We’ve all done it. It’s Saturday evening, the day before Father’s Day, and we’re rummaging through the tool section of Home Depot (or the men’s section of JC Penney’s), trying to find a gift for dad. In a panic, we’ll buy aftershave for a guy who still has 13 bottles from the last 13 years, or a golf tie for a man who has never touched a golf club in his life, who in fact has never even worn a tie in his life and will probably be buried in cargo shorts and a Rush T-shirt.
This year, break the cycle of golf ties, aftershave, and socket sets with these 17 hand-picked gadgets, games, and gear that are sure to please the GeekDad in your life.
GeekFuel
by: Randy Slavey
Cousin Eddie’s heart may have been bigger than his brain, but he was onto something when he said the Jelly of the Month was the gift that keeps on giving throughout the entire year. Instead of jelly, though, we recommend something a little more appropriate for the GeekDad in your life… like original geeky t-shirts, Steam game codes, superhero coffee mugs, and more! GeekFuel will send a new box every month with an assortment of geeky gifts that are sure to please any comic book reading, d20 rolling, video gaming superdad.
Available at GeekFuel
Garmin Dash Cam 10 Standalone Driving Recorder
by: Randy Slavey
For all you dads with teen drivers, safety doesn’t end at Driver’s Ed and seatbelts. Protect your teenager from he said/she said accident reports, as well as review their behind-the-wheel habits to help them become a better driver, with a dash cam from Garmin. The Dash Cam 10 Standalone Driving Recorder is a 1080p video camera with built-in accident detection and an internal microphone, which is great for knowing what’s going on inside of your teen’s car as well as outside.
Available at Amazon
The Geek Baby Book: A Memory Journal for Every Geeky First in Your Baby’s Life
by: Jonathan H. Liu
The Geek Baby Book is perfect for the newly minted GeekDad. Record important events from the year of baby’s birth, like the best comic of the year. Fill out handy quizzes to see if your baby may be a Jedi or a wizard. There’s even a section on one of your biggest responsibilities as a new parent: deciding how to share Star Wars with your young Padawans.
Available at Amazon
Mission Belt
by: Dave Banks
Mission Belts, which were featured on the television program The Shark Tank, are unique in that they have no holes. Rather, the belt uses a ratcheting system that allows for far greater comfort and a sleeker, stylish look. The belts are great looking, simple to put on and take off, come in a huge variety of colors, and now include a number of licensed buckles, featuring the NCAA, the NBA, and the NHL. There are even kids’ sizes! You can feel good buying this belt for dad too, since a dollar of each purchase goes to help impoverished families around the world.
Available at Mission Belt
Gillette Shave Club
by: Dave Banks
There are other places to buy razor blades, but I’m partial to the Gillette Shave Club. Not only do I prefer their long-lasting blades (up to a month of shaves on a single cartridge), but it also has the greatest flexibility. You can choose the cartridge type you want–Mach3, Fusion, or Fusion ProGlide–and you also have a choice of retailers to fulfill your order. You can order directly from Gillette or from Amazon, Target, or five other online shops. Adding shaving cream or a (free) handle is simple, and members get access to free giveaways of everything from products to sports tickets. Best of all, the pricing is more affordable than most other shave clubs. Keep dad’s face smooth all year long with Gillette Shave Club.
Available at Gillette Shave Club
Sproggiwood
by: Will James
Sproggiwood is a roguelike game that was released for iOS and Android recently from publisher Freehold Games. Sproggiwood is adorable and fun, and has already become my new favorite mobile game. Best of all, it can be played in very small chunks, like when you have five free minutes in your “office.”
Available at iTunes
SMS Audio SMS-ONWD-SW2-R2D2 On-Ear Wired Headphones
by: Z.
Unlike the movie prequels, the second-generation Star Wars products from SMS Audio actually improve on the originals. With softer ear cups, deeply detailed and textured designs, and an even richer sound from their 40mm drivers, the Star Wars Second Edition headphones will make any GeekDad’s Father’s Day. Gorgeously crafted, perfectly foldable for easy transport, and fully designed for durability and comfort, these wired, on-ear cans are as great for daily use as they are for, say, editing your bimonthly music podcast. (Review materials provided by: SMS Audio)
Available at Amazon
New Nintendo 3DS XL
by: Z.
If your dad’s a gamer on the go or just a fan of Nintendo’s amazing first-party properties, the New Nintendo 3DS XL will likely be on his Father’s Day wish list. The New XL packs a faster processor, integrated NFC support, a second analog stick, two additional shoulder buttons, and more stable 3D visuals into a form factor nearly identical to that of the original product. With a phenomenal software library that just keeps getting better and an equally wide selection of affordable accessories, the New Nintendo 3DS XL is sure to please. (Review materials provided by: Nintendo of America)
Available at Amazon
Waring Pro Popcorn Maker with Melting Station
by: Ken
Dads and popcorn go together like, well, butter and popcorn (ipso facto, Dads are made of butter). So, how about getting dad the ultimate in popcorn processing stations? The Waring Pro Popcorn Maker with Melting Station make experimenting with, and perfecting, gourmet popcorn combos a breeze, with its amazing built-in warming station for chocolate, caramel, or other savory concoctions to pour over your puffed kernals. And the popper itself is amazing, with active stirring to make sure every kernal pops.
Available at the Waring web store
Lassig Tender Messenger Diaper Bag, Black
by: Will James
The Lassig Messenger diaper bag is perfect for dads that need to carry their baby gear but want something that’s more subtle and functional looking. The Lassig is made from 100% polyester but looks like leather. This bag is the perfect combination of form and function for a dad on the go with his child.
Available at Amazon
Realms: The Roleplaying Game Art of Tony DiTerlizzi
by: Jonathan H. Liu
Tony DiTerlizzi is a favorite in my household for his children’s books, but, long before the WondLa series, he was creating amazing fantasy artwork for roleplaying games. This beautiful book showcases DiTerlizzi’s work in the gaming world, including sketches, never-before-published pieces, and short essays about his career and artistic process.
Available at Amazon
Next Issue subscription
by: Jamie Greene
If you’re like me, you have fond memories of lazy afternoons spent of browsing the massive magazine rack at Barnes & Noble or Borders (RIP). Print magazines haven’t gone extinct, but, like everything else, they’re thriving in digital form. Next Issue is a convenient, intuitive app that gathers together almost 150 different titles for your reading pleasure. Whatever your interest, there’s a magazine for you… and Next Issue probably has it. Subscriptions start at $9.99/month; grant unlimited access to current issues and entire back catalogs; can be shared across 5 devices; and are compatible across Android, Windows, and iOS devices!
Available at Next Issue
House of Marley Liberate XLBT Bluetooth wireless headphones
by: Brad Moon
If your dad loves music and is currently tethered to his music source by old-school wired headphones, Bluetooth is the way to go. The House of Marley Liberate XLBT Bluetooth wireless headphones feature a big bass punch as part of their premium “Marley signature” sound. 50mm dynamic moving coil drivers with neodymium magnets and support for Bluetooth A2DP/APTX means high quality audio whether wireless or plugged in using the included cable. With a materials list that includes wood, leather, stainless steel, and cloth made from recycled bottles, these over-ear headphones look as good as they sound.
Available at Amazon
ScanSnap iX100
by: James Floyd Kelly
Nothing can get your home or office (or your home-office) decluttered faster than a trash can. The second fastest way to reduce the clutter is a personal scanner. One of the best scanners on the market is the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100 (portable). It’s my go-to tool for keeping both my personal and business documentation organized and 100% digital. It’s addictive, too–once you start reducing your paper mounds, you can’t stop. Get your dad one and you’ll be his favorite child until next Father’s Day.
Available at Amazon
Darth Vader Apron T-shirt
by: Jamie Greene
What’s not to love here? Just look at it! Darth Vader preparing to grill up the best steaks and burgers this side of Alderaan? And with a “#1 Dad” button to boot? Yes, please.
Available at JcPenney
ScottEVest Featherweight Vest
by: Ken
A casual vest that will keep you warm, but comfortable in a range of temperatures. Oh, and the pockets. This is a gadget dad’s dream, with special pockets to carry any and everything you might need.
Available at ScottEVest
The GeekDad Books
by: Ken
The ultimate collection of quirky projects for geeky parents to do with their kids.
Available at Amazon
Ahh, yes!
These are all just good and unique ideas! I got my father a popcorn maker one year (a big popcorn fanatic) and he absolutely loved it!
Natasha