We’ve seen them all over the years.
Sugar in the salt-shaker.
Salt in the sugar bowl.
And woe to the unsuspecting co-worker about to sit on a whoopee cushion at the big meeting at work.
April Fools pranks are fun. For adults, just about anything goes. Keeping in mind that kids are more sensitive than adults, here are some ideas for April Fools pranks you can play on your kids.
Morning Pranks
Have two heavy sleepers? Sneak in after they’re asleep and gently lift one child into the other child’s bed and vice versa. Be sure you’re there to see the looks on their faces as they wake up in the wrong place.
Hand them their toothbrush all ready to go, but swap out the toothpaste for cream cheese or frosting!
Put a piece of plastic wrap under the lid of the shampoo bottle. Your family will have no idea why a full bottle won’t pour.
For an easier prank, you could switch the breakfast cereals from one box to the other and watch the shock as Dad’s Grape Nuts fall into the bowl intended for Lucky Charms.
Food coloring in the milk is an easy trick that will surprise your children as you pour.
Freeze a bowl of milk with cereal the night before and serve it for breakfast.
Fill your child’s juice glass with Jello® the night before and serve in the morning with a straw.
Put plastic bugs in your child’s lunch when you pack it for the day.
Set the alarm clocks an hour or two early, then take everyone out to breakfast.
How about some after school pranks?
After School Pranks
Put a sticky note (“April Fools!”) on the bottom of the computer mouse. It won’t work.
Switch the language on their phone or iPad to Greek, Russian, Mandarin… watch them sweat as they try to switch it back. (But you’d be amazed at how quickly they can do so.)
Get some googly eyes from the craft store and glue them to everyday objects, like items in the refrigerator or bathroom.
Cover your child’s cell phone from top to bottom with rubber bands.
Put one of your child’s items in Jello® like they did on The Office television show. Some suggestions are small action figures or homework pencils.
Fill cream-filled cookies with toothpaste.
Make a fake dinner. Surprise your family with cupcakes for dinner! Bake meatloaf in muffin tins and “frost” with mashed potatoes. (Be sure to add colorful food coloring to the mashed potatoes for that extra touch of realism.)
April Fools Day can be a great time to have a lot of fun with your kids. Keep in mind that you need to know your child — the easily frustrated child won’t like a spraying water faucet trick.
Use your common sense, and remember that it’s about having fun. Be kind.
For more simple, fun ways to have fun with your kids in any season, check out my ebook, Seasonal Savors.
