15+ Kid-Friendly April Fools' Day Pranks for Families
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April Fools' Day is the end of this week (Friday, April 1st), so now is the time to prepare to prank your kids.
According to LiveScience, "Scientists say it's not only OK, but such humor plays an important role in American culture and society, and also helps humans bond with each other."
If done correctly, this can be a day full of silliness and fun. Your kids will laugh about the pranks you pulled on them for years to come.
How Did April Fools' Day Begin
Historians believe April Fools' Day may have started as early as 1582, but there are many theories about why it began.
According to The History Channel, April Fools' Day may have started for the following reasons:
"When France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. […] People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes and were called 'April fools.'"
"Historians have also linked April Fools' Day to festivals such as Hilaria (Latin for joyful), which was celebrated in ancient Rome at the end of March by followers of the cult of Cybele."
"There's also speculation that April Fools' Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather."
Today, April Fools' Day is celebrated worldwide with people doing silly pranks and then shouting, "April Fools!" to those being pranked.
Understand the Point
It's important to understand that the point of April Fools' Day is to laugh. It isn't to mock, make fun, or belittle.
April Fools' Day pranks should be harmless. If the prank will cause your child to cry, then it is a prank you should avoid.
Parents should also understand that kids will most certainly try to prank their parents back – so play along!
Kid-Friendly April Fools' Day Pranks
Change the Alexa Wake Up Word: Super easy but very annoying
Put Googly Eyes on Everything: Add eyes to their lunch, foods in the pantry, etc.
Use Food Coloring Liberally: Turn their milk blue, change the color of the toilet bowl water
Plastic Wrap Doors: When they are asleep on March 31st, plastic wrap their door for a morning surprise.
Shift the Morning Alarm: Wake kids up way before their normal time, and then once they start getting ready, yell "April Fools!"
Write a Hidden Message on Toilet Paper: Unfold the toilet paper, write a funny note, and reroll the TP
Balloon Door Trap: Blow up a bunch of balloons and use painter's tape to secure them in a cage on their bedroom door. When they open the door, all the balloons will fall out.
Amazing Growth Spurt: Lay out clothing that is a few sizes too big
Serve Brown E's: Tell the kids you made brownies and watch them discover paper cut into the letter E
Give Them a Frozen Breakfast: Freeze a bowl of cereal with milk and spoon
Bust Out the Fake Bugs: Hide fake bugs strategically around the house
Short Sheet the Bed: While kids are at school or in the bath, short sheet the bed that evening.
Fill Their Pillowcase: Take their pillow out of their pillowcase and refill their case with balloons
Sit Out Whoopie Cushions: Place whoopie cushions in their seats
Prepare a Moldy Sandwich: Use green food coloring to make their bread look moldy
Make Undrinkable Juice: Prepare grape jelly in juice cups and watch them try to drink it
Put a Honk Sign on Your Car: Place a "Honk for April Fools' Day" sign on your car
Have a Ridiculous Argument: Start a silly argument, such as "No! You can't wear shoes to school today."
