Project Idea: Building a Backyard Ice Rink

It’s winter in Canada and if you’re a homeowner with a kid theres a good chance they’ve asked you to make a backyard rink. If you live on or near a lake, pond, or other body of water that freezes in the winter you’re already done, let mother nature do her thing and once it's thick enough to support you, skate!

If you’re not one of the lucky few, you may have to put in some manual labour and build one yourself. Don’t fret it is not a complicated process and we’ll go through it here to help!

Is Your Yard Suitable
- Let’s get one thing straight first, you can DEFINITELY build one in your front yard! Regardless of front or back yard, your land needs to be relatively flat for this to work. To check locate the high points and low points of your yard. The magic number is 6, as in 6 inches. If your lowest point is 6 inches or less lower than the high or ground level, you are good to go!
Supply Run
- Time to get the essentials for building your rink. You’ll need some wood to create boards, how high they are is up to you, 2x12 is a common size though. You’ll also need a liner to hold the water, it is recommended a thickness of at least 6mm. You’ll also need bracing while at the hardware store. Something has to hold these boards together and make them strong enough to hold, the suggestion is every 4 feet of boards should have a brace.
Prep and Build
- Here comes the manual labour. Pro tip: Do the following BEFORE the ground freezes. Start by inserting stakes into the lawn and tie string around the perimeter to create the outline of wear the rink will be. Next thoroughly rake the inside of the area to remove any rocks, sticks, etc. that could puncture your liner. Once it is outlined and cleaned, spray paint along the string to create an outline on the grass of where the boards will go, remove the stakes and string. Now build your boards and anchor into the ground with the braces along your paint lines. Once your boards are in place and nice and strong you’re ready to make ice once the weather allows. Warning, you may have to wait.
Line and Fill Your Rink
- The magic recipe is 3-5 consecutive days of weather at or below freezing. When you see this in the forecast it’s time to lay in your liner, it should go over the lip of your boards. Pro tip: use pool noodles with a slit cut in them to secure the liner to the boards and also act as a safety precaution. Once secured, fill it with water, do this all at once, don’t add water in increments. Once it’s filled it out of your hands, let the weather do the rest of the work.
Skate, Shoot, Score!
- Once you have solid ice you’re ready to skate and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Congrats, you’ve made an ice rink! Optional: get creative and make a zamboni!

Here at Jump Realty, all of our agents put their customers' needs at the forefront of their work. They’ll give you honest advice on what course of action is best for you in their professional opinion and will always put you first! With offices in Windsor, Tecumseh, Kingsville, and Chatham, no matter where you are a Jump agent is ready to help. Please contact us for any housing needs and let us give you a better real estate experience!

how to build a backyard rink