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There’s only so many Argyle socks and fun ties you can gift your grandad before the sentiment wears. In reporting this story, I chatted with my own grandfather to see what he’d like to receive for Father’s Day. He said he wanted a phone call or to spend more time together. While that was a sweet sentiment, it’s not the most useful intel for gift buying. So I spoke to grandparents and thoughtful grandkids for their suggestions and dug in our archives to find the best gifts for grandfathers this Father’s Day. And, to help keep it within your budget, all of our recommendations are sorted by price point.
Under $25
We spoke to Kelly Walters and Judy Hall, founders of Grand Connections, an organization that encourages quality time between grandparents and grandchildren through DIY Experience Packs and workshops. They recommend this picture frame for holding artwork from grandkids (rather than photos). Hall, a grandmother herself, owns one and likes that it can store up to 50 pieces, comes with matting, and is a good size.
For a way to compile Grandpa’s writing, consider this book. It comes with 12 prompted “letters” for Grandpa to fill out, complete with envelopes and stickers for the full effect.
Joowon Oh, the author of Our Favorite Day, suggested arts and crafts that granddads and grandchildren “can create together to make sweet memories.” She thinks this birdhouse-making kit, makes an especially good gift if Grandpa happens to be an avid birder. This one comes with all the pieces needed to assemble a “bird bungalow.” And if grandkids are too young to build, it comes with a paintbrush and four paints they can safely enjoy.
DeeDee Moore, the founder of the grandparenting blog More Than Grand, is a firm believer that books make the best presents. According to Moore, this one’s full of playful illustrations that “will delight all generations.” It’s more focused on activities grandfathers and grandchildren can enjoy together like what to eat for a snack and what to do on a walk.
Another one of Moore’s favorites is Richard Eyre’s book that’s “full of creative and practical ideas” on engaging more with your grandchildren. “It’s an excellent gift for those grandfathers who want more ideas to help shape their role as grandpa or for those who need a little help to get outside their comfort zone,” Moore says.
When we spoke to Ted Page, the founder and publisher of storytelling blog Good Grandpa, about the best gifts for new grandparents, he recommended The Code Breaker. It tells the story of Jennifer Doudna, a pioneering biochemist known for her work in CRISPR gene editing. Page says the book is a way for grandparents to better understand the world their grandkids live in. “Being a grandpa is about the present and the future, not the past,” he explains. By the time I finished it, I knew that the biggest reason why I was able to get a COVID vaccine so fast was due to the work of Doudna.”
For long-distance grandfathers, one of Moore’s top picks is a subscription to the Kinoo App, which combines video chat with developmental-learning activities for children. Moore says the activities “make video chats truly fun for both grandchildren and grandparents,” adding that there are prompts to help grandparents connect with their grandkids. “As grandfathers enjoy playing and watching their grandchildren learn, they can create memories and deepen bonds with grandchildren who live far away,” she says.
Page reminds us that meaningful gifts “don’t have to be things at all but gifts that support people in real need. As grandfathers, we want to nurture the next generation in our immediate families but also in our global families.” This year, he would rather see his own children and grandchildren donate to a charity to help Ukraine than receive a tie. “This teaches our grandchildren a lot,” he says. “That they are linked with children all over the world and that what we do for others matters.” Humanity & Inclusion is a charity that supports individuals and refugees from conflict-stricken areas — especially those with physical injuries and disabilities and the elderly. Its Ukraine appeal fund will help deliver emergency aid to people displaced by the war. You can see the full list of ways to help refugees from Ukraine here.
Under $50
If your grandfather is more of a traditionalist and enjoys board games, Welcome to … Your Perfect Home is an expert-approved game that’s fun in-person or over Zoom. The game has players take on the role of architects attempting to build the perfect town in 1950s America, which we think Grandpa might enjoy.
Manny Oliverez, author of the book 100 Things I Love About Grandpa and grandfather of seven, says his all-time favorite gift was a pair of Buzz Lightyear pajama pants his grandkids made for him. “They are way too big, the seams are a bit crooked, and one leg was attached upside down,” he says, but they’re “precious and warm my heart that my grandchildren made them especially for me.” Second to the pants is the grill he received. “Why? Because what is better than being together grilling and eating with friends, family, and the grandkids?” says Oliverez. This large yakitori is recommended by Leslie Roark Scott of Ubon’s Barbeque in Yazoo City, Mississippi, because it’s the “perfect size for a couple of steaks, and holds heat like a champ.”
If Grandpa already has a grill setup, he’d appreciate a new set of pit gloves. Writer Caitlin M. O’Shaughnessy likes that these are coated with neoprene rubber and “designed for true-blue barbecuers who have to handle hot meat on the smoker — that means they’re waterproof, stainproof, and, most important, greaseproof.” (And if you’re looking for even more gifts for your aspiring pit-master grandpa, we have a whole gift guide just for him.)
Under $100
While respondents from our senior survey mostly said DNA kits were not useful, we think they’d still make a good gift if you know Grandpa is interested in genealogy. Page makes a case for them as well. DNA kits “inform us as grandparents about our own heritage, while also teaching the grandkids about science,” says Page, who likes that 23andMe’s kit lets you trace your lineage and the history of your family. You can also dive into family traits, like how your DNA might affect your sense of taste or smell.
If Grandpa is an outdoorsman, he might appreciate this packable and inflatable pad for camping. Utah-based hiker Rob Urry, a father of four and grandfather of 11, recommended it to us because it’s “the best pad ever: It blows up with just a few breaths and is lightweight and supercomfortable.” It even “works great on the ground or in a hammock,” he says.
And if Grandpa isn’t the camping type but still enjoys being in nature, this lightweight foldable rocker might be a better choice. It’s an essential in Strategist contributor Steven John’s camping kit because it weighs 12 pounds but its “impressive engineering” can support up to 250 pounds, he explains. Plus it has a handy cup holder attached.
If Grandpa’s a golfer, he’ll appreciate a set of custom golf balls. You can personalize them with his name, initials, or a photo that’ll brighten his day any time he tees up. (And if you’re looking for more golf gifts, we have a roundup here.)
For the grandpa who’s a frequent flier, we suggest gifting him this highly recommended compact Trtl neck pillow. Carol, a Senior Survey respondent, says she packs it on every flight, including a nine-hour trip from Los Angeles to France: “It made my flight so easy.”
My own grandfather loves writing. Anytime I visit, he’s ready with a printed-out write-up of what’s on his mind recently – from reflections and recollections to inspirations — and I keep every document stored away for safekeeping. When I read contributor Sarah Z. Wexler’s ode to the subscription service StoryWorth, I immediately thought of my own grandpa. The way it works is every week for a year, StoryWorth emails the recipient a question, and all they have to do is respond to the email. At the end of the year, the company collects all of the stories — along with any images he submitted with them — in a book and sends it to the recipient (with the option to print more copies for an additional fee).
Page encourages getting Grandpa something from the Parks Project. “They have all kinds of cool outdoorsy gifts, and part of every sale goes toward supporting our precious National Parks,” he says.
Though fun socks might be a ubiquitous Father’s Day gift, Bombas donates a pair for every pair purchased. And, they happen to be favorites of Lou Diamond Phillips. “They’re the best socks I’ve ever worn. They’re thick without being too thick, a little bit like an athletic sock,” he says. “And they grip all around your feet, from the arches and ankles to your shins.” This set comes with four striped pairs in navy, olive, black, and purple.
Under $200
A foot massager is a great gift for Grandpa — especially if he has foot pain or poor circulation. Our favorite one by Renpho is hands-free, can accommodate foot sizes up to men’s size 12, and delivers a deep Shiatsu-style massage.
Another suggestion from our guide on gifts for new grandparents comes from Grandpa Chan, one half of the popular Instagram account Drawings for My Grandchildren. He says you should consider the fact that the recipient — though they may not like to admit it — is getting older. “Everything weakens with age, including teeth,” he says, something he learned after a recent trip to the dentist, “who told me that the severe pain I was experiencing could be improved by using an electric toothbrush and this water flosser to clean between my teeth.” In the first week of using them, he says, “my toothache passed,” which is why he now recommends them as gifts to grandparents.
According to Moore, grandfathers love digital-picture frames. She called out Nixplay specifically because of its ease of use: “Parents can add new photos and video clips from their phone or computer, and they instantly appear in the frame on Grandpa’s desk,” she explains.
This recommendation comes from our archives. Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio gifted it to several family members including an elderly out-of-state uncle who had been confined to his retirement home all year. Like the Nixplay, the Aura is simple to set up and use. “It was easy to curate a collection of photos and get my siblings and other relatives in on the fun — all through the app — before the frames were even delivered,” Trolio says. On top of its simplicity, the frame doesn’t have a photo limit, and there’s a choice to display each photo for two minutes, five minutes, or ten minutes.
If Grandpa could use a new pair of comfy walking shoes, you can’t go wrong with Hokas. Physical therapist and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy Karena Wu says the shoes have “tremendous cushioning and foot support to help offset the heel pain,” adding that they feel like “walking on clouds.”
And to keep track of all of his steps (and other activities), gift him this FitBit. Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa says it’s a much cheaper alternative to an Apple Watch, “so it’s a good one to try if you’re just dipping your toes into the world of fitness trackers.”
The grandpa who’s a bookworm will appreciate a Kindle if he doesn’t have one already. The Paperwhite is the “gold standard for e-readers,” according to Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon, for its adjustable brightness, larger screen for reading text more easily, and the fact that it’s waterproof.
Over $200
For the grandpa who likes to grill or host backyard hangouts, consider gifting Yeti’s Tundra Cooler. It is a splurge, but the status-y coolers are known to be worth it. Strategist writer and once Yeti-skeptic Dominique Pariso says her family’s Yeti was able to keep frozen food cold on a four-hour road trip sans ice. “I’ve witnessed the Yeti’s magic firsthand,” she says.
For the serious bird-watching grandpa, here’s a pair of decently priced binoculars. Robert DeCandido — also known as Birding Bob, the leader of inexpensive bird-watching walking tours in Central Park — likes them because he can “wear them all day” without feeling any strain on his neck. (And if you’re looking for more entry-level or advanced binoculars, we have them rounded up in this gift guide for bird lovers.)
Minh Lê — author of Drawn Together, a book about a grandchild and grandfather — suggests commissioning an illustrated portrait for Granddad of him with his grandchildren. While there are plenty of options on Etsy, Lê recommends getting one from award-winning illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka.
Our recent senior survey found that 80 percent of seniors work out daily or a couple times a week, and stationary bikes were popular splurges and wishlist items. If your grandpa is on a health kick, consider gifting him a nice stationary bike. It’s a splurge, but respondent Stuart told us he’s been riding his Schwinn five times a week for the past two years. He likes that it displays his ride history and has multiple adjustable settings and workout programs for a customized ride. “It checked all the boxes of what I wanted, a basic exercise bike,” he said.
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