Parents, you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

Or just as likely, we’ve got questions and you’ve got answers.

Challenge: Open Discussion

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Tech-Obsessed Dads

5
Vote up!
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email this article

A Father's Day Memory Board on Capsure

A Father's Day Memory Board on Capsure

He’s the one-in-a-million, once-in-a-lifetime, can’t-let-him-slip-away man in your life. And despite the many ups and downs of parenting (oh, those many downs!), he’s been there for you and your family. One day a year just isn’t enough, and no gift could express your gratitude. If you’re anything like me, it’s hard to know where to begin shopping for the Dad who’s stood by you.

For the tech savvy father, I’ve seen some fantastic gift guides out there. Whether you’re on a budget or splurging this year, here are my favorite ideas for the gadget-hungry dad in your life.

A New Alexa for Dad’s IoT Empire

A tech loving dad probably already has a small empire of wireless gadgets at home. The Amazon Echo 2nd Generation will tie them all together. It’s one of this year’s best and most affordable tech gifts: great for a first time Echo user, or the perfect update for those already familiar with Alexa. It has improved sound quality, Dolby bass, a streamlined new design, and seven built in microphones so you can be sure Dad feels heard.

Revolutionize Home Videos With a Drone

Remember those home movies of flying kites and launching model rockets? These days, Dad’s more likely to enjoy a drone day at the park. There are a lot of great drones coming out this year. Depending on Dad’s forte, you can pay anywhere from $99 for the entry level hobbyist, into the thousands for the serious home movie maker. Your kids will have just as much fun as he does filming memories you can all treasure for a lifetime.

Create a Father’s Day Board on Capsure

Where your old family albums are taking up space and Facebook just isn’t cutting it, Capsure is filling a need. You can share everything privately, so it’s safe to involve kids in content creation--a sweet Father’s Day audio message that Dad can revisit year after year, for example. Plus you can record audio over photos, create a time capsule for your memories, and build image boards that don’t contribute to household clutter.

Security Done Smart

The August Smart Lock is a Bluetooth powered deadbolt Dad can control from his phone. When someone comes a-knocking, Dad can see them via doorbell camera. He can grant them entry or not without leaving the couch--or he can even delegate the task to Alexa. He can give friends, family, or the babysitter a unique access codes to let themselves in. Plus it locks and unlocks automatically whenever the king of the castle approaches.

Peace and Quiet? There’s an App for That

Dads who work hard need to center themselves. And it’s easier than ever with Calm app, which has tons of guided meditations and instructions on how to get started. Some of them are even tailored for parents, so you can help Dad find his zen in the chaos of life. As we all know, when Dad’s blissed out, everyone’s happier.

Subscribe to the Best of World Cinema

For the father who’s an aficionado, a Filmstruck subscription will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. It’s like the Netflix of classic and world cinema, curated by Turner Classic Movies and the Criterion Collection. If Dad likes to nerd out to samurai classics or put you to sleep with early Bergman, this will be his treasure trove. And when you’re both in the mood for the kind of silver-screen, “we’ll always have Paris” romance that they just don’t make anymore, you’ll find those here, too.

Making it a Father’s Day to Remember

Of course, celebrating the irreplaceable man in your life isn’t just about stuff. It’s about caring. It’s about seeing his face light up, and running off to spend a day together enjoying his new toy. Whatever you give him to remind him how amazing and wonderful he is, the most important gift will be the memories you create. It’s not about the stuff, but sometimes the stuff helps.

I hope this makes your Father’s Day shopping a little easier. Gift giving for a tech head can be daunting, but lucky for us there are some pretty great options out there right now. So make this Father’s Day a special one--one he’ll remember when your kids are getting Father’s Day gifts of their own.

This post comes from the TODAY Parenting Team community, where all members are welcome to post and discuss parenting solutions. Learn more and join us! Because we're all in this together.