51 Best Birthday Gifts for Every Type of Dad
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My dad dabbles in almost every “dad” hobby you could think of—fishing, firing up thegrill,stargazing—yet he’s always the trickiest person on my list to shop for. Perhaps it’s because he never hints at wanting anything (or perhaps it’s because I feel the unbearable weight of owing my entire life to him …) Either way, before becoming a seasoned Strategist writer, I would spend weeks trawling forgift ideasfor Dad and still come up short.
Knowing others might have suffered this same scenario, I combed through the internet and the Strategist archives to compile a list of birthday gifts sure to delight dads with all sorts ofhobbies, interests, and guilty pleasures.From an indoor griddle that makes any month grilling season, a sweet gift option for dad who’s just become a granddad, here are some gift ideas you might not have thought of. You can find all the options below on Amazon, but plenty are available elsewhere, too, for those who like to shop around.
Update on February 27, 2025:Added lots of new products like a Gap fisherman sweater and some Sierra Nevada alcohol-free beer; checked stock and updated prices for all products.
For the dad who dreams of reaching inbox zero
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This tiny desk timer boosts productivity by measuring sprints of focus time — and giving a cheery buzz once it’s time to have a break.
For the dad with aches and pains
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For achy dads, this ballis designed to knead out joint pain after a long day of running, cycling, or simply sitting around.
For the dad trying to hit his Goodreads goal…
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Perch this pillow on a bed or chair and he could get throughMiddlemarchwithout a neck crick.
And the dad who never misses it
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He can flip away into the small hours with this handy, clippable reading light.
For the dad whose sweaters you steal
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The Gap isgood again! Like, giftably good!
For the dad who’s a couch-snack connoisseur
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If he’s got more of a sweet tooth, these nuggets combine creamy almond butter and sweet pretzels to effectively answer his cravings. They’re so good that actorMax Greenfieldtold us he struggles to portion-control them.
For the dad who’s active on r/Pens
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The ink glides from this jet black pen (that director Sofia Coppola uses to mark her scripts.)
For the dad who loves eggs
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If Dad’s Sunday doesn’t get started until he has wolfed down a Gaston-level amount of sunny-side-ups,he’ll appreciate trying his hand at a new kind of preparation with this handsomeJapanese pan.It produces rolled omelets that take a little practice, but what dad doesn’t love a project?
For the dad that’s just been promoted to granddad
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This journal helps keep track of all the special early moments in the new baby’s life, and your dad’s new role as a grandfather.
For the dad who’s too impatient for Scrabble
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Jason Schwarztmantold us he avoids screen time with this quick-fire Boggle game. You can play it solo or in a group. (He had it on the set ofAsteroid City.)
For the movie-night dad
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Pair with some zany seasonings and he can go wild (like the salt below).
For the dad who experiments in the kitchen
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You won’t find this slow-roasted-garlic seasoning on supermarket shelves, making it a delightful addition for dads with even the most stacked ofspice racks.
For the dad with a drawerful of photo albums
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If he’s never been much of a selfie guy, he can use this to take as many family pictures as he likes.
For the dad who keeps it simple
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A great quality, long-sleeved T-shirt is an essential in any dad’s wardrobe, and these just so happen to beour favorites.
For the dad who’s on Strava
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Coros Pace 3
He can use the Coros totrack his runningand general fitness, without the need for added apps and more screen time.
For the dad who prefers home cooking to takeout
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…And a cookbook to use with that wok
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‘Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories from the Island Nation Cookbook’ by Clarissa Wei
Clarissa Wei’sstand-out cookbookexplores the depths of Taiwanese cuisine.
For the dad who’s now Team Timmy
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For all the dads who fell in love with Bob again thanks to Mr. Chalamet.
For the dad who hydrates
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Owala FreeSip - 24 Oz.
Eleven Strategist staffers own an Owala Free Sip. I like that the bottle has a straw that allows you to sip mindlessly, great for dads who are trying to increase their water intake.
For the dad who takes care of his cold ones
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Strategist writerBrenley Goertzensays her dad (a “well-known gadget man”) can’t get enough of this doodad, which can slice any tin (or beer can) into a smooth-lipped, open top cup.
For the dad who is a candy fiend
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If Dad looked forward to your bounty on October 31 more than you ever did, he’ll appreciate a bulk-size box of his favorite types of candy.
For the dad who steals your Cetaphil
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Harsher weather calls fordeeper hydration, and Bioderma’s moisturizing oil is filled with glycerin and brightening niacinamide.
For the dad who’d rather uncork
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T-Paintold us that this electric corkscrew opens bottles perfectly every time.
For the dad who tosses and turns
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With soothing white noise, this sound machine — a favorite of comedianSamantha Irby’s — will help him drift off.
For the dad who always books a window seat
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If Dad racks up some seriousair mileswith work, he’s probably fed up with wriggling to get comfortable in an airline seat. But withthis pillow— which is cozy and designed to slope against the window — he’ll arrive at his destination without the usual crick in his neck.
For the dad with aNYT Cookingsubscription
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‘Cook This Book: Techniques That Teach and Recipes to Repeat: A Cookbook,’ by Molly Baz
This is my favorite cookbook in recent years: It has a mixture of unique recipes and practical advice on how to upgrade your go-tos. Perfect for the culinarily experimental dad.
For the dad who hates checking his bags
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Apple AirTag
If he has ever suffered an MIA-suitcase situation in the past, he probably hates handing overhis luggage. But an easily trackable AirTag means he knows wherehis cases(or his keys or his wallet) are anytime.
For the low maintenance dad
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A simple tool to keep him on top of hisgrooming.
For the dad who made a pickleball group chat
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These glasses will protect your dad from an “errant ricochet” to the face, saysGanda Suthivarakom.
For the dad who’s a Starbucks drive-thru regular
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He can skip the queue andbrew hisown coffeeat home with this Chemex coffee maker (one we’ve recommended countless times).
For the dad who looks forward to his Spotify wrapped
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My dad always appreciates a new device to blast his Pink Floyd from — and this Bose has beenrecommended to ustime and again.
For the dad who grills all year round
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Grill dadsneed not forlornly hang their aprons in the wetter months as this cast-iron griddle is “the indoor grill that’s closest in spirit to firing up the charcoal,”restaurateur Alon Shaya says.
For the dad who wanted to call you Leia (or Han)
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Jalen Brunsontold us he can’t live without this Millennium Falcon build. If Dad can recite episodes four to six by heart, he’ll enjoy getting to work.
For the dad who’s the designated cook
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Keep his fingers from getting scalded year-round, too, with these expert-recommendedgrilling gloves.
For the dad who’s cutting back
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My friends who visit breweries in their spare time say Sierra Nevada makes some of the best alcohol-free beer (less than 0.5 percent).
For the dad who spends hours at the bookstore
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The International Booker list just dropped, and I like the look of this one.
For the dad who’s a little Bob Ross
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We also hear great things about these watercolors, which are suitable for bothbudding-artist dadsand dads who never make “happy accidents.”
For the dad who didn’t even want the dog in the first place (or so he says)
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If Dad’s separation anxiety is just as bad as the dog’s, this interactivetreat-dispenser toy— which will keep his pal occupied for a while with different challenge settings — will give him peace of mind until he can get back home.
For the dad with a regimented packing list
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If everything has a designated place when Dad packs his luggage, he’ll appreciate the zillions of handy pockets in this sturdy Patagonia bag (that we namedour absolute-favoriteweekend bagof them all).
For the dad who likes breakfast in bed
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We recommend this simple, easy to store bamboolaptop desks— with vents to prevent laptop overheating — for those that like to work from home. (But it works just as well for lazy Sundays, too.)
For the dad who still has a full head of hair
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Make him even more smug by treating him to one of our favoriteluxurious hair oils, which keeps hair looking silky and smooth even as the chilly winter winds start to nip at it.
For the dad who needs some downtime
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Jessica Chastaintold us these earbuds are just the right shape not to cause an earache, are completely soundproof, and have excellent sound quality.
For the dad who dreams of business class
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Save your points and give him anupgraded experience(at a fraction of the cost) with these soothing, cooling eye gels (which work just as well for dads simply unwinding at home).
For the dad who got Disney+ purely for Nat Geo
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If Dad’s enchanted by noticing the little things, let him delight in the really little things with thisdinky microscope.It slips right into a pocket and can be used to see rocks, plants, and textures up close.
For the dad who commutes
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MiiR Flip Traveler
If he never has time to enjoy a hearty cup of coffee before heading off to work — and he refuses to pay Starbucks prices — give him a leakproof thermos thatwe named our best overallfor its cleverly designed mouthpiece and temperature retention.
For the dad who doesn’t need Google Maps
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Serious hikersneed a serious jacket, and you won’t find one warmer (or more stylish) at this price point.
For the dad with a Brooklyn Museum membership
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Arts educator Asmaa Walton says that this book is an absolute must-have for anyone who loves visual art and history. The glossy,coffee-table bookfeatures work by icons like Gwendolyn Brooks, Jacob Lawrence, Faith Ringgold, and Lorraine O’Grady.
For the dad who always forgets the pump
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Foroutdoorsy dads, this sleeping pad offers a good night’s sleep without the faff of a foot pump. “The best pad ever: It blows up with just a few breaths and is lightweight and supercomfortable,”says Rob Urry, father of four and a grandfather of 11.
For the dad who prefers to camp in his own backyard
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These string lights will add alittle razzle-dazzleto the back garden and make sure that his guests aren’t left in the dark on late summer nights.
For the dad who’s partial to a grilled cheese
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Cuisinart Griddler Grill, Griddle & Panini Press
Dads can whip up their world-famous sandwiches inour top panini press. It’s reliable, easy to clean, and can even be used for indoor grilling.
For the dad who has a study
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Umbra Conceal Wall Shelf
We love these floating-illusion shelves that would mount nicely in abookworm dad’s study.
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
