You need a smooth, slick floor surface such as vinyl, tile or hardwood that will allow the kids to skate, or slide, easily. Look for a large area that is free of obstructions. Move furniture to the perimeter of the room to create a larger space. Establish a specific rink area before the kids begin the indoor ice skating session. This keeps the activity contained so the preschoolers aren't slipping and sliding around the entire room. Mark off the indoor rink area with tape on the floor or mark the corners with chairs. The kids must stay within those boundaries if they are sliding on their socks.
Define the skating rules for the preschoolers before they are allowed in the "rink." Restrict footwear in the rink area to approved socks. If you're working with a large group of preschoolers, consider limiting the number of kids that are allowed to skate at once. If you have a large enough room to accommodate all of the children, you won't need to limit the number of children. Create a resting area where the kids are able to sit if they want to take a break. This reduces the number of kids stopping in the skating area.
Demonstrate how the children can slide on the floor while wearing socks similar to an ice skater. Let the preschoolers practice the basic movements for a few minutes to get the hang of the activity. Once the kids learn the basics of sock ice skating, add in other activities or challenges. For example, encourage the kids to skate with a partner or skate backwards around the rink. Play music and have the kids adjust their skating speed based on the speed of the music.
The slick nature of the socks leads to the potential for some slips or injuries. Supervise the preschool children during the entire indoor ice skating session to keep the kids under control. Stop any exaggerated movements or pushing among the children to reduce the risk of injuries. While socks with gripper treads on them provide traction for regular walking, these types of socks won't work for ice skating and may cause the kids to fall down if the grippers stop them suddenly. Check for proper socks on all of the children.