35 Playful (and Safe) April Fools’ Jokes for Children

These simple April Fools’ jokes for children are guaranteed to bring laughter to the entire family

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Creative (and entertaining) April Fools’ pranks for children

April Fools’ Day is just around the corner, offering an ideal opportunity to brighten the atmosphere with playful and amusing pranks that are all in good fun.Fun April Fools’ Day tricks for childrenKeep in mind that April Fools’ Day spans an entire 24-hour period, giving you ample time to organize the most entertaining April Fools’ Day pranks (and jokes) for your children, leaving them puzzled throughout the day.

If you’re ready to give it, be prepared to take it—so think twice, because kids might join the fun with a few April Fools’ pranks aimed at parents. We love April Fools’ jokes and gags that leave everyone in stitches (not tears), which is why we’ve gathered the most hilarious, unforgettable antics to keep the whole family laughing, no matter who ends up as the target!

Discover the top April Fools’ pranks for kids. Once you try these, you’ll earn the title of the ultimate prankster (and the coolest parent around!).

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Chilled breakfast flakes

For this April Fools’ joke aimed at children, prepare their preferred cereal and milk the evening prior and stash it in the freezer. The next morning, when they request their usual breakfast, they’ll be surprised to find it completely frozen. Watch as they try to eat their icy meal, sparking plenty of giggles.

Upside-down meal

Make April Fools’ Day the sole occasion when you offer dessert before the main course. As your family comes together, present them with sweets first. Then pretend to be puzzled when they request a real dinner.

Bad outfit day

This April Fools’ joke for children will leave them amazed by your cleverness. Say it’s “Backward Dress Day” or even “Superhero Day” at school. Once they get there, they’ll be puzzled when they realize no one else is in costume! For this prank, keep a spare outfit on hand just in case.

Icebound slab

Children today are obsessed with their iPads. For April Fools’ Day, capture a screenshot of their home screen and set it as their wallpaper. Next, relocate all the real apps to a different page and enjoy the hilarious sight of them frantically tapping, confused as to why nothing responds.

Toy exchange

Replace the batteries in your child’s beloved toy with drained ones and act as though it’s no longer working. Once they lose interest and move on to another activity, switch the batteries back and pretend you’ve miraculously repaired it.

Toothpaste infused with cheese flavor

What’s the first thing your children do when they wake up? That’s right—they brush their teeth! But how about mixing things up? Replace their usual toothpaste with something surprising, such as frosting or cream cheese. Picture their reaction when they expect minty freshness but get a delicious surprise instead!

Crisp and buttery, Mayo cookies offer a delightful crunch with every bite. These classic treats are known for their rich flavor and delicate texture, making them a favorite for any occasion. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or as a sweet snack on their own, Mayo cookies never fail to satisfy. Their simple yet irresistible taste has made them a timeless choice for cookie lovers everywhere.

Who doesn’t enjoy a delicious sandwich cookie? Why not transform this sweet treat into a playful April Fools’ joke for the little ones? Simply remove the creamy center and swap it with something less appetizing but visually identical, such as mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. It’s a lighthearted prank they’ll quickly discover the moment they take their first bite!

Light and airy sponge cake

Looking for a hilarious April Fools’ joke that kids will love (and might even go viral this April Fools’ Day)? Present them with what appears to be a mouthwatering sponge cake—only to reveal it’s actually stacked real sponges covered in icing. Just be sure the little ones don’t actually try to eat it before catching on that it’s no ordinary treat.

An unexpected “bug” discovery

The timeless prank of trapping plastic bugs in ice cubes always delivers laughs! Simply freeze a few fake insects inside the cubes and enjoy the hilarious reaction when your children spot them bobbing in their beverages. To ramp up the fright, scatter some plastic cockroaches and ants around the house for an unexpected surprise (eww!).

Creepy tap

Looking to brighten up their daily start? Simply remove the faucet cap and place a few Easter egg dye tablets inside. Alternatively, use food coloring to paint the interior of the faucet for a creative twist. Choose bold shades like orange, yellow, or red for a striking effect. As soon as they activate the water, they’ll encounter a vivid shock—the sink will quickly fill with an unexpected, vibrant tint.

Unexpected ant encounter

The inspiration for April Fools’ jokes for children never runs dry! Give this a shot: Scatter fake ants near your kids’ morning meal or lunch, or place them on the kitchen counter to give them an unexpected morning shock. They’ll be utterly frightened by what seems like an ant takeover.

Sunny-side peaches

This prank works brilliantly for every zodiac sign. Present what looks like a tempting dish of fried eggs. However, replace the eggs with halved canned peaches resting on a bed of yogurt. Enhance the deception with apple slices disguised as fries and a side of strawberry jam posing as ketchup for dipping.

Psychedelic shoelaces

This concept also works perfectly as an April Fool’s Day joke for your boyfriend. Secretly knot all his shoelaces together the evening prior. Whether you’ve linked pairs of shoes or fashioned a single lengthy lace line, he’ll be met with a funny shock when attempting to slip on his sneakers the next day.

A house turned upside down

In the mood for some playful antics? Right before bedtime, turn every piece of furniture and decoration upside-down, covering every corner of the house. Whether it’s sofas, dining tables, wall art, or even kitchen appliances—go wild! As they stumble upon the chaotic setup the next morning, act completely unfazed, as if nothing’s out of the ordinary.

Breakfast served as dinner

Switch up your usual routine with a playful mealtime surprise (or an April Fools’ trick your go-to eateries might try). Rather than having breakfast at night, why not flip it and enjoy dinner in the morning? Pasta, tacos, cheeseburgers, chicken, steak—anything goes! Just be sure to pick dishes your family will happily dig into, or you could be dealing with grumpy, hungry kids all day.

Bed exchange

This April Fools’ joke for children is ideal for deep sleepers (and is so harmless, it’s nowhere near an April Fools’ prank that backfires). Creep in while they’re asleep and rearrange their furniture, switch their bedding, or even move them to a different bed. When they wake up, they’ll be puzzled about what went on as they slept!

Luminous azure dairy

Have a bit ofStar WarsGot any Star Wars fans at home? Let them know you’ve brought them something extraordinary—milk straight from Tatooine! This simple April Fools’ joke is ideal for anyone who enjoys milk or cereal daily. Just add a bit of blue food coloring to the milk carton, give it a good shake, and serve. Extra credit if you attach aStar Wars–Apply the themed design to your milk container’s label.

Exchange Easter sweets

April Fools’ Day falls close to Easter Sunday, making it an ideal time to involve your Easter Bunny in the festivities ahead of schedule. If you’ve prepared Easter treats in advance, gently remove the foil from chocolate eggs and repurpose it to wrap single grapes—creating a playful and delicious prank.

Reading in the bathroom

This is a simple yet hilarious April Fools’ prank perfect for kids. Just unroll a section of toilet paper, write a playful joke or “Happy April Fools’ Day” with a pen or marker, then roll it back up. Sit back and watch as someone discovers your clever trick.

Breakfast bait and switch

This is a perfect April Fools’ joke for children obsessed with their preferred breakfast cereal. Playfully deceive them into consuming a more nutritious option (or shock them with a typically forbidden sugary variety). Just exchange the inner bags from two cereal boxes and observe how much time passes before they notice an unfamiliar cereal filling their bowl.

A unexpected balloon surprise

Surprise them as soon as they wake up—this playful April Fools’ trick is perfect for kids who enjoy big, unexpected moments. Secure broad strips of plastic wrap across your child’s doorway with painter’s tape, then stuff the gap with blown-up balloons. The moment they open their door in the morning, a burst of balloons will spill out, creating a hilarious shock.

Senseless feast

Celebrating April Fools’ Day with faux foods is a fun and tasty tradition. This simple prank is perfect for kids and is sure to bring laughter to the family dinner. Prepare meatloaf and divide it into cupcake molds, then top each one with mashed potatoes to create a playful “dessert.” For an extra twist, blend gravy into the mashed potatoes to mimic “chocolate” frosting, completing the illusion of savory “cupcakes.”

For a real sweet treat, prepare a “grilled cheese” using pound cake slices instead of bread and creamy yellow frosting as the cheese substitute. The children’s “juice” can be jello chilled in glasses, complete with straws tucked in for a lifelike effect. This playful dish is guaranteed to bring giggles!

Wild sweet blend

This playful April Fools’ joke is perfect for kids who love grabbing candy by the handful (or dream of doing so). Surprise them with a tempting candy bowl, but fill it with a mix of Skittles, Reese’s Pieces, and M&Ms. That first grab of candy will surely have a surprising—well, let’s just say—unexpected flavor.uncommonChances are, they’ll likely go through it with a bit more attention afterward.

The rapid increase in growth

This simple April Fools’ joke is perfect for children who refuse to eat their veggies. The evening before April Fools’ Day, prepare a nutritious meal (consider broccoli or Brussels sprouts) and casually mention how much it might help them grow. While they sleep, tuck some tissues into the toes of their shoes and maybe set out a few slightly outgrown clothes. When they wake up, they’ll be amazed at how much taller they’ve gotten—and you might just convince them to enjoy broccoli more frequently!

Brown E

Cut out multiple letter E’s from brown construction paper, place them in a 9-by-13 baking dish, and cover the dish with aluminum foil. Inform your children you’ve prepared a tray of “brownies” for them, then enjoy their surprised reactions when they lift the foil. Keep some actual brownies ready nearby to soften any disappointment!

Time adjustment

Here’s a simple April Fools’ joke for children that works anytime. Once your kids are in bed, move the clocks ahead by one hour. The next morning, rouse them by declaring everyone’s running late for a big event! Watch how fast they rush around … and when they finally catch on to the real time.

“Frozen” innovation

Capture an image of their smartphone or tablet display and use it as their lock screen background. This simple April Fools’ trick works perfectly for children who can’t put their phones down. Watch them panic briefly, convinced their device is stuck, before you step in to reveal the joke.

Sprouts for doughnuts

You’ve likely come across the well-known April Fools’ prank about spaghetti trees. This one is just as entertaining. Create a phony label featuring an image of doughnuts and attach it to an envelope filled with Cheerios. Claim you’ve gifted them a pack of doughnut seeds and watch if they fall for it—or even attempt to plant them!

Snack swap surprise

Gently tear open a pack of Cheetos and replace the cheesy puffs with nutritious baby carrots. Close the bag securely and wait for the unexpected reaction. You might even joke that it’s a revamped, better-for-you version of Cheetos—or a festive gift from the Easter Bunny!

Food with bulging, cartoonish eyes

Find out if the children enjoy seafood—specifically, “see” food. Attach googly eyes to your milk cartons or pickle jars, or stick edible sugar eyes onto fruits and snacks (a small drop of gel frosting can help hold them in place). Use a magic marker to doodle funny faces on your eggs.

Coordinating ensembles

This April Fools’ Day joke for children is both hilarious and heartwarming. On March 31, prepare identical outfits for your kids to put on the following morning—without letting them know they’ll be twinning with their brothers or sisters. Enjoy the moment when they arrive at the breakfast table and discover they’re wearing the same clothes as their siblings! And don’t forget to snap lots of photos, naturally.

Swift strides

This calls for a bit of creativity, but the effort pays off. Take some bubble wrap, trim it to size, and place it inside your children’s shoes. In the morning, assist them in putting their shoes on and enjoy the amusing sound of pops with every step they take.

Artificial dessert

This trick is bound to trick any child with a sweet tooth (which, let’s face it, includes most kids). Take cooked Brussels sprouts, coat them in melted chocolate or candy, and add a cake pop stick. You can even embellish them to resemble tempting cake pops more closely. Hand them out as sugary delights—then enjoy their reactions when they take a bite of the sneaky snack. Much like the brownie prank mentioned earlier, it might be wise to keep actual cake pops on standby—as rewards for being such good-natured participants.

Creepy crawlies

Only attempt this prank if you’re sure your kids won’t panic at the sight of insects—even the fake ones. Get a handful of plastic ants and spiders, then scatter them over your children’s pillows while they’re asleep. When they wake up, they’ll be completely disgusted to find they’ve been sharing their bed with some seriously unsettling critters.

The traditional prank device known as the whoopee cushion

This classic prank never gets old. Grab a few whoopee cushions, inflate them, and tuck them under your kids’ usual sitting spots—whether it’s at the dinner table or on the sofa. Enjoy the hilarity as those unmistakable sounds erupt around the room.

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