20 simple pranks that are genuinely hilarious

It’s important to note that numerous pranks are cruel, and an even greater number squander perfectly usable office materials. However, a handful of pranks remain genuinely amusing, even for those outside the “epic prank” crowd.

Is April Fools’ Day approaching? Maybe a colleague’s birthday? Or are you just itching to pull some pranks this week? (No judgment!) If so, try one of these ideas—they’re easy to execute, deliver big laughs, and won’t leave any messy spills behind.

To make it even better, we’ve categorized them as “Harmless Pranks” and “More Serious Pranks” for a tailored pranking adventure. For first-time prank targets, a harmless prank is ideal. If you’re dealing with someone more seasoned—or maybe a rival who hasn’t realized they’re your rival—opt for a more serious prank.

Choosing how to pull off your prank is a major choice, but we believe in you!

Part I: Innocuous Jokes

1. The prank where you sign them up for a mailing list

A playful joke that could leave them fond of ferrets in the end!

Just add their email address to a humorous newsletter or mailing list of your choice. Unsure how to begin? The Ferret Association of Connecticut reportedly releases three recurring newsletters.

2. The prank where someone says, “Come over to the window and look at all these deer!”

To make sure there’s no confusion, no real deer are present.NotSpotting deer isn’t exactly a letdown, which boosts the “harmless prank” element in this scenario.

3. The prank where you conceal two items but claim to have hidden three things.

Consider this scenario tailored for roommates: conceal their toothpaste and socks, but inform them that you’ve hidden only their toothpaste and socks.and Uncover the truth anytime!

4. The prank where you swap out family pictures with images of Steve Buscemi

My sibling has been swapping out our family pictures with images of Steve Buscemi, and our mother still hasn’t realized it. pic.twitter.com/d533C4yEZW

— Clare Manion (@claremaura)

My sibling has been swapping out our family pictures with images of Steve Buscemi, and our mother still hasn’t realized it. pic.twitter.com/d533C4yEZW

— Clare Manion (@claremaura)

Any other celebrity would be equally effective. Consider Bill Murray, Samuel L. Jackson, Jada Pinkett Smith, or Pink for an entertaining variation.

5. Send them a GIF of the prank featuring the “typing” indicator dots.

*classic old-time radio announcer tone* The transmission they’ve been anticipating… .

6. They receive a fraudulent email notifying them that they have been chosen forGuy’s Grocery Games is a competitive cooking show where contestants face off in culinary challenges while navigating the aisles of a bustling supermarket. Hosted by Guy Fieri, the series tests participants’ skills, creativity, and speed as they shop for ingredients and prepare dishes under tight time constraints. Each episode features unique twists and surprises, keeping both the chefs and viewers engaged. The show combines the excitement of a high-stakes cooking competition with the unpredictable environment of a grocery store, making it a dynamic and entertaining watch.airing as part of the Food Network’s prank lineup

Reveal the truth at any moment. If guilt over your deception weighs on you, you can disclose it immediately. And, indeed,Guy’s Grocery Games is a thrilling competition where chefs face off in a high-stakes culinary challenge set within a bustling supermarket. Contestants must navigate the aisles, gather ingredients, and create exceptional dishes under intense time constraints. The show tests their creativity, resourcefulness, and ability to think on their feet, all while racing against the clock. Hosted by Guy Fieri, the series delivers excitement, drama, and mouthwatering dishes as participants battle to impress the judges and claim victory.continues to broadcast.

7. The prank where they hide the doubloons

A great set of pirate “doubloons” is available on Amazon. Scatter them around your home and enjoy the moment when your family thinks they’ve discovered actual, exciting treasure. (Spoiler: they haven’t.)

8. The prank involves installing a humorous Chrome Extension on their device.

We recommend nCage, though there are plenty of options available. For a prank that’s nearly impossible to detect (ideal for minimizing guilt), the Nothing extension is a great choice—it simply does nothing at all.

9. The prank involves placing a piece of plastic over the opening of a shampoo bottle before screwing the cap back on.

It may seem a bit cheesy, but it gets the job done. Plus, it’s simple to undo, ensuring your target (or pal) won’t miss out on any of their cherished items.

10. The playful hat mix-up prank to spark some lighthearted confusion

This prank, created by BuzzFeed, is straightforward but could end up costing a lot. To execute it, you’ll need four identical hats, each incrementally bigger in size. While spending time with your friend (the target), step away occasionally. Every time you come back, wear a progressively larger hat than before.

We presume your investment will result in bewilderment.

Part II: Escalating the Prank Severity

11. The prank where you attempt the most poorly executed DIY project imaginable

They’ll believe their house is overrun with insects, which is hardly a pleasant thought. However, this is an involved crafting endeavor, so only proceed if you’re prepared to dedicate some time.

12. The prank where they replace salt with sugar in the shaker

Another timeless joke! Just ensure your target (buddy) can handle sugar without any negative reactions. Safety first—always look out for your pals (targets), even when you’re diving into PrankTown shenanigans.

13. The prank involves placing balloons in their office or bedroom.

Highly annoying, but at least balloons are a pretty entertaining thing. Besides, bursting balloons makes for a great way to pass the time, right? You could even tuck some surprises inside them, like confetti or whatever. Enjoy this easy, playful trick.

14. The prank involving the creation of a fictitious garbage collection initiative

This clever prank, shared by a Quora user, revolves around convincing numerous people that your friend is gathering trash for a “project.” Naturally, their life will soon be overrun with useless junk.

15. The prank where you serve them a fake fried egg and French fries

The snack consists of sliced apples, yogurt, and half a peach. Heartbreaking.

16. The prank involves taping an object to the underside of someone’s computer mouse, making it temporarily nonfunctional.

If you prefer, simply use a strip of tape, or attach a photo of yourself instead. This clever prank offers plenty of options for personalization.

17. The prank where someone changes every contact in their phone to “Dennis Quaid”

18. The prank where a fake snake is hidden in someone’s belongings

A tiny rubber snake poking out from their sweater. No major issue. Unless they’re scared of snakes—then it could be a really big problem.

19. The prank involves baking a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies but passing them off as chocolate chip cookies.

Photo: Glenn Koenig/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

It’s surprising how upset people become over this. While we’re big fans of oatmeal raisin cookies, the person you’re pranking (or your so-called friend) will likely mutter something like, “This is exactly why I can’t trust anyone” — a clear indicator that the joke landed perfectly.

20. The prank where you hide behind a door and startle someone.

We were reluctant to include this one on the list due to its sheer cruelty. Few things are more malicious than a jump scare, especially when you’re aware your friend (or victim) despises them. Yet, it remains a legendary prank that demands no props—just a complete absence of compassion, naturally.