Shopping for Dad is always difficult. If your go-to Father's Day gift is a nice tie (and your dad really doesn't need more ties), you're probably looking for some fresh ideas.
Lucky for you, we've done the hard work of finding all the best Father's Day gifts you can buy this year—and for bonus gifts, picked the perfect book to go with each one!
Related: The 6 Best Dads in Literature
For dads who love puzzles
On This Day In American History - 365 Large Print Cryptograms of Historic Events
Did you dad dream of being a code cracker? Then this collection of 365 cryptograms will certainly keep him occupied! Each puzzle includes two hints, and all solutions can be found in the back of the book.
Bonus book gift: Jerome S. Meyer's Puzzles, Games, & Tricks
For dads who like to grill
Grilling Spice Gift Set
If your dad is a self-proclaimed grill master, spice up his game with these delicious, well, spices. The basic spice mix set is shown above, but you can also get All-Star Barbecue and Hot and Spicy varieties. Plus, once quarantine's over, you might get to benefit from this present for your dad, too.
Bonus book gift: James Beard's The Complete Book of Outdoor Cookery
For dads who are history buffs
The Miracle of Dunkirk
There's really no better gift for a history lover than a great history book, and The Miracle of Dunkirk is just that. The famous evacuation is brought to life by master historian Walter Lord through interviews with hundreds of survivors, creating an incredibly detailed narrative of the incredible event.
If your dad's already read The Miracle of Dunkirk, or prefers a different historical era, check out this list of history books for dads of all types.
For dads who miss baseball season
Baseball Display Case
If your dad collects signed baseballs, then he'll love having this home plate-shaped display case to show them off. For an extra special touch, add in a baseball the two of you used to toss around together.
Bonus book gift: Roger Angell's Five Seasons
For dads who love breakfast
Breakfast Sandwich Maker
If your father and Ron Swanson have similar feelings about breakfast, then consider getting him this all-in-one breakfast sandwich maker! All the parts are dishwasher safe, making clean up easy, and it even comes with 25 recipes for different sandwiches.
Bonus book gift: Jessica Harlan's Crazy for Breakfast Sandwiches
For dads who love action thrillers
Bullet Rocks Glass
Just picture it—your dad, re-reading his favorite Ian Fleming novel (or the below book that inspired the movie Three Days of the Condor) and sipping Scotch from this glass with a real copper bullet in it. You know he'd love it, so what are you waiting for?
Bonus book gift: James Grady's Six Days of the Condor
For dads who love Star Wars
Death Star Popcorn Maker
Any Star Wars fan can have a movie marathon of the classic films—but not everyone gets to do it while eating popcorn made by a Death Star popcorn machine.
Bonus book gift: Joe Haldeman's The Forever War
For dads who appreciate chemistry
Chemistry 101 Flask Book
Admit it: You've always wanted a hollowed out book to hide your personal belongings, and you're sure your dad does, too. Science geeks will love tucking away their favorite alcohol, also known as C2H5OH, in this hidden book flask.
Bonus book gift: John C. Powers' Inventing Chemistry
For dads who love GoT
Game of Thrones Trivia Game
Though Game of Thrones finished its last season in 2019, you know what your dad would say: "What is dead may never die." Keep him occupied while he waits for the upcoming prequel series with the comprehensive trivia game, straight from HBO.
Bonus book gift: Dave Duncan's The Reluctant Swordsman
For dads who really, really love their dogs
Treat Tossing Dog Camera
If your dad is becoming more bonded than ever before with his dog, you'll want to have this nifty camera ready for when quarantines are completely lifted.
Bonus book gift: Jack London's The Call of the Wild
For dads who love horror
Creepy Crate Subscription
If your dad can't get enough Vincent Price films and Cold Case reports, then this subscription box is the perfect gift. Every other month he'll receive a box full of horror books and creepy collectibles.
Bonus book gift: Elizabeth Hand's Wylding Hall
For dads who love the great outdoors
Camping Hammock
Whether he's a day hiker or takes days-long camping trips (or even just likes to take a nap during family trips to the park), this surprisingly affordable hammock is sure to get a lot of use.
Bonus book gift: Barry H. Lopez's Arctic Dreams
For dad who love Dad Jokes
Punderdome
If your dad's favorite pastime is coming up with groan-inducing jokes–and you're okay with encouraging even more–then this pun-based board game is the best Father's Day gift you can get for him. “With the right mix of people you’ll be rewarded (or punished, depending on your tolerance for puns) when the mix of “Beatles” and “diner” leads to people singing lines like “I want to hold your ham…” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Sandwich...””—A.V. Club
Bonus book gift: Ian Allen's The Very Embarrassing Book of Dad Jokes
Keep Reading
The Greatest History (and Beyond) Books for Dads of All Types
Complicated Fathers in Literature
Featured photo via Tim Mossholder / Unsplash