Custom gifts
Personalized Gifts for Dad From the Kids (That He'll Actually Use)
Dad says he doesn't need anything. Personalized gifts from the kids that are useful, funny and meaningful, with ideas by age and by type of dad.
"I don't need anything." It's practically the dad motto. And it's often true, in the sense that he already has a drill, three wallets and a drawer full of novelty socks.
But dads do love one category of gift, even if they rarely say so: things that show their kids notice them. Here are personalized gifts for dad from the kids, practical enough that he'll use them and personal enough that he'll keep them.
The dad gift formula
The gifts dads hang on to tend to be:
- Useful: something he'll actually reach for
- Funny: many dads receive love best through a joke
- Made or chosen by the kids
- About something specific he does: the pancakes, the pickups, the bedtime stories
Combine two or three of those and you can't go wrong.
Gifts kids can make for dad
Toddlers
- A scribble portrait of dad, with whatever they say about it written underneath. Our film The Star on Top is about a three-year-old whose red blob on top of the Christmas tree turned out to be Dad on the ladder.
- Handprint art, framed
- A short video of them saying what dad does
School-age kids
- An "all about my dad" questionnaire: How old is dad? What's his job? What does he always say? Dads tend to frame these.
- A coupon book: car wash, a back rub, one Saturday of no complaining
- A drawing of dad doing his thing, with a title
- A handmade "award": Best Pancake Flipper, Fastest Pickup Driver
Tweens and teens
- A letter about something he taught them
- A day planned around him: his favorite food, movie and activity
- A shared project: building something, fixing a bike, learning his favorite recipe
Personalized gifts by type of dad
The always-there dad
The one who's first in the pickup line, never misses a game, always answers the phone. Our film First in Line is about a daughter who drew her dad as his car, headlight eyes and a bumper smile, always first in line.
The lifting dad
The one who carries the kids on his shoulders, lifts them to put the star on the tree, and carries the sleeping ones in from the car. Our film The Star on Top is about a boy who drew the Christmas star huge, and dad underneath holding him up.
The busy dad
The one who's trying to be present but often glued to the phone or laptop. A gift with a gentle message can work wonders. Our film The Phone Face is about a boy who drew his dad with a phone for a face, and what happened next.
The funny dad
Gifts with a joke: a "case file" drawing proving dad is Santa, an award for worst puns, or a family photo where everyone mimics his signature pose.
The handy dad
A personalized toolbox, an engraved tape measure, or a project to build with the kids.
The outdoorsy dad
A personalized water bottle, a framed photo from a hike, or an outing planned by the kids.
Personalized gift ideas dads use
- A hoodie or T-shirt embroidered with a child's drawing: practical, comfortable, and something he'll wear to games and on weekends
- A personalized wallet or keychain with the kids' handwriting engraved
- A photo calendar with a different family photo each month
- A mug with a child's drawing, for the dad who isn't drowning in mugs
- A personalized grill set or apron, for the barbecue dad
Ideas by budget
Free
- Drawings, coupon books and letters
- A day of his favorite things
- Breakfast in bed, made by the kids
Modest
- A framed drawing or photo
- An engraved keychain
- A "dad award" trophy
A splurge
- Tickets to a game with the kids
- An embroidered hoodie or T-shirt with the kids' drawing
- A personalized toolset
Tips for kids' gifts that land
- Ask the kids specific questions: "What does dad do that nobody else does?"
- Write down their explanation on the back of any drawing
- Keep the kids' version: don't tidy up the spelling or the proportions
- Let the kids present the gift and explain it
- Don't expect a speech. Many dads show they love a gift by using it constantly.
When a drawing deserves more than the fridge
Every so often, a child draws their dad in a way that captures him perfectly. That's the drawing worth keeping. At ANORA, we embroider children's drawings on hoodies and T-shirts, keeping every line as drawn. You can upload a drawing here and see a preview first.
Production and U.S. delivery take approximately 12 business days from the start of production, so start early for Christmas, Father's Day or his birthday. For more ideas around the holiday itself, see our guide to Father's Day traditions.
Frequently asked questions
What do you get a dad who doesn't want anything?
Something personal and useful: a gift made by the kids, a drawing of him on something he'll wear, or time together doing what he loves.
What is a good gift for dad from a toddler?
A scribble portrait with the toddler's description written down, handprint art, or a short video. These capture a stage that passes quickly.
What are meaningful gifts for dad from his son or daughter?
A letter about something he taught them, a drawing of him, a shared project or a day planned around him.
What is a good Christmas gift for dad from kids?
A drawing of dad turned into something he'll use, a coupon book, a photo calendar, or an outing planned by the kids.
