June is the month to celebrate fathers. Check out our round-up of fabulous gift ideas!
Big Dill Pickleball Co.
My girls LOVE pickleball. These new pickleball paddles from the Big Dill Pickleball Co. are hilarious and fun! Our family loves the grip, and the kids love the fun design. Purchase at bigdillpickleballcompany.com. Tip: Chicken N Pickle is our favorite local hangout for pickleball - learn more about this amazing local attraction where you can play pickleball, ice skate, enjoy shuffleboard and bocce, and delicious food!
Geekey
Moms know they should be prepared for the unexpected. Geekey is an expertly combined go-to tool that fits on your keychain. Fully equipped with more than 16+ functions to help you tackle those common, everyday problems on the go. Features include: TSA-compliant serrated edge, scoring tip, wire stripper, ruler and bottle opener. Crafted out of a solid chunk of 420 Stainless Steel to take on big and “tough as nails” jobs. Available on Amazon
magdal3na - stock.adobe.com
Desk of free space and grill time.
Minioke LED GO
Perfect for your next backyard party, Sway Audio, has introduced the new Minioke LED Go Portable Karaoke Set. This portable LED Karaoke Speaker with a wireless microphone is a favorite for our entire family. The TWS (true wireless stereo) Capable Minioke LED Go allows you to bring the entertainment and fun anywhere - from a kid’s birthday party and the beach to hosting friends for a summer BBQ, in a college dorm and tailgating at the game. Featuring a five-watt, multi-ambient LED speaker, an upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 chipset and premium components, the speaker produces crystal clear audio with deep, rich sound to fill any room or outdoor location and keep the tunes pumping for six hours. And to round out the experience, did someone say Karaoke? A state-of-the-art wireless microphone, using the latest 2.4G connection technology is also included. Available on Amazon.
For families looking to make memories in their hometown, Traci Angel's 100 Things to Do in Kansas City Before You Die 2nd Edition is a great source for inspiration. This Father's Day, treat dad to a copy of this guidebook. The secret is out—Kansas City is not only an affordable, friendly place to live and work, it also has a lot to offer when it comes to culture, history, and outdoor adventure. You'll learn new things about KC along the way. For example, did you know that two beloved baseball players are buried not too far in Forest Hill Cemetery? Famed pitcher Satchel Paige and notorious player and manager Buck O’Neil have tombstones that welcome fans to pay homage. Make a trip to this historic cemetery and then venture for more baseball at the Negro League Baseball Museum in the historic 18th and Vine District. Ever think about walking near the Missouri River? City Market on Saturday is a great place to start. Then walk the River Heritage Trail. Or go the Parkville Platte Landing Park and use that as a starting place for a lovely stroll on a summer evening. Available on Amazon.
Terra Delyssa - Organic Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil Set
I love to experiment with new flavors in the kitchen. Terra Delyssa's Olive Oil Set is a great gift for parents and teachers. These organic, infused olive oils add a flavor to any dish! Assortment includes Chili, Rosemary, Lemon, and Garlic infused oils. I love the lemon-infused oil on baguette, and my husband is partial to the garlic. Ideas include dipping bread, brushing on fish and meats, roasting vegetables, enhancing the dullness of leftovers, and as an ingredient in salad dressing and marinades. Available on Amazon.
Fab Slabs Cutting Board
My husband loves to grill and kabobs are a summer grilling favorite. When you're prepping the perfect summer kabob, Fab Slabs antibacterial cutting boards all individually handcrafted from Camphor Laurelwood in Australia, are the perfect tool. The natural and permanent antibacterial material will not blunt knives and offer zero bacteria growth for 7 - 10 years! The boards are beautiful making them perfect for serving food too. FabSlabsUSA.com
YES Cacao Endurance Chocolate Bar
You can't go wrong with chocolate for Mother's Day or Teacher's Gifts! Yes Cacoa offers organic, ethically sourced chocolate. YES Cacao chocolate bars also provide a little boost for the mind, body, and nervous system. The chocolate comes in beautiful packaging, each with words of encouragement. Their Endurance Bar with Shilajit, Reishi, and Maca features the flavor of dark chocolate with a hint of mint - this was my top pick. INGREDIENTS: Organic Wild Cacao, Endurance Formula (Organic Lucuma, Organic Maca, Organic Mesquite, Organic Reishi, Organic Vanilla Bean, Shilajit, Organic Tulsi, Gynostemma, Organic Fennel Essential Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil) Organic Raw CleanCane™, Organic Wild Cacao Butter, Sea SaltFlavor: Dark and earthy with a hint of mint. Highlights: Shilajit, Reishi, Maca. YesCacao.com
Cribsi's Charcuterie/Cheese board with Knife
Our family LOVES game night (and game afternoon for that matter). We're known for hosting friends for games OFTEN, and charcuterie (from Aldi and/or Trader Joe's) is one of our favorite game snacks. Elevate game night when you serve food on Cribsi's beautifully designed charcuterie/cheese board featuring end-grain wood and an acacia wood spreader/knife. The knife fits conveniently in grooves between the two sections. Turn it upside down for the perfect cutting board. Classic design focuses on the natural element of the wood. Made from environmentally friendly Acacia wood. Cleans up easily by wiping with a damp cloth. Learn more at www.cribsi.com.
The Comfy
The whole family loves to relax and watch movies together. Gift Dad the world's first wearable blanket, The Comfy! With one-size-fits-all, several styles, and a sherpa-lined inside. Perfect for any dad, from camping to relaxing indoors, you’ll be sure to love this gift. Available on Amazon and TheComfy.com
Peak Cocktails
Peak Cocktails are perfect for moms and moms-to-be. This non-alcoholic beverage was developed by athlete mixologists to support muscle recovery, lower stress, and improve sleep! Crafted with ingredients that work for you, not against you! Feel the benefits with clinically–significant amounts of functional ingredients. No alcohol or caffeine. No added sugar, or artificial ingredients. 100% Real fruit juice, Vegan and gluten-free. Packaged in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans. PeakCocktails.com
Pull Start Fire
If chilly nights typically drive you indoors, it’s time to think again with a little help from Pull Start Fire! Pull Start Fire is the fire starter that gives you a cozy, outdoor fire in less than 5 seconds. It requires no matches or lighters, is windproof and rainproof, and can even light on wet wood. All you do is pull the string to start the fire! PullStartFire.com
Dads and kids LOVE strategy games but sometimes things can get a little "too competitive" among siblings. We've found cooperative strategy games to be a great solution! We recently tried the award-winning Castle Panic ($34.95) and the expansion The Dark Titan ($19.95, second edition). This game took about an hour to play with fabulous artwork and easy-to-learn rules (referenced in a clear instruction manual as needed), we fought monsters as a family defending the castle. My teens loved it so much they've invited friends over to play as well. For fans of RPG games, Catan, and other strategy games, this blends the story-telling and excitement of an RPG with a much simpler framework for a great afternoon game. In addition to Agranok, the expansion The Dark Titan introduces the Dark Sorceress, Elite Monsters, and a Boom Troll, which can be conquered with the new Cavalier, Boiling Oil, and Support Tokens, such as the Supply Wagon! The games come with variations so you can easily play them over and over with a brand new experience each time. Our family gives this game two thumbs up! Available at Firesidegames.com.
My husband had a blast (pun intended) enjoying a friendly game of family warfare with Gel Blasters. More gentle than paintball, and without the water of a water pistol, this is a fun game that can be enjoyed outside even in the winter months. We tried both regular gels and glow-in-the-dark blasters. These toys fire non-toxic, eco-friendly Gellets® (beads disintegrate on contact and leave no stain, no mess, and no cleanup). Each kit includes protective eyewear and a starter set of Gellets®. The Surge Gel Blaster comes with Semi- and Fully-Automatic blaster modes, 10,000 eco-friendly Gellets®, and up to 4 hours of play on a single charge via USB-C. The Surge XL comes with a velocity dial that adjusts blaster power from 170 to an astonishing 250 feet per second. Gel Blasters are a great idea for family night fun the entire crew will love!
Taco Vs. Burrito
Our family LOVES to play games together and we LOVE to try new games. Taco Vs. Burrito is our FAVORITE new game to try this year by far (for all of my kids ages 11-17)! This fun card game was designed by a 7-year-old, which you'll quickly see when you discover the rather funny (and disgusting) combinations you create in this game. The goal is to build the "most valuable" taco or burrito before the game ends. Cards help you to gain or lose points. This fast, easy-to-learn game, is tons of fun and simple to play. Each game lasts about 15 minutes, making it a favorite "before bedtime" game in our house. If you love games like Sushi-Go or Moose in the House, you'll love this. Purchase online here.
Don't Go Boom
Don't Go Boom is a creative card game where players attempt to earn the lowest score by totaling up the points on each player's minefield cards. Each card is worth a set point value and accomplishes different goals - look out for the Big Bad Bomb! This game moves quickly and holds attention well. Designed for ages 7_ and 2-6 players, this game can be played in about 25 minutes. This excellent game from Inspiration Play is available online here or on Amazon.
Playfinity's Backyard League Gaming Baseball
Playfinity’s Backyard League Gaming Baseball combines the game of catch with technology. The ball is connected to iOS and Android devices through a mobile app via Bluetooth. The Backyard League Gaming Baseball is the same size and weight as a regulation MLB baseball. It allows players to track different stats about each throw they toss and catch, such as speed, airtime, height, and transfer speed. Once players have tried all six games at least once, they’ll unlock the application’s League Mode, which allows them to compete against other players around the world by playing games and comparing stats. The Backyard League Gaming Baseball is designed for kids 6-14, and it offers 70 hours of playtime on a single-cell battery. Available at https://backyard-league.com/ and Amazon.
True Primal Soups
Our family LOVES camping and time in the outdoors is a favorite way to make memories with Dad. For dads who camp, True Primal Soup are a great hearty meal on the go! True Primal was created to offer a gluten-free, paleo-friendly alternative to all other canned soups. The brand adheres to primal living, embracing exercise and stress reduction along with nutrition for those seeking to achieve optimal health with foods high in nutrition that are easily digested. All products support a paleo framework by utilizing real food ingredients while avoiding grains and other common allergens. A proud supporter of animal welfare and regenerative agriculture, the brand follows the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) program to ensure its farm and ranch sourcing, along with all the ingredients in its products, come from high-welfare livestock. Also available on Amazon