by MARSHALL BONE
Some dads would rather spend their time hiking, fishing, grilling, or simply soaking up the beauty of the outdoors than unwrapping another gadget or tie. So why not give him a thoughtful gift that fuels his love of nature?
Skip the traditional gifts for dad, and find something that will encourage him to get outside. Check out the top nature-inspired gift ideas for dads who just can’t get enough of the Great Outdoors.
Wheeled Cooler
If your dad loves to go camping, tailgate, or take part in other outdoor activities, he might already have a cooler that he likes to bring while doing these things. If he doesn’t, now is the perfect time to hook him up with one.
Preferably, you should shop for a wheeled cooler that can fit everything he needs to spend a few hours or even a few days outside without ever getting thirsty. Filling it up with his favorite soft drinks (or beers!) will earn you bonus points.
Tabletop Griddle
If there’s one thing dads seemingly love more than anything else, it’s grilling. If your dad’s grill is starting to get old, this might be the right direction to go in. However, if he already has a grill, how about a tabletop griddle instead? He can set it up in the backyard, use it while camping, or even bring it along while tailgating at a football game.
Camping Tent
The North American Camping Report recently revealed that about two-thirds of American households go camping at least occasionally. If your dad makes it his mission to take your family camping every so often, setting him up with a tent might be a great gift for him.
Don’t just get him any old tent, though. Purchase a heavy-duty canvas tent, and take your family’s next camping trip to the next level!
Fishing Pole
Do you have the type of dad who rides around with a “A Bad Day of Fishing Is Better Than a Good Day of Work” bumper sticker on the back of his truck? If so, you can’t go wrong with giving him the gift of a new fishing pole.
Or, if he already has more fishing poles than he can count, find other fishing gear that he will appreciate. A new tackle box or even something as simple as a gift card to his go-to bait and tackle shop will put a big smile on his face.
Hunting Gear
Once upon a time, many dads depended on going out and hunting for food for their families. They are no longer forced to do this, but some still enjoy it. Like with fishing, they will tell you that a bad day of hunting is better than a good day of doing just about anything else.
If your dad is a dedicated hunter, he probably has plenty of firearms, ammunition, and other hunting basics. Still, you can surprise him by buying him new hunting gear to wear while he’s out trying to take down a deer or another animal.
Lightweight Binoculars
Birdwatching has become a surprisingly popular activity. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently reported that over one-third of Americans 16 or older — roughly 96 million people — engage in birdwatching annually.
If you’ve noticed your dad taking a liking to the birds that appear in your backyard or, better yet, if you’ve heard through the grapevine that he likes sneaking away to local parks to watch birds, take full advantage of this. Search for lightweight binoculars and maybe even a birdwatching book to show your support for his latest hobby.
Plant Pots
Unfortunately, many people lead such busy lives these days that they aren’t able to get outside as much as they might like. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency discovered that the average American spends about 90 percent of their time indoors.
Even if your dad falls into this category, he might still like getting a gift that celebrates his love for the outdoors. These indoor plant pots will help him bring the outdoors inside while also allowing him to show off his green thumb. Consider it the best of both worlds.
Pick Out the Perfect Gift For Your Outdoorsy Dad
Finding a great gift for your dad is often a tall task. No matter how old they are or how much disposable income they have, children aren’t always sure what to buy their dads for the big day.
If you consider your dad “outdoorsy,” take the guesswork out of the equation by buying one of the nature-inspired gifts mentioned here. It will get a great reaction and show him how much you care.
Marshall Bone is a writer, copy strategist and all-around stylish guy who has been following trends in GQ for more than two decades. Voted best-dressed both his junior and senior year, Bone has continued this legacy and can be found covering various topics from men’s fashion to self care and grooming. He enjoys reading and is based in the greater Los Angeles area.
