110 Hilarious April Fools Pranks to Play on Family and Friends

April Fools’ Day is a wonderful opportunity to have some fun and share a good laugh with your family and friends. This is the day when everyone is in on the joke, and even the simplest prank can turn an ordinary day into one full of surprises and giggles. The key is to keep things light, creative, and harmless so that everyone enjoys the moment.

In this guide, we have compiled 70 fun and clever April Fools pranks that are easy to set up and guarantee a smile on anyone’s face. Whether you’re planning a prank at home, during a family gathering, or on a casual hangout with friends, these ideas are designed to be playful without causing any real trouble or stress. These pranks are perfect for all ages and are meant to create laughter and shared memories.

From funny food tricks and tech mishaps to creative home setups and quirky surprises, this list has a variety of ideas that are sure to spark joy. Read on to find your next prank and prepare to delight your loved ones with your sense of humor. Here are 70 hilarious April Fools’ pranks to pull on family and friends:

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1. Fake Spider in the Cereal Box

Place a realistic fake spider in a cereal box. Watch as your family member’s face goes from sleepy to surprised in an instant.

2. Insect in the Lamp

Stick a fake bug on a lampshade so when the light is turned on, it casts an eerie silhouette that will make everyone do a double-take.

3. Fake Spilled Drink

Use clear glue to create a fake spill on the counter. When someone goes to clean it up, they’ll realize it’s not real.

4. Bug in the Water Bottle

Place a realistic-looking fake insect inside a clear water bottle for a shocking yet harmless surprise.

5. Wrong Time on the Clock

Set the clocks in a room an hour ahead or behind and enjoy the confusion when everyone tries to figure out the correct time.

6. Salt Instead of Sugar

Swap the sugar with salt in a sugar bowl. Serve it with coffee or cereal and watch the reaction when the taste hits.

7. Sticky Note Explosion

Cover an entire desk or room with colorful sticky notes. Leave a fun message hidden among them.

8. Balloon-Filled Car

Fill the family car with balloons so that when someone opens the door, they’re greeted by a festive explosion of color.

9. Plastic Wrap on the Doorway

Tape clear plastic wrap across a doorway at head height. It’s nearly invisible and will definitely cause a mild startle.

10. Fake “Out of Order” Sign

Place a sign on an object that works perfectly fine, like the microwave or coffee machine, declaring it out of order.

11. Upside-Down Mirror Message

Write a secret message on a bathroom mirror with soap that only appears when it steams up from a hot shower.

12. Fake Broken Remote

Cover the remote sensor with a small piece of tape so the remote seems broken, leaving everyone puzzled.

13. Hidden Phone Language Swap

Change the language settings on a family member’s phone to a language they don’t understand and watch them struggle to navigate.

14. Rearranged Furniture

Subtly rearrange small furniture items or decor in a room so that it looks off without being too obvious.

15. Celebrity Photo Swap

Replace a family photo in a frame with a funny or celebrity picture, and see how long it takes for someone to notice.

16. Fake Lottery Win

Send a text or email claiming that someone in the family has just won the lottery. Reveal the prank before any major excitement builds.

17. Contact Name Switch

Switch the names in a phone contact list (for instance, rename a friend’s contact to “Not a Friend”) and enjoy their puzzled reaction.

18. Fake Announcement

Announce over the family group chat that a big, unbelievable event has occurred (like moving to a new country) and then reveal it’s a joke.

19. Cracked Phone Screen Wallpaper

Set a fake cracked screen wallpaper on a family member’s phone to see how long it takes them to notice.

20. Hidden Remote Control

Hide the TV remote in a tricky location and watch the search for it become a fun mini-adventure.

21. Fake Spilled Water

Use a clear substance to simulate a spilled drink on a table. When someone goes to clean it, they’ll find nothing there.

22. Switched Pens

Replace all the pens on a coworker’s desk with ones that write in a funny color or don’t write at all.

23. Fake Homework Letter

For families with kids, create a fake letter from school saying there’s a surprise test or event, then reveal it’s an April Fools’ joke.

24. Balloon Avalanche

Tape a bag full of balloons above a door so that when it is opened, they cascade down on the unsuspecting person.

25. Disguised Phone Call

Call a family member from an unknown number and deliver a ridiculous message before revealing your identity.

26. Silly Name Tag

Print out a fake name tag for a family member with a funny nickname and tape it to their back.

27. Invisible Ink Note

Write a note using invisible ink and tell them it’s a secret message. Provide a UV light to reveal the hidden text later.

28. Rearranged Refrigerator

Rearrange the items in the fridge into an unexpected order or even create a funny picture using magnets.

29. Fake “Roommate” Notice

Place a fake notice on the door of a shared room stating that a new “roommate” (an amusing character) has moved in.

30. Confusing Calendar

Replace the family calendar with one that has bizarre or humorous holidays (like National Pancake Day on a random date).

31. Food Color Change

Add food coloring to milk or water to change its color dramatically before serving.

32. Temporary Tattoo Prank

Apply a temporary tattoo on a family member’s hand when they are asleep and watch their reaction when they notice it.

33. “Broken” Toilet

Place clear plastic wrap over the toilet bowl under the seat for a harmless surprise when they use it.

34. Voice Changer

Use a voice changer app to send a funny, mysterious voice message to someone in the family.

35. Fake Remote Battery Warning

Stick a small note on the remote that reads “Batteries low” even if the batteries are fine.

36. Silly Keyboard Layout

Rearrange the keys on a computer keyboard to a different layout for a moment of confusion.

37. Fake Text Conversation

Create a fake conversation on a shared device that suggests something absurd happened, then reveal the prank.

38. Fictitious Announcement

Make a fake public announcement in the house (e.g., “Attention, we are having a surprise family talent show tonight!”).

39. Fun Photo Swap

Swap digital photo frames with funny pictures of celebrities or pets instead of family photos.

40. Fake Lost Item

Place a note stating that a beloved item (like a TV remote or favorite book) is missing when it’s hidden in plain sight.

41. Alarm Clock Trick

Set multiple alarm clocks in hidden spots around the house, all set to go off at random intervals.

42. Toilet Paper Roll Swap

Replace the toilet paper roll with one that is empty and see who notices first.

43. Reversed Clock Times

Change the time on all clocks in the house to an hour earlier or later and see if anyone mentions it.

44. Fake Invitation

Create a fake invitation for a family event (like a surprise party) and share it with everyone.

45. Whimsical Weather Report

Send a text to the family saying the weather forecast for the day is “frosty sunshine” or “rainy with a chance of giggles.”

46. Scented Surprise

Place a very strong (but safe) scented candle in a room and claim it’s a new air freshener.

47. Silly Sock Mix-Up

Replace all the socks in a family member’s drawer with mismatched or oversized ones.

48. Taped Door Handle

Lightly tape a door handle in a way that makes it hard to grasp for a moment of confusion.

49. Fictitious Store Sale

Send a group message saying there’s a huge sale on a popular item at a local store, only to reveal it’s a prank later.

50. Miniature Furniture

Set up a miniature version of the living room using toy furniture and leave it in a common area.

51. Fake Social Media Post

Create a humorous fake social media post or news headline about something outrageous happening in the neighborhood.

52. Random Ringtone Swap

Change a family member’s phone ringtone to a funny sound like a quacking duck or a mooing cow.

53. Disappearing Ink

Use disappearing ink to write a temporary, humorous message on a family member’s hand or on a note.

54. Mixed-Up Calendars

Swap the dates on a wall calendar so that holidays and events appear on the wrong days.

55. Hidden Voice Recorder

Place a small, hidden voice recorder in a room that randomly plays back silly sounds or laughter.

56. Swap Food Labels

Re-label food containers with incorrect labels, such as putting “salt” on sugar containers.

57. Surprise Balloon Drop

Set up a balloon drop in a doorway by taping a bag of balloons that will fall when the door is opened.

58. Fake Broken Glass Sticker

Apply a realistic sticker that looks like cracked glass on a door or window.

59. Mystery Prize Box

Place a box labeled “You’ve won a prize!” on a table, but inside it, fill it with silly items like confetti or fake bugs.

60. Silly Bathroom Sign

Replace a bathroom sign with one that reads “Time to Get Weird” or “Caution: Crazy Zone.”

61. Costume Change Alert

Send a text message to the family saying, “I just changed into a ridiculous costume—meet me outside!” Then, when everyone comes, reveal it’s a joke.

62. Fake Cleaning Announcement

Announce that a professional cleaning crew is coming in the next hour, only to reveal there is no such crew.

63. Unexpected Snack Swap

Replace a family member’s favorite snack with a similar-looking but unexpected alternative (e.g., swapping chips with veggie crisps).

64. Random Message Chain

Start a humorous, confusing message chain among family members with absurd, unrelated statements.

65. Fake Lost Pet Poster

Create a fake poster about a lost pet (such as a hamster or a goldfish) and place it in a common area.

66. Silly Mirror Message

Write a funny message on a bathroom mirror with a dry-erase marker so that it only appears when the mirror fogs up.

67. Misleading Labels

Swap the labels on items in the pantry, such as labeling pasta as “silly string” or rice as “magic beans.”

68. Fake Broken Light Switch

Place a small note on a light switch stating it’s broken, then observe how long it takes for someone to check.

69. Alarm Prank

Set an unexpected alarm on a family member’s phone for a time when they’re least expecting it.

70. Mystery Room Temperature

Adjust the thermostat slightly and claim the house is “in a cooling or heating crisis” until someone notices the small change.

71. Remote Control Confusion

Hide the remote control in a funny spot like the freezer or inside a cushion and watch the search begin.

72. Switch TV Channels

Change the TV channel to something unexpected, like a nature documentary when the family is watching a game.

73. Whimsical Wallpaper

Change the wallpaper on a shared computer or tablet to something ridiculously funny.

74. Ringtone Rampage

Send a fake announcement that everyone’s phone ringtones will change to a specific funny sound at a given time.

75. Joke on the Fridge

Place a humorous magnet message on the fridge, like “Warning: Snacks may be falling from above.”

76. Confusing Cupboard

Rearrange the contents of a common cupboard to create a fun and confusing pattern.

77. Silly Invitation

Hand out fake invitations for an imaginary family event, such as “The Great Sock Hunt,” and enjoy their puzzled reactions.

78. Unexpected Message

Send a text saying, “I just won a trip to Disneyland!” and wait for the disbelief before revealing it’s just a joke.

79. Fake Announcement

Make an announcement over the PA or a group message about a silly new house rule, like “No shoes inside unless they’re superhero boots.”

80. Surprise Balloon Bouquet

Tie a balloon bouquet to a family member’s chair so it lifts slightly when they sit down.

81. Kitchen Chaos

Switch the labels on canned goods in the pantry and see if anyone notices.

82. Pet Photo Switch

Replace a family pet’s picture with a funny cartoon version in the house photo frame.

83. Closet Mix-Up

Rearrange items in the closet so that everything is in the wrong place, just enough to create a harmless confusion.

84. Soap Disguise

Cover a bar of soap with a thin layer of clear nail polish so it doesn’t lather, leaving a humorous note.

85. Elevator Surprise

If your building has an elevator, put a funny sign inside saying “Warning: This elevator may spontaneously sing.”

86. Fictitious News

Send a family group message with a ridiculous news headline, like “Local Family Discovers Secret to Eternal Happiness: Free Ice Cream.”

87. Printer Prank

Place a fake error message printout near the office printer or at home’s shared workspace.

88. Fridge Magnet Puzzle

Rearrange fridge magnets to form a silly or confusing message for the family to decipher.

89. Light Switch Switcheroo

Cover the light switch with a funny sticker that says “Caution: May Cause Sudden Laughing.”

90. Water Bottle Trick

Fill a water bottle with jello and offer it as a drink to see the puzzled reaction when it doesn’t pour.

91. Chair Prank

Place a cushion on a chair that slowly deflates when sat upon, just enough to surprise.

92. Pencil Swap

Replace regular pencils with colored ones randomly in the pencil jar.

93. Bathroom Paper Twist

Fold the toilet paper in an unusual pattern so that the first sheet that comes off is odd.

94. Remote Audio

Record a funny sound clip and set it as the default sound on a shared device.

95. Fake Plant Growth

Replace a real plant with a fake one that has humorous, over-the-top leaves or flowers.

96. Silly Sticky Notes

Cover a family member’s workspace with sticky notes, each with a different funny fact.

97. Calendar Confusion

Replace the dates on a family calendar with amusing or absurd events.

98. Sock Puppet Show

Create a mini sock puppet show using the family’s socks and leave it on a common area.

99. Door Handle Surprise

Place a harmless, fake insect on a door handle for a quick shock.

100. Custom Mug

Swap out a family member’s mug with one that has a funny quote or image printed on it.

101. Fake Ransom Note

Leave a note demanding a silly ransom (like extra dessert) for the safe return of a common item.

102. Erroneous Email

Send a humorous email to the family about a ridiculous new house rule.

103. Broken Pen

Give a family member a pen that doesn’t write by removing the ink refill, then watch them try to use it.

104. Silly Selfie Filter

Take a group selfie and apply an outrageous filter before sharing it with everyone.

105. Temporary Tattoo Swap

Swap temporary tattoos on family members with funny designs.

106. Fake “Lost” Announcement

Announce that a beloved but inanimate object, like a favorite mug, is missing.

107. Reversed Remote

Reverse the order of buttons on a universal remote control and watch for confusion.

108. Funny Fridge Magnet

Replace a common fridge magnet with one that reads, “Warning: Breakfast may be over before you start!”

109. Silly Snack Box

Repack a snack box with unexpectedly small or giant versions of common snacks.

110. Chair Music

Place a small sound device under a chair that plays a funny tune when someone sits down.

Final Thoughts

April Fools’ Day is all about sharing laughter and creating playful memories with those you love. These 110 harmless pranks are designed to surprise your family and friends in a fun, lighthearted way without causing any lasting trouble. Enjoy the day, and remember that the best pranks are the ones that bring everyone closer together

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