Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy delicious food, and, of course, share a few laughs. While the turkey roasts in the oven and the pies cool on the counter, why not spice up the day with some lighthearted pranks? Thanksgiving Day pranks can be a fun way to entertain your guests and keep the festive spirit alive. Whether you’re a master of mischief or just looking for some quick laughs, these 47 pranks will ensure your Thanksgiving is full of giggles. From playful tricks involving food to humorous surprises at the dinner table, there’s something here for everyone. Here are some Thanksgiving-themed pranks to keep your family and friends entertained all day long.
47 Hilarious Thanksgiving Day Pranks to Try This Year
1. The Classic Whoopee Cushion
Place a whoopee cushion on the seat of your unsuspecting dinner guest. It’s a classic prank that never gets old.
2. Turkey Surprise
Fill a turkey with non-traditional stuffing like jelly beans or marshmallows. Watch as your guests dig into the “stuffing” with confusion.
3. Fake Ice Cubes
Freeze small plastic insects or other items inside ice cubes and serve them in drinks. The surprise is sure to be entertaining.
4. The Leftover Switcheroo
Before serving dinner, switch out the plates of food with a set of empty ones. When your guests sit down to eat, they’ll wonder why nothing’s on their plates.
5. Toilet Paper Roll Chase
Stick a piece of tape under a roll of toilet paper. When someone tries to pull it, they’ll be in for a sticky surprise.
6. Disappearing Gravy
When your guest isn’t looking, quietly pour out some of the gravy from their plate. When they go to pour more, they’ll be baffled by the empty bowl.
7. Sweet Potato Mashed Mystery
Serve mashed potatoes with a surprise twist—use sweet potatoes instead. Watch the confusion unfold as your guests try to figure out why the potatoes taste so sweet.
8. The Saran Wrap Chair
Cover a chair with a sheet of clear plastic wrap. When your guest tries to sit down, they’ll be in for a sticky surprise.
9. Fake Pumpkin Pie
Create a fake pumpkin pie using a round cheese pizza and add some orange food coloring for a sneaky effect. Watch their faces when they cut into it!
10. Pie in the Face
Have a pie ready and wait for someone to get close enough. At the right moment, aim and deliver the perfect “pie to the face.”
11. Turkey Plop
Fill the turkey cavity with a small balloon. When you carve it, the balloon will pop and make a hilarious sound, startling everyone at the table.
12. Turkey Hand Print Prank
Print a large turkey hand on a piece of paper and have it “accidentally” fall out of your pocket during dinner, confusing guests who think it’s a part of the décor.
13. Corny Surprise
Place a piece of corn on the cob in the microwave and make a loud popping noise to make your guests believe you’ve burned the corn.
14. Cranberry Sauce Surprise
Serve cranberry sauce in a gelatin mold but freeze something unexpected inside, like small plastic toys. Guests will be in for a surprise when they try to dig in.
15. Floating Marshmallows
Set up a bowl of marshmallows, but secretly place a balloon underneath. As guests grab a marshmallow, the balloon will float, giving them a puzzled look.
16. Stuffing Switch
Replace regular stuffing with a combination of random ingredients like breadcrumbs, candies, or confetti. Watch the reactions when your guests dig in.
17. Hidden Fireworks
While setting up the table, secretly slip in a small party popper under one of the plates. Once they pull away the plate, you’ll get a surprising explosion of confetti.
18. Pie Face
Cover someone’s plate with whipped cream but make sure they don’t notice. When they reach for their pie, they’ll end up with a face full of whipped cream.
19. The Invisible Ink Prank
Serve your guests their drinks with a splash of invisible ink. When they go to sip, they’ll be surprised by the unidentifiable taste.
20. Leftover Food Box Trick
When you’re cleaning up, put all the empty containers in a box and hand it over to your guests as if it were their leftovers to take home.
21. The Taped Door Trick
Tape a piece of clear plastic wrap or duct tape across the doorframe, creating an invisible barrier that will confuse anyone walking through.
22. The Egg Nog Swap
Switch regular eggnog with a savory mixture like soup or gravy. The look on their face when they take a sip will be priceless.
23. Frozen Gravy
Pour gravy into ice cube trays and freeze it overnight. Serve the frozen gravy cubes and watch as your guests try to figure out why it won’t melt.
24. Apple Cider Challenge
Serve apple cider that’s been mixed with vinegar for a sour twist. Your guests will definitely be shocked when they take a sip.
25. Fake Burnt Turkey
When carving the turkey, make it look like it’s burnt by covering it with a layer of dark chocolate. Serve it, and enjoy the reactions!
26. Mystery Drink
Fill your glass with something unexpected like broth or a weird juice combo. Watch as your guests take a sip with a puzzled expression.
27. The Fake Plop
Use an empty can of cranberry sauce and place it on the table with a spoon. When you cut into it, the “plop” sound will give away the prank.
28. Undercover Cookies
Serve cookies that look normal, but secretly replace the filling with something gross, like toothpaste. Your guests will wonder what went wrong.
29. The Cranberry “Soup”
Serve a bowl of cranberry sauce as if it were soup. Your guests will have a hard time understanding why the soup is so thick.
30. Hidden Vegetables
Stuff a turkey or chicken with vegetables and then watch as your guests wonder what’s inside. They’ll be taken aback when they discover an unexpected veggie surprise.
31. Disappearing Butter
Place a piece of butter on the dinner plate and secretly make it vanish. Watch as the guests search for it to top their potatoes.
32. Funny Hats
Sneakily place funny, oversized hats at each place setting. When guests sit down, they’ll have no choice but to wear them.
33. Mystery Mashed Potatoes
Fill a bowl with mashed potatoes and mix in something unexpected, like whipped cream. Serve it to someone who’s expecting the real deal.
34. Turkey Tail Feathers
Switch out real turkey feathers with synthetic ones that change color. When you display the turkey, everyone will be baffled by its new look.
35. Pumpkin Spice Confusion
Make a special drink, like pumpkin spice latte, but with a twist—swap the pumpkin spice with something equally unexpected, like chili powder.
36. Whipped Cream Filling
Fill a dessert with whipped cream but don’t tell anyone. When they go in for a slice, they’ll be in for a creamy surprise.
37. Mismatched Dinner Plates
Serve dinner on mismatched plates, such as bowls or trays, so that your guests get confused about where to place their food.
38. Color-Changing Gravy
Add a few drops of food coloring to the gravy before serving. It’ll throw everyone off when the gravy suddenly turns green or purple.
39. “Giant” Mashed Potatoes
Create a mound of mashed potatoes that looks like a giant turkey or other items on the dinner table. When your guests dig into the “turkey,” they’ll discover it’s just mashed potatoes.
40. Stealthy Soda Switch
Fill an empty soda bottle with a different beverage, like soda water or vinegar. Your guests will be surprised when they try to open it.
41. The Fake Roast
Create a fake turkey or roast using rice crispy treats and fondant. When the guests try to carve it, they’ll be in for an amusing surprise.
42. The Cranberry Caper
Replace your cranberry sauce with mashed potatoes and serve it in the cranberry sauce can. Watch as your guests try to spread the “cranberry sauce” on their rolls.
43. Sneaky “Soda”
Substitute soda with a thick drink like gravy or broth and put it in a soda can. When someone tries to open it, the reaction will be hilarious.
44. Prank Dessert
Serve a delicious-looking cake made entirely of mashed potatoes, with gravy on top. Guests will be puzzled as they try to cut into it.
45. Balloon Turkey
Set up a turkey centerpiece with balloons shaped like feathers. Guests will be confused when the turkey is light as air!
46. Surprise Bread Basket
Replace the bread in your bread basket with small boxes of cereal or crackers. Your guests won’t know what hit them when they try to take a roll.
47. Mystery Popcorn
Hide colored popcorn in a bowl of regular popcorn. Guests will be puzzled when they grab a handful of blue or red popcorn.
Conclusion
These 47 Thanksgiving Day pranks are sure to bring plenty of laughter to your holiday celebration. From harmless tricks to full-on surprises, there’s something here for every prankster looking to add a little humor to their Thanksgiving dinner. Just remember to keep the spirit lighthearted and ensure that everyone enjoys the fun. After all, Thanksgiving is about spending time with loved ones, sharing good food, and making lasting memories—even if those memories come with a few laughs and pranks along the way.
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