20 Best April Fools’ Day Pranks That Are Harmless Yet Hilarious
The Drummonds have used the fake snake gag for decades.
For Ree and Ladd Drummond, any day is a good day for a prank. "I know it's difficult for some people to understand a married couple pranking each other with fake snakes," she explains. "Actually, I don't really understand it either. All I know is that Marlboro Man and I have perpetrated this prank against each other for years. Decades, even!" She’s even passed the exact same prank down to the Drummond kids to keep the family tradition going.
For most people though, the best opportunity to prank someone is April Fools' Day. And as April 1 approaches, you might be gearing up to share some April Fools' Day jokes or catch your friends and family with some texting pranks or gag gifts. But if you're lucky enough to see someone in person, why not go all out and try one of these in-person April Fools' Day pranks? They're great for family, friends, and co-workers alike!
These prank ideas are all pretty easy to execute and are sure to rile up a response. And they all have one thing in common: They're all done in good fun. But beware, because the recipient will probably get you back somehow! Ree and Ladd joke that they "have actually developed a fear of fake snakes. Not because we are scared of plastic toys, but because we are deathly afraid of being one-upped by the other." 😂 Good thing you have all these examples here to keep a similar cycle going!
Keep the laughs comin':
‘Pay’ to Put Air in Tires
Ree recently pulled a popular TikTok prank on Ladd by claiming she paid $200 for ‘premium air’ in a low tire. He was stunned! She doubled down, insisting that she was told premium air was the best air. She says, “The funniest part was toward the end when he said, ‘Honey! There's no such thing as premium air! Air is free!’
Bake 'Cinnamon' Rolls
Spoiler alert: There is definitely no cinnamon in this recipe. While everyone will expect a sweet treat, they're actually filled with pulled pork and barbecue sauce. So while tasty, they're certainly not something they'll expect for breakfast or dessert.
Get the April Fools' 'Cinnamon Rolls' recipe.
‘Break’ the TV Screen
Take a cue from Alex with this hilarious prank. “Okay but I found this YouTube broken screen video and got Mauricio pretty good,” she posted last year. She adds, “I told him I accidentally threw George’s toy at it. He was so upset haha.”
Cover Sensors on Remote Controls
Placing a tiny piece of tape over the TV remote’s sensor can turn into a surprisingly funny April Fools’ prank. Watching someone mash the buttons, aim the remote from every angle, and wonder why the TV has suddenly betrayed them is all part of the fun.
Color Your Milk
Multicolored milk? No, thanks! Add a few drops of food coloring to your milk container and watch everyone's shock when they go to pour it. The same could be done with the creamer at the office!
Swap the Cereals
Here’s a simple yet satisfactory switch-up! Replace the contents of a familiar cereal box with a completely different kind and serve breakfast as usual. You’re sure to get a few double takes if you swap something like sugary loops for bran flakes.
Swap Out Family Photos
See how observant your family is by swapping out one or more of your family photos and see who notices. You can either superimpose a celebrity into an existing photo or simply use the display picture that often comes with a store-bought frame.
Hide All the Utensils
Before everyone wakes up or maybe before dinner, hide all of your forks and spoons and see the surprise on everyone's faces when they go to grab the essentials and find them all gone!
Hide Fake Snakes
You think this list wouldn't include the classic Drummond prank? It's hiss-terical. Simply buy a rubber snake and hide it in a spot you know they'll end up like in bed, in the shower, or in the silverware drawer.
Make 'Chocolate Chip' Cookies
Make some chocolate chip cookies but swap out the chips for raisins. One bite and they'll taste the difference immediately! If you want to really mix them up, bake some with chocolate chips, too, so they don't know which ones are which.
Turn Jell-O into Juice
You can prank the kids at breakfast by swapping out their orange juice for orange Jell-O. They'll get quite a shock when they go to sip it.
Plant a Fake $100 Bill
Tuck a fake $100 bill in an easy-to-see spot. Just when they think of their good fortune, they'll pull it out to see the other side laughing at them. You can buy fake bills or print out your own!
Freeze Breakfast
On March 31, pour bowls of cereal and milk and stick them in the freezer. In the morning, serve them to your kids and watch their faces as they can't get anything on their spoons!
Flip Someone's Computer Screen
If your family or coworkers use a PC with a Windows operating system, you can flip the display screen upside down by pressing CTRL, ALT, and the downward arrow key. (Don't worry, it's easily reversible by pressing CTRL, ALT, and the upward arrow key!)
Give the House Some Eyes
Who doesn't find googly eyes hilarious? Pick something visible, say your houseplants or maybe everything in your fridge and decorate them with googly eyes. Everyone will crack up!
Swap Everyone's Laundry
Switch out the contents of everyone's sock or underwear drawer and watch them scramble to get dressed! Eventually, they'll all realize they have the same problem and figure it out.
Confuse Your Favorite Chat Buddy
Download a GIF of the anticipatory "typing dots" message indicator and send it to your favorite unsuspecting chat buddy. They'll think you're about to send a message all day long!
Move the Clocks Forward
If you have alarm or wall clocks in the house, move them all an hour or two ahead! That goes for the clocks on the microwave and all other appliances, so they're all consistent.
Scare Them in the Shower
Add a cardboard life-size cutout or wall decal of someone in shower and hear them screech when they open the shower curtain!
Serve Veggies for Dessert
Did you know that if you dip Brussels sprouts in chocolate and let them dry, they look like chocolate truffles? Better yet, if you add a lollipop stick, they look like cake pops.
AnnMarie Mattila is the Senior Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering a wide range of topics from food and cooking to home, beauty, style, and more.
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