How to Make a Backyard Rink

In colder climates hockey is more than just a sport--it's a tradition, a way of life. Nothing brings together the neighborhood children like a game of shinny on the backyard ice rink. Making a backyard rink is not easy and commonly results in flooding neighbors' backyards or basements. So it's important to create a plan to avoid such disasters.

Things You'll Need

  • 40-by-100-foot sheet of clear industrial plastic
  • 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood (about 14)
  • 10-long 2-by-4s (about 30)
  • Carpet, canvas or any other resilient fabric
  • Screws
  • Shovel
  • Staple gun and staples
  • Garden hose
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Instructions

  1. Purchasing Materials

    • 1

      Find a flat, level space that will house the rink and measure its dimensions to buy materials.

    • 2

      Buy enough plywood to go around the rink at least 2 feet high. This should be at least 3/4-inch thick.

    • 3

      Buy enough 2-by-4s to attach perpendicular at either end of the plywood and still have a 1- to 2-foot portion extending down into the ground.

    • 4

      Buy a sheet of clear industrial plastic. The 40-by-100-foot sheet is a standard size, while larger sizes are more expensive and may require custom ordering.

    Building the Rink

    • 5

      Plan the rink area by marking where each section of plywood will meet. Place a stake at each spot.

    • 6

      Screw a 2-by-4 to each end of the plywood sections so that a 1- to 2-foot section of 2-by-4 extends below the board.

    • 7

      Dig holes for the 2-by-4 posts at the spots that were previously marked by a stake. One hole can fit the end of of two plywood sections and will serve as the connecting point and foundation. Make sure the holes are deep enough so the plywood is flush with the ground and stable. Refill the holes once the boards are placed.

    • 8

      Staple canvas or carpet over the insides of the seams in the boards. This will keep the plastic from pinching and ripping under the pressure of the water.

    • 9

      Patch any major gaps beneath the boards with old rags or T-shirts by placing them on the inside of the boards.

    Filling the Rink

    • 10

      Watch the weather forecast. A prolonged cold snap is needed to freeze the ice solid.

    • 11

      When you decide to fill the rink, lay the clear industrial plastic liner inside the enclosure and staple it securely to the top of the boards. Wait as long as possible to fill the rink with water. This will reduce the risk of weather damaging the liner when it is empty.

    • 12

      Fill the rink with water using a garden hose. This will likely take more than 24 hours.

    • 13

      Remove the hose and let the ice freeze completely. Test this by gently applying pressure with a foot. If there is cracking, wait and try again later. The ice is frozen when there is no cracking.

    • 14

      Move a net onto the ice if desired; be sure to remove the net after each use so it doesn't sink in over time and get stuck.