April Fools Jokes for Kids to Play on Parents: Fun and Harmless Pranks

See a handful of april fools jokes for kids to play on parents. These family friendly pranks are great for kids to do or to do on kids!

One of my sons’ favorite things to watch on TV is kids “pranking” other kids or pranking their parents. At first I didn’t condone this, but after watching a few of them they are pretty darn funny ! Of course, I have to make sure the ones he is watching are in good spirit and not offensive in any way. I decided that with April fools day coming up, it was the perfect time to gather a list of family friendly April fools pranks for kids. These funny pranks are sure to bring a smile to everyone in the family. 

April Fools’ Day is probably the only day when kids can engage in playful mischief, turning the tables on their usually authoritative figures. Kids often seek new and creative ways to surprise their parents on April Fools’ Day. Finding the right balance between fun and respect is crucial when it comes to April Fools’ jokes intended for parents. 

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Basics of April Fools’ Jokes

Before diving into the practical aspects of April Fools’ jokes for kids, it’s important to understand the background that makes these pranks memorable and enjoyable. A good April Fools’ joke is fun for all family members!

Definition and History

April Fools’ Day is celebrated on April 1st each year, where people play practical jokes on one another. The origins of this tradition are not well documented, though some historians believe it dates back to the change in the calendar system in France during the 1500s, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1st to January 1st. People who continued to celebrate the new year on April 1st were subject to ridicule, which evolved into a tradition of lighthearted April fools’ day jokes.

Psychology Behind a Good Prank

When planning a prank, you must consider the emotional impact on the person being pranked. A good April Fools’ joke generates laughter and surprise without causing distress or harm. It hinges on creating a scenario that is believable but unexpected. These pranks often work due to a concept known as benign violation, where the joke momentarily violates someone’s expectations in a harmless way, leading to amusement. This is so important for kids to understand when preparing these easy pranks. 

Simple Yet Effective April fools jokes for kids to play on parents

These jokes are easy to execute but pack a hearty laugh, perfect for kids wanting to gently trick their parents. Here we go with a handful of hilarious April fools’ day pranks;

Surprise Breakfast

Children can start the day with a twist by presenting a fake breakfast. They may use a bowl of frozen cereal and milk to baffle their parents. To prepare, one should pour cereal and milk into a bowl the night before and place it in the freezer. In the morning, they can serve this frozen surprise with a spoon stuck solidly in place. Let me show you an example of this Frozen cereal prank by Shesaved.com. I have to say, this is really easy and super funny. My kids would get a huge kick out of this!

Also check out this DIY Spilled Coffee Prank– This prank comes from the blog Red Ted Art and she gives a fabulous tutorial on how to create your own “spilled coffee prank” that parents will freak out over! Of course, once they realize it was all in good fun everyone should get a good laugh. 

Don’t forget about the spilled milk! A little milk won’t hurt anything right? Check out a fun Portable Milk Splatter tutorial that you can easily throw anywhere! This joke will for sure make mom squeal, especially if you have lots of little ones who still drink a lot of milk.

Switcheroo Shenanigans

Kids can swap the contents of two commonly used containers in the household. For instance:

• Salt and Sugar: Swap the contents of the salt and sugar containers. Watch as parents take the first sip of their coffee or first bite of their breakfast.
• Clothes Drawers: Exchange the items in drawers. Replace socks with shirts or underwear with towels to create a brief moment of confusion when getting ready in the morning.

Speaking of switcheroo’s, check out a few of the best food swap’s below.

This prank called, “Where are the donuts prank!” is one of my favorites. If my kids woke up and thought we had donuts only to realize it was full of vegetables, they would flip! Great prank! 

Better yet, what about this fun prank idea where you pretend to bake some yummy real brownies only for your kids to realize they are really just “Brown E’s.” All you need is some brown construction paper and scissors! 

My all time favorite food April Fool’s prank is when you swap the Easter chocolate wrapper with grapes. GENIUS! Via- dogs_natures / Via instagram.com

Tech-Based Pranks

Engaging in tech-based pranks offers a humorous way for kids to use everyday devices to surprise their parents on April Fools’ Day. These pranks should be easy to set up and harmless in nature.

Harmless Cell Phone Tricks

• Contact Swap: Kids can switch around names in their parents’ phone contacts. A parent might get a call and expect to see their boss’s name, but instead “Grandma” appears!
• Autocorrect Fun: They can add silly or nonsensical words to the phone’s autocorrect feature. When a parent types “yes,” it could change to “yodel.”

Computer Gags

• Desktop Screenshot: One can take a screenshot of the desktop, set it as the wallpaper, and hide all the icons. Parents will be clicking with no response.

Classic Pranks with a Twist

You know we are all about some fun toilet paper roll crafts. Don’t forget about toilet paper roll pranks too!

This prank is one of the easiest if you have a crafty drawer in the family. All you have to do is draw a spider on the toilet paper. This one will surely make your kids, or parents scream! Fake bug for the win.

What about lighting up that toilet paper roll? Try putting a glow stick in the toilet paper roll – What a great idea! My kids wouldn’t know what to do with this. 

Engaging in pranks on April Fool’s Day can be a delightful bonding experience for kids and parents if done with a gentle and humorous approach. Let me show you another super simple prank that can be easily prepared the night before so the next morning will be full of laughs.

Hide bubble wrap under a rug with this fun prank. This is so easy and yet so harmlessly funny. It would be great under a front door mat as your kids or parents are leaving for the morning. 

The next prank is perfect for toddlers to create. Tell your little one to get their craft supplies out and Stick googely eyes on everything in the fridge!

What a cute and harmless idea. 

I hope these hilarious april fools’ pranks will spark some fun around your house. Also don’t forget about creating a teaching moment for your little one with these pranks. 

Wrapping Up the Fun

Teaching Moments

Every prank provides a learning opportunity. Parents can turn these moments into lessons:

• Respect for others’ feelings
  • Emphasize the importance of empathy.
• Understanding boundaries
  • Discuss the limits of humor in different social contexts.