April Fools’ Day is the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner prankster and have some fun with your parents. Whether you’re looking to give them a light-hearted scare or make them scratch their heads in confusion, a clever joke can create memorable moments and laughter. In 2025, the art of pranking continues to evolve with more creative and tech-savvy ideas that will definitely get a reaction. Whether you’re planning a joke for a casual breakfast, a family gathering, or a late-night surprise, these 46 jokes are guaranteed to get a laugh, some playful groans, or even an eye roll. Get ready for April Fools’ Day with these fun ideas!
46 Hilarious April Fools’ Jokes to Play on Parents in 2025
1. The Broken Phone Screen Trick
Place a cracked screen wallpaper on your parent’s phone and watch their reaction when they try to unlock it.
2. Fake Bug Invasion
Scatter realistic-looking fake insects around the house. Watch as your parents scream and try to get rid of them.
3. Toilet Paper Roll Swap
Replace the toilet paper roll with a new one that has the wrong side out, forcing your parents to try and figure out how to properly unroll it.
4. Fake Lottery Ticket
Buy a fake lottery ticket that appears to be a winner and watch their excitement grow before revealing it’s a prank.
5. The Soap That Won’t Lather
Coat a bar of soap with clear nail polish and place it in the bathroom. Watch as your parents struggle to lather it up.
6. “Broken” TV Remote
Cover the sensor on the TV remote with a small piece of opaque tape. See how long it takes for your parents to figure out why the remote isn’t working.
7. Spilled Coffee Prank
Use a fake spilled coffee mug to trick your parents into thinking they made a mess. You can even use a coffee-colored substance that doesn’t stain.
8. Switch the Keyboard Keys
Pop off the keys on your parent’s computer keyboard and rearrange them. Let them try to type while figuring out what’s wrong.
9. Fake Ice Cream Cone
Create an ice cream cone out of mashed potatoes and serve it to your parents as a sweet treat. Watch their face as they try to take a bite.
10. Plastic Wrap Over the Doorway
Stretch plastic wrap across the door frame at waist height. When your parent walks through, they’ll walk right into it!
11. The Classic Whoopee Cushion
Place a whoopee cushion on their chair before they sit down. The classic prank never fails to deliver.
12. Jelly Juice
Make some “juice” out of gelatin and serve it in a glass. Watch as your parents try to drink it!
13. Frozen Cereal Surprise
Freeze your parent’s cereal and milk the night before. Serve it to them in the morning and enjoy their confusion as they try to scoop it up.
14. Fake Spider in the Lamp
Place a realistic-looking fake spider inside a light fixture and turn the light on. When your parent turns the light on, they’ll get a surprise.
15. Mirror Message
Write a message on the bathroom mirror with soap or a cotton swab. When your parent goes to use the mirror, they’ll see a mysterious message appear when the mirror fogs up.
16. Fake Soap Bubbles
Fill a bottle of dish soap with shaving cream and watch as your parents try to get soap bubbles but end up with nothing.
17. Milk Carton Confusion
Fill a milk carton with something completely different, like orange juice or water, and watch your parents’ confusion when they pour it out.
18. The Missing Phone
Pretend you’ve lost your parent’s phone and then make them search the house for it, only to hand it back to them and reveal you were joking.
19. Fake GPS Directions
Change the GPS settings in the car to lead your parent on a ridiculous detour. Watch them get frustrated as they follow the confusing directions.
20. Mismatched Shoes
Replace one of their shoes with a mismatched pair and see how long it takes them to notice.
21. Balloon Avalanche
Tape a trash bag full of balloons above a door. When your parent opens it, the balloons will fall on top of them.
22. The Car Alarm Prank
Set off your parent’s car alarm from a distance, then watch as they try to figure out how to turn it off.
23. Fake Call from the Bank
Pretend to receive a call from the bank telling your parents their account has been frozen. Watch their panic before you reveal it’s a joke.
24. Toothpaste Oreo
Replace the cream filling of Oreo cookies with toothpaste. Offer them a snack and watch their reaction when they bite into it.
25. The Classic Fake Snake
Place a fake snake in a drawer or closet and watch your parent’s reaction when they discover it.
26. Fake Broken Mirror
Set up a fake broken mirror in a bathroom or hallway and watch their panic as they think it’s shattered.
27. Fake Phone Call from School
Call from a number they don’t recognize, pretending to be from their school or a work-related situation. Play it off until you reveal the prank.
28. Cracked Mug Trick
Place a plastic or fake cracked mug on the kitchen counter. Watch your parents’ reactions when they reach for it and think it’s ruined.
29. Switch Out Their Favorite Drink
Pour your parent’s favorite drink into a new container that looks similar but has a completely different beverage. Watch their surprise when they take a sip.
30. Classic Salted Sugar
Swap the sugar in the sugar bowl with salt. Watch your parents’ face when they add it to their coffee or cereal.
31. The Toilet Seat Trick
Carefully place a layer of clear plastic wrap over the toilet seat. Watch your parents’ surprise when they go to sit down.
32. Fake Broken Chair
Create the illusion of a broken chair by loosening the screws or balancing it on a small object. Watch your parents’ cautious approach when they sit down.
33. Colored Water in the Faucet
Place a few drops of food coloring in the faucet filter. When your parents turn on the tap, they’ll be surprised to see colored water.
34. Bathroom Tissue Shortage
Take the roll of toilet paper and make a tear so it looks like it’s run out. Watch their confusion when they reach for it.
35. The “Voice Assistant” Hack
Change the settings on the voice assistant on their phone or smart speaker to a different language or unusual voice.
36. Fake Toothpaste Tube
Fill an empty toothpaste tube with mayonnaise or cream cheese. Watch as your parents try to brush their teeth with it.
37. The Fake Phone Charger
Swap out their phone charger with a non-functioning one or one that doesn’t fit properly. Watch their frustration as they try to charge their phone.
38. Fake Water Bottle Label
Replace a regular water bottle label with a completely different product, like a shampoo bottle label. See their confusion when they open it.
39. Reverse Their Clock
Change the time on all the clocks in the house, making them think they’re late for something. Enjoy the chaos as they scramble.
40. Frozen Clothing
Place their clothes in the freezer overnight. Watch their reaction when they try to put on a frozen shirt or pair of socks.
41. Reversed Picture Frames
Switch the pictures in your parents’ frames around. Watch them try to figure out why their favorite photo isn’t where it should be.
42. Soap Underwater Prank
Place a small bar of soap inside the bathtub and fill the tub with water. Watch your parents’ confusion when they can’t use the soap.
43. Replace the Toothbrush
Replace their toothbrush with a novelty or impractical one. Watch their surprise when they go to brush their teeth and it’s not what they expected.
44. Fake Parking Ticket
Leave a fake parking ticket on their car windshield. Watch their stress as they think they’ve been fined before you tell them it’s a prank.
45. The Selfie Trick
Set up your parent’s phone camera to take a selfie whenever they unlock it. Watch their surprise as the camera captures their reaction.
46. The Sandwich Swap
Switch the contents of their sandwich with something bizarre, like jelly and pickle or peanut butter and hot sauce. Watch their reaction when they take a bite.
Conclusion
April Fools’ Day is the perfect time to bring out your creative side and have some fun with your parents. These 46 pranks will keep you busy planning the perfect surprises and help create memories that last far beyond the day itself. Remember, the goal is to keep things light-hearted and playful, making sure everyone laughs without feeling hurt. Pranks that are harmless, but clever, are always the best. Enjoy the pranking, and don’t forget to make sure your parents get the last laugh too!
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