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Gifts that might actually impress your dad this Father’s Day

Get a jump start on Father’s Day with our favorite gift ideas

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A composite image of gift suggestions for Father’s Day Graphic: Alice Jovanée/Polygon | Source images: Various
Alice Jovanée (she/her) is a commerce writer, and she has been writing about gaming and tech since 2005. Prior to Polygon, she worked at publications such as The Verge.

In case you forgot, Father’s Day is right around the corner — June 16, to be exact. Thankfully, that still leaves you with plenty of time to find the perfect gift for your resident patriarch. While every dad is unique and special, they share a common trait: They’re impossible to shop for, and will only offer sarcastic suggestions when asked. If you’re looking for some more helpful suggestions, we’ve pulled together a handful of ideas that will hopefully charm, inspire, and maybe even impress your dad this Father’s Day.


Citizen Rebel Pilot Watch (analog)

  • $340
  • $395
  • 14% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

The purely analog version of the Rebel Pilot watch features a stainless steel case paired with a soft leather strap. Its Eco-Drive movement is also solar-powered, meaning you likely won’t have to replace the battery in the device’s lifetime.

Gerber Shard

  • $9

Prices taken at time of publishing.

The Gerber Shard is a simple yet effective tool that ensures that an Amazon delivery box will never get the best of your dad. This $9 piece of titanium-coated steel is airline-safe, and is fitted with a bottle opener, screwdriver, and wire stripper, giving your dad the only excuse he needs to tackle nearly any household task.

Hoto electric screwdriver (12 bits)

  • $43
  • $60
  • 29% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

If a screwdriver is an essential part of your dad’s everyday carry, it should be the Hoto precision screwdriver. Its aluminum body is chunky for a reason: It hides a storage compartment with a total of 12 double-sided bits. This gadget can help you to perform quick repairs on various electronics at home or on the go.

Grid Game Boy Advance

  • $199
  • $249
  • 21% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Art for dads is pretty subjective, but we know he’ll definitely appreciate any of the deconstructed gadgets from Grid. One of our personal favorites, the indigo Game Boy Advance, is the flatter, wider follow-up to the Game Boy Color, and will make a fine addition to the wall of any home office or study.

The component for Heat, including a modular track and plastic cars, laid out for display.

Heat: Pedal to the Metal

  • $75

Prices taken at time of publishing.

One of our favorite board games, Heat: Pedal to the Metal, just got a big reprint. Similar to games like Formula D and Flamme Rouge, Heat has you and up to five other players competing for pole position as you tear up the blacktop on four different tracks. Games of Heat are fast and tense, and offer a surprising level of depth. If you’re looking for a game to play with Dad on Father’s Day, Heat: Pedal to the Metal is a great option.

Lego Batman Gotham Skyline

  • $300

Prices taken at time of publishing.

It's a well-known fact that dads love Batman, and there’s no Batman better than Kevin Conroy’s Batman from the ’90s cartoon. The Lego version of the Gotham skyline from the animated series that shaped a generation features a total of 4,210 pieces and includes minifigs of the Joker, Harley, Catwoman, and naturally, the Dark Knight.

X-Men: The Animated Series Omnibus

  • $91
  • $125
  • 28% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

The X-Men Omnibus is a 1,000-plus-page hardcover compilation of comic stories adapted from the storylines of the 1992 animated series. The Omnibus includes a total of 41 issues of the X-Men Adventures comics from 1992-1996, which featured adapted versions of the Days of Future Past and Dark Phoenix Saga storylines.

A product shot of the slipcover case for The Complete Calvin and Hobbes collection
| Photo: Andrews McMeel Publishing

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes

  • $68
  • $84
  • 20% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

I’m pretty sure Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes is mandatory reading for dads. This timeless four-volume collection includes every Calvin and Hobbes comic strip in syndication, and makes for an excellent collector’s piece.

Smokeless Fire Pit

  • $96
  • $140
  • 32% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Every dad has a pyromaniac secretly living inside of them. Give them permission to release the beast with a smokeless fire pit. This 19-inch stainless steel barrel features a removable ash pan and is a great way to have a fire in the backyard without the need to alert emergency services.

Apple TV Plus logo

Apple TV Plus (three-month subscription)

  • $0
  • $30
  • 100% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

With shows like Masters of the Air, For All Mankind, and Silo, Apple TV Plus offers a wealth of dad-centric content. If they haven’t already subscribed, you can sign them up for a complimentary three-month subscription courtesy of Best Buy.

The next level of puzzles.

Take a break from your day by playing a puzzle or two! We’ve got SpellTower, Typeshift, crosswords, and more.