Summer vacation is officially here, but that doesn’t mean we're all jetting off far. In fact, many of us are leaning into the joys of a staycation. Staying home doesn’t have to mean boring, though! With a few fun, affordable upgrades, you can turn your backyard (or living room) into your own personal oasis.
To help us do just that, lifestyle expert Mario Armstrong stopped by Studio 1A with his top Target picks for soaking up summer and making the season a little more special. First up: Select Sun Squad items are currently discounted up to 50% off and Armstrong is loving the brand's light-up sprinkler — perfect for cooling off in hot weather. He also highlighted a waterproof tote that's great for pool days and a protective phone pouch, so you can keep snapping pics without worrying about your device getting dunked!
If your idea of summer fun means getting outside, Armstrong recommended a set of JLab open-ear headphones that let you stay alert to your surroundings while tuning into your favorite podcast or playlist. And for indoor days, he found a tabletop air purifier that will keeps your space fresh and smelling great, all without taking up too much space.
Of course, no summer is complete without staying hydrated, so Armstrong also shared a water bottle with a built-in filter that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours. And for easy and affordable footwear? Check out his $10 sandals pick, made of 100% EVA — ideal for beach days and casual wear.
You don’t want to miss Armstrong’s list, all available at Target. Shop his edit below and if everything's catching your eye, add everything to your cart in just one click.
1 of 20
Shade & Shore Women's Neida EVA Two Band Footbed Slide Sandals
$8.00
$10.00
2 of 20
Case-Mate Waterproof Dry Bag with Built-in Phone Pouch
$29.99
3 of 20
Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier
$49.99
4 of 20
Larq Bottle Swig Top Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle (23 Ounce)
$29.99
$39.95
5 of 20
Sun Squad Summer Tote
$15.00
6 of 20
JLab Flex True Wireless Bluetooth Open-Ear Earbuds
$49.99
7 of 20
Shokz OpenFit True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
$159.99
8 of 20
Sun Squad Wet & Wild Light Show Sprinkler
$7.50
$15.00
9 of 20
Sun Squad Popsicle Lounge Float with Glitter
$14.00
$20.00
10 of 20
Goodfellow & Co Men's Carson Two Band Sandals
$10.00
11 of 20
Universal Thread Essential Belt Bag
$10.00
12 of 20
Stem Electric Fan Fly Trap Indoor Starter Kit (1 Unit with 5 Refills)
$30.39
$37.99
13 of 20
Auden Cooling Jersey Pajama T-Shirt
$10.00
14 of 20
Auden Cooling Jersey Pajama Shorts
$10.00
15 of 20
Bodum Cold Brew and Ice Tea Maker (8 Cup/34 Ounce)
$19.99
16 of 20
RoC Multi Correxion Revive and Glow Vitamin C Under Eye Balm
$26.99
17 of 20
Igloo Profile Rolling Cooler (16 Quart)
$27.99
$34.99
18 of 20
California Design Den Cooling Bed Pillows
$35.99
$39.99
19 of 20
JBL Go4 Bluetooth Wireless Waterproof Speaker
$49.99
20 of 20
Tangkula Patio Set Outdoor Wicker Rattan Furniture with Cushions (3 Piece)
$103.99
$269.99
With ease and comfort in mind, Armstrong suggests slip-ons as optimal summer footwear and according to him, this stylish two-strap pair will coordinate with any look. Lightweight and water-friendly, they’re great for beach days or pool decks, as well as gardening and running errands. They’re easy to clean if they get dirty, come in several colors and are just $10 a pair! Plus, they have thousands of five-star reviews.
This recommendation comes from Armstrong’s personal experience, as his phone recently fell in the pool! It’s a waterproof phone pouch by Case-Mate, designed to keep all of your essentials safe and dry at the pool, lake, beach or amusement park. The roll-top closure creates a secure seal to protect your phone from water, sand and more — it’s even certified waterproof for up to 30 minutes, so you can take a few photos underwater, per the brand. The inner compartment is designed with a clear, touchscreen-compatible window, so you can use your phone, check messages and view notifications without removing it from the bag. Plus, the adjustable strap makes it easy to wear as a crossbody or over the shoulder — keeping you connected and your phone protected.
This mini air purifier keeps rooms smelling great without taking up a lot of space, shared Armstrong. With three-stage filtration, it captures large particles like hair, dust, pollen, pet dander and more, as well as fine airborne particles, according to the brand. Likewise, it has three fan speeds and helps to neutralize smoke, fumes and other odors, keep your space smelling fresh and clean. It’s especially great for small spaces like bedrooms, dorm rooms and nurseries, and great for kids with allergies or families with pets. It even includes a “check filter” indicator to let you know when it’s time to check and/or replace the filter.
The simplest yet most important tip for heatwave weather? Staying hydrated. That said, Armstrong has his eye on this water bottle by Larq. Not your average H2O vessel, it’s made from insulated stainless steel that keeps your water cool for up to 24 hours and there’s a filter on the straw, which keeps chlorine, PFOs and more out of your water, according to the brand. The flip-top lid will keep your spout clean, too.
Whether you’re heading to the beach, park or just running errands, Armstrong recommends this tote as an easy grab-and-go bag to accompany you during all of your hot weather plans. Lightweight, durable and waterproof, with enough room for towels, snacks, sunscreen and more, it’ll take you anywhere. Score it in a variety of sunny colors for less than $10!
Editor’s note: This pick is out of stock for shipping, but may be available for pickup or delivery depending on your local store’s stock, and we found a similar item you may like below.
Beautiful summer days mean we’re getting outside, from long hikes to leisurely walks and even running errands — and these JLab open-ear earbuds are Armstrong’s top tier on-the-go accessory. With the revolutionary clip-on cuff design, these earbuds sit outside your ears, allowing you to be more aware of your surroundings, while still ensuring a secure, lightweight fit. With an extended battery life, you’ll get 21+ hours of playtime, as well as the wireless bluetooth connection you’re used to from other top-selling earbuds. Better yet, you can connect these to multiple devices, allowing you to easily switch from a podcast on your laptop to a call on your phone, per the brand. Plus, noise-canceling microphones help keep your voice clear on calls — whether you’re in a busy office or a noisy city street. Shop them in black or teal for under $50!
These open-ear earbuds are durable, water-resistant and editor-approved.
With temperatures climbing, Armstrong is eyeing products to help you and your little ones stay cool this summer — and this rotating sprinkler is at the top of his list! Not only does it shoot water through wriggling, spinning tubes, it puts on a light show, making it ideal for backyard fun with the kids. You can place it anywhere on your lawn (as long as your hose can reach) and it’s safe and easy to set up. Armstrong recommends it for birthdays, cookouts and spontaneous summer afternoons alike. At just $7.50, it's seriously budget-friendly!
Hosting a pool party? Right now, you can score this popsicle float for 30% off! There's also a lobster and a crab.
Armstrong didn't forget the guys! These slip-ons are available in several colors and super versatile. As one five-star reviewer simply said, they're both "really inexpensive" and a classic, "nice summer sandal."
More summer Target finds
Crossbody bags make life easier year-round, since they allow you to keep all of your must-haves on your person while remaining hands-free. This one comes in a ton of colors, looks almost identical to more expensive options and is just $10!
Do you have fruit flies swarming near your trash can or mosquitoes sneaking their way indoors? This trap uses an electric fan and UV light to attract a variety of flies and insects, keeping them at bay.
Sweating in your sleep? This jersey pajama top was designed to keep you cool. Per the brand, it mimics the body’s natural ability to regulate body heat, pushing away sweat for a cool feel.
Make it a set! These matching shorts are made from the same innovative fabric and look cute, too.
Whether you're into flavored water, cold brew, iced tea or even afternoon sangria, you can do it all with this filtered pitcher! Just fill the center with the ingredients you want to infuse your liquid with and voila! The best part is that the glass is odor resistant, so one drink's flavor and smell won't transfer to the next.
This TSA-friendly vitamin C product is perfect for taking on the go this season! Easier than a liquid serum, this cooling stick glides on with a touchless application, visibly reducing puffiness, per the brand.
This classic cooler makes it easy to transport food and drinks, thanks to its collapsable trolley handle and rolling wheels. While it can hold up to 24 standard cans, it's also compact.
I (Marrison) can personally attest to how functional this cooler is, as I bought one just last week for a trip to the beach. Not only is it cute, but it rolls easily (meaning you don't have to carry all that weight!) and it kept our cans cold all day long.
Elevate your sleep experience with cooling pillows — for the ultimate comfort. Cooling tech helps hot sleepers rest easier during summer nights. Customize the pillow to your liking — memory foam pieces inside can be added or removed for the just the right height and firmness, just use the extra fill which comes with it — making it perfect for all types of sleepers. The outer cover is soft, breathable, and machine-washable for easy cleaning. Available in a variety of sizes, starting at $35.99.
No outdoor gathering is complete without music, which is why portable bluetooth speakers are an essential for summer. This one is waterproof and boasts up to nine hours of play time — perfect for taking to the beach!
Searching for affordable outdoor furniture? This bistro set is under $100 right now and ideal for small patio spaces.
How we chose
We consulted lifestyle expert Mario Armstrong, as well as the Shop TODAY editorial team, for items that are editor-approved based on style, functionality and seasonality. To round out the list, we also considered items with high customer ratings.
For sponsored content, the Shop TODAY editorial team independently chooses products to recommend that are sold by the retailer (in this case, Target). The retailer does not review or approve the content. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet the expert
- Mario Armstrong is a two time Emmy Award–winning talk show host and lifestyle expert.
