The best april fool jokes

One of the best things about being a dad is the scope it offers for acting like a big kid. Actually, it's even better - acting like a big kid and feeling morally superior about it by calling it 'bonding with your children.' And one of the very best days of the year for such nonsense is April Fools day.

Whether you play tricks on your kids, join forces against innocent victims, or find yourself the brunt of prankery, here are a few ideas to spark your imagination.

For you to play on the kids

Early morning call

One for the dedicated prankster only. If April 1st falls on a school day get your kids up as normal but two or three hours earlier, having altered all the clocks in the house first. Wait until they're up and dressed and then tell them a letter arrived for them. Inside will be a note from you reading 'April Fools - It's Five in the morning'

Cheerios

Ever tried stringing an entire box of cheerios together on one piece of string? It takes time and effort, yes, but when they attempt to pour a bowl first thing in the morning the look on your victims face will make it all worthwhile.

Toilet paper

Unroll a roll of toilet paper, and on some of the sheets inside, write messages such as 'Help, I've been kidnapped and forced to work in a toilet paper factory!', 'Warning, this roll of toilet paper will now self destruct'. Replace the old roll with this doctored roll and wait for the reaction.

Food colouring

A few drops of food colouring sneaked into the food between pan and plate can have a dramatic effect, particularly if you colour a nice white sauce bright blue or green. Even better if you then refuse to accept there's anything wrong with it and tuck in heartily.

• It's for the kids... really: the best toys for dads

For you and the kids to play on other people

Glued coins

An oldie but a classic - super glue some coins to a spot on the pavement. Choose a spot with plenty of passing traffic and over which you have a decent vantage point to watch the fun as people bend down and scrabble desperately to pick up the unyielding cash.

Dandruff

Simplicity itself - a handful of salt dropped onto a kid’s head bears more than a passing resemblance to the worst case of dandruff you've ever seen. Team up and try to suppress the giggles as a concerned mum, grandparent or teacher does a spot of chimp-like grooming.

Mystery balloon

Pop an uninflated balloon through someone's letterbox, keeping hold of the end. Now pump it up, tie it and let it fall, creating the illusion that someone has mysteriously posted an inflated balloon through a narrow letterbox.

Split pants

For this you'll need a scrap of fabric and some money. Leave the money on the floor and stand nearby. When someone bends to pick up the money, rip the fabric and they'll leap up, convinced they've just split their pants.

• The best selling toys of the last 50 years

For the kids to play on you

Look away now, call the kids into the room, and then commence terrified waiting....

Right kids... scroll down

Condiment switch

Unscrew the lids from the salt and pepper shakers, and fill the salt lid with pepper and vice versa. Cut out circles of paper to exactly cover the lids, put them over the salt and pepper and then screw them back on. Watch as someone tries to figure out why the salt cellar is pouring out pepper despite being full of salt.

Ketchup bomb

Take the lid off a bottle of ketchup, put some bicarbonate of soda in it, and then quickly put the lid back on and shake it. When someone opens it the ketchup will erupt from the bottle like a sticky tomato volcano.

Author

Steve Cochrane is a freelance journalist and scriptwriter who is married with three children, varying in age from 17 to eight. As well as writing he has worked as a full time 'househusband', unofficial family childminder and has spent many years trying to come up with a better word for 'househusband'.

Got any good ones?

Do you know any classic April Fools pranks? Let the cat out of the bag below.