Skater figures out formula for winning edge

Your technically minded daughter has a secret wish to perform at the summer camp talent show. The trouble is she's more comfortable running the spotlight instead of being in front of it. Can she step out of her comfort zone so her inner diva can shine?

It can be tough to break out of your shell—that's the focus of the movie Ice Princess , released on home video July 19. After watching the movie, glide into a family discussion of taking risks to make your dreams a reality. Then do our activity, “Break the Ice,” to bring the big screen lesson to life!

In the film, physics nerd Casey Carlysle (Michelle Trachtenberg) doesn't fit in with the high school crowd. Her strong-willed mom (Joan Cusack) has pushed Casey toward attending Harvard University . In an effort to win a physics scholarship, Casey studies the science behind ice skaters' twists and turns.

When Casey discovers the mathematical formula for perfect ice skating maneuvers, she's inspired to become a competitive ice skater herself. Caught between her dream of being a champion skater and her mother's wish for her to be a scientist, Casey must discover if she really has what it takes to make her fantasy on ice come true.

Talk Together

Casey had a lot of obstacles stacked against her on the road to becoming a competitive ice skater—such as being clumsy. What was it about Casey's personality that helped her become a successful skater despite her setbacks?

Share a time you were really excited to try something new, but didn't think you had what it takes. Maybe you wanted to become a standup comedian, but didn't think your jokes were funny enough. Perhaps you wanted to try out for Little League, but didn't know how to catch a fly ball without getting knocked unconscious.

Did you ever accomplish that dream? If so, share how you faced your challenges. If you let your dream slide, what stopped you from breaking out of your shell?

Play Together: Break the Ice

Make this frosty necklace to learn to think outside the cube!

You will need:
• One ice cube tray per person
• Colorfast cotton yarn
• Small trinkets

Before you make the ice necklace, have your kids think of something new they'd like to try, but are afraid they'll fail—such as singing a song in the summer camp talent show. Each trinket should represent a new talent or skill they'll need to work on—a smiley face for getting over stage fright, or a music note sticker for learning to sing on key.

Place one bauble in each cube of the ice tray. Fill tray with water. Cut yarn to necklace length. Arrange the yarn so that each ice cube has a piece submerged in the center of the water.

Place tray in the freezer. Remove when frozen. Place ice necklace around neck and have the other person tie the ends of the yarn together.

Once you're wearing the necklace, the object is to “Break the Ice” by doing whatever it takes to melt the cubes—from rubbing them with your hands to running outside in the sun.

After your kids succeed in breaking the ice, explain that just like Casey Carlyle, they've got to warm up to news ways to achieve their goals.