How To Make An Outdoor Skating Rink
Today’s feature tip is a project from My Family Loves It with DIY Backyard Ice Rink. With some lumber, liner or tarp and hardware, you can have your own backyard ice rink this winter.
Making the rink level is the trickiest part but with a careful eye and some measuring, you can level the rink with filler. He suggests using hay, leaves or straw to stuff under the rink boards if there are any gaps underneath them so the liner won’t push out and tear. Most of the supplies you need can be reused next year.
Lots of fun for the kids and if you have any aspiring figure skaters or hockey players in the family, chances are you won’t have any problem keeping them active out in the fresh air this winter with a backyard rink in place.
Edit: John’s updated the site with more tips, you don’t want to miss them - Backyard Ice Rink Tips. I also couldn’t resist adding a picture of a future NHL hockey player ;).
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( 7 )
15 Nov 2007 at 10:51 pm
Glad you like the rink. It is a very easy and relatively cheap project. The kids always help me out and once it freezes its fun for playing pickup games with the kids. This year I’m considering upgrading to taller boards and making the rink a little larger. The hard part is finding a big enough liner at a reasonable price. Someone once recommended trying a boat shop. They use large white plastic sheets to shrink wrap boats for the winter. The color would be perfect since it will reflect the light and won’t warm the water.
16 Nov 2007 at 12:12 am
Your project info was great John, I saw you added more tips so I’ve added a link to that page too. Good stuff!
19 Nov 2007 at 4:25 pm
I would have loved this when I was a kid and er, well, now actually. I might still consider if I didn’t live in London, England.
24 Nov 2007 at 3:29 pm
wat if there is already a hole filled with ice but not that thick and it cracks when u walk on it ? do u keep puttin water on it ? help plz
25 Nov 2007 at 9:09 am
I posted pictures of this years rink being assembled. Not very big, but neither are my kids
Planning to upgrade next winter.
Erik - In Canada people will often wait for the first snow, pack it down, freeze it, and then keep building the ice up with a rink rake. Doesn’t get cold enough where I live for this method, but it might work for you.
10 Dec 2007 at 8:35 am
I’ve added a post with instructions on how to build your own rink rake.
10 Dec 2007 at 2:06 pm
Great project, thanks for the update John :).