Lock in Current Prices before Next Season
Lock in Current Prices before Next Season
Buying a backyard rink is one of those decisions that pays your family back for years. Kids grow, skills grow, hockey buddies come over, and that patch of ice in the yard becomes the center of the whole winter. The families who love their rink the most are the ones who picked the right setup for the way they actually play - the right size, the right board height, and the right style for their yard and their kids.
This guide walks you through every decision, from square footage to board height to netting, so you can build the rink your family will get the most out of season after season.
The right backyard rink comes down to four things: the space in your yard, the age and skill level of your skaters, how your family likes to play, and how you want the rink to grow with your kids. Start with the biggest footprint your yard will comfortably fit, choose rounded corners if hockey is part of the picture, and pick a board height that matches how much real puck play you want.
The rest of this guide breaks each of those decisions down so you can build the perfect rink for your family
Before picking a size, get a feel for two things: the flattest usable stretch of your yard, and what your family actually wants to do on the ice. A rink that fits both is a rink your family will use every day.
A few things to think through:
Available space: Measure the biggest flat area in your yard, then remember that most modular rink systems use brackets that extend a bit past the boards on each side. Leave a little room around the perimeter so you have clearance to walk around and set up comfortably.
Yard slope: Most modular backyard rink systems can handle a certain amount of slope between the highest and lowest points of your yard. A quick check with a laser level tells you exactly what you're working with.
Ages of the skaters: Most backyard rinks are enjoyed by families with kids somewhere between 3 and 18. Younger skaters can absolutely thrive on a smaller rink, while older players generally benefit from more room.
How you play: A family that loves leisurely skate nights, a hockey player who wants stickhandling and shooting reps, and a group of friends running 3-on-3 games all want slightly different setups. Think about the mix you're going for.
When finalizing a size, keep the overall effort required in mind as most rink systems require staking into the ground and a mix of tools and hammers to complete the installation. Going bigger typically means a lot more work.
If tools and staking into hard ground isn’t your thing, consider EZ ICE’s patented Pro Home Arena System which doesn’t require a single tool and you don’t need to stake anything into the ground. Given how easy it is to set up a rink (most rinks can be built in less than 60 minutes), many families choose a larger rink than they originally planned.
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Backyard rink kits come in a range of preset sizes plus custom configurations, so there's a fit for almost any yard. Most families land somewhere between 20' x 40' and 60' x 100'. Here's a quick reference for how sizes tend to match up with the way families play:
|
Size |
Best For |
What You Can Do |
|
20' x 40' |
Younger skaters, small yards |
Stickhandling, edgework, shooting drills, plenty of solo skill work |
|
25' x 50' |
Family favorite |
1-on-1 and 2-on-2 games, family skate nights, real skill work |
|
30' x 60' |
Multiple hockey kids |
Small-area games, drills, passing work with a partner |
|
40' x 80' |
Bigger families, hockey-focused |
3-on-3 hockey, full stride work, competitive reps |
|
60' x 100'+ |
Serious hockey households |
Near-regulation feel, larger group games |
|
85' x 200' |
Full NHL regulation |
Community-scale rinks, training facilities |
If you're not sure where to land, most families lean toward the biggest size their yard comfortably fits. Kids grow, hockey skills grow, and having a little extra ice pays off.
Corner style matters more than most first-time buyers expect. Some modular rink systems offer both square corners and rounded corners, and for anyone playing hockey, rounded corners are the way to go.
Here's why: rounded corners keep the puck moving. Instead of dead stops in the corner, the puck rims around the boards the way it does at any arena. That opens up puck battles in the corners, quick outlets to the point, and real board play - the parts of the game that translate directly to what your kids see in real hockey.
Rounded corners also give the rink a much more polished, arena-like look. If your kids grew up watching hockey on TV, they'll immediately recognize the shape.
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Board height is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. Most systems come in a single height configuration.
EZ ICE is the only backyard rink system available with three board height options, allowing families to choose the right setup today and upgrade later as their players grow. Each height creates a different playing experience, from recreational skating to arena-style hockey.
16-inch boards are the starting point and are a great fit for recreational skating families, younger kids, and yards where you want a lower profile. For most families, this height is where the fun begins.
This height is where hockey families start to feel like they've got a real practice space. You get more board play and more contained pucks
48-inch boards deliver the full arena experience. Keep pucks in play and have NHL height boards to practice next to.
With an EZ ICE rink, you can start with shorter boards and upgrade to taller 32-inch or 48-inch boards as your family grows and your players develop more advanced hockey skills.
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If your family is hockey-focused, adding netting on top of arena-height boards is a game-changer. It brings your total containment up to around 10 feet of height, which means shots stay in-play, reps happen without a break in the action, and your kids stay in the flow of practice or a game longer.
For anyone working on wrist shots, slap shots, and snap shots, netting simply means more repetitions. Plus, it just looks amazing in your backyard.
One of the best parts of choosing a modular backyard rink is that it's not a one-and-done decision. The whole system grows with you.
One of the biggest advantages of choosing an EZ ICE backyard rink is that the system is designed to grow with your family. Rather than replacing your rink as your needs change, you can expand and upgrade your existing system over time. Start with the size that fits today and expand later by increasing width and height. Add netting whenever your hockey-focused kid is ready for more contained play
This flexibility means you don't have to overbuy on day one. Pick the rink that fits your family right now, and let it evolve as your kids grow, their skills grow, and more friends start showing up to play.
Once your rink is up, the families who get the most out of it treat every session as a balance of intentional skill work and free play. Skill work covers stickhandling, edgework, passing with a friend, and shooting - 10 minutes a day builds real improvement over a winter. Free play is exactly that: just let your kid(s) play! There's no limit if they have the desire and the energy.
Set up cones, keep a bucket of pucks nearby, and let your kids get creative. Because an EZ ICE rink is designed for quick setup and easy seasonal installation, it's simple to create a backyard practice space that gets used day after day throughout the winter.
The perfect backyard rink for your family is the one that matches your yard, your skaters, and the way you love to play. Start with the biggest footprint your yard comfortably fits, choose rounded corners if hockey is part of the picture, and pick the board height and netting that matches the level of play your family wants right now. Everything else can grow from there.
Ready to build the rink that makes all of this possible? Design yours with the EZ ICE rink builder and get skating in as little as 60 minutes.
Most families land between 20' x 40' and 60' x 100'. A 25' x 50' or 30' x 60' rink tends to be the family favorite - big enough for real hockey reps and small-area games, and manageable for most yards.
Not always. 16-inch boards work great for recreational skating and skill work. Arena-height (48-inch) boards are where you get a more complete hockey experience and compatibility with netting.
Yes, if your rink system is modular. Rounded corners can often be added as an upgrade whenever you're ready. Rounded corners are the best choice if hockey is part of your family's plan.
Plan for 2’ of clearance on each side to accommodate the bracket footprint of your kit and some breathing room to walk around.
Yes. Most modular rink systems handle a certain amount of yard slope. A laser level makes it easy to check your yard before you order. EZ ICE Rinks can handle 9” of slope.
That depends on the system. EZ ICE backyard rink systems are designed for tool-free installation and can be assembled in 60 minutes or less. Unlike many traditional backyard rink systems that require tools, hammering, and significantly more labor, EZ ICE is engineered for fast seasonal setup and takedown.
