NOTHING CAN truly prepare a man for becoming a father. From the daily work grind to navigating parenthood, including unpleasant diaper changing and attempting every trick in the book to calm a crying baby, a new dad has many sleepless nights ahead of him. He’s exhausted and probably can’t find an item of clothes in his closet that’s not decorated with baby puke—but hey, that’s the price to pay for an adorable bundle of joy. And he wouldn’t change a thing.
For his first Father’s Day, make it special with the perfect gift that'll remind him of how great of a father he is. Whether it’s that cool gadget he’s eyeing but thought was too frivolous with new household expenses or something useful he really needs but hasn’t had time to shop for himself, there are plenty of great Father's Day gift ideas for a new dad (even some last-minute Father's Day gift ideas, if you forgot the big day).
To help you make the right choice for the new dads in your life, here are 52 of the best first father's day gifts to congratulate and honor new dads on this milestone occasion.
Astrohaus' digital typewriters help encourage distraction-free writing in the most enjoyable way possible. The Freewrite Traveler is a portable edition from the brand made to go anywhere. It's got an incredibly long memory and battery life, making it easy for new dads to write notes and journal entries that can one day be handed down to their kids.
Lalabu's Dad Shirt provides a secure, hands-free way to carry your newborn wherever you go thanks to its smart kangaroo pouch. The t-shirt is comfortable for you and the baby: a win-win scenario here.
A new dad will soon find out how much sleep they can actually function on. Pass them this caffeinated cooling eye roller to help them feel and look like they got eight hours the night before, even if all they got was three.
This shirt wicks sweat like its life depends on it, the mesh fabric is ideal for using a cuff to wipe his kid’s snotty nose when he's out of tissues, and when he finally gets a minute’s rest, it’s as comfortable as silk pj’s.
A good pair of running shoes will help him keep away that dad bod. Colorway options aside (which, by the way, that mint/black/blue combo is *chef’s kiss*), the construction of these Adidas Adios Pro 3s to keep things lightweight with enough Lightstrike Pro cushioning to help you preserve energy as you go the distance. Race day or a casual long jog, he'll love running in these kicks.
This flexible padded gear is capable of withstanding soccer shin kicks, baseball elbow blows, and all manner of bike scrapes. But it’s also lightweight and formfitting and looks like something out of The Terminator—negating all the excuses of kids not wanting to wear pads.
Best Gift for new dads that Keeps on Giving
Men's Health Shop Men's Health MVP Premium Membership
Best Gift for new dads that Keeps on Giving
Men's Health Shop Men's Health MVP Premium Membership
What's an easy way for dads to look better, feel better, and live better than ever before? Maybe we're a little biased, but a year's subscription to Men's Health magazine should do the trick.
Peace and quiet is probably the best gift you can give a new dad. With the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, he’ll be able to take a moment to himself to listen to his favorite jams or focus on his work, without hearing loud squeaky kids' toys.
A proper pillow is going to be a must-need for new dads. Enter the Pluto Pillow. He will take a quick survey so the brand knows his preferences (thickness, firmness, sleeping position) and then out comes a pillow entirely unique to him. The process is fun, the price point is great, and the sleep is amazing.
This top-notch smart shaver has an AutoSensing technology and a 360-degree flex head for the most efficient shave he’ll ever get that trims even the thickest beards and reach those tricky areas. Sure, he could use any ol’ shaver, but why not gift him a cool top-of-the-line option that’ll make him feel like a king.
Sure, he could shove a loose diaper and a slim pack of wipes into your back pockets and wing it. Or you could just buy him this bag, which also houses a water-bottle holster, a changing pad, and tons of pockets. You know what the Boy Scouts say.
Tom Bullock’s stainless steel cocktail set includes everything he'll need for a drink at the the end of a long day of parenting, including a shaker, stirrer spoon, ice tongs, strainer and jigger. As the inspiration for the brand, Tom Bullock was one of the most influential bartenders from the 1910s and was known for tending the prestigious St. Louis Country Club.
Best massage gift for new dads
Viktor Jurgen Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Heat Deep
Best massage gift for new dads
Viktor Jurgen Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Heat Deep
Raising a newborn can be a pain in the neck, but thankfully, there’s an at-home solution for that. This neck and shoulder massager is a game-changer for aches and soreness whenever he needs it most.
Best TLC gift for new dads
Jaxon Lane Bro Mask Hydrating Anti Aging Sheet Masks
Best TLC gift for new dads
Jaxon Lane Bro Mask Hydrating Anti Aging Sheet Masks
Busy bearded dads will appreciate the Bro Mask for some self-care. The mask’s design comes in two parts so guys with beards can enjoy the benefits of ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E. In just 20 minutes, the new dad in your life will look rested and refreshed, even if his newborn kept him up all night.
This sturdy stroller folds up on a hinge and unfolds with the twist of a handle—and a massive holding area beneath the seats can hold an entire diaper bag. The ride is smooth, the lockable turning wheel transitions easy from walk to run, and the adjustable handlebar snaps for the comfort of various pushers.
This wildly popular robo-bassinet gently and automatically rocks and soothes his baby to sleep—even if they wake up in the middle of the night. Yes, they’re pricey, but what would you pay for a good night’s rest when he really needs one?
Helping a new dad get a good caffeine fix is important, according to Men’s Health Deputy Editor Paul Kita. He recommends this luxe bean-to-cup espresso and coffee machine. It’s an innovative kitchen device that can create a cappuccino, shot of espresso, and feather-light milk foam with eight coffee-strength levels and three temperature levels.
Everyone appreciates comfortable clothes, but new dads will find these joggers especially useful when doing everything from lounging around the house to running errands. The pant's bamboo fabric and sleek silhouette is the perfect mix of comfort and style.
As Men's Health's Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.