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Hey there fellow parents! Okay, so who else forgets about April Fools’ Day until their kid pulls some half-baked prank that makes absolutely no sense? Just me?
Well, this year, we’re going in prepared. I’ve rounded up some easy April Fools’ pranks for the family that are silly, harmless, and won’t have anyone holding a grudge.
Pranks can be tricky with kids, though. You want to keep it light and funny, not “scar them for life” level.
So, if your little one is just getting into the whole prank scene, this is a great way to show them how to do it right, something goofy, fun, and of course harmless.
Whether they’re pulling one on you or you’re teaming up to prank someone else, these ideas will have the whole family cracking up. Let’s get into it!
Let’s talk about pranking the kids because they’re always plotting something against us. This time, we’re getting ahead of them with a few harmless, hilarious pranks they won’t see coming.
Mealtime is the perfect opportunity for a little April Fools’ mischief. You could serve a single tiny sandwich on a giant platter and act like it’s totally normal.
Or dye their cream cheese a shocking color and pretend you have no idea what they’re talking about. Feeling extra sneaky? Put their cereal in a (clean) pet food bowl and set it on the floor, then watch their reaction. Simple, silly, and guaranteed to get some laughs!
This one is pure gold because kids either catch on immediately or it takes them way too long, and both reactions are hilarious.
Just start the day by putting your clothes on backward and doing everything in reverse, breakfast before bed, shoes before socks, you get the idea.
If you can get the whole family involved, even better. Watch them try to figure out what’s going on without giving it away that they’ve caught on.
Googly eyes are the ultimate lazy prank, and I say that with love. Just stick them on random objects around the house, milk cartons, light switches, the toilet seat, and anything that’ll catch your kid’s attention.
You can even make giant ones out of paper and slap them on the fridge or the bathroom mirror. The best part? You don't have to cleanup after!
April Fools isn’t just about pranks, it’s also the perfect excuse to get the whole family cracking up with some good old-fashioned jokes. If you don’t have a joke jar yet, now’s the time to get one. Just grab an empty container, and some paper, and let the kids go wild writing their best (or worst) jokes.
Anytime someone needs a laugh, they can reach in and pull out a joke. It keeps the little comedians entertained without anyone ending up covered in toothpaste or plastic wrapped in a chair.
If you’ve completely forgotten about April Fools’ Day until the morning of (we’ve all been there), don’t worry, I’ve got you. These pranks take zero prep and will still have everyone in stitches.
There’s just something about a well-timed fart noise that sends kids into uncontrollable laughter. If you’ve got a whoopie cushion lying around, now’s the time to use it.
Slip it under their chair before breakfast and act like you heard nothing. Got cushions on your chairs? Even better, hide it under one and wait for the magic moment. Trust me, this never gets old.
This one is simple but genius. Just swap around everyday kitchen items, the silverware drawer suddenly holds the cooking utensils, the cereal bowls are where the Tupperware should be.
Then sit back and watch as everyone in the house suddenly forgets how to function. Just make sure to put things back before you drive yourself crazy looking for the spoons.
Not all pranks have to leave your kiddo suspicious of everything you say for the rest of the day. These lighthearted April Fools' jokes are perfect for little ones, no mess, no stress, just good old-fashioned fun.
If your kid sleeps with a small army of stuffed animals (because apparently, one is never enough), this prank is gold. While they’re snoozing, sneak in and give their stuffies a little makeover. Maybe they’re all wearing sunglasses and having a picnic in the middle of the room.
Maybe they’re stacked like a totem pole in the corner. Or maybe you just put tiny hats on all of them and wait for your kid to notice. Bonus points if you act completely shocked when they ask why their favorite teddy suddenly looks like it’s on vacation.
This one is simple but hilarious. Just stuff some tissue, cotton balls, or paper into the toes of your kid’s shoes and watch the confusion unfold.
When they try to put them on, they’ll be convinced their feet grew overnight. Go all in, act like they might have to start borrowing your shoes now. If your kid is the dramatic type, they’ll run with it and make this prank even funnier.
If you’re looking to level up the fun, here are a couple of pranks that’ll get big laughs without making you the villain of the day.
If you want to embarrass your kid just the right amount (which, let’s be honest, is a parent’s right), this one’s perfect. Show up to pick them up from school or daycare wearing the most ridiculous outfit you can put together, think mismatched clothes, an old Halloween costume, or a giant sunhat and sunglasses like you're a celebrity avoiding the paparazzi. If your kid’s at the age where they roll their eyes at everything, even better.
A good old-fashioned “kick me” sign? Overdone. But a sign that says, “Ask me for a high-five!” or “Tell me a joke!” is way more fun.
Stick it on their back when they’re not looking and see how long it takes them to notice. If you want to go all out, draw a silly face or doodle on it. When they finally figure it out, they’ll probably want to turn the prank on someone else, so be ready!
April Fools’ Day is the perfect excuse to pull some harmless, hilarious pranks on your family. From sneaky lunchtime tricks to silly outfit surprises, there are tons of easy ways to get everyone laughing without causing total chaos.
Whether you're dressing up stuffed animals, swapping kitchen drawers around, or stuffing your kid’s shoes to make them think their feet grew overnight, these pranks keep it fun and light. Just remember, the kids might start plotting their revenge, so stay on your toes!
April Fools is all fun and games until your kid realizes they can prank you back, so prank wisely, my friend. Keep it silly, keep it harmless, and most importantly, make sure you’re not setting yourself up for a week of practical joke payback.
Whether you go big with a full-on backward day or keep it simple with some googly eyes on the fridge, the goal is just to get the family laughing together. Now go forth and cause some mischief, but maybe sleep with one eye open tonight.
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