How to Make Your Own Ice Rink

Hockey has been part of the American sporting scene since before the 20th century. Figure skating in the U.S. dates back to the 1840s and its beginnings are attributed to a New Yorker named Jackson Haines. Today, hockey and skating remain popular in the U.S. While public indoor rinks and pond skating are options, families who live in cold climates may choose to build their own ice rinks to enjoy hockey and skating just outside their doors.

Things You'll Need

  • Garden hose
  • Plastic tarp
  • Ice rink resurfacing tool (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Think about the ways that your family will use the rink. Will you use it for hockey, ice skating or both? Answering this question helps you determine the appropriate rink size and border to meet your needs.

    • 2

      Choose a yard area for the rink that's flat, shaded, and located near a garden hose. Determine the dimensions of the rink based on how much of your yard you're willing to devote to it and what you'll use it for. If you'll use the rink for both hockey and ice skating, map out a space big enough to allow for two sections. If you'll only ice skate on it, a small rink works well. Plan a larger rink, with a size of roughly 32' x 40', for backyard hockey to allow enough space between goals.

    • 3

      Purchase a long garden hose if you don't own one. It's also a good idea to get a plastic tarp for the base of the rink to help keep water in place more easily. You need a tarp that's in good condition without cracks for best results and make sure it has dimensions that match your rink size. Another option is to purchase an ice rink liner, which is more durable than a plastic tarp and also reflects sunlight, which prevents ice from melting. Some rink builders worry that a plastic liner will harm grass, but it actually has a positive effect on grass growth and quality.

    • 4

      Surround the tarp with plastic landscaping edging material. You can purchase the material at any home improvement store. The material is bendable, making it easy to shape around your rink.

    • 5

      Prepare the rink after the first snow or when the temperature drops below freezing. Spray two inches of water on the tarp and allow it to freeze overnight. The cold temperatures will freeze any water between sections of the plastic edging material. The following day, spray two more inches of water on top of the frozen surface. To create a smooth ice surface, you can purchase an ice resurfacing tool from websites such as NiceRink.