Attract Skaters This Winter With A Backyard Ice Rink

Winter Fun And Games

It is a crying shame that the winters aren't like they used to be. Two years ago, for the first time in memory, the backyard ice rink did not work. We set it up on one of the coldest days of the year, and it looked like it was going to freeze solid.

Just as it was getting there, the weather suddenly changed and all of the ice melted. Rather than having a backyard ice skating rink, we had a backyard pool that winter.

The kids were pretty disappointed, and the adults were the same. You see, the backyard ice rink is a winter classic around where I live. When I was a kid, there were at least two or three backyard ice rinks on each block. It was a great tradition for a couple of reasons.

Not only did the kids get to play hockey and the adults get to skate around, but it also gave us an excuse to run our taps during the winter. Back in those days, the water pipes used to burst all the time during the worst winters, so it was nice to have an excuse to keep the water flowing.

Set Up A Backyard Ice Rink Yourself, DIY, Or Go With The Town Version

Last year, we almost didn't bother to set up the backyard ice rink.

It was supposed to be another warm winter, and no one wanted to spend hours of work just to set up something that was not going to freeze.

There is a pretty good municipal ice rink in town, and we figured we would just do our skating there. Then one of my kids talked me into it. Winter was his favorite season, and he loved having his own personal backyard ice hockey rink. I figured that I might as well give it a try. After all, the worst that could happen was that I would waste some water and some time.

After Some Tense Moments We Had A Backyard Ice Rink After All

At first, it seemed like the predictions would be right. It was not getting anywhere near freezing, and it did not even feel like winter. Then, all of the sudden, we got a cold snap. It was just like in the old days!

For a whole week, it was so bitterly cold and windy that people wouldn't take long walks alone outside in case there was trouble. Needless to say, the backyard ice rink was a great success that year. Who knows. Maybe we have a few frozen winters ahead of us after all!

Getting Your Own Backyard Ice Rink Kit

Hockey has long been associated with cold, long winter days in Canada. However, kids from all corners of the globe enjoy playing this fast-paced, fun sport. One of the problems with playing ice hockey in some areas is getting time on the local rinks.

If you happen to have a child who aspires to be the next NHL star and you live in a climate that is cold at least part of the year, a backyard ice rink may be a good idea. Having an ice surface right outside the back door lets your little hockey player get in all the practice time they want.

Natural Ice Rinks For Your Backyard

Decades ago many families had a sheet of ice in their yard. The construction of it was fairly simple. Once the snow fell, it would be smoothed out, plywood would be placed around the perimeter of where the backyard ice rink would go and mom or dad would stand out in the freezing cold, watering the rink everyday.

The problem with this approach was the ice would ultimately be uneven and the boards were never high enough to stop a wayward skater. Instead the kids would usually plough right through the plywood or fly over top of it.

Practical Backyard Ice Rink Kits

That’s all changed now. Many companies have recognized the need for a kit that makes this job easier. With so many more children becoming interested in this sport, a backyard ice rink kit is a great idea. It contains detailed instructions along with all the supplies you need to construct a good quality skating surface right in your backyard.

One of the most appealing things about purchasing one of these kits is that they give you the opportunity to make your rink look professional. This means you’ll have the same blue lines and goalie creases as the NHL players do. Granted, your backyard ice rink won’t be nearly as big as the rink the big names play on, but it will certainly help your child feel like a hockey super star.

If there’s a sporting goods store in your neighborhood, stop by and see if they have any of these kits available. If they don’t, you can easily order one online. It’s best to start thinking about a backyard ice rink even before the snow falls so you can prepare the area.

With A Backyard Ice Rink Your Home Will Become The Neighborhood Gathering Place

You are likely to attract a lot of attention from the neighborhood boys and girls once they see your yard transform into a hockey rink. Kids do get hurt sometimes when they are on skates so it might be a wise idea to have a parent present for each of the kids who play.

Liability Of Your Ice Skating Rink

You can even take it a step further and have all parents sign a waver before their child laces up their skates and step onto your backyard ice rink. This way the only thing on everyone’s mind is how much fun they’re having in your back yard!