When I was a kid, there were a few winters when there would be just enough rain and just enough cold that part of the lower lawn would freeze over into the perfect skating rink. I don’t actually remember it happening, but my parents have the 8-millimeter film proof, which showed my childhood friend and I skating around and around in a tiny circle.

Well, I guess you could call it skating. We fell a lot. And we were so bundled up it was a chore to get ourselves righted again when we went down. But up we got, and off we went again.

I’m sure it was freezing out — thus the reason for the hats, mittens, huge puffy jackets and scarves wrapped all the way around our heads — but I’m also sure that we loved it and probably asked my father to turn on the lights in the yard so we could keep skating after dark.

Those were the days — when you could just walk out the door, lace up the skates and spray some ice chips at the kid down the street.

I’m not sure how many kids skate just for the fun of it these days, what with so many future NHLers taking over the indoor rinks, but heading out to a local pond that’s iced over is a great way to get some winter exercise. Outdoor skating options are literally everywhere in Maine (except when the temps rise into the mid-50s in December), and almost all of them are free.

So dig your skates out of the attic or garage, get those rusty blades sharpened up (at Family Ice in Falmouth or Portland Ice Arena) and see if you still have the skills to skate backwards or to do a triple salchow. Bundled up with the wind in your face, bet you’ll feel a little like a kid again.

Check out these spots (all weather-permitting) when the mood for some ice time strikes:

Walton Junior High Ice Rink
Mary Carroll Street, Auburn

Dummer Street Pond
Corner of Beacon and Dummer streets, Bath
Lighted until 9 pm

Goddards Pond
Corner of Marshall and High Street, Bath
Warming hut and refreshment stand

Bethel Recreation Department Ice Rink
In Bethel Common, Bethel

Brunswick Parks and Recreation Ice Rink
The Mall on Maine Street, Brunswick
Lighted until 10 pm

Lishness Park Ice Rink
Pine Tree Road, Brunswick
Open to the public for ice hockey only

Coffin Pond
River Road, Brunswick

Sugarloaf Ice Rink
5092 Access Road (Sugarloaf Outdoor Center), Carrabassett Valley
Olympic-sized, music and lights
Lee Twombly Pond
20 Hat Trick Drive, Falmouth
Built next to the indoor arena, Falmouth Family Ice Center. Zamboni maintains the pond which includes a warming hut, picnic tables and restrooms. Cost is $5 per person for all day skating. Falmouth residents skate for free with proof of residency.

Hippach Field
Rte. 4, Farmington
Warming hut

Freeport Middle School Field
Kendall Lane, Freeport

Leon Gorman Park
Bow Street, behind Bow Street Market, Freeport
Pond and fire pit behind the market

Fryeburg Recreation Department Ice Rink
Bradley Street, Fryeburg
Memorial Armory Rink
65 Central Avenue, Lewiston

Holy Family Rink
Off Sabattus Street, Lewiston
Rink is off Sabattus Street, behind Maine Family Credit Union

Mt. Abram Ski Resort
Howe Hill Road, Locke Mills
207-875-5000
Deering Oaks Park Pond
State Street and Park Avenue, Portland

Breakwater School
Capisic Street, Portland

Payson Park
Baxter Boulevard, Portland
Open until 10 pm daily

Presumpscot Park
Ludlow Street, Portland

Rangeley Municipal Rink
15 School Street Street, Rangeley
Behind municipal garage

Massacre Pond at Scarborough Beach State Park
41 Black Point Road, Scarborough
off-beach pond setting, nearly 1/4 mile long

Mill Creek Park Pond
Ocean Street, South Portland

Another way is to head up to the hills ... and down ‘em on a tube

Black Mountain, 39 Glover Rd., Rumford, 364-8977 www.skiblackmountain.org
The Edge Tubing Park opens Dec. 26, hours vary, $10/$16

Camden Snow Bowl, Barnestown Rd., Camden, 236-3438 www.camdensnowbowl.com
Opening early January, 9 am-4 pm, Saturdays, Sundays and all holidays, $5/hour

Mt. Abram, 308 Howe Hill Rd., Greenwood, 875-5000 www.mtabram.com
Opens Dec. 23, 11 am-4 pm Saturdays, Sundays and all holidays, $10/$20

Oxford Plains Snow Tubing, Rte. 25, Oxford, 539-8865 www.oxfordplains.com
Opening middle of December, Saturdays, 10 am-9 pm, Sundays 10 am-8 pm, vacation weeks 10 am-9 pm each day, $11/hr-$20/all day

Seacoast Snow Park, Rte. 302, Windham, 892-5952 www.seacoastfunparks.com
Opens Dec. 26, hours vary, $7/$16

Sugarloaf, Access Rd., Carrabassett Valley, 237-6939 www.sugarloaf.com
Check website for details

Sunday River, Sunday River Rd., Newry, 824-3000 www.sundayriver.com
Opening during December vacation, hours vary, $3-$12