There’s nothing kids love more than thinking they’ve delivered a silly joke. Knock-knock jokes and “what do you call” jokes are comedy gold. With April 1st fast approaching, it may be time for your little one to up the ante on her antics. Enter the prank.

Easy April Fools’ pranks for family

Team up with your mini comedic genius and try these harmless but undeniably fun April Fools’ jokes for kids.

1. Undercover escape artist

It’s one of the best pranks to pull on parents. Using blankets and pillows help your child build a child-shaped decoy under his covers. If you want to go the extra mile, adding props like pajamas or even a wig will make your heap look more realistic.

At bedtime, have your child hide just out of view. When your child’s other parent comes to say goodnight, they will face the Ferris Bueller treatment. Your child will be tickled to be the one pulling pranks on her parents. Hopefully, the giggles won’t give your little one away before the covers are thrown back.

2. Sous chef flop

At mealtime, have your little one ask her other parent if she can be a helper with the cooking. No matter the parent’s answer, your child can retrieve a carton of eggs from the refrigerator (or from you). Have her drop the entire carton in a clumsy “accident.” Don’t worry; you’ll boil the eggs first. And what looks to be a culinary disaster is egg-actly what was needed to crack everyone up.

3. Short sheet shenanigans

Pranks to pull on parents while they are sleeping are a difficult feat for a child who has an early bedtime, so the next best thing is a prank that disturbs parents’ bedtime routines. Have your child help you make your bed—the wrong way.

• Start with just a fitted sheet on the mattress.
• Lay your flat sheet right side down and upside down on the bed. Then tuck the part of the sheet closest to the top of the bed under the mattress.
• Fold the bottom of the flat sheet upwards to the top of the bed, allowing the top of the sheet to rest in its normal position. The top edge of the sheet should appear normal, but because it is folded, the lower portion of the sheet will not allow enough legroom for occupants of the bed.
• Make the rest of the bed, as usual, covering the shrunken sheet.

When your child’s other parent slides under the covers, there will be some hilarious confusion and the bed will need to be made again. Properly this time. Since your child will likely be asleep during the short sheet reveal, you might want to take a video and share the fruits of her labor in the morning

4. Cushion cacophony

The whoopee cushion-under-the-seat prank never gets old. Allow your child to set an air-filled whoopee cushion under couch cushions, chair cushions, maybe even under a pillow.

This is a funny prank to do on siblings. When the unknowing victim sits or lies down, he’ll receive a surprise serenade (without the stink!) which is almost certain to be followed by uncontrollable laughter.

5. Stopped up suds

These are some pranks to do on dad or mom in the shower. Help your little one unscrew the cap of a shampoo bottle. Place a square of saran wrap over the opening, creating a seal, and replace the cap so that the wrap is not visible. When dad or mom tries to use the shampoo, they will be in a hairy situation.

If the prank’s target uses bar soap, have your child swap the bar for a spoof bar you’ve prepared in advance for maximum freshness frustration. To make the spoof bar, coat a dry bar of soap in clear nail polish and allow it to dry. Water won’t penetrate the lacquer surrounding the soap and the unsuspecting parent will have trouble getting scrubbed.

6. Mat trap

Your child will be ready to burst with excitement each time someone walks through the door when she knows that hiding just beneath the doormat is a sheet of plump bubble wrap she’s hidden, ripe for the popping. She’ll feel so proud of herself for setting up this noisy surprise.

7. Animal mischief

Allow your child to tuck a rubber creature like a snake, spider, or mouse (nothing too realistic or scary) in an unexpected but easily discoverable place: in a shoe, on the table, or on a couch. Family members may get a startle when they find the pretend pet, but it’ll all be in good fun.

This is also a good April Fools’ joke to try at school. Have your child try the teacher’s desk, a cubby, or table. Even carrying the “pet” in her hand in plain sight will have preschool classmates howling with laughter when their teacher sees the silliness.

8. Googly eyes

Allow your child to add adhesive googly eyes to inanimate items around the house. The family will be hunting for all the places your child attached them. Suggested placement: perishable items in the refrigerator, pantry, and bathroom. It’s hard not to smirk at pineapples and boxes of cereal watching you do the dishes. And don’t be surprised if you find a pair of forgotten eyes over the summer.

9. Faucet foolery

Make the sink water “mysteriously” change color. With a cotton swab, apply a small amount of food dye gel to the screen on a faucet. Allow it to dry. Later, when someone turns on the faucet, the water will run rich with color. For more intense hues, add more dye. You don’t have to show your child how to do this one (in case she feels inclined to try dye on other things). Just let her in on the top-secret game plan.

Conclusion

For kids, pranks to do on mom and dad are fun but don’t forget how much they’ll enjoy April Fools’ Day jokes for grandparents. Be sure to try one of these ideas on the extended family too.

April Fools’ Day is the one day in a year where pranks are encouraged. It’s an occasion to add a little humor and delight to everyday life, but be prepared for a repeat performance. If the prank was a hit the first time, your little one will likely try the trick again. And again.