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Whether you’re a friend, family, coworker, or partner, finding a gift for a new dad can be daunting. If you’ve never been a dad, it can be difficult to come up with gift ideas for new dads that are at all helpful, as it’s not an experience one can truly understand secondhand. Even those of us who are part of the fraternity of fathers probably don’t remember what it was like to be a new dad—an experience that, among other things, is entirely delirious.
To come up with the best gifts for new dads, Men’s Journal cast a wide net, hauling in gifts at a wide variety of price points across apparel, technology, kitchen gear, grooming, golf gifts, and even books. These gifts address the various needs new dads have, from learning how to relax as a new parent and enjoying the priceless memories to protecting their suddenly larger family. There’s also a funny new dad gift or two thrown in for good measure.
Each of these gifts would work well for the upcoming holiday season, as there’s something on this list that every kind of dad would be happy to unwrap. They’d also be great, of course, for a dad’s birthday gift, first Father’s Day, or just because. And while MJ can’t give new dads what they really need—more time and less stress—the best gifts for new dads will make a very special time in their lives that much easier.
The 45 Best Gifts for New Dads of 2023
Some combination of exhaustion and a desire to protect their baby from the outside world turns many new dads into homebodies for the first few weeks (or months) of fatherhood. There’s nothing better during this period than a classic robe, like this one from L.L. Bean. The soft, midweight Portuguese flannel fabric is perfect for late-night feedings, and the sharp tartan patterns have an unmistakably classic paternal heir about them.
[$79; llbean.com]
These top-rated slippers from Glerups allow for easy slipping on and off while holding an infant. The felted wool construction is soft and breathable enough to prevent foot sweat, with supple leather soles ideal for indoor use. They’re the kind of splurge many guys, now in full-on provider mode, might not go for, which is why they make such a fantastic gift for new dads.
[$100; rei.com]
Dads often take the lead on building all the stuff kids need, and there is a lot of it. Cribs, activity centers, high chairs, gliders, bouncers—the list goes on. This compact tool is the perfect gift for new dads ready to get to work. It has everything they might need to put all that stuff together, and it will also serve them well as the home repairman on call through the rest of their kid’s childhood. And, even if it mostly sits in the garage collecting dust until it’s needed, the peace of mind of having tools is still worth more than the price tag.
[$55 (was $60); amazon.com]
Hand sanitizer is a staple of every household with a newborn. It’s a tool that protects their fragile immune systems from the germs of the outside world and their parents from the more disgusting parts of their new job. This three-pack of Noshiku pocket hand sanitizers allows new dads to stash them where they’re needed, and the upscale smells and all-natural moisturizers lend a certain luxury to perpetual hand sanitizing that new dads will truly appreciate.
[$26; amazon.com]
It seems nuts that many strollers don’t come with cupholders, but it is the sad reality. Thankfully, this clip-on cup holder attaches securely to any stroller, comes with a slot to store a phone, and has a second cup holder that clips on to hold the kid’s milk bottle as securely as Dad’s coffee mug. It’s the definition of a low-investment, high-reward item that first-time parents will be thankful to receive.
[$15; amazon.com]
Trade sources whole bean and ground coffees from small roasteries across the country and delivers them directly to its customers. It’s a great way to ensure new dads always have great beans to brew while simultaneously allowing them to try out new coffees and support small businesses everywhere from Canton, Georgia to Redding, California to Viroqua, Wisconsin. Prices start at $40 for two bags delivered however frequently the new dad likes, but gifting more means getting a better deal, down to $17.92 per bag when ordering two dozen.
[from $108; drinktrade.com]
There are two reasons to get AirTags for new dads. One, strollers can cost a lot of money, and having a way to track it, in case it ever goes missing, is well worth the cost of one of Apple’s GPS trackers. Two, they’re an invaluable way for new dads to find things they’ve misplaced amid the chaos and clutter that having a baby brings, at least in those early months when no one has the energy to tidy up.
[$89 (was $99); amazon.com]
Sleep deprivation and the stress of parenting can darken and puff up a new dad’s eyes, so a good under-eye treatment is a more-than-welcome gift. This pricier eye cream from Sunday Riley is worth the investment, with caffeine, lutein, and horse chestnut delivering instant results. It’s also a nice reminder that caring for someone else doesn’t mean you should stop caring for yourself.
[$65; amazon.com]
Athleisure that looks respectable is a key part of any modern dad’s wardrobe, and these moisture-wicking pants from Vuori are an excellent place for new dads to start. They have a classic five-pocket design, complete with a button and belt loops, and, at first glance, look like the khaki pants your dad might have worn. That said, it’s the fabric, which has both anti-odor and flexible, four-way stretch properties, that sets them apart and makes them a great pair of dad pants.
[$128; vuori.com]
New dads don’t have time to go to the coffee shop or craft bespoke pour-over coffees throughout the day. They need a regular supply of dependably delicious hot coffee ready whenever, and that’s what this classic Cuisinart coffee maker provides. It makes 14 cups at a time and the carafe sits on a warming plate that eliminates the need for microwaving that second or third cup of the day.
[$100; nordstrom.com]
Waking up at an odd hour, feeding the baby, and then not being able to go back to sleep is a common experience for new dads. Watching a movie on the Criterion Channel, a streaming service from the leading purveyor of classic Hollywood, international, and art house films, is a great way to fill the time the new dad in your life probably doesn’t have yet. It’s a great place to experience films he’ll one day share with the kids after they exit their Paw Patrol era.
[From $11/month; ]
Whether it’s stooping over to fasten the buckles on the car seat or sleeping in the nursery glider with an infant on your chest, parenting offers no shortage of opportunities for back pain. A Thera Cane is a great way to massage those aches and pains away with a dead-simple, made-in-the-USA piece of plastic that makes it easy to target painful knots.
[$40 (was $50); amazon.com]
New dads often have their hands full, literally, whether it’s with a baby or their baby’s stuff. This Google Nest is voice-activated, which makes it easy to play lullabies or shushing sounds at bedtime, set a timer for when the hot formula will have cooled to warm, and check the weather to see how much to bundle the kid up for a walk. And when the kid finally does go to sleep, it’s a great way to listen to non-baby music and podcasts in a rare moment of peace.
[$100; bestbuy.com]
Babies provide endless photo opportunities, and it’s easy for new parents to fill up their phones with dozens of near-identical pictures of their newborn. This Fujifilm Instax is a nice change of pace because limited film means more thoughtful photos. The fact that they print instantly makes it easy for new dads to fill their physical spaces, from wallets to offices to refrigerator doors, with smile-inducing pictures of their new pup.
[$92 (was $100); amazon.com]
don’t run out of juice with a portable charger like this one from Anker. We like this gift idea for new dads with iPhones because it charges via USB-C (the new standard used in the latest iPhone models), provides up to 22 hours of extra juice, and uses MagSafe to snap onto the back of the phone—no cord required.
[$45; amazon.com]
Runners need comfortable shoes that can take a beating; new dads need the exact same thing. That’s why the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23 running shoes make one of the most useful gifts for new dads. Cushioning gel in the heels, an engineered midsole that balances compression and stability, and a breathable mesh upper combine to make the perfect shoe for stroller walks, chasing after dropped pacifiers, and late-night diaper runs. The heavily discounted price is the icing on the cake.
[From $53 (was $120); amazon.com]
Oatmeal might seem like kind of a lame gift, but dads who’ve been through it understand the value of a filling, nutritious, easy-to-prepare meal in those first few delirious weeks of parenting. These oatmeal cups require no boiling, measuring, or kitchen skills at all. New dads can fill them to the line with water, pop them in the microwave, and enjoy a hot, wholesome meal with minimal effort.
[$30; amazon.com]
These men’s joggers, available in colors from plain to bold, are ideal for new dads who need to transition from sitting in a rocking chair to running to the store to pick up baby formula. They’re slim and soft, with a fit that never looks sloppy. And while they probably won’t be used for their intended athletic purpose in those first few weeks, they’re also great for when new dads get back into a fitness routine.
[$125; nike.com]
Getting out of the house is essential to any new dad’s sanity, and these stroller-mounted gloves make pushing a heavily bundled infant around the neighborhood a cozy task. They’re lined with super soft faux fur and allow dads to slip their hands out to use a phone, wipe snot away, or do any of the other myriad things dads have to do. The faux fur looks fancy, but can also be zipped off for a simpler look that some dads might find manlier.
[$58; nordstrom.com]
New dads will have to wait until their kid weighs 16 pounds to use this hiking backpack/child carrier, but once they do it’s an invaluable tool to explore the great outdoors and instill a love of nature in an impressionable youth. It includes a sunshade and drool pad with a fully framed and padded cockpit for safety and comfort.
[$395; rei.com]
From the rare author who wrote separately for children and adults, this two-volume collection of Roald Dahl’s short stories makes a great gift for new dads who want to continue or restart a reading hobby. The stories are short, first and foremost, so they’re great to read before naps or other short stretches of personal time. And because new dads are likely just a few years out from introducing their kid to Dahl’s classics for children, it’s nice to see his darker, funnier, adult side before diving into Matilda again.
[From $15; amazon.com]
Is this the greatest hoodie of all time? Its exceptionally soft heavyweight 12-ounce fleece, roomy hand pocket, and mobility-enhancing side panels make a strong argument that it is. Also, Champion literally invented the hoodie. A roomy, cozy sweatshirt is a great gift for anyone, but new dads who are spending the bulk of their time at home will be particularly happy to receive one as a gift, whether for their first Christmas, Father’s Day, or birthday as a parent.
[From $33 (was $60); amazon.com]
New kids mean new smells, some of them nice—there’s nothing like new baby smell—but most of them unpleasant. The car, a closed-in space that you have to use, is one of the worst places to encounter these smells, but this sleek air freshener can make things pleasant again. Simply slide the metal clip onto a visor, snap on the magnetic, fragrance-soaked piece of wood, and enjoy the smell of teak or citrus instead of poop or vomit.
[$13; amazon.com]
Parenting a newborn will take up much of the free time that many dads previously devoted to golf—and rightly so. But having a kid shouldn’t mean giving up hobbies completely, and this indoor putting green is a great way for dads to practice their short game until they can hit the links again. It comes with three putting cups and hazards to collect misses, enough variety to stay entertained without the hassle of chasing balls around the house.
[$36 (was $60); amazon.com]
Dads of summer babies understandably might not be eager to down a hot cup of joe in the morning. They’ll appreciate this Takeya cold brew coffee maker, essentially a pitcher with a permeable inner compartment that holds coffee grounds in the surrounding water. After a few hours in the fridge, dads will have four servings of delicious, smooth cold brew to wake them up and keep them going.
[$28; amazon.com]
It’s our theory that the same part of the brain that’s activated when caring for their kid is the same one that lights up when building, lighting, and admiring fires—it’s a primal desire that this Tiki fire pit allows you to indulge. Once it’s up and running, it’s built to keep smoke from billowing out, so moms and babies can enjoy the warmth of an outdoor fire without getting a faceful of smoke.
[$324 (was $400); amazon.com]
Activated charcoal and kaolin clay work in concert to remove oil, toxins, and bacteria buildup. Dimethylethanolamine (better known as DMAE) tightens the skin while hyaluronic acid and aloe vera replenish with much-needed moisture. Along with the benefits to how the skin looks and feels, the ritual of applying a face mask and then resting while it works its magic is a great prompt to sit down and relax, which new dads often desperately need.
[$35; amazon.com]
Parental excursions to the beach or the park are cargo-intensive affairs, and odds are the little area underneath the seat in the stroller won’t be big enough to hold everything. This Amazon Basics wagon adds the extra storage new dads need with ample room to store up to 265 pounds worth of gear, exterior pockets to keep smaller items handy, and a collapsible design that allows for easy storage when it’s not in use. This is one of the better prices found on Amazon for an incredibly utile gift idea for a new dad.
[$91; amazon.com]
Parents need water on hand to quickly clean up messes, cool their kids down during the summer, and, yes, stay hydrated themselves. This nearly 1.5-quart double-walled, vacuum-insulated Yeti is a great way to take H20 on the road, big enough to not need constant refilling and small enough to avoid the unwieldiness of massive water bottles. The 18/8 stainless steel construction is nearly indestructible, but the chug cap is our favorite feature. It opens with a half-turn and closes tight enough to throw into a diaper bag without worrying about leaking.
[$55; amazon.com]
There’s lots for new dads to love on Disney’s streaming service, even if their kid isn’t old enough to watch TV just yet. The Star Wars and Marvel universes, calming National Geographic nature shows, and nostalgic childhood favorites all qualify as comfort TV—a precious commodity during the inevitable late nights with the newborn.
[From $8/month; disneyplus.com]
Long a mainstay in professional kitchens, sous vide cookers have become increasingly popular with regular folks in recent years. That’s because they’re an easy way to cook foods to an exact temperature, which makes it especially useful for meat, poultry, and fish where cooking temperature is vital. And though it typically takes a few hours, the set-it-and-forget-it aspect of sous vide cooking means it won’t take up much of a new dad’s day.
[$133 (was $150); amazon.com]
Forgetting about a cup of coffee until it’s gone ice cold is a right of passage for new dads, as there is no shortage of distractions in those first weeks and months. The Ember is a smart solution to that problem—an app-controlled mug that can keep beverages hot for up to an hour and a half. That means that when dad has finished a particularly fraught diaper change or finally put a fussy infant down for a nap, he can come back to a much-needed cup of coffee that’s still hot enough to drink.
[$160; amazon.com]
Having a kid is the ultimate sign of being a grown-up, which is why this decidedly grown-up watch is so well aligned with becoming a dad. It’s based on a 1978 design and is the kind of well-made, timelessly handsome piece that he can wear for the rest of his life that’ll have a heart-warming backstory. It’s scratch-resistant, so even horseplay with a toddler won’t pose a threat, and comes with an end-of-life indicator to let dad know when it’s time to get a new battery.
[$395; nordstrom.com]
Every dad needs reliable sandals that are easy to put on and take off—the pair he puts on to get the mail, do a quick run to the store, or futz around in the backyard. These are the sandals for the job, the classic Birkenstock Arizona form factor but made out of soft, durable, waterproof, lightweight, and cheap ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA. They’re cheap enough to replace without worry and tough enough to not need replacing at least until the newborn heads to kindergarten. And, even if it seems like it’d be a bit too cold to gift these for Christmas, they’d also be a fantastic first Father’s Day gift come next spring.
[$50; nordstrom.com]
The average new parent is obsessed with their baby to the point where they can stare at photos of them for hours. This picture frame feeds that addiction, constantly cycling through photos of the little one stored in the cloud. It’s a particularly great gift because as photos accumulate over time, it brings back even more cherished memories. This also makes a great gift for grandparents who aren’t always there to spoil the little one.
[$149; amazon.com]
Crossword puzzles are a classic time-killer for a reason, and the New York Times is the gold standard for crosswords. This collection of Monday puzzles, the easiest of the week, presents a not-so-challenging challenge for new dads, the equivalent of lifting light weights to stay flexible without bulking up. Doing crosswords on paper is a nice break from staring at a screen and the spiral-bound book makes it easy to complete puzzles even while holding a sleeping newborn.
[$10; amazon.com]
Shaving gifts for new dads may end up being some of the most helpful. This electric shaver from Philips Norelco is waterproof, so it can be used in the shower, and the triple flex heads work well with or without shaving cream or gel. There’s even a pop-up trimmer for mustache and sideburn touch-ups. It makes a basic hygienic task quick and painless, so dads won’t just put it off
[$80; amazon.com]
The Nintendo Switch is certainly in the running for best console ever, and it’s a particularly great option for new dads. Gameplay can happen on the TV or on the screen of the handheld unit, and there tend to be more pick-up-and-play games like Yoshi’s Island and Mario Party. Mario Kart also belongs in that category, and it comes with this bundle that’s a fantastic way to fill dad’s “downtime.”
[$299; amazon.com]
A dad hat with a dad joke is a lot of dadness for one gift, but we think it’s exactly the right amount. This distressed hat has a vintage look that matches the vintage joke. It comes in eight different colors, but don’t worry: all of them have the handsome embroidered swordfish smack dab on the front.
[$18; amazon.com]
A soft cotton blanket for intergeneration naps on the couch is essential, and this admittedly luxe option from Filson is a very nice one. It comes in throw size (72 by 54 inches) and is made with 13-ounce cotton, a lightweight fabric that’s moderately warm. The best part, though, is the design: an understated black and red Smokey the Bear. After all, it’s never too early for a youngster to learn about fire safety.
[$250; filson.com]
Is a vacuum cleaner a fun gift for a new dad? No. Is it something every new parent will appreciate when confronted with the myriad of messes that come with child-rearing? Absolutely. The Dyson V8 is a trusted model from the brand that doesn’t have every bell and whistle but does what’s important. It’s lightweight, cordless, has 40 minutes of run time, and comes with all the tools needed to keep the house reasonably clean.
[$331 (was $361); amazon.com]
Having a car battery die in the middle of nowhere is a much better situation than having a car battery die in the middle of nowhere with a baby. These higher stakes mean that being prepared for such situations is more of a priority for new dads, and this portable jump starter is an important tool in doing so. It can jump a completely dead battery in any car with a gas engine, and it comes with the necessary cables and clamps to be an all-in-one solution to the nightmare of a dead battery.
[$130; amazon.com]
Modern dads’ phones are full of videos of their kids, and this gimbal, an accessory that keeps a phone steady when moved around, is an easy way to improve those seminal videos. It’s a compact tool that, when unfolded, allows dads to clamp their phone in and shoot videos using software that automatically tracks their baby’s smiling face as they giggle, sneeze, or otherwise just lie there (adorably of course). The result is a smooth, stable video that’s noticeably better than handheld shots.
[$99 (was $109); amazon.com]
This handsome toolbox is made in Japan of alloy steel. This one opens, tackle box style, to reveal two smaller, shallow shelves with small compartments and one larger, lower compartment. It’s overbuilt for anyone not using it to haul tools from job site to job site, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t great for storing odds and ends, helping keep what’s probably a suddenly chaotic household a bit more organized. Plus, it’s probably the coolest-looking tool box you’ll ever find.
[$84; amazon.com]
A great gift for dads who thrive in the outdoors is the Getaway Bag from No Reception Club. A brand born at the intersection of adventure and parenthood, this utility backpack was designed for the optimal organization of both dad’s and baby’s gear on the go. It features multiple access points to the main storage shelves from the sides and the top with additional storage in the hood, trunk, front, and back of the back. It also has two convenient detachable stroller clips, two external water/formula bottle holders, and a pass-through slot to throw over a luggage handle. Basically, it’s an entire base camp in a bag.
Common Questions About Buying Gifts for New Dads
What makes a good gift for a new dad?
Good gifts for new dads help them adjust to their new reality. That might be something that helps him get some much-needed rest and relaxation, tools to better capture memories from what’s a truly unique time in his life, entertainment to help him unwind, or something that fills a need he doesn’t even know he has yet.
What types of gifts do new dads not know they need?
Self-care items are a big one. Taking care of a newborn puts a lot of stress on the body—things like grooming aids, cozy robes, books, and video games can help new dads physically and mentally take care of themselves in ways that they probably didn’t need to before.
Is there a gift for a new dad that will make him feel really special?
Hopefully, it’s on this list, but we’d recommend pairing anything above with a gift for the kid—a book, a toy, or a blanket. Because after all, new dads’ number one concern is the happiness of their little one, and they’ll never be mad about someone giving a gift with the same goal in mind.
