See how to make a backyard ice rink with a few easy steps and our video tutorial! Making a backyard ice skating rink is easier to do than you think. Save this so you can follow all the steps when you’re ready!
Last winter, we decided to try to make a backyard ice rink and we failed miserably. But try, try, try again…right? Luckily, we only had to try one more time before getting it right!
BUT FIRST: Before I tell you all the steps involved in making a DIY backyard ice skating rink, I want to give you a heads up on the most important thing. You need to do this all before it freezes. You will need to run the hose and want to make sure it can continually run until the rink is full.
Also, here’s what our space looked like this summer!

Pick a place that’s level-ish
Make a boarder
Add a liner

Fill the rink with water

Give the water time to freeze
Make it smooth

Add some lighting!
Looking for more outdoor DIYs?
- DIY outdoor coffee table {HERE}
- Backyard Fire Pit Space {HERE}
- DIY Stone Garden Bed {HERE}
- DIY Vintage Terracotta Pots {HERE}
- DIY Football Table Runner {HERE}




Any links for the post and lights? The one in here does not work.
Hi Max. I fixed the link for the lights. Just FYI they are corded lights. I added a link for solar too. The posts themselves are from Home Depot.
I have been dreaming if doing this! I know you used a garden bed, but if I were to do this just on my backyard grass, would I kill the grass (i.e. would it not come back in spring) since it would be smothered by the plastic liner?
I’m not sure. By our old house there was a guy with a big side yard and he would do this on his grass every year. He didn’t seem to have any issues with the grass dying though. You just have to make sure to pick it all up in like late February or March when the weather starts to turn.