DIY Dads: Gifts Under $100 (Tools They’ll Use)

Daddy’s Alphabet of Tools (Daddy’s Book Club)

Make “tools talk” part of story time: one letter per page, from H is for Hammer to W is for Wrench. Read a page, then head to the garage to find the real thing together.

Daddy's Alphabet of Tools

Measuring Tape Dad Can Trust (8m)

You can’t build square without measuring straight. An 8m pro-grade tape (think Stanley FATMAX 8m) stands out further and survives drops—great for lone measuring missions while a toddler “holds the end.” Stanley Tools Australia+1

LED Rechargeable Work Light

Bright, cordless, kid-safe illumination turns a dark cupboard into an adventure zone. Compact 20W options with a stand are perfect for car boots and power outages. Bunnings+2Bunnings+2

Entry Socket Set (Quarter-inch hero)

A tidy 1/4″ drive kit covers bikes, flat-packs, and small fixes. Quality Aussie brands (e.g., Kincrome) offer durable sets that fit glove boxes and apartment drawers. Under $100 options are common at major tool retailers. Total Tools+2Kincrome+2

Safety Specs (Kid Checks the Checklist)

Protect those eyes. Warehouse-priced options—clear, tinted, even bifocal—make it easy to stash a pair in every bag and bench. Let your “site supervisor” (age 3+) hand them to Dad before he works. Bunnings+1

Multi-Tool Blade Kit (Refill, not landfill)

If Dad already owns a multi-tool, a fresh accessory pack (wood/metal/sanding) is the stocking stuffer that keeps on cutting. Most kits slide under the $100 mark and save emergency hardware runs. Bunnings

Clamp & Square Mini-Bundle

Two F-clamps + a small speed square = straighter shelves and safer hands. Pair with the book’s C is for Clamp page to explain why “we let the clamp hold it, not little fingers.”(Tip: Most big-box stores let you mix brands/sizes and still stay under $100.)  Bunnings

Rechargeable Screwdriver (Light-duty legend)

A compact rechargeable driver saves wrists on toy assembly and hinge tweaks. Look for USB-C charging and a bit set—perfect for “Dad’s Fix-It Hour” after dinner.(Check your local hardware’s under-$100 section for frequent specials.) Bunnings

Magnetic Parts Tray + Wristband

Screws love to vanish. Magnetic trays (bench) and wristbands (on ladder) stop the crawl-around search. Kids love “feeding the magnet monster” with safe hardware while Dad works.(Find multi-packs in gift guides at major AU hardware stores.) Bunnings

Consumables That Matter (Sandpaper, anchors, glue)

DIY runs on refills. A curated top-ups kit—assorted sandpaper grits, decent wall plugs, quality PVA/CA glue—saves weekend projects. Stash it in a clear box that kids label together. Bunnings

Tool-Store eGift Card (Under $100, instant)

When in doubt, let Dad choose. Aussie hardware chains offer instant e-gift cards with long expiry (typically 3 years), ideal for a morning-of Christmas save. Bunnings