Once a man becomes a dad, his priorities understandably shift. So, what do you get when you’re shopping for Valentine’s gifts for dads, not just husbands or boyfriends?
We’ve found 30 of the best Valentine’s gift ideas for dads, whether you’re looking for useful gifts for new dads or funny gag gifts for old pros. Regardless of the situation, we’re sure the fathers on this list will love these fun DIY presents and sentimental gifts from their babies, toddlers, or adult daughters and sons.
30 Best Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Dads
Put down the box of chalky conversion hearts; we’ve found a collection of Valentine’s gifts any dad would be happy to unwrap.
Dad I Wrote A Book About You
This fun fill-in-the-blank book is chock full of prompts to help kids reflect on all the reasons they love their dads! It has plenty of space for children to express their creativity, and if they’re a little too young to write responses themselves, we’re sure you could help them out. This fun activity is sure to become a cherished keepsake dad can look back on for years to come, especially when his kids are grumpy teenagers and he needs to remember all the fun times they had together.
Outdoor Safe Smart Wristband
This one is for the adventurous dads on your shopping list. If his outdoor escapades, like solo hiking, mountain climbing, or early-morning runs, didn’t stop just because he had kids, you might want to give him this wristband to help keep him safe on his journeys. It’s a unique way to store essential information such as medical conditions and allergies in case of emergencies. When he’s out on his adventurous escapades, all he has to do is tap the wristband with his smartphone to alert loved ones that he’s safe. A camping gift for him and peace of mind for you sounds like a double win!
Heart String Picture Frames 4x6
This picture frame is an excellent choice of Valentine’s gifts for dads from kids of any age. Fill the frame with an adorable picture of dad with his bundle of joy and watch as he tears up! Next to the photo, there is a string heart and writing that says: “Dada, I love you.” If you want to make a Valentine’s gift for a dad from their baby or toddler (but you don’t want to go the crafty route), this photo frame makes it easy to give a meaningful gift.
Letters to My Baby
It can be challenging for expecting dads to know what to expect and even harder to remember the precious moments they spend with their little one during those first whirlwind years. This correspondence-inspired set includes prompts to help inspire writing, even when their brain is foggy and terribly sleep deprived. This Valentine’s gift will be an incredible present he’ll be able to cherish for years to come!
Papa Bear Coffee Mug for Dad
Whether he’s a new dad or an old pro, we know he’s going to adore this papa bear coffee mug. While the sentiment itself might be enough to warm his heart, you could take it a step further by filling the cup with sweet Valentine’s Day treats. Consider pairing the mug with a homemade hot cocoa mix or his favorite heart-shaped candies or chocolates to make the gift even sweeter!
MLB™ Uniform Money Clip Wallet
A new wallet is always a welcome investment, especially if you’re shopping for a man who has been using the same wallet since high school or college. We’re not here to judge, just to gently urge you into upgrading their pocket vault with this awesome Major League Baseball wallet. Choose their favorite team so they can rep their fandom all year long.
You Will Always Be My Hero Keychain
If you’re looking for meaningful Valentine’s Day gifts for dads from their daughters, or a daughter looking for the perfect gift for your dad, consider picking up this thoughtful keychain. It’s less than $10, making it a budget-friendly choice for many people. Plus, every father wants to hear that their daughter thinks they’re a hero!
Coleman Sundome Tent
Now that he’s a family man, it might be time to retire his single-person or two-person camping tent in favor of something that can fit his whole tribe. Coleman is a classic and trusted name in tents, so the dad you’re shopping for is sure to be impressed by your selection. This tent is a thoughtful gift for outdoorsy dads that are excited to introduce their children to spending time in nature!
Personalized with Kids Names 16oz Pub Glass for Dad
Give dad a cup from the reason he drinks. Totally kidding, but you can personalize this pint glass with the names of his children! Choose the name that goes inside the handprint heart, whether it’s “Dad,” “Daddy,” or “Father,” then fill in the children’s name who the cup is from. This cup is a sweet design that will always remind him of when his children were young enough for hand-print crafts, even when they’re surly teenagers who won’t even give him a high five.
Emergency Dad Jokes Mug
It’s six a.m. and he’s barely had a sip of his coffee yet, but that doesn’t mean he can slack on his number one responsibility as a father— cracking the most cringe-worthy dad jokes he can muster. In case he needs a little help warming up, this mug is covered in wonderfully goofy jokes that will have everyone groaning over their breakfast cereal.
Customize Photo Crew Socks
If your house doesn’t have space for any more picture frames, but you still want to give dad a unique gift that captures one of your favorite family photos, we suggest these awesome customizable socks. They have plenty of unique designs to choose from depending on the type of photo you want to use! For example, new dads might enjoy a pair with their baby’s face that says “I <3 Dad,” while fathers of multiple children might appreciate a pair with a picture of all their kids.
Himalayan Salt BBQ Plank
After he’s done heating up dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets for the kids, he can get to work on his real passion— grilling up some gourmet grub for you two. This Himalayan salt BBQ plank is great for cooking up meat, mushrooms, or delicious veggies. The salt plank pulls moisture from the food while infusing it with rich flavor, helping to cook and season simultaneously!
Father and Daughter Last Forever - Wood Picture Frame
If you want a gift specifically for a father from their daughter, you can’t go wrong with this lovely frame. There is space on the right side for an awesome photo of the dynamic father-daughter duo, while the left boasts a sweet message of that unique bond, “The love between a father and daughter lasts forever.” The beautiful, warm brown wooden frame will look excellent in any home and complement any decor.
Make Your Own Clay Handprint Bowls Craft Kit
If you’re looking for a fun DIY Valentine’s gift for your kids to make for their dad, this could be a great option! It comes with enough clay to make multiple bowls, depending on the size of the kids’ hands. To make it even more appropriate for Valentine’s day, you could help the kids create a red clay heart for the center of their palms, as pictured in the example shown.
Yoda Lightsaber Best Dad T-Shirt
A long, long time ago (okay, maybe not that long ago), the man you’re shopping for first saw the Star Wars movie, and it absolutely blew his mind. If he knows the names of all the characters, their ships, and the correct version of the notorious “Luke, I am your father” (yeah, look it up, that’s not the actual quote), then you have to get him this t-shirt. Obviously, he’s a great father that would never fall victim to the dark side, so we had to choose a shirt with Yoda and all his wisdom on it.
Heart Picture Magnet Craft Kit
This kit is seriously foolproof for even the least artistic among us. The set includes 12 frames and multiple adhesive foam heart pieces; all the kids have to do is peel and stick to decorate their beautiful frames! These magnetic photo frames are perfect for his office filing cabinet, kitchen fridge, or any other metal surface that could use a dose of kid cuteness. With a dozen frames in the craft kit, there are plenty of supplies for the kids to make a frame for mom and dad, and maybe even grandparents or step-parents too!
New Dad Wallet Insert Card
Are you looking for a sweet Valentine’s gift to let a man know he’s going to be a father? Whether you’ve been trying for years or you’ve been blessed with a sweet surprise, these wallet insert cards could be a wonderful way to let your man know he’s going to be a dad! Plus, it’s a budget-friendly gift, which is excellent if you’re saving up to support your new bundle of joy (and all the diapers they’ll need)!
Funny Mugs for Dad
Are you a daughter looking for a funny gift your dad will get a kick out of? This mug might be a little too honest for some of the more sentimental types pursuing this list, but for this right father-daughter duo, this mug will be just their sarcastic cup of tea. If you’re looking for a gag gift for a father from his daughter, this one could be a winner.
Why a Daughter Needs a Dad
The relationship between a father and a daughter can be one of the most impactful of each of their lives. Daughters look up to their fathers as critical male role models, while fathers often become protective regarding the obstacles their daughters may face. This book highlights some of the key reasons why the relationship between father and daughter is so important. It is full of exquisite black and white photography alongside inspirational sentiments about this key bond.
Mega Dad Personalized Comic Book
Do you know a new dad that’s struggling to get involved with storytime? Give him a book that makes him the star! This fun comic book incorporates a personalized representation of dad and his kid’s name and shows Mega Dad going on adventures big and small. We all know dads can save the day in real life, so why not stroke their ego a bit with a super-hero-sized gift?
Hammer Multitool for Dad
Dads have to be prepared to tackle whatever challenges life throws at them or their kids. From nails that need to be hammered down and put in their place to ragged-looking fingernails that have to be filed, Dad will be able to solve all of life’s mini emergencies with this helpful gadget. The wooden handle is laser engraved to read, “Thank you… you’ll always be my hero,” a meaningful sentiment to any father or parent.
Unfinished Wood Serving Tray
Why is there an unfinished wooden serving tray on this list of Valentine’s gifts for dads? For DIY crafts, of course! We suggest letting (or helping) your kids take a fun, abstract approach to painting the tray with either dad’s favorite colors or the classic Valentine’s day colors. Then, you can use stencils or freehand write a lovely message on top. Finish it off with modge podge, and dad can use the tray as a bedside caddy for storing his essentials or even hang it on the wall.
Upgraded Beard Grooming Kit
No baby, toddler, or significant other wants itchy, rough whiskers poking them in the face and irritating their skin. This beard grooming kit is an excellent gift for helping dad enjoy a bit of self-care and hopefully conditioning that beard enough that it doesn’t trigger any unhappy skin on their little bundle of joy.
Dad Jokes: Over 600 of the Best (Worst) Jokes Around
Do you know a new dad that hasn’t quite gotten the hang of the classically cringe-worthy dad jokes yet? Busting his first “Dad Joke” is an absolute right of passage, but it comes more naturally to some fathers than to others. If he needs a bit of help getting started, this book has over 600 ideas that will have him laughing and you groaning with disappointment, as it should be.
Baby Diaper Bag Backpack
We never thought we’d be describing a diaper bag as chic, but then again, we never saw this one before. One of the primary reasons we’re putting this on the list as a gift for dads has to do with the built-in changing station and, unfortunately, sexism. Sadly, most men’s public restrooms don’t have any sort of baby changing area, making it really challenging for new dads on diaper duty. This expandable changing station allows dad to take care of his parental duty regardless of inconsiderate public restroom construction practices.
Dad & Me Activity Bucket List
TV shows and movies tend to fall back on three basic father-child bonding activities: tossing a football, watching a sporting event on TV, or fixing up a car. Unfortunately for those tired cliches, not everyone likes those activities, dad and children included. This bucket list is full of fun and exciting ideas for adventures dad can share with his kids. They can even keep track of which ones they’ve already completed with the easy “to do,” “doing,” and “done” card dividers.
Fuzzy Pullover Hoodie with Long Sleeves And Contrast Color
Most new dads might not realize that they have to become as soft as a blanket in order to win the coveted spot as best baby cuddler. This extremely soft and fuzzy hoodie turns him into a glorified blanket and will cement his spot on the couch as a superior snuggler. You might want to go ahead and get yourself one, too, not only so you can rock the cool color block style, but so you get a chance at some of those winter cuddle sessions as well.
Ceramic Mug Painting Kit
There are endless ways your kids could decorate these ceramic mugs for daddy’s Valentine’s Day present! You could encourage them to release their creativity and create one-of-a-kind designs for their father if they’re older. If the kids are younger, you can help them do handprints, hearts, or even cute finger-painting. The kit comes with clear instructions for sealing the mug and making it food-safe, but it can always serve as a pencil holder or other office accessory instead of a coffee mug.
YETI Rambler 12 oz. Colster Can Insulator
With kids of all ages running around the house, odds are dad is going to face a few interruptions while he tries to relax and unwind with an after-work brew. Between diaper changes and math homework, he might need a little help keeping his beer frosty while he’s tackling all his parental responsibilities. Think of this Yeti Colster as the adult version of his beer koozies from college, only significantly more effective at keeping his beer cold. They’re sized to fit standard beer cans and designed to keep them cold till the last drop!
DIY Picture Frames
If your crafty kids want to make their own Valentine’s gifts for their dad, you can never go wrong with an adorable picture frame. Bust out the paints, brushes, and glitter and lay down some newspaper because it’s probably going to get a bit messy! If you want a less messy approach, we suggest purchasing some Valentine’s Day-themed stickers to decorate the frames with instead of paints.