Welcome to fatherhood, land of the unlimited gadgets you never knew you needed and confusing manuals to boot (as well as the sweetest baby snuggles you’ll ever have). Gifts for new dads can be hard to figure out, so we are here to help sort through all of the options!
It’s a confusing baby registry world out there: what do you actually need? What’s just for mom? What will dad not only need, but actually use??
What’s a good gift for a new dad?
Let’s be honest, when it comes to prepping for a new little one, there is an unlimited amount of gear targeted for the new mama. I mean her job as mama is pretty important, so it makes sense. But when dad is called to duty, he needs to be both prepared and confident for everything this tiny human throws his way.
New dads and those new fathers-to-be are going to be stressed and sleep deprived with the arrival of their little one. A good gift for new daddy is something that will be practical to help handle the madness, or maybe a funny new dad gift that will make him laugh during the time of meltdowns, diaper explosions, and sleepless nights.
Whether you’re a new dad yourself (congrats!), or you are racking your brain as to what to gift a new dad in your life… fear not! Check out our list of essential gear every new dad needs to prep for baby!
Baby Carrier for Dad-to-Be
Mom has been carrying this sweet baby for 9 months and now it’s time for the new dad to bond with baby.
My husband loved this baby carrier because it was super supportive for his back. Our family loves to hike and we were able to use this carrier while he was still little.
We also love that it works for newborns up to a toddler, so it’s worth the investment!
While there are many carriers on the market to checkout, our family has loved the versatility of the Ergo 360 as it has several ways to be worn to make sure both baby and dad are comfy!
The Dad Hoodie
As a first time dad there will be times when he has full hands while chasing his tiny human. The Dad Hoodie makes it easy for any dad to be prepared without having to lug around a diaper bag. This hoodie comes with lined inside pockets that have room for wipes, diapers, pacifiers, snacks, sippy cups, and everything you would find in a regular diaper bag. This will be one of his most used new dad gifts!
Matador Pocket Blanket
Every dad needs access to a blanket that can be used for picnics at the park or even in the backyard. This large blanket can seat 2-4 adults, but folds down into a small pocket that’s about the size of a smart phone! It’s super easy to throw into a diaper bag, stroller, or keep in your car. Since it’s waterproof it words great as a quick baby changing pad when the occasion arises!
Hiking Carrier for Toddler
Help the new daddy to start planning ways to make memories with his bundle of joy. A toddler hiking carrier will be a great tool for the family to experience the outdoors. What kid doesn’t love riding on his daddy’s back and getting outside to play?!
Hiking carriers (which are different than a baby carrier/sling) are cool gifts for a dad-to-be who enjoys taking the fun outdoors. Plus, your toddler will love comfortably being along for the ride!
Purchasing a new daddy gift such as the Chicco Smart Support backpack carrier is an excellent option for any new dad who likes to get out in nature!
New Dad Baby Journal
Give dad a way to keep track of all the memories he’ll make with baby during the first year. So much happens during that first year! And it’s true the days are long, but the years fly by. Help dad be apart of all those first little milestones by keeping up a journal. He can record everything from those first little giggles to playing patty cake and crawling and walking.
Eno Hiking Double Nest Lightweight Camping Hammock
If the outdoors are dad-to-be’s thing, then you can’t go wrong with a double nest camping hammock. Take it along on hikes, camping, or even to the backyard. Swinging between two trees is the perfect place to snuggle a new baby in the outdoors.
Daddy Diaper Duty Kit
Daddy is going to be on diaper duty at some point. It may be in the middle of the night, during mom’s night out, or maybe when mom is just simply taking a nap. Either way, dad needs to be prepared with a diaper duty kit that he can have close by. Mostly, the diaper duty kit for dads is a way for him to survive while keeping that wriggling tiny human still long enough to change a diaper!
Not sure what to include in a new daddy survival kit? Check out this daddy diaper duty kit list for all the must have essentials!
Pizza Slice Baby Shirt (Dad & Baby)
Dad has a new little mini me, so what is more fun than matching shirts? There are so many cute designs on the market, and the new dad will love (or at least be humored by) matching his sweet little one!
Check out one of our favorites, the pizza slice baby shirt and pizza dad shirt! Matching shirts make great funny new dad gifts.
New ride
Alright, so if any new dad’s are reading this, calm down…. I don’t mean a new ride for you, per se. This one is all about that sweet new baby.
If the new daddy is a runner, or just simply likes to get outside for a long walk, consider investing in the gift of a nice, outdoor stroller. Listen, there are some confusing strollers out there on the market, so you want to make sure and get something both user friendly and comfortable for dad to push.
My husband has loved having a jogging stroller with an adjustable handlebar (like this BOB Revolution Flex 2.0 Jogging Stroller) since he is on the tall side–and he loves that feature since it makes his runs and walks even more comfortable.
New Dad Gift Basket
The whole experience of becoming a father is overwhelming. Everything is a new experience from putting together baby furniture to spending the night with new baby and mom in the hospital to waking up in the middle of the night with baby. Dad is going to need some survival tips, humor, and something to eat! You can throw together a few of his favorite snacks, a personalized tumbler, a good book on surviving parenthood, and something comfy. Or you can just grab a pre-made new dad survival kit from Amazon. We love this one!
Hello Fresh Box
The way to most men’s hearts is through their belly. At least that’s what my grandmother always said, and in my experience, I have to agree.
Hello Fresh is a great way to help new parents get delicious meals delivered right to their door. The box includes all the ingredients and a recipe so dad can take care of dinner for an exhausted mom!
It’s also a great way to have an at-home date night when parents feel that baby is still too young for them to go out on a date night.
Camera
Guys, as soon as that sweet new baby is born, mom and dad are going to be rapid-fire taking pictures and wanting to document every moment. A good camera would be a terrific new dad gift and will provide the family with memories for a lifetime–what could be better than that?
Whether you decide to buy an actual camera, like the Canon PowerShot, or just want to upgrade the new dad to a better cell phone (new cell phones can take amazing photos these days!), anything to help this new father capture special moments with his baby will be greatly appreciated.
Video Recorder
Long gone are the days of the massive camcorders that parents used to lug around on their shoulders–tell me I’m not the only one who remembers these beasts?? Anyways, luckily these days you can find lots of easy-to-transport video recording devices.
Pictures are always fun to look back on, but there is nothing like seeing video of when your little one started to walk, or that precious little voice he used to say “dada” in. Giving the gift of a video recorder will be cherished by the sweet family for years to come!
Withings/Nokia Body Cardio Weight Scale
Entering fatherhood is a great time to start working on that dad bod. After spending months gaining sympathy weight to support his partner, new dad can start tracking his body composition with this tech savvy scale. It tells you your BMI, total body fat, water percentage, muscle, bone mass, and standing heart rate. Trust me he’s going to want to get in his best shape because chasing after a tiny human will happen faster than he thinks!
Daddy (diaper) bag
Let’s be honest, most diaper bags on the market are tailored more towards new moms. But when dad goes on duty, you need something that will be easy for him to carry, and he may want something a bit more masculine.
A diaper bag that doubles as a computer bag or backpack is a great option for new dads. These handsfree and multipurpose bags can make the transition to fatherhood seamless and fashionable.
Added bonus, a backpack is much more comfortable than those one strapped diaper bags!
Personalized New Dad Gifts
Personalized gifts for new dads are meaningful ways to mark the milestone of becoming a father. There are so many ways to personalize gifts for new fathers. Everything from picture frames, t-shirts, personalized birth announcements, to key chain, and jewelry.
Our favorite is this personalized 2 piece keychain with the new daddy quote “Daddy a son’s first hero” or you can choose “Daddy a daughter’s first love.” Then personalize with baby’s name.
Extra Car Seat
It may not be on the top of the new dads gifts that is most wanted, but having an extra car seat can be so beneficial for a new family, and gives dad the freedom to run around town with his new mini me!
Car seats can get expensive, and if a family is having to buy two, that can be extremely pricey. Giving dad the gift of an additional car seat can not only help the family financially, but give the new parents more freedom when it comes to toting their new little one around.
Baby monitor with WIFI
If dad is working during the day or on the road often, a monitor with WIFI can be a fun way for him to check in on his little ones at home.
With lots of different baby monitors with WIFI access on the market, the new dad simply can log in on his phone to check on things at home. This can be a sweet bonding experience for a new dad who may be away more than he would like, and a great New daddy gift!
A fun, family membership
When it comes to getting out of the house, families often find themselves at the same spots–a park nearby, the local library, or even just wandering around Target. And while all these places are great, a fresh change of scenery is always appreciated.
Give the new dad a gift of a fun, family membership so that he can take his little ones to explore a brand new place! These types of gifts are perfect for nurturing that father/child bond.
Zoos, indoor event centers, or even theme park memberships can get pricey, but are something that the whole family can enjoy. Not only does this make a great baby shower gift, but it also makes a great dad to be birthday gift. These type of gifts for new dads would be both thoughtful and fun for everyone involved!
Native Union Belt Cable
Dad is going to need to be plugged in and charged up, especially on that special day when baby makes his/her arrival! Help dad stay charged super fast with this charging station for Apple products. The cable is 6.5 feet long and ultra-strong so that it lasts longer.
Date Night Out
Date nights are a great way for parents to reconnect after baby. Getting some time away to share a meal together and reconnect is healthy for a marriage. Choosing to get out for a couple of hours is hard for many new parents, but a gifted date night out can help get a date on the calendar!
Gifting the new dad with an experience can go a long way! Some ideas might include: cover babysitting, tickets to a game, a concert, or a gift card to a nice restaurant.
