Curator: The ultimate Father’s Day gift guide for dads who love the outdoors – National

Gardening is fun until you have to get back on your feet. This kneeler and garden seat are two-in-one: kneel on the soft side to save your knees, then flip it over and it’s a sturdy bench for when you’d rather sit. It comes with a clip-on umbrella for shade, a small tool pocket on the side, and a handle that helps you push yourself back up off the ground. It holds up to 330 lbs and folds flat for storage. If the dad in your life gardens but groans every time he gets into the dirt, this is the gift for him.

In the process, many fathers have strong opinions about birds. This bird feeder with a built-in camera can be propped inside: it takes close-up photos and video of any winged visitors, uses an app to identify the species, and sends a message to her phone when one lands. This is bird watching with a side of technology, and it’s definitely something the grandkids will fight over. A lovely gift for the dad who has stocked up on feeders and narrates the action through the kitchen window.

Regular flying discs are just promo items you get from dentists, but light up flying discs are the gift that keeps on giving. This 175 gram disc has a manageable weight, so it can fly straight and is equipped with 108 bright LEDs that light up when you throw it and turn it off to save battery. 30 minutes of charging gives you about a thousand throws (!!!). Waterproof, buoyant, and its glow-in-the-dark rim makes it easy to spot after dark. Dads will love playing this with their friends and kids in the backyard, at the beach, and at camp.

Spikeball is a round net game that you may have seen at the beach or in a friend’s yard. It became a craze because it was really fun, a little competitive, and got everyone off their phones. It packs into a small bag for the lake house, beach or campsite, but there’s a small caveat: he might take it too seriously.

A screen plus cool technology plus the outdoors? Big win for dads out there. The LG CineBeam Q is a palm-sized 4K laser projector that displays images up to 120 inches onto the side of a garage, hanging sheet, or fence. It focuses and composes itself automatically once you set it down and the rotating handle doubles as a stand, so it can point it anywhere, even straight up to the ceiling. The best part for outdoor activities: it uses a USB-C power bank, so there are no cables to get caught in the yard.

This one is expensive, but hear me out. The LG StanbyME 2 is a 27-inch wireless touchscreen TV that swivels on its stand, swivels horizontally or vertically, and the screen pops right up to carry like a tablet. With up to four hours of battery life, that means games follow it to the patio, movies play on the deck, and recipes sit near the kitchen counter or outdoor prep area, all without a single cable. It can even be turned into a digital game board. Like most technology these days, it’s portable, not weatherproof, so think decks and patios, don’t leave it out in the rain. But for dads who like their entertainment wherever they are, this is a favorite..

Everyone knows that dad who shows up to camp with the latest and greatest headlamps and gear that makes everyone reconsider their options. Well, this inflatable solar lantern is just for you: it charges in the sun (or with USB), folds flat for packing, and inflates into a soft, waterproof lantern that emits a surprising amount of light. It’s perfect for camping, cottages, power outages, or simply providing a soft glow on the patio for a pleasant evening.

If he’s fishing, rowing, boating, or just floating around near a lake or ocean, this gift will eliminate his fear of losing his phone in the water. A waterproof phone sleeve will solve that problem. The touchscreen worked well, so he could still take photos without endangering his phone. I had a float bag and took it paddleboarding in Mexico, it worked great; no fear of losing your phone and great photos to remember. Now it appears on all trips with me. That’s insurance for an expensive device, and the kind of gift he would never buy himself.

Keep Dad’s essentials safe and dry with this IP68-rated waterproof dry bag. Designed for everything from kayaking and boating to camping and days at the beach, this bag features a secure roll-top closure that protects against water, sand, dust and dirt. A built-in waterproof phone compartment with touchscreen access lets you stay connected without exposing your device to the weather.

For cycling dads, a waterproof bike frame bag is a small upgrade that makes every ride easier. It straps to the frame and holds her phone, keys, and snacks. There’s a clear top window so he can follow his navigation without holding his phone or constantly reaching into his pocket. It’s waterproof, compact and comes in handy whether he’s heading downtown or out on a weekend trip.

This is a new gadget on the list and I had to make it a choice for Father’s Day. Dyson’s first handheld fan has just landed in Canada. A real upgrade from the dollar store handheld fan he might use in times of trouble, the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool is flawless, about the size of a bottle of sunscreen, and can be used for up to six hours on a single charge. Hold it, place it on a table, or wear it around your neck hands-free. It’s perfect for the dad who spends 5 hours on the golf course, cheers on the kids at a ball game, or gets hot at the thought of being outside for 5 minutes.