30 Best Last-Minute Father's Day Gifts

New York Times

18-04-2025

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This hefty insulated lunch cooler is well built, with durable fabric, high-quality hardware, and a tough layer of mesh that separates the two compartments. It can hold a lot of food, but it likely won't fit in a backpack or a larger bag.
If your dad packs a lunch and heads to a jobsite (or an office) every day, the Carhartt Insulated 12 Can Two Compartment Lunch Cooler will make sure that he brings enough food and that it stays fresh. One of our top lunchbox picks, it's easy to clean, it's rugged, and it's well designed. But mainly we like it because it's big: Our testers packed it with a hearty sandwich, drinks, ice packs, and multiple snacks, with room to spare. It holds 12 cans, so it can serve as a cooler on the weekends, and it has both a handle and a shoulder strap for easy carrying.
Chums
At 4.5 by 3 inches, this super-sturdy nylon wallet easily fits in a pocket but can also clip in place for raucous outdoor adventuring.
The tiny but rugged nylon Chums Surfshorts Wallet holds all the essentials—two keys, 10 cards, cash, coins—in a nearly indestructible package smaller than a deck of cards. The handy metal keyring can hook into place and stay put during potentially squirrelly adventures like rafting, climbing, skiing, or surfing, but it also works for everyday use. The wallet has two zippered closures, plus an RFID-protection card that blocks unwanted scanning of personal information. Plus, it comes in nine different color combos, from the muted to the vibrant.
Kikkerland
Wrestle off bottle caps with this bendy plastic and stainless steel bottle opener celebrating Lucha Libre.
The masked Mexican Lucha Libre wrestlers have become a beloved part of pop culture, even in the US. These plastic and stainless Luchador Bottle Openers, designed by Ariel Rojo and Andres Lima for the Kikkerland Mexico Design Challenge, wrestle off bottle caps with ease. Amazon sells only the black version; for more colors and wrestling holds, visit the Kikkerland site.
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Kids these days come with a lot of stuff, and dads are often in charge of the schlepping. Consider easing his burden with the Outdoor Utility Wagon. It's our top-pick collapsible, folding wagon because it hits the sweet spot of price, versatility, weight, and ease of use. It weighs only 22.5 pounds but can hold up to 150 pounds, and it rolls well over mud, grass, bumps, and curbs (but it's not great on sand when fully loaded).
These natural-rubber massage balls have a bit of give, so they're less intense than lacrosse balls for this purpose.
For hard-to-reach aches, pains, and tight spots, there's nothing like rolling around on a therapy ball. About the size of a tennis ball, the natural-latex-rubber Tune Up Fitness Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls are meant to target specific trouble spots, helping to dig in and loosen muscles. They can work on everything from the spine, hips, shoulders, and neck to the feet, hands, and even the jaw to relieve TMJ pain. As editor and home-massage aficionado Katie Okamoto recently wrote, a therapy ball 'knocks all of the high-tech devices out of the park with its combination of simplicity, portability, maneuverability, and effectiveness.'
This folding aluminium and steel handsaw has been made in the US in the same way for the past 60 years. Its lightweight case becomes its handle, and it works for both outback and backyard adventures.
The beloved Sven-Saw, foldable, packable and versatile, was invented in 1961 by a Minnesota outdoorsman looking for a safer and easier way to cut wood while canoe-camping. The rest is outdoorsy history: The Sven was first carried by REI when it was a one-man, single-storefront operation in Seattle, and the handsaw is still family-owned and manufactured in Minnesota. The blade is made from Swedish steel, and the folding handle, which becomes a slim, protective case, is forged from lightweight aluminium. It's available in two sizes; the 21-inch saw weighs just 14 ounces, and the 15-inch saw is just 11 ounces. While you can take it into the rugged outback, it's just as handy for cutting branches and bushes in the backyard. Editor Hannah Morrill gifted one to her partner, and although he takes it camping, she has also seen him proudly wield it in their urban yard, too.
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Wrap one or two of these soft, thick Comfort Colors tees in a fancy box, and dad doesn't have to know you got them online for less than $12 each. We discovered these garment-dyed unisex T-shirts by reading editor Alexander Aciman's declaration of love. Staff writer Samantha Schoech immediately bought one of the heavy (6.1-ounce) 100% cotton tees for her husband, who is fussy about sleeve fit and tight armpits, and he also declared it a revelation. The tee is cheap, comfy, sturdy, and available in a huge range of colors and sizes. It's no wonder Alexander writes: 'Good clothes should not be this easy to purchase or this affordable. This was the T-shirt heist of the century.'
Fans of Spider-Man, the X-Men, and Black Panther will appreciate Douglas Wolk's rip-roaring, insightful distillation of the Marvel universe, which is a 2022 winner of the Eisner Award for the best comics-related book. $28 from Barnes & Noble
May be out of stock
Author and comic-obsessive Douglas Wolk read approximately 27,000 comic books to unlock the essentiality of the Marvel Universe for All of the Marvels: A Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told. The first few chapters substantiate his methodology, but after that, Wolk takes readers on a thrilling ride through Marvel history since 1961, zeroing in on deep cuts and key moments, such as how Christopher Priest, then one of the few Black comic writer-editors, helped shape Black Panther. In the closing chapter, Wolk lovingly recounts how he and his son bonded over Marvel stories together—an inspiration for any dad with kids who are reading comics.
Pendleton
This iconic flannel is made from double-brushed cotton that's durable and washable. Plus, it comes in a range of timeless, colorful plaids.
Named after a historic street in Portland, Oregon, the washable Pendleton Burnside Flannel Shirt is made with 100% cotton and brushed on both sides for extra softness. Available in nearly a half-dozen plaids, it doesn't shrink or fade, and it looks great around campfires and tables for two. After nearly a decade, supervising editor Hannah Morrill's partner has found that his shirt hasn't worn on the elbows or ripped during roughhousing.
Lyrically Correct
This 150-card game—featuring questions like 'Wu-Tang says cash rules what?'—will have hip-hop heads jumping out of their seats to shout, rap, and sing the answers.
Staff writer Mari Uyehara witnessed the competitive glee of the Lyrically Correct 90's and 2000's Hip Hop and R & B music trivia card game at a summer barbeque where dads (and moms) were either shouting over each other, gloating, or breaking into song. The 150-card pack features multiple-choice questions—such as 'What time was Ginuwine home?'—that elicit both nostalgia and good-humored rivalry. The Black-owned Lyrically Correct also offers three more trivia games (oldies and gospel editions and a '90s expansion pack) and The Cookout Bundle of all four together.
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Our top-pick smart bird feeder has an integrated camera that captures 1080p videos and photos of feathered friends that perch on it to peck away at the seed (it holds up to 1.5 liters). The Netvue Birdfy Feeder labels the type of bird—say, house sparrow or mourning dove—in its notifications. It's also solar-powered, eliminating the hassle of battery changes. Plus, your gift recipient will have a whole community of birders to share pics with in the app, which means that he'll be less likely to jabber on to you about the red-winged blackbird that visited yesterday.
At about 25 pounds, these 1.5-inch-diameter exercise ropes are made of high-tensile, three-strand, twisted Poly-Dacron rope with nonslip handles.
Shaking each end of a battle rope seems a little silly and easy—or at least that's what Erik Vance, staff editor on The New York Times's Well desk, told us. But the low-impact exercise builds strength and engages almost every major muscle group, making for a killer workout without the possibility of injury (take that, CrossFit). Three strands of tough polyester fiber are woven together to make the Yes4All 50-Foot Battle Rope, which weighs 25 pounds and has grippy, nonslip handles. Easy to store and transport, the rope is a convenient, low-cost, and novel full-body workout that exercisers of all fitness levels can appreciate.
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This monthly subscription service sends a freshly pressed vinyl record in the recipient's favorite genre. Offerings include classics as well as obscure stuff.
A subscription to Vinyl Me Please's Records of the Month brings welcome finds to any great collections—particularly if care-free days of leafing through albums are behind him. The company presses new releases and reissues in all the genres: hip-hop, country, rock, jazz, blues, soul, and more. Recent selections include John Prine's Sweet Revenge, The Wu-Tang Clan's The W, and Nina Simone's Silk & Soul. Choose a genre and then a subscription running from three months to a year.
This seminal cocktail book says mixology can be simplified to six 'root' cocktails but has recipes for plenty more, plus infusions, syrups, and other embellishments.
More than a collection of stellar drink recipes, Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions lays out the theoretical key for understanding mixology. (It was the first beverage book to win the James Beard Award for Book of the Year.) Alex Day and David Kaplan, the team behind several renowned cocktail bars in Los Angeles and New York, along with writer Nick Fauchald, argue that there are six 'root' cocktails: the old-fashioned, martini, daiquiri, sidecar, whisky highball, and flip. Master the principles of those formulas, and any home bartender can understand how cocktails relate, why they work, and how to improvise.
Reef
A favorite of surfers and beach bums, the Reef Draftsmen sandals have a grippy rubber sole that hides a built-in bottle opener, so dear old Dad will be ready to crack open a cold one, whether it's a refreshing Saison at a backyard barbecue or a Topo Chico on sandy shores. The flip-flops aren't just gimmicky though; both the footbed, which features arch support, and the strap, which has a comfortable stitch-free liner, are made with full-grain leather. Staff writer Samantha Schoech's surfer husband is a fan of the brand's quality construction and says that he can't feel the bottle opener under his foot.
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This mid-length coat has a charming retro appeal and is terrific for commuting. It's PFC-free and 100% waterproof, but it's not very breathable.
Inspired by the brand's original 1950s fisherman coats, the Helly Hansen Men's Moss Raincoat, one of our picks for the best raincoats, has a handsome matte finish and flexible drape. Its rubberized polyurethane exterior, along with welded seams, make it completely waterproof, even in the heaviest of downpours, and exceptionally resistant to wind. It does trap heat, which makes it ideal for cooler climes but not so much for heart-pumping activities. It would make a great gift for a sailor, woodsman, or urban commuter.
This two-tier Japanese steel toolbox has a roomy primary chamber and adjustable top compartments, and it comes in cheery colors.
The cantilevered Trusco Two-Level Toolbox has 10 adjustable compartments on top, smooth hinges, and comes in three sizes. It's a bit more prone to scratching than plastic toolboxes and doesn't have shoulder straps like the canvas ones in our toolbox picks, which are better suited for serious jobs, but it's also easier to clean. If he's more of a hobbyist with an aesthetic eye, the Trusco toolbox may be just right for him.
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We're not sure we've met a dad that doesn't have holey socks. And the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock—which came out on top after our testers hiked for 160 miles in 18 pairs of hiking socks—are extra-durable and come backed with a lifetime warranty. Constructed with breathable wool, nylon, and Lycra spandex, they keep feet from getting sweaty in the summer, and their form-fitted toe and underfoot padding are cushy for rocky hikes or long days of errands.
Pop Chart Lab
This scratch-off poster is a great must-watch list of movies from the 20th and 21st centuries and a cinephile show-off piece.
From classics like On the Waterfront to recent critical hits like Parasite, the Pop Chart 100 Essential Films Scratch-Off Chart answers the perennial question: What should we watch tonight? Spanning over a century of filmmaking, the 12-by-16-inch poster features 100 standout movies concealed under gray wax designs. After watching each one, scrape off the wax to reveal a colorful mini original artwork for the film—and a feeling of smug satisfaction.
Dads will find all sorts of uses for the Etsfmoa Beanie with Light in the dark: nightly dog-walking, changing a flat tire, or finding the campsite bathroom (be it indoors or outdoors). The soft acrylic beanie headlamp has three brightness settings and a removable LED light that charges via USB, and it runs for about eight hours when fully charged. It also comes in dozens of colors and patterns, so finding one that suits his style should be easy.
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These iconic sandals, made of a flexible plastic, are waterproof, versatile, and comfortable enough for long walks.
The comfortable and versatile Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA sandals—a waterproof version of the originals—are made with a soft and flexible plastic. They're easier to maintain than traditional leather and shearling Birks: You can wipe them down with a damp cloth or toss them into a washing machine—that's part of why they're a pick here at Wirecutter. The EVAs also come in over a dozen colors, perfect for complementing whatever socks your dad may insist on wearing with them—a look that some people consider quite stylish now, luckily!
SunNordic
Requiring strategy and dexterity, this Swedish yard game involves tossing wooden dowels at larger blocks. It's simple, satisfying, and great for groups.
Although kubb (pronounced 'koob') isn't the best-known yard game, it is one of the most fun. Also known as Viking chess, kubb involves throwing wooden sticks at blocks to knock them over. The SunNordic Kubb Yard Game Set is made of durable rubber wood, bundled with a compact carrying case, and it is sturdy enough to last for years. It's a great cross-generational family game, and you'll see teammates come together and break apart as new alliances form.
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These stylish, affordable sunglasses are comfortable and sturdy. Wearers get a lifetime warranty and a money-back guarantee.
The dad in your life needs a proper pair of sunglasses—not just because they look cool but also to protect his eyes against harmful UV rays. Give him one of our picks, the Sungait Vintage Round Sunglasses. In our testing, they proved more comfortable and sturdier than others we tried, and they look good on most face shapes. Clumsy and sporty dads needn't worry—they come with a lifetime warranty that covers breaks.
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If you typically find your dad vibing to Spotify, Apple Music, or some other streaming service, consider the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4. We made this portable Bluetooth speaker our top pick for its clear, full sound, 11-hour battery life, and cute round shape. The Wonderboom 3 is a solid option if the dad on your gift list wants to listen to music while working from home—with its speakerphone feature, he can easily toggle between his tunes and work calls. And since it's water- and dust-resistant, he can bring it to the pool or beach.
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The WR-15 combines an eye-catching retro design with reliable performance, solid build quality, and superb value. Its taller, vertical form distinguishes it visually from many competitors.
Whether the dad you're shopping for always has the dial set to NPR or never misses a grainy ballgame broadcast, a radio makes a great gift. The Sangean WR-15, one of Wirecutter's favorite tabletop radios, has a pleasing vintage look and a big tuning knob that makes scrolling through channels easy. It has some modern touches, too, including an auxiliary audio input that lets you play music from your phone.
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This dishwasher-safe, classically styled growler keeps liquids fizzy, cold (or hot), and delicious.
If Dad has an elementary-school-age daughter who's caught up in the throes of the Stanley tumbler rage, he might enjoy matching brands with her via the insulated Stanley's Classic Easy-Pour Growler. Though we found that the tumbler leaks (shh, no need to tell her), Stanley's insulated growler, which has a lifetime warranty, is our top pick for beer nerds. It has a comfortable handle, keeps drinks fizzy, and is handsomely designed. It also keeps liquids hot for up to 18 hours, so it's a great choice for the dad who drinks a lot of coffee or tea too.
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If your dad is trying to get more active, a fitness tracker might be just the gadget for him. Our top pick is the Fitbit Inspire 3, which accurately identifies and records workouts—including running, walking, and biking—through an especially user-friendly interface and app. If your giftee is a more socially motivated exerciser, this Fitbit also offers the option of connecting to a wide network of other people who wear Fitbits through the app.
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If the dad on your list loves ice cream and experimenting in the kitchen, a compressor-style ice cream maker—which doesn't require freezing a bowl overnight—might make his day. After testing more than 20 models over several years, we found that a great compressor-style model is the Whynter ICM-201SB. Not only did it make some of the smoothest ice cream we tasted, but it was quieter and easier to clean than others we tried, too.
This three-bar combo of chunky, tasty, ethically sourced chocolate includes plain, hazelnut, and caramel flavors.
Chances are, the dad you're shopping for likes chocolate. If you're looking for something less formal than a box set, consider a bundle of gourmet bars. The Tony's Chocolonely Milk Chocolate Bundle bars are wrapped in colorful, graphic packaging, and the nutty, salty, creamy chocolate inside is delectable. If you haven't tasted or even held a Tony's bar before, rest assured: They're substantial, and they're a lot more special than a Snickers. The milk chocolate caramel sea salt bar is a lot like a Toblerone bar but maybe even more addictive (if that's possible).
Note: On April 1, 2025, Tony's Chocolonely issued a voluntary recall on two of its almond-containing chocolate bars — the Dark Almond Sea Salt and Everything Bars — sold between February 7 and March 24, 2025, after customers outside the US and Canada reported finding small stones not filtered during almond harvesting and processing. If you purchased a Dark Almond Sea Salt or Everything Bar during this period, check its lot code on the Tony's Chocolonely website to see whether it is subject to the recall. The Tony's Chocolonely Milk Chocolate Bundle linked in this guide was not affected.
True film aficionados will appreciate this ever-changing assembly of the world's top docs, foreign films, art-house faves, and other hard-to-stream flicks. Buy from The Criterion Channel
A subscription to The Criterion Channel gives the dad in your life access to some of the most critically acclaimed films of all time, from a library that dates back over 100 years and spans every corner of the globe. The channel also categorizes its selections in creative ways—like erotic thrillers, classic Hollywood, and a David Lynch collection. It works more like a film festival than an on-demand streaming service; films are carefully curated, and they're not available all the time.
This collection of over 180 digestible lessons from industry-spanning celebrity talent is as edifying as it is entertaining.
Give your dad a membership to MasterClass, and he can pick from a long list of virtual classes taught by famous instructors, including chess with Garry Kasparov, improv principles with Amy Poehler, spray painting with Futura, and poker with Daniel Negreanu. It's also a great gift for dads with young kids: Special projects editor Christine Cyr Clisset's kids watched the Alice Waters cooking class by themselves, and her 9-year-old 'can now make an amazing salad dressing.' Now that's a gift that keeps on giving.