10 science & nature gift ideas for men

Picture books aren’t just for kids. Nature is full of beauty and wonder, and there are tons of books, full of incredible imagery, that capture it in all its splendour.

While books make good gifts for anyone, they can be especially valuable to those who may not be able to get out into the world and see things in person. So if your dad isn’t quite as mobile as once was, a book of nature photography could be just the gift for him.

We highly recommend the fantastic Hello, is this planet Earth? by astronaut Tim Peake. Through Tim’ photography and commentary, this fascinating book gives an astronaut’s view of space and planet earth as seen from the international space station. 

Another perfect gift for those who struggle to get outside to enjoy nature, a ‘window bird feeder’ brings a small part of it right to their front door (or window).

There are many different sellers for these, but as there is little price-variation, we’d suggest going with one that has been widely reviewed.

Check out this XL Window Bird Feeder from  Nature Gear. It’s backed up by thousands of positive Amazon reviews, and at just £28.80, makes a wonderful low-cost gift for a nature lover.

If he spends a lot of time outdoors enjoying the wonders of nature, he’s going to need a proper pair of walking shoes or boots. Sure, he can probably get by with his old running trainers for summer hikes, but this is a nature lover we’re talking about here – a year-round outdoorsman! Do him a favour, and get him the correct kit for the job.

As always, if you’re on a tighter budget, there are some fantastic manufacturers of lower-cost hiking shoes that more than stand up to the task. If you’re in the UK, check out whats’s on offer at Decathlon!

However, if you can spend upwards of £100, we’d suggest something like the Ridge Flex Waterproof Hiking Shoes from KEEN. Keen is a leading brand in hiking footwear, and the Ridge Flex is an extremely popular shoe amongst hikers. These also come in a boot, which may be more suited if his outdoor adventures cover rugged terrain.

If he’s an adventurer who enjoys getting up close and personal with nature, an Inflatable Kayak will make an amazing gift for him!

Don’t be fooled by the word ‘inflatable’ – these things are not toys. They a built for rivers, lakes, canals, and light coastal use.

Most inflatable Kayaks pack away into easy-to-carry, light-weight bags and are quick to inflate/deflate. They are perfect for taking on camping trips and holidays, or just for a lazy Sunday morning paddle down the canal.

What you spend on one of these should be based on the expected usage. If he’ll only be taking it on canals, lakes, and slow rivers, you can find some perfectly adequate models in the region of £100-£150. But if he’s more likely to be taking it out around coastal areas or on faster-flowing rivers, you might want to consider spending a bit more.

We suggest something like the Intex Excursion Pro K1 Kayak. The Excursion Pro is a durable mid-range kayak that comes with a paddle and pump included, plus detachable fishing rod holders and GoPro/phone mount. And if you plan on joining him on his adventures, you could always opt for the double!

Note: Always remember to check the max weight before purchase.

It’s a shame that our wild places need protecting, but they do, which means they need to be managed, which in turn means entrance and parking fees.

In the UK, a National Trust membership will give you free entry to sites in the trust’s care, plus free parking and a bunch of other benefits.

Similarly, if you’re in the U.S you can pick up a Parks Pass, which gives free entry and parking for many of the countries incredible sites of natural beauty.

If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors taking in all the Majesty of the natural world, chances are you’ll want to take pictures to remember it by.

Yeah, most modern phones take a pretty decent photo these days, but the zoom sucks, and pointing your iPhone at something just isn’t the same as using a real camera.

If he’s already an experienced photographer, then he’ll already have his own gear, and this gift idea isn’t for him. But he if currently takes his photos with his phone, or a little digital camera and you think you’d appreciate the step up to something a little more professional, treat him to a bridge camera. 

Bridge cameras are essentially a middle ground between the point-and-shoot style camera that we’re all used to and the type of camera that we all wish we knew how to use. They make excellent starter camera’s for those looking to take up photography as a serious hobby – combining the ease of use of a fixed-lens point and shoot with some of the technical capability of a DSLR. This makes them perfect for nature enthusiasts, enabling professional-quality photos without needing to carry too much heavy gear and additional lenses!

Check out the Panasonic LUMIX DC-FZ82EB-K. This is an excellent camera for beginners and experienced photographers alike. The optical zoom is fantastic, it takes photos and videos in crystal clear 4K, auto-focus, a viewfinder, and tons more noteworthy features.

New Scientist is a brilliant weekly magazine covering all the latest from the scientific and natural world. A subscription would make a great gift for anyone interested in science and nature.

Gift subscriptions are available in either printed or digital formats, and at the time of writing, a six-month subscription will cost just £110.00.

Find out more at newscientist.com.

In our humble opinion, a good set of binoculars is, hands-down, one of the best gifts for a nature enthusiast. Whether he uses them outdoors, in the garden, or from the balcony, they will bring him closer to the natural world and its wild inhabitants.

You don’t have to spend a fortune for a high-quality set of Binoculars. Check out these spectacular Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Binoculars, which are beautifully made, and probably some of the best you can get for the price. The amazon reviews speak for themselves!

Sometimes the best gifts are free. Many observatories across the UK hold viewing evenings that require little more than a small donation on the door. Others you’ll need to purchase tickets for, but the cost is still minimal. If he loves science and nature, viewing stars and planets through a high powered telescope will make for a magical gift!

If you’re in the UK visit https://gostargazing.co.uk/ to find an observatory near you. And if you’re based elsewhere in the world, a Google search will let you know what is available in your area.

Topping our list of the best science and nature gifts is the telescope. Anyone who appreciates the night sky will love taking up this new hobby and will be amazed by what they can see with a simple beginners model!

You won’t need to spend any more than £200 here for something that will give him incredible views of objects in the solar system and beyond.

We suggest the Celestron 31045 AstroMaster – a well-built and powerful entry-level scope. Perfect for adult beginners who don’t want too drastic a learning curve but are happy to spend a bit of time reading over the literature.