6 Target Products to Purchase From the Comfort of Your Home for $15 or Less

If you're not typically an online shopper, you may not realize that Target reserves some of its deepest discounts for items that can only be purchased online. So, sit back, have a cold drink, and decide whether any of these pretty spectacular deals are to your liking.

1. Outdoor string lights: $15

If you're taking full advantage of cool summer evenings, the idea of hanging incandescent lights around your yard or patio may have already flitted across your mind. And if you've shopped for lights, you probably know how expensive they can be. Here, Target is offering 16 feet of lights for $15. If you need more, strings of light connect easily to another, allowing you to design the lighting pattern of your summer dreams -- all without draining your bank account.

2. Kate the Chemist: The Awesome Book of Edible Experiments for Kids: $11.99

I'm not ashamed to say that I was so excited about this book that I ordered one for myself. The plan is to casually pull it out one day and impress the heck out of my science-loving young granddaughters. As the title suggests, it's written by science professor Dr. Kate Biberdorf, and it's loaded with 25 fun, kid-friendly recipes.

The goal is to help kids understand that all cooking is really chemistry. If you swap one ingredient for another you end up with something completely different. Each recipe includes full-color photographs, an ingredient list, and step-by-step instructions. Just for fun, there's also a "messiness factor" rating included with each recipe. The children in your life will conduct science experiments and end up with things like chocolate-covered pretzels, ice cream, and rainbow pasta.

Now, if we can just teach them about investing and how to build generational wealth.

3. Grounded For Life family game: $14.99

There are few things worse than being stuck in the house with a wild and wonderful brood when it's too rainy to play outside. This game can provide hours of entertainment for ages 8 to 108. A 2020 Top Holiday Toys Winner, Grounded for Life can make a summer day indoors far more fun than expected.

4. Beach towels: $4.20 to $7.80

Whether you're looking for beach towels for the ocean, lake, swimming pool, or running through the sprinkler, Target has a great selection of them. For example, 58" x 28" kids' towels are 100% cotton and come in smile-inspiring styles featuring cheetahs, flamingos, and truly adorable sharks. Best of all, they're only $4.20.

The adult version may not include cute animals, but at 72" x 36", they're large enough to make you happy. And at a price of $7.80, you may want to order more than one.

5. Barbecue essentials: $7 to $15

It's a great time to get out there and throw something on the grill, and these four specials can help you create a complete meal without busting your budget:

• 7 Piece Tool Set: $15
• Non-Stick Grilling Bowl: $7
• Stainless Steel Grill Topper: $15
• Char-Broil Dual Flex Arm Grill Light: $12.99

6. School supplies: $0.50 to $8.79

Remember the excitement of back-to-school shopping? There's something about the smell of a freshly sharpened pencil that makes you forget that you're actually going to have to learn something. Here are six basic supplies currently selling at a discount and one non-essential, but fun, item:

• 50 Crayola Colored Pencils: $6.79
• 10 Crayola Washable Markers: $2.49
• BIC Xtra Life Ballpoint Pens (10 Count): $1.29
• 2-Hole Pencil Sharpener: $0.50
• Elmer's 4 oz. Washable School Glue: $0.55
• Cricket Kids' Vertical Lunch Tote (with cute designs): $11.99
• Pearhead Back to School Letterboard Set: $8.79: Perfect for first and last day of school photos

A note regarding school supplies

The cost of school supplies can quickly add up. If concerned about purchasing supplies for your children this upcoming school year, here's a quick rundown of potential resources known to offer assistance:

• The Salvation Army: Many Salvation Army locations collect school supplies from community donations and business partners, then distribute them to eligible households that need help. Contact your local Salvation Army chapter for more information. (If your kids need clothes or shoes, The Salvation Army may also be a good source for those essentials).
• Catholic Charities: Many Catholic Charities locations distribute school supplies gathered through school supply drives. Like The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities may be a good source for free school clothes.
• The United Way: Many of the United Way offices across the U.S. also organize school supplies drives and distribute those supplies within their communities. Your local United Way office can let you know what's available in your area.
• St. Vincent de Paul: In addition to school supplies, St. Vincent de Paul provides free school clothing vouchers that can be redeemed in their thrift store. If your local affiliate does not offer free school supplies in your area, make sure to take advantage of the clothing voucher if it's needed.
• The Assistance League's Operation School Bell: Operation School Bell is a nationwide program that helps students from low-income families get the school supplies and clothes they need for the new school year.
• Operation Homefront: If you're a military family, you can get help with school supplies through the Back-to-School Brigade.
• Boys & Girls Clubs: If your child participates in your local Boys & Girls Clubs of America, you may be able to receive school supplies through the organization. Boys and Girls Clubs host an annual Back2School campaign each year, so check in with them to learn what's available.

If you are doing well financially and can afford to donate extra school supplies to any of these organizations, it would be a pretty great way to end the summer and begin the school year.

If Target's online specials teach us anything, it's that shopping in pajama bottoms may be the best way to go.