Taking the Kids: Let's hear it for Dad
And if he's heading somewhere hot, a moisture-wicking shirt will be much appreciated. You can find some that also offer sun protection at REI or LL BEAN, among other outlets.
For the dad who likes to mix his own craft cocktails on vacation -- or on a plane -- there's the Bitter Truth Traveler’s Set, (19.99). Elevate that in-flight gin and tonic or bloody mary with the TSA-friendly, five-piece set of premium bitters from The Bitter Truth, which contains the brand's most popular flavors: Old Time Aromatic, Jerry Thomas, Celery, Orange and Creole.
For the dad who is a fan of all things retro, check out Image3-D’s RetroViewer for a fun way to show off his favorite pictures of the kids. Use the RetroViewer website to create photo reels from your digital pictures on your smartphone or desktop and your own 3-D viewer and reel come by mail in a few days ($29.95).
Gamer Dad will love the Motorola Gamepad Mod, which works with the full moto z family of phones. It turns any moto z into a handheld gaming device armed with hundreds of games so that while on the road Dad never misses out on the latest games ($79.99).
For the dad heading out on a road trip (and AAA says the vast majority of family vacations will be road trips this summer) consider the FIXD sensor that lets you know if your vehicle has major issues before a breakdown. FIXD connects to the car's OBD-II port and runs a system diagnostic, turning any car into a smart car. When a car's check engine light is on, FIXD can tell the driver exactly what's wrong and how much it should cost to fix the problem ($59.99).
The bearded dads will love the portable VersaTrim Trimmer Kit ($36). The 14-piece kit includes six numbered guide combs, dual voltage charge, trimmer cleaning accessories and a travel-friendly soft storage case.
But, of course, what dads want most is to know they're appreciated. So the next time he plays Marco Polo, builds a sandcastle or plays umpteen games of checkers on vacation, just make sure to give him a big hug and say, "Thanks, Dad!"
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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. Looks for Eileen's new travel book "The Kids' Guide to Maine," available now.)
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