The 46 Best Gifts for New Dads (Other Than the Ability to Sleep In)

All those late nights and early starts mean dad will be needing a lot of coffee in the morning, plus some beauty products to keep him from looking like a zombie. This eye gel is a triple threat tackling puffiness, fine lines and fatigue. “My husband likes to joke that he didn't have a single gray hair until the kids came along... and I'd argue that the same could be said for those under-eye circles!” says PureWow executive editor and mom-of-three, Alexia Dellner. She's gifting her spouse this top-rated gel so that “he can look like he got a full night's sleep...even if he only clocked in a few hours.”

If there’s one thing I have first-hand experience with, it’s that if you have to hold a newborn to get them to sleep, the very least you can do for yourself is have some great content queued up on your phone. Still, you’ll need headphones to enjoy it quietly, which is where these Bluetooth-connected Airpods come in. One of our favorite features is the noise cancellation—coupled with conversation awareness, dad will relish the fact that his headphones help him stay on alert and adjust should the baby cry.

Babies: They have the uncanny ability to leave you feeling exhausted—and missing them the most the minute you’re apart. Whether dad is still working from home or back at the office, he can show off all of his favorite newborn pics with this digital photo frame. Details we love about it: The sleek frame it comes encased in, but also the unlimited storage and ability to give anyone permission to add photos to the device, making for a sweet surprise when a new-to-him pic pops up.

For the love of Pete, that darling baby of his won’t sleep unless you’re standing and rocking. But thanks to the six different massage “hands” and 54 rotating nodes to help ease tension, soothing sore soles is a breeze, thanks to this foot massager, and will give dad something to look forward to when baby finally goes down for a nap.

What is Crowd Cow, you might be wondering? It’s a service that combines quality, convenience and price to source meat exclusively from ethical farms (i.e. it’s for the dad who cares deeply about the origin story of his meat). It’s also for the dad who wants to pitch in by prioritizing home cooked meals. This cut of A5 Striploin Steak—from Kagoshima, Japan—will be a treat for him, but also the whole fam.

If he has to bounce the baby, at least dad can do it while listening to the latest page-turner. After all, he’s already lamenting the fact that he can’t quite seem to keep up with his reading—this is the perfect offering. Plus, instead of scrolling Insta, he can scroll the bestseller list.

A gift that doesn’t break the bank: This book, by beloved children’s book author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers, is about a father and daughter laying the foundations for their life together and using their own special tools to do so (a hammer, but also a beloved piggie!). The story is as breathtaking as the artwork and dad will treasure reading it aloud to all of his kids. Bonus points if you add an inscription at the beginning.

If you’ve never heard of Cameo before, here’s a quick rundown: It’s a platform where you can pay actors, comedians, athletes, reality stars and other celebs to make personalized videos for you or a loved one. Case in point: How great would it be to have someone like Brian Baumgartner (aka Kevin from The Office) pump him up about new parenthood? Lolz.

Massage guns are helpful for releasing tight knots found in muscles, regardless of whether they’re caused by stress…or late night baby rocking. Theragun is one of the most popular massage gun brands, but the Pro version comes with a deep tissue treatment that will not only increase range of motion, it provides the benefits of a 15-minute massage in the span of just two minutes. What a gift.

From the brand that brought us Santal 33, this new scent is an instant classic and something dad can wear to feel spiffed up post-diaper change. The fragrance combines notes of eucalyptus and cedarwood with labdanum, which is known for its leathery warmth. Add to that hints of musk and frankincense and it’s as unique as it is lightweight. In other words, there’s an easy elegance to be found that doesn’t overpower, but still speaks to the dapper dad he is at the core.

This best-selling custom portrait from Etsy is a heartfelt and thoughtful way to honor his very first year being a dad. It’s special and one-of-a-kind, but the best part? If you’re late to organize for Father’s Day this year, you can opt for the digital download that you’ll receive within three days of ordering.

The days are long, and the sleep cycles are short—such is newborn life. Help dad ease the midnight feedings by gifting him a pair of super luxe pajamas. This tailored set, made from a fine cotton fabric and featuring embroidered hounds, is something that will help him feel composed (not to mention comfy) for both night and day. “I especially like that this set comes with pockets,” said one dad of a five-month-old. “I could easily stash a pacifier, but also carry a diaper or pack of wet wipes for easy access on the fly.”

Never have we experienced more plug-and-play thoughtfulness: This templatized board book format from Artifact Uprising makes it a breeze to craft a heartfelt narrative that will make dad tear up whether it’s a custom ABCs that pertains his new world, plus baby—or simply an “All About Me” chronicle of your newborn’s new life. (You can also write a book that’s completely unique and up to 40 pages in length.) The quality is top notch; the fact that it’s a forever keepsake that can be read on repeat is even better. (I’ll add that I’ve been gifting one of these annually to my kid for seven years now.)

This is a big moment for the Parisian-based brand: They’re moving beyond sneakers and launching sandals—and this particular slip-on style is just what dad needs for summer stroller walks or anytime he needs to fly out the door. Available in six different colorways, the Etna is lightweight and sustainable, too, with the sandal’s sole made from VEJA’s signature Amazonian rubber while the colorful straps are made from organically traced leather sourced from farms in Rio Grande do Sul.

Real talk for a sec: Dad isn’t exactly attached to his phone. But now that parenthood requires 24/7 reachability, a smartwatch like this ensures he’ll never miss a ping. What we love about this particular option is its oversized screen and ease at syncing with the range of Google tools he already uses. There’s more: The Google Pixel Watch 3 can also track his sleep but, given the sleep-deprived stage of life he’s in, he may want to pause that functionality…for now.

Babies don’t care where or when they fall asleep in your arms. Enter: this comfy high-tech neck pillow that makes sitting up for two hours bearable.

He’s up and at ‘em, working hard to counter the dad bod cliché. These abrasion-resistant shorts—made from a sweat-wicking, quick-drying fabric—are just what he needs to quite literally hit the ground running and power through.

Picture this: It’s the middle of the day and dad just needs a quick power nap. With the tap of a button on a remote control, these custom-fitted smart shades will lower, giving him the slumber pod he needs to catch some actual Zzzs. Even better, the entire family will benefit—baby, too. (Nap times are all but guaranteed to lengthen with properly installed blackout shades.)

Dad will love this—and mom will, too. For the new dad trying to grip on all the varying logistics (from daycare drop-off to nap routines), this digital calendar system might actually change his life. Add a Plus Plan (just $79 a year) and he’ll have the ability to forward any email with calendar details and it will be automatically imported. (Recipes, too!) I experienced this one first-hand and it is now the hub that runs our life—and displays a rotation of our favorite family photos when not in use.

Naps are hard to come by when you’re tending to a newborn, but if there’s any chance of “sleeping when the baby sleeps,” you want to be sure your bedding is best in class. Enter this ultra-soft (and delightfully neutral) quilt, created as part of a collab with Brooklyn artist and textile maker, Caroline Z. Hurley. It’s airy and pillow-like, but also serves as a cozy backdrop for cuddling baby—a double win. 

As of late, he’s a bit too zonked to drink, which is why dad is testing the waters with alcohol-free booze. This particular gin is bold and juniper forward, but it’s also got hints on bitter lemon, grapefruit and coriander. Suggest that he subs it in any time the recipe calls for London Dry Gin and he won’t be disappointed.

Much like his coffee that always goes lukewarm, the ice in his whiskey melts before he gets a chance to drink it. But these molds create giant ice spheres that melt slower and will keep his beverage frosty on nights when baby bedtime takes a bit longer.

Moms are on deck for the bulk of the wake-ups—this we know. But if dad is going to pitch in and help with baby in the middle of the night, the WiFi-enabled Loftie lamp will definitely set him up for success. Yes, it’s an alarm clock first, offering joyful sunrise alarms and restful sunset dimming, but it doubles as a reading light and also general ambiance provider. (It even offers light-guided breathwork sessions, which can help counter moments of parental overwhelm.)

Dad sneaks? Not in this house. We mentioned before that he’s trying to get back into running and these are just the ticket, providing responsive cushioning and full-length, superlight ZoomX foam to help him maintain his performance while getting a high level of energy return, too. He’ll especially love the seamless fit, thanks to the flyknit material that conforms gently to his foot.

Sturdy enough for curious baby hands and powerful enough for playing “Baby Shark” on repeat…all day long. Seriously—the battery lasts 20 hours on a single charge. Dad will love it.

This power bank fits easily into the diaper bag and comes with both a USB-C and Micro USB charging port. Perfect for him because his phone always seems to die right before capturing that little gummy grin.

Takes unlimited digital pics, minus the viewfinder, so dad won’t know the results of his artistry until he plugs the camera into his laptop to take a look. Why it’s great: The quality is great, but it also allows him to stay in the moment, plus baby—the ultimate gift.

Coffee that shows up right when he needs it most—feels like magic. When you sign up, you’ll get to choose between whole bean and ground coffee, then specify dad’s preferences from there (from flavor notes to whether he’d prefer espresso blends or decaf), so he gets exactly what he wants.

For the guy who's going to be on his feet all day (and all night), these slip-ons provide supreme comfort. Made from 100 percent wool with soft leather soles, they are easy to put on and off and come in 12 stylish shades. “All of my babies have been very different,” says Dellner, “but they have all at one point or another required extensive walking and rocking in order to fall asleep. These shoes are comfortable and supportive i.e., the ultimate dad shoe but with a very important twist—they're actually cool looking.” 

He may already have a diaper bag, but—spoiler alert—most parents cycle through several before finding The One. Let’s save him all that buying (and rebuying) with Huhu’s Everyday Diaper Backpack. There’s a space for everything: two external bottle pockets for easy access, four interior zippered mesh pockets, an adjustable divider inside, a clip-on external side pocket and two “parent” pockets for stowing his sunglasses, wallet, keys or whatever he’d like to keep on hand. PureWow parent testers confirmed it can hold just about everything you need for a day out—no matter where you’re headed—and that the padded straps are comfy, without digging in.

Whether he spends his summers on the beach or at sporting events galore, he’ll love this collapsible tailgating table, complete with a mesh food basket, an insulated cooler and—perfect for his current phase of life—four cup holders, all sized to fit a bottle, too.

These personalized golf balls feature his kiddo’s name and favorite color so he can always rep his favorite little one.

Gift him a blast from the past with this funky turntable from Crosley Radio that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and a functional record player. He can choose to either rock out to 33 ⅓, 45 or 78 RPM records or simply throw on his latest Spotify playlist—either way, he’ll make music education a priority for his little one.

Makeup does wonders for sleep-deprived mamas, but moisture has a similar effect on dads with visible signs of skin dehydration, which can make wrinkles a lot more pronounced. This anti-aging cream will help reverse those effects, delivering a potent combo of ingredients that help target collagen and glycation (a key factor of natural aging) decline. Of course, dad will love the opp for a decadent skincare routine, too. Our dad tester remarked: “This cream felt like I was supercharging my skin’s overall health in less than a minute.” The perfect potion when you’re short on time.

A dad’s love for his newborn baby, beautifully documented for all to see: That’s what this picture frame offers—not to mention gifting ease. Simply upload any pic from your iPhone or Instagram, choose your frame color and you’re good to go. Framebridge will print, frame and deliver it to dad’s door in a gorgeous gift box. Done and done.

What beats a story written just for him? Not much. This sentimental offering will help preserve the many wonders that shape baby’s lifelong personality and passions. The best part is they can read it aloud together.

When sleep schedules are all thrown off, this light-blocking mask will make any afternoon feel like nighttime—the dream.

Officially due out on June 5, but mark your iCal, because pre-orders will begin soon. The new design comes with a 4K resolution, but also re-imagined Joy-Con 2 controllers and a powerful new processor. Whether he lives for the nostalgia of Mario Bros. or he’s dying to try out the newest Zelda game, the handheld Nintendo Switch is a fun gift for both hardcore gamers and ones who haven’t played since Super Nintendo ruled the Earth.

Because on-the-go dads don’t have time to remember where they left their wallet, keys or the baby’s diaper bag. These handy little trackers stick directly to any device, making it easy to find via the Tile app.

The second he pours a cup of coffee, the baby wakes up. This smart mug will keep that java nice and warm—down to the exact degree he likes it—even if an hour goes by before he has the chance to sit back down to enjoy it.

Ideal for the proud dad with a newborn, he’ll never want to take this baseball cap off. In fact, he’ll probably go on to purchase the matching babe hat for his little one, too.

For the dad with a sense of humor, these photos socks will give him the peek-a-boo (but also show-off) moment he’s been looking for at the office. After all, there’s no better conversation starter.

Levain Bakery’s New Parents Bundle includes a pack of four cookies (choose from a range of options), a bag of Canyon Coffee’s bold and smooth Levain Blend and a too-cute onesie that reads “freshly baked.” Gift it with a note that promises him there’s zero pressure to share.

He’s all for anything that streamlines and makes his life easier at this point. Enter this iPad stand/keyboard that turns his tablet into a desktop in a snap.

Dad may be tech-driven, but he’s also pretty damn nostalgic. This pair of sunglasses delivers the best of both worlds, allowing him to capture the most beautiful interactions with baby in an instant sending real time pics and video straight to his phone.