About Outdoor Play
If the kids are still inside when the sun is out, it might be time to gear up the backyard. The outdoor play category covers everything from trampolines, swing sets and playhouses to bikes, scooters, water tables and splash toys. Whether you're setting up the yard for a toddler who can't get enough of sandbox time or finding a trampoline that'll get older kids off their screens, there's a lot of ground to cover here. Outdoor play gear tends to range from small seasonal purchases to bigger investments you'll want to get right, which means shopping smart matters. Rakuten is the most rewarding way to shop: members can maximize savings by stacking Cash Back on top of store sales and coupons, so you never have to choose just one way to save.
Why Shop Through Rakuten for Outdoor Play?
Outdoor play is one of those categories where purchases span a pretty wide range. A set of sidewalk chalk is one thing. A backyard trampoline or a quality kids' bike is another. Either way, there's no reason to leave savings on the table.
Shopping through Rakuten means earning Cash Back on eligible outdoor play purchases from participating stores, including some of the most popular names in kids' gear and backyard fun. That Cash Back is stackable, too. You can layer it on top of store sales, seasonal promotions and any coupons or promo codes you already have. Rakuten also surfaces verified coupon codes in one place, so there's no need to hunt across tabs before you check out.
A lot of outdoor play purchases are planned, not impulsive. Parents know what they want, they're just waiting for the right moment to buy. Rakuten makes it easy to shop smarter on the bigger purchases you were already planning, and get a little something back in the process.
How to Maximize Savings on Outdoor Play
- Start your shopping trip at Rakuten. Search for the store before heading to their website, and activate Cash Back so your eligible purchase gets tracked.
- Stack Cash Back with store sales and seasonal promotions. Outdoor play gear goes on sale heavily in spring and late summer. Combining a store sale with Rakuten Cash Back is one of the easiest ways to get more value out of a bigger purchase.
- Check for verified promo codes before checkout. Rakuten surfaces eligible coupon codes from participating stores, so you can apply a discount without having to search for one yourself.
- Time bigger purchases around major sales events. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and end-of-season clearance can bring significant discounts on swing sets, trampolines and bikes. Buying off-season is a reliable way to save on outdoor gear.
- Sign up for store loyalty programs. Several outdoor play retailers have their own rewards programs that offer member pricing, early access to sales or points on purchases. These can be used alongside Rakuten Cash Back.
- Use the Rakuten browser extension. It can notify you when Cash Back is available at a participating store and remind you to activate it before you check out.
Top Picks in Outdoor Play
- Trampolines: A backyard trampoline is one of the most-requested outdoor play items for kids of all ages, and the range of options, from compact round styles to larger rectangular setups with enclosure nets, makes it worth taking the time to find the right fit for your space.
- Kids' bikes and balance bikes: Learning to ride a bike is one of those milestones kids remember, and having the right bike for their age and size makes a real difference. Balance bikes are a great starting point for younger kids, while pedal bikes and multi-speed options work well for older riders ready to cover more ground.
- Playhouses and climbing structures: Backyard playhouses and climbing sets give kids a dedicated space for imaginative play, active movement and social play. Many are designed to grow with kids, with options that include slides, swings and climbing walls in a single structure.
- Water tables and splash toys: When the weather warms up, water play is hard to beat for toddlers and young kids. Water tables, sprinklers and splash pads can turn an ordinary afternoon in the backyard into something they'll ask to do every day.
- Scooters and ride-on toys: Scooters, push cars and ride-on vehicles are go-to outdoor toys for younger kids and make great gifts. They help build coordination and balance while keeping kids moving and engaged outside.
Best Outdoor Play by Age Group
| Age Group | Best Product Types | What They Support |
| Toddlers (ages 1-3) | Water tables, ride-on toys, sandbox sets and push cars | Sensory play, motor skills and coordination |
| Preschoolers (ages 3-5) | Balance bikes, small slides, playhouses and splash toys | Balance, confidence, imaginative play and active movement |
| Ages 5 to 7 | Scooters, climbing structures, swing sets and beginner pedal bikes | Coordination, strength, social play and independence |
| Ages 8 to 12 | Trampolines, multi-speed bikes and sports sets | Physical fitness, skill-building and outdoor exploration |
| Teens | Trampolines, water sports gear and performance bikes | Active recreation, coordination and outdoor adventure |
Outdoor Play Stores to Love
Step2
Step2 is a well-known maker of kids' outdoor and indoor play equipment, carrying playhouses, water tables, sandbox sets, climbers, swing sets and ride-on toys designed for toddlers and young children.
Woom
Woom carries a range of lightweight balance bikes and pedal bikes built specifically for kids from toddler age through early teens, with options across sizes and skill levels designed to make learning to ride easier and safer.
Trampolines.com
Trampolines.com is a specialty retailer focused on above-ground and inground trampolines for backyard use, along with replacement parts and accessories like enclosure nets, spring covers and anchor kits.
Rave Sports
Rave Sports carries water-based outdoor recreation gear including inflatable water trampolines, towable boat tubes, stand-up paddle boards, floating mats and water sports accessories for family fun on the lake or in the backyard.
Lehman's
Lehman's is a longtime retailer of simple-living and outdoor products, carrying classic outdoor toys, garden tools, lawn and garden supplies and homestead-friendly gear for families who like to spend time outside.
How Does Rakuten Work?
Rakuten is the most rewarding way to shop, helping you earn Cash Back every time you buy your favorite products at thousands of stores, including some of the most popular Outdoor Play brands. It's a simple way to get value back for shopping you're already doing. Here's how to start earning Cash Back:
- Join Rakuten for free. Create a free Rakuten account online, in the app or through the browser extension.
- Find a participating store. Search Rakuten for the store where you want to shop.
- Activate Cash Back. Click through Rakuten before making your purchase.
- Shop as usual. Complete your order on the store's website.
- Get paid. Eligible Cash Back is added to your Rakuten account and paid out every three months via check, PayPal, Amex Membership Rewards Points or Bilt Points.
How is it free? Stores pay Rakuten to send them shoppers, and Rakuten shares that money with you as Cash Back. It's as simple as that!
Why Rakuten Is a Dependable Way to Shop for Outdoor Play
Trustworthiness and reliability are the foundation of a rewarding customer experience. Here's how you know you can always count on Rakuten:
- It has been around for decades. Rakuten has been helping shape the way people shop online since its founding in 1999.
- It has a huge member base and has paid out billions of dollars. Rakuten has more than 17 million members and has paid out over $4.6 billion in Cash Back in the U.S.
- It has strong user reviews. Rakuten has a 4.6 rating on Trustpilot with over 36,000 reviews, including more than 27,000 five-star reviews.
- It has thousands of partners. Rakuten partners with over 3,500 stores in a huge range of shopping categories, including clothing, shoes, beauty, travel, electronics, pets, experiences and more.
- It has a straightforward model. Rakuten's structure may seem confusing at first, but it's really quite simple: Stores pay Rakuten for sending them shoppers, and Rakuten shares that money with its members as Cash Back. That's it!
- It has a clear payment schedule and multiple payout options. Rakuten pays its members their Cash Back every three months through one of four payment options: check, PayPal, American Express Membership Rewards points or Bilt Points.
- It publishes its privacy policy and terms. Rakuten provides a formal privacy policy that explains how its tracking works when you click through to a store. The company also publishes terms and conditions for its browser extension that describe how extension-collected data is handled in accordance with its privacy policy.