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7 Silly April Fools' Day Pranks To Play On Your Kids

These harmless pranks will get them giggling on April 1

By Jennifer Hill, publisher of Macaroni KID Fremont, Calif. March 23, 2024

Our kids love to joke around and have fun planning a few pranks for April Fools' Day each year. Hubby and I enjoy some scheming ourselves! 

Need some inspiration? Here are seven ideas for fun (and harmless!) April Fools' Day pranks to play on your kids this year. 

Happy Foolin'!


1. Swap sleepers

Our kids are pretty heavy sleepers, which has made it easy to move them to their sibling's bed once they are sound asleep. They find it hilarious to wake up in the wrong bed!


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2. "Bake" Some Brown-E's

Use construction paper to cut out some "brownies" (brown letter "E"s). Put in a dish, cover, and label "Enjoy a brownie!"

Once you've used that prank on your kids, they will want to take some to school and ask their teacher if they can hand them out to their classmates at lunchtime or after school. It's a silly prank that the kids will enjoy (just be sure to send some actual brownies too)!


Jennifer Hill


3. Trick breakfast

Fix the kids "an egg with home fries and toast," which is actually vanilla yogurt, canned apricot or peach half, pound cake, and apples with cinnamon. Get complete instructions here.




4. Frozen breakfast

The night before April Fools' Day, pour your kid's favorite cereal and milk in a bowl, add a spoon, and then stick it in the freezer overnight. The fun will come when you serve them breakfast in the morning — only to find a frozen surprise!


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5. Gelatin juice

Make some orange juice-colored gelatin, pour into small cups, and add a straw. Refrigerate until morning. Serve with breakfast for some great giggles.


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6. Dinner cupcakes

Surprise the kids with "cupcakes" for dinner! Bake mini meatloaves in your muffin tin and then use mashed potatoes as frosting.


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7. Add googly eyes to all their favorite breakfast foods

From bananas to the milk carton, add googly eyes to all their favorite breakfast foods. They'll be surprised to find the yogurt container staring back at them when they open the fridge!


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