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Five Great April Fool's Pranks For Kids
Published 03.25.2008 | Permanent Link | Comments (3)
I know it's probably not very nice to play tricks on your kids on April Fool's Day, but how else are they going to learn to pull their own pranks? Okay, don't switch their shampoo with hair removal cream, but short sheeting the bed? A learning experience.
The lunchbox is a great place to trick your kids and brighten their day. My nine year old is convinced she hates grilled cheese sandwiches, which is physically impossible according to my calculations. Next thing you know she'll tell me she doesn't like pizza. I'd love to pack this "sandwich" in her lunch bag. The only drag is I wouldn't get to see the look of disgust on her face followed by the realization that this is not a regular grilled cheese sandwich.
This is a trick which could be especially effective if the adults in your family aren't particularly 'morning people'. Create a pair of stuffed legs using a pair of pants and shoes. Attach a newspaper to a sheet of poster board and see how long it takes your kids to realize dad is not actually quietly studying the newspaper.
I love the idea of convincing a kid there's a new set of laws. For example, with shock and disbelief explain the government has now dropped the minimum driving age to [age of your child]. Have some facts and official reasons for this change. Keep the joke going until your kid insists on taking the keys!
For dinner I'll be telling my kids we're having sushi (HORRIFYING!) and cupcakes for dessert. Of course the sushi will be this kind made with gummy worms and rice cereal. The cupcakes will be these delicacies made with meatloaf and mashed potatoes, something my daughter would never eat, but disguised as a dessert, who knows.
Even funnier come up with a new rule for your house, explain to the kids that eating utensils are now banned, hide all your flatware during the night before April Fools Day. Keep the joke going until you have something really messy to eat, like yogurt.
If your family computer is a Windows based machine there are literally tons of tricks you can play on the user. Here is a pretty comprehensive list, I especially like the fake Microsoft Office Paper Clip. Here's one my husband used to play on me repeatedly and it fooled me for almost two years. Hopefully your kid isn't smarter than me, and if he is, don't tell me. Take a full screenshot of your desktop with no other windows open, like this. Open the image and place it over the actual desktop, the victim will believe his computer is frozen and nothing is click-able.
Good luck! And remember when playing pranks on kids the best idea is to come right up the line, but remain on the side where your kid is laughing with you.
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About
This column is no longer activel adding new content. It was written by Melissa Summers who can be found at her personal weblog suburbanbliss.net.
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Comments (3):
Sharon said:
Can't wait to try these out! Know of any good April Fool's tricks to play on the husband?
Posted on March 31, 2008 13:22
Kelly said:
Good joke for husband: Have him go to sleep before you and when you're sure he is sound asleep, paint his toenails a bright color! Just make sure he doesn't move around and get polish on the sheets before it dries. In the morning when he looks at his feet in the shower, he'll have to do a double-take!
Posted on March 31, 2009 15:00
Steph said:
A prank I played on my husband years ago was that I sewed his pant legs closed. I waited until he went to sleep and sewed the leg holes shut. I sewed in large stitches so it would be easier to cut out. It was funny watching him struggle in the morning with his pants.
I love April Fools Day.
Posted on March 31, 2009 23:08