June is already half over and this Sunday is Father’s Day, our chance to give the outstanding men in our lives a big “Thank You” for all they do. Fire up the grill and grab Dad a cold one, because he deserves a day to kick back, have a little fun, and know just how much we appreciate his awesomeness. As I did for Mother’s Day, this week’s Top 5 is dedicated to some of my favorite websites for dads. I hope all of you men out there enjoy these and find them useful and entertaining. Are there others you like that didn’t make the list? Feel free to comment or send me your suggestions for the Best Dad Sites on the web. Happy Father’s Day!
1. Man Made
A clever site that makes do-it-yourself activities fun and caters to the “postmodern male”, Man Made is always good for a chuckle yet informative. They do features on topics every man should know about, like cooking beef brisket over a campfire, whittling wood, and taking care of the yard. You can also check out their inspiration wall for new and interesting ideas, as well as excerpts from interviews with handymen and artisans. Looking to impress your friends? Browse through their videos for detailed instructions on how to build a handcrafted guitar or just let your mind wander and relax as you watch stupid things happening in super slow motion. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to open a beer with a pneumatic nail gun or see a giant jawbreaker be sculpted on a lathe, search no further my friend. Man Made is the site for you.
2. Uncrate
I love seeing the latest gear, gadgets, and vehicles on the market. Cutting-edge technology paired with sleek style make Uncrate one of my favorite sites showcasing the best products available. It is the perfect place whether you are looking to purchase a Tyrannosaurs Rex skeleton at auction, a big vinyl Yeti, a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT, or round out your grooming set with a nice wooden mustache comb. If you find something you like, you can sign up with an account to keep all of your purchases and dream items in one place. Since they introduce multiple new products every day, Uncrate also has a mobile app (currently only available for iOS users) to help you keep up.
3. Dad Labs
Dad Labs is full of great information, support from other dads, and live shows. They provide in-depth discussions and videos on topics that often rest at the forefront of most fathers’ minds: keeping our kids safe, appropriate ages for online activity and accounts, and of course video games. The guys do a good job of presenting the facts in a user-friendly way while opening up the floor for discussion. Parenting can be a dodgy road to travel and having sites such as Dad Labs to provide practical information and first-hand experience is a big help. Many users find their candid blog and supportive forums a welcomed platform for connecting and learning from other dads. More than just a resource, Dad Labs is an online community.
4. Man of the House
Whether they admit it or not, there comes a time in every man’s life when they could use a little assistance. I’m not saying anything too extreme, like reading the directions before assembling a bookcase or anything like that, but possibly just a few tips on the easiest way to clean the gutters, for example. Man of the House is a great website to get new ideas for activities such as grilling, staying fit, and working in the garage; as well as a guide to help remember all of those skills your dad taught you when you were younger. Pointers on how to repair drywall, financial planning, and the best kids’ products are just a few of the numerous articles available. A great first stop when searching for some advice, Man of the House covers a little bit of everything.
5. Bleacher Report
It wouldn’t be Father’s Day without a little talk about sports. Covering all aspects from professional football to UFC and just about everything in between, Bleacher Report has become one of the largest sports media sites online. Offering a constant feed of the latest stats from across the world, you can follow up-to-date news on trending athletes and their performances. One of the best features about this site is the ability to sign in and customize your Team Stream. It will automatically pull the the scores from local teams or add your favorites to ensure those will be the first things you see when visiting the homepage. If you are on the go, you can also sign in with this information using their mobile app, free for both Android and iOS. Bleacher Report provides customizable sports news and statistics online and at your fingertips.