25 Best April Fools Pranks To Play On Parents

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Sometimes, your parents might get so involved in responsibilities that they forget about having fun. Thus, we tell you some innovative April Fool's day pranks for parents to let you help them revive their happy days.

Parents are the sweetest humans, and life without them is unimaginable. At times, they may be strict with you, but you know they love you.

If you feel that your parents' funny side has been lying dormant for a while, it is a good idea to unleash it on April Fool's day. So, are you all set to make your parents laugh? Read on for incredible ideas.

25 April Fools' Pranks On Parents

Laughter is the best medicine of all. It makes you light-hearted and turns your frown upside down. If your parents can take a joke, then pulling off pranks will be fun. However, if you think any of the pranks might upset your parents or affect their health, do not attempt it.

1. Why isn't this remote working?

Fighting with your parents over the TV remote is a saga that continues even when you have grown up. Taking out the batteries from the TV remote is a classic prank that you must try out. It might be semi-risky (just kidding, they will appreciate it once they understand the prank) if your parents love watching any particular show. But they will be confused when they try to operate the TV with the remote, which remains unresponsive.

2. Who is that?

If your mom or dad loves framing those cute family photos, it is time to change those with pictures of strangers. For example, you could put pictures of Adam Sandler or Kevin Hart. They might not even notice it at first, but it will be quite hilarious when they do.

3. Seal it off

An easy-breezy April Fools' Day prank—this one requires you to take a plastic wrap to seal off the caps of the shampoo and body wash bottles. Your parents will struggle to open it with their wet hands, and it will give you a good time laughing.

4. Straight outta' horror movie

Be stealthy with your moves, and with a few simple steps, turn your house into something that looks straight out of a horror movie. Go to your local convenience store for Halloween decors and flickering of low-watt light bulbs, preferably 40 watts or less. When your parents aren't home or are sleeping, change all the bulbs around the house, starting with the bathroom. If your parents come home late in the night, they will be confused and a little petrified.

5. Sweet like candy

If vitamins are a regular thing in your parents' diet, trying this prank will be pretty funny. Get some M&M's or Tic-Tacs, and replace the vitamin tablets with these. When they try to take them, they will get confused as to why they taste so good. The utter confusion over their faces is exactly what makes this prank quite funny.

6. Moldy bread

Making your parents think that the bread they have just bought from the grocery store has turned bad is relatively easy. Take a clean knife, cut the top part of the bread, and then add a couple of drops of green food coloring to resemble mold. Then take the pre-cut part of the loaf and hide it. When they take out the bread to eat it, their disgusted reaction will be meme-worthy.

7. Jell-O juice

If your mom or dad loves to have a glass of juice in the morning, then take some Jell-O and, following the instructions given on the packet, make a mixture. Then, pour it in the juice glass that your parents use, and do not forget the straw (if they use it, it's the details that matter). The Jell-O will solidify overnight, and the following day, when they try to drink it, they will be utterly confused and may even be slightly annoyed.

8. The toilet is smoking

This joke is so "punny" that even your parents would not get over it. Take a couple of tissue paper rolls and place them in a manner that resembles a pair of eyes. Then take out an empty cardboard roll (you can get one easily from a used-up paper towel roll), place it between the toilet seat and the lid. You could also add a chef's kiss to the whole plan by placing a cap on top of the "eyes." Then finally, scream, "The toilet is smoking!" Your parents will come running in a panic to see what's going on.

9. Breakfast bowl

Take the bowl that your parents use for eating their morning cereal and pour some milk and cereal into it. Next, take the bowl and freeze it. The following day when they are about to eat their breakfast, serve them the bowl, but before you do that, make sure to pour a little milk over the top so that it looks real. When they try to eat it, they will be quite befuddled as to why their spoon cannot pick up the cereal.

10. Minty Oreo?

If your parents love eating Oreos, then this prank will work out for you. First, take a butter knife and carefully scrape out the cream filling between two Oreo cookies. Next, take toothpaste that resembles the cream filling and start putting it between the Oreos. Offer these, and the moment they bite into it, they will get the minty surprise. However, do not try it out if you think your parents would not like it.

11. The computer froze

Click a screenshot of the desktop of your parent's computer and keep it aside. Move all the icons in one place. Then set the desktop image to the previously clicked screenshot. Every time they try to click on any of the apps, it will not respond, and they will be convinced that their computer is malfunctioning. Of course, be a good child and set it back to normal once you are successful with the prank.

12. Frozen hot chocolate

Make some hot chocolate and pour it into the mug that your parents use for their morning coffee. After it cools down, keep it in the fridge overnight and take it out in the morning. Place the mug carefully on the coffee maker and sprinkle some hot water on the top, so the top portion melts out slightly. Try to chit-chat with your parents. They will be confused when they add milk, and it spills over, or even try to stir some sugar with a spoon.

13. Salt and sugar replacement

The good old switcheroo where you switch the salt with sugar and vice-versa is a prank that is a must on April Fools Day! If your parents take their morning beverage with a bit of sugar, they will be surprised by its saltiness and by the sweetness of salt in their food. Yes, you get the gist.

14. Clothes swap

This prank might not seem like a typical practical joke, but it doesn't mean that it will not bring a giggle or two out of your parents. All you have to do is switch the places of your parent's clothes, and when they try to find something, they will scramble through all of their stuff without understanding what exactly is going on.

15. Stuff 'em shoes

Take some cotton balls and stuff those into the shoes of your parents. When they try to put those on, they will wonder how a pair of shoes become so tight overnight because no one can have such a rapid growth spurt in one night, or can they?

16. Saucy switch

Swap the bottle containing mustard with some hot sauce, or even swap the whipped cream with mayonnaise. The next time your parents use any of these condiments, they will be in a state of befuddlement before they realize that they have been pranked.

17. Monster under the bed?

Children get easily scared by imaginary monsters under the bed or inside their closets, but what about your parents? There's one way to find out. Bring out the horror movie masks and give them a jump scare when they are least expecting it. A prank like this is old but gold. However, if you know your parents get scared easily or are going through some problem, you better skip this one.

18. I'm pregnant

Break the news to your parents that you are pregnant and see the expressions that come on their faces. But remember, it won't be too wise to stretch the matter because they might get worried over nothing. Also, if you sense that this prank could be a fail or your parents would not like it, then do not try it.

19. Isn't the weekend?

If your parents do not have any important upcoming plans, making them believe that it is still not the weekend is a good prank. Change the dates on their phones sneakily and give them the newspaper from the previous day. They might also start getting ready for their office only to find out that they have been pranked.

20. Boiled eggs

Take a few eggs from your fridge and hard boil them. After that, take it and keep it in the refrigerator. When your mom or dad goes to make an omelet for breakfast, they will be confused at first, but once they understand that it is a prank, everyone will laugh about it.

21. Snake

Snakes tend to give most people the heebie-jeebies. If your parents are one of them, then scaring them with a rubber snake will be worth their funny reaction. Use a string to attach it to the snake, and make sure that you attach one end of the string to a cupboard door. Set it in a manner so that whenever they open the cupboard, the rubber snake will jump out and freak them out. But, do not play the prank if you think your parents might not like the idea.

22. Jet spray

The good ol' prank will never get old. Take broad duct tape and cover the nozzle of the tap in the sink. Ensure to keep a small opening, so whenever your parents try to use the tap, the water will spray and soak them.

23. Autocorrect prank

The fact that you know more about technology gives you an upper hand over your parents. Take your parents' phone, go to the autocorrect settings and change a few words. For instance, you could change a "no" to a "yes" or something that is quite ludicrous. Every time they try to type something, it will turn into something bizarre, and they wouldn't know why.

24. I lost my phone

This joke is so subtle yet hilarious that it makes it one of the best pranks for parents. Call your mom or dad and tell them how you lost your phone. They might get angry and scold you until they realize you had been calling them from your phone, and it was a prank all along. But if your parents are wise and notice your phone number, be ready for their laugh.

25. Fake cake

If your parents have a sweet tooth, then this can be a hilarious practical joke that you can play on them. Take a round sponge that resembles the shape of a cake. Decorate it with all the necessary ingredients to make it appear like an actual cake. When your parents try to eat it, they will be utterly confused about why it will not cut through. Of course, be a good child and bring them a real cake afterward that they can enjoy.

These easy and fun pranks for parents will lift up the house's environment and cheer up the entire family. You could also put in some creativity of your own and bring a few changes in the process to make it more interesting. Ensure that no one's feelings are hurt due to any of the pranks, as they are done to lighten the mood and not intended otherwise. Also, remember to keep an eye out for the vital details as they are essential while pulling a prank on someone.

Key Pointers

  • Taking the batteries out of the TV remote is a tried trick that always works.
  • The computer froze prank using the desktop screenshot might be a great option if your parents are still learning to use computers and tablets.
  • If you want to play some risky pranks on your parents, statements like "I'm pregnant" or "I lost my phone" can work.

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Shikha is a writer-turned-associate editor at MomJunction. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood. She also specializes in baby names. Being a postgraduate in Human Resources from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, she likes understanding people and their relationships. This reflects in her relationship... more