If you don’t see it, build it. That was the philosophy behind Joe Gonzales‘ decision to launch Brooklyn Stroll Club in October 2024. Fresh into fatherhood and searching for community, he created the kind of dad group he wished already existed. Less than two years later, Brooklyn Stroll Club has grown into a thriving community of more than 1,000 members on Discord, numerous dad meetups in Brooklyn and beyond, a podcast, and even its own merch.

While the community has expanded, the heart of it hasn’t changed: helping fathers feel less alone through connection, conversation, and shared experiences—and ruminating on what it means to show up as a present dad today.

Now the proud father to Sol (2) and husband to Mallory (who has her own group, Nice Moms Club), Joe is sharing the toddler dad essentials he swears by—from everyday gear and his version of a “dad uniform” to parenting apps and, most importantly, the essentials you can’t buy: community and presence.

BabyBjörn Carrier. “Still one of my favorite tools as a dad. Even now as my son grows, having him close while staying hands-free changed the way I parent and move through the city.” Baby Carrier Harmony, $250, BabyBjörn.

Nuna Stroller. “A good stroller honestly becomes part of your identity as a city dad. Long walks through Brooklyn, coffee runs, naps on the go. It’s less gear and more lifestyle.” Demi Icon, $900, Nuna.

Brooklyn Stroll Club Meetups. “Our dad community is probably one of the biggest essentials. Fatherhood can feel isolating, and being around dads in the same season of life has genuinely changed everything for me.” @brooklynstrollclub

The Dad Uniform. “I’ve realized having a ‘dad uniform’ makes life easier. Lately it’s been vintage eBay finds, a great button-up from Uniqlo or Todd Snyder, and a loafer from P.E.C. that can handle everything from meetings to playground runs. As a dad, comfort matters, but so does feeling like yourself. Having a few pieces I can always reach for helps me feel confident, put together, and ready for whatever the day throws at me.” Irish Linen Point Collar Shirt, $158, Todd Snyder. Linen Button-Up, $49.90, Uniqlo. Hugh Loafer, $163, P.E.C.

Hatch. “This is one thing I definitely took ownership of as a dad. I’m in charge of the sleep setup, and our Hatch became part of our rhythm. Bedtime feels smoother, travel feels easier, and honestly when sleep is better, everything is better.” Hatch Baby, $79.99, Hatch.

Coterie Diapers. “Coterie honestly became one less thing for me to think about. As a parent, there are already a million moving parts, so knowing diapers just show up at the door and adjust as my son grows takes one more thing off my mental load.” The Diaper, $95, Coterie.

The Good Inside App by Dr. Becky. “Good Inside has become one of those things I keep going back to as my son gets older. Every stage feels new, and having practical advice that leads with empathy instead of perfection has helped me feel more confident as a parent.” GoodInside.com

LEGO Adventures with My Son. “Lately we’ve been spending a lot of time building LEGO together, especially anything Spider-Man. The Spider-Man Webquarters has been on repeat in our house. It’s become one of my favorite ways to slow down, get on the floor with my son, and follow his imagination.” LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Webquarters Hangout, $75, Walmart.

Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup. “As my son has gotten older, the Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup has become one of those everyday essentials we use constantly. It’s easy for him to use, doesn’t spill all over the house, and comes with us everywhere from playgrounds to road trips. Sometimes the best parenting products are the ones you don’t have to think about, and this is one of them.” Miracle® 360° Spoutless Sippy Cup, $7.39, Munchkin.

Presence Over Perfection. “Not a product, but probably my biggest essential. My son doesn’t need a perfect dad. He needs me here.”

For more Father Essentials lists, peep our past features on Todd Selby, Ibram X Kendi, Bryant Terry, Pete Oswald, and more!