21 April Fools' Pranks to Play on Your Kids

Does your little one like to make jokes, especially at your expense? If so, it may be time for some friendly payback. From freezing their breakfasts to shrinking their shoes, there are plenty of ways to prank your tot that won't end it tears. So celebrate April Fools' Day with these tricks that keep your kids giggling all day long.

01
TV No More
Flickr user Endemoniada

TV No More

Take all the batteries out of the remote right before your kid tries to watch their favorite shows. Then act surprised when they ask you what happened!

02
Fruit Ninja
Flickr user Muhammad Ali Mir

Fruit Ninja

Use a pin to poke holes in a banana so they're sliced from within. Hand the fruit to your child and watch their priceless reactions as they start to peel it!

03
Bedtime Switcheroo
Flickr user swan-t

Bedtime Switcheroo

Wait until your kids are asleep and then quietly move them into each other's beds. When they wake up, take photos of their surprised faces.

04
Got Milk?
Giggles Galore

Got Milk?

Turn your child's favorite milk and cookies snack into an unpourable solid with powdered gelatin. Your little one will be wondering what happened to his milk!

05
Googly-Eyed Treats
Flickr user herr_hartmann

Googly-Eyed Treats

Stick googly eyes on your kid's foods when you're packing their school lunches. When they open up their bags, they'll find two pairs of eyes staring back!

06
Balloon Surprise
Flickr user Kelly Sue

Balloon Surprise

Write "April Fools!" on a helium balloon and stick it in the toilet with the lid closed. When your child opens the lid in the morning, they'll be startled and confused.

07
The Healthy Prank
Flickr user akeg

The Healthy Prank

Take all the Cheetos out of the bag and replace them with carrots. Then seal the bag back with glue and ask your child if they want a snack.

08
Leaky Faucet
All For the Boys

Leaky Faucet

Take the idea of a water ballon fight indoors with an easy trick. Place tape over parts of the faucet well and then have your child try turning it on. Watch him or her get soaked and laugh at this harmless prank.

09
A Cold Breakfast

A Cold Breakfast

You may want to wake up the kids early for this prank. After they've gone to bed, place a bowl of cereal and milk in the freezer. Then sit back and watch as they try to eat their breakfast the next morning. You're sure to see some funny, slightly frustrated reactions. Source: Flickr user Tracy Friesen

10
Not-So-Juicy Juice

Not-So-Juicy Juice

Pour Jell-O mixture into small juice cups and place a straw in each one. Let them set for about four hours, and serve them to your kids as a refreshing beverage. Once they're done laughing, they will have a special snack to enjoy. Source: Flickr user trontnort

11
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Buy some clothes that are a few sizes too big for your little one, so when they put them on the next morning, they'll think they've shrunk! Since your child will eventually grow into the items, it won't be a waste of money. Source: Flickr user Doug

12
Suds-Free Soap

Suds-Free Soap

We'd never encourage poor hygiene, but this prank is an exception. Coat a bar of soap with some clear nail polish to keep any suds from forming. If they try to tell you the soap doesn't work, then at least you'll know they wash their hands. Source: Flickr user segana

13
A Worm-Filled Apple

A Worm-Filled Apple

No creepy crawlers needed for this prank. Use a thin corer to drill a small hole in the center of the apple, and push the gummy worm into it. Pack it in your little one's lunch box or leave it in the fruit bowl for their after-school snack. Source: Flickr user Erica

14
Magical Cereal

Magical Cereal

This trick will make your tot's jaw drop. Place a few drops of food coloring into their bowl, then add their favorite cereal. When they pour the milk, it will turn a crazy color. Source: Katie Did

15
Lukewarm Ice

Lukewarm Ice

This crafty prank from Alpha Mom requires a little more work than most pranks, but it's guaranteed to make the kids laugh. Source: Alpha Mom

16
Follow the Money Trail

Follow the Money Trail

If your kids are always searching for some cash, then this is the perfect prank. Attach a dollar bill to the end of a fishing reel or a long piece of string, and leave it on the ground. As they run toward the money, slowly pull it away. Keep going until there's no slack left in the string. Source: Flickr user Rodrigo Suarez

17
Mom, Where's the Ketchup?

Mom, Where's the Ketchup?

If you plan on serving hot dogs or hamburgers for dinner, then All For the Boys' condiment prank is perfect for your little ones. Source: All For the Boys

18
Mom, I'm Growing!

Mom, I'm Growing!

Stuff your little one's shoes with tissues or toilet paper, and watch them struggle to slip into their kicks the next morning. Source: Flickr user Adri

19
A Brown-E Dessert

A Brown-E Dessert

Cut some E's out of some brown construction paper, and place them in a baking dish. Then when the kids are ready for dessert, tell them you made something extraspecial. Of course, you should keep a pan of the real treats nearby so they don't get too upset. Source: Playing it Cooley

20
Fake-Out Food

Fake-Out Food

From savory foods that look like sweets to dessert disguised as dinner, these fake-out foods are a great way to feed (and trick) your tots. Source: Bake at 350

21
An Extraminty Oreo

An Extraminty Oreo

Kids will get a special surprise after biting into this cookie. Scrape the cream off the Oreo — we won't judge you for eating it — and spread a thin layer of toothpaste onto the cookie. Set aside some nonpranked cookies to eat for dessert. Source: Flickr user Sophia