Father's Day is, in fact, the most difficult holiday for gifting. Period.
Even if you’re fortunate enough to have a dad that you want to celebrate, what do you get him? As a kid, he taught you to ride a bike, save your pennies, and treat tools with respect. Maybe he taught you how to keep plants alive, play the ukulele, or cook perfect scrambled eggs. Now that you’re an adult, what object do you give him that perfectly says, “Hey, thanks for keeping me alive and teaching me all that stuff”?
Here at Primer, we asked ourselves that question. The answer that came up for us was, simply, there is no such object. Think back to childhood – when did you spend the most time with your dad? The answer: learning a new skill or working on a project.
So we scoured the internet to find the best experiential gifts that a credit card can secure because the best Father's Day gift isn’t a thing – it’s a project, activity, or experience.
This Father’s Day, thank your dad properly… and have fun doing it.
2X4 Basics Flip Top Bench-to-Table
This flip table bench kit from 2×4 Basics gives you all the supplies you need to make a sturdy, handsome piece of furniture. Just add some 2x4s and you’re good to go.
There are also picnic tables, work benches, and patio furniture in the Amazon shop.
Wilson Official Collegiate Football
Whether you’re already a football diehard or not, tossing the pigskin with Dad is an American trope for a reason: it’s fun. Pick up the official version for less than a pair of movie tickets. Just imagine his face, when as an adult you ask him, “Hey dad, you wanna throw the ball for awhile?”
Raised Bed Garden Kit
For the intermediate gardener, this raised bed kit makes growing vegetables in the backyard feasible, even with limited space. Greenes Fence is a trusted brand for quality cedar garden beds.
Estes Big Bertha Model Rocket
Model rockets are another classic “thing to do with your dad” that many of us never actually did. Make up for lost time with the highly reviewed Estes “Big Bertha.”
If your pops is an aerospace fandad, try this sweet SR-72 Darkbird replica.
Northern Brewer Beer Kit
There are a lot of homebrew beer kits out there, but this one from Northern Brewer boasts a truly all-in-one experience, six styles to choose from, instructional DVD, and solid customer service to answer all of your questions.
Herb Garden Kit
If your pops has a green thumb, or would like to, this indoor herb garden kit is a great way to quickly get started. These are quick to assemble, and quick to get growing.
Ricotta & Mozzarella Cheesemaking Kit
This basic cheesemaking kit from New England Cheesemaking Supply is the gold standard for beginner cheesemakers. All you need is a gallon of milk and a pot, and you can have fresh ricotta or mozzarella in under an hour.
Concrete Planter Mold
Decorative concrete planters are easy to make, and easy to utilize. These silicone molds make a polished end product; simply pick up some concrete mix from Home Depot and get going.
Here’s another quirky option for succulents or a rock garden.
DIY Hitch Kit
Give your dad the gift of towing. If he doesn’t already have a hitch installed, chances are he’ll be glad to have the help now.
Osprey Daypack
If your dad has been wanting to get outdoors, this Osprey daypack is a great choice for hiking, cycling, and traveling. Osprey is known for lightweight and high quality gear at reasonable prices.
Cigar Rolling Kit
Whole Leaf offers an all-in-one box that makes 8 cigars, and includes basic tools to reuse if you like the finished product.
DIY Roof Rack
This DIY project went viral a few years ago (a lifetime in internet years). Make a secure and functional roof rack from 2x4s and a few pieces of simple hardware.
Trek FX1
If dad got you riding a bike, maybe it’s time to return the favor. The FX 1 from Trek is as good as it gets for fitness bikes in the under-$500 range.
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