For the past 6 years I have worked with my three teenagers to build an ice rink in our front yard.  This basically entails setting up a 35’ by 55’ wooden framework, covering it with one very large plastic tarp and then letting the hose run for way too long (the deep end of the rink has 12 inches of water, ice or some combination).

For readers in warmer climates, this may seem like a completely crazy undertaking, and it would be hard to argue with you.  But it has become one of our winter traditions as a family.  It requires a decent amount of planning, execution on the set up and maintenance over the season (watering the rink when it’s zero degrees clears your mind).  

Even with the logistics and maintenance, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend time as a family and in turn, see them spend time enjoying the rink with their friends.  

Keeping my fingers crossed for a cold winter!