It does make the suburbs sound kind of appealing to think about little leagues and soccer games and all of that. But I don't think I could have really done it. It's just not in my DNA code. Luckily you can have all that team sport goodness right here in NYC - no car or mommy jeans necessary.

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One great NYC youth sports league is the Governor's Youth Ice Hockey Programs at Riverbank State Park. At under $200 for the season, it's the most affordable recreational ice hockey in New York City. The hockey league is for children 7 through 14 and there are also learn-to-skate programs for mini-mites (5/6) and mites (7/8). Kids train 3 times a week and games are on the weekends. The teams are co-ed, although your daughter should be prepared to be the only girl on the team. Registration is now open; the season starts November 3rd and runs through March. Loaner equipment is available first come first served, so it doesn't hurt to register early. It's great to know that you can have all that suburban team sport goodness right here in NYC and you don't have to be uber-rich to enjoy it. Do you know of a great sports program for NYC kids? Let us know.

About the Author

Anna Fader

Founder of Mommy Poppins

A fourth-generation Brooklynite, Anna started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to help families find the best things to do with kids in NYC, with a particular emphasis on sharing activities that are free, affordable, and enriching. The site, used by millions of families, has grown to become the ultimate resource for parents in the major US cities, plus travel guides for 100s of destinations.

Anna is a believer in the magic of summer camps, traveling with kids, and that you can raise kids on a budget and still have a rich life full of amazing memories. Anna's first Mommy Poppins book, The Young Traveler's Journal and Activity Book, published in 2025 and co-written with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman, brings that ethos to life, in addition to this website.

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