13 Funny April Fool's Day Pranks to Play on Your Kids

Hide realistic-looking gummy worms in the bottom of your kid’s cereal bowl for an “eww”-worthy breakfast prank. Realistic Earthworm Gummy Candy, $8 for a 31-piece bag.

Cut a piece of large-bubble bubble packaging to fit under your child’s rug. Hide it before she gets up (if it’s a larger rug, slip a piece under where she’ll step). Wait to hear giggles when the rug goes “pop!” 

Divide 3 pounds of your favorite meat-loaf recipe into two 8” round cake pans and bake (drain off any liquid that remains in the pan). You’ll need 5 to 6 cups of smooth mashed potatoes to frost the layers. For an extra-convincing confection, use a pastry bag and tip to pipe on additional mashed spuds.

April 1st falls on a Saturday this year. Trick your kids into thinking it’s a school day. Have them wake up and get ready as usual, but make sure you’re running late, and say, “We’re going to miss the bus! I’ll have to drive you.” Instead of pulling up to school, take them to their fave breakfast spot.  

Remove the wrappers from Tootsie Rolls and replace the candy with cut and peeled carrot pieces; for individually wrapped bubble gum use cut sections of string cheese. You can also replace round lollipops with large grapes or brussels sprouts (use fresh treat sticks from a craft or party store). 

This fool-the-eye platter isn't all it's crackered up to be: cookies and candy chews stand in for the traditional savory snack. To make the crackers, pull apart several vanilla sandwich cookies. Leave the filling intact and scatter green sugar sprinkles on half the pieces. Scrape away any filling from the others. For the cheese, soften white and orange fruit chews (we used Tootsie Fruit Rolls) in the microwave for a few seconds, then shape into cubes or roll the candy flat and use a knife to trim it into rectangles. Form the holes with a small cookie cutter or piping tip.

Originally published in the April 2014 issue of FamilyFun

This deceptively delicious recipe has the texture and flavor of homemade cookie dough, but it's actually a bean dip in disguise. In a food processor, blend 1 1/2 cups chickpeas, 6 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/4 cup peanut butter (we used a natural, unsweetened variety), 3 tablespoons oats, 1 tablespoon milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and baking soda.

Fold in 1/3 cup chocolate chips. Serve with apple slices or other fresh fruit. When snack time is over, tell your kids they are now full of beans!

Originally published in the April 2014 issue of FamilyFun

To generate big belly laughs, present your kids with this Lilliputian lunch. Line a small empty matchbox with foil or parchment paper (so that the food can actually be eaten, if desired). With a glue stick, attach a 2- by 4-inch piece of decorative paper around the exterior. For the handle, squeeze a drop of tacky glue onto each end of a 1-inch length of pipe cleaner and adhere it to one side of the box as shown. Finally, pack it with a teensy lunch.

SANDWICH With a sharp knife, cut little triangles of bread, lunch meat, and lettuce, then stack them.

DOUGHNUT Frost the top of an O-shaped cereal piece and sprinkle it with nonpareils.

CARROT Slice a bit of carrot into miniature carrot sticks.

RAISINS Chop a raisin into tiny pieces.

What kid hasn't secretly longed to show up for school with a broken limb so that she can bask in attention and collect the loving signatures of well-wishers? This prank allows kids to cast themselves in that starring role -- without any of the suffering. As a bonus, this reusable fake is a fun prop to keep around for make-believe doctor visits.

You Will Need:

Knee-high white tube sock

Paper-towel tube

Plastic grocery bags

Masking tape

Plastic wrap

Foam brush

White glue

1. Cut the toe off the sock, then make a thumb hole by cutting a half-inch slit an inch from the cut end.

2. To make a cast form, bulk up a paper-towel tube by wrapping three or four plastic bags around it. Secure them with masking tape. Cover the form in plastic wrap, then slide on the sock. Attach a length of masking tape down the sock.

3. Use the foam brush to apply a thick layer of glue all over the sock, except for where the masking tape is (this unglued area will allow the cast to stretch so that the wearer can easily slip it on and off). Let the sock dry overnight. Remove the masking tape, then remove the cast from the form. Ask well-wishers to sign the cast with markers.

For a wacky stunt on April Fools' Day, deck your family's helmets with some chicken-inspired trimmings, then get ready to hear some chuckling -- and possibly some clucking -- as you cruise the neighborhood.

You Will Need:

Felt

Tacky glue

Large googly eyes

Old sock

Cotton batting or other stuffing

Safety pin

Heavy-duty double-sided tape

Pair of gloves

Embroidery thread and large-eyed needle

1. Cut a figure eight shape from the felt. Glue on the googly eyes.

2. To make the nose, cut off the toe of the sock and stuff it. Using a safety pin, attach it to the felt. Adhere the felt to the back of the helmet with double-sided tape.

3. Stuff the gloves, tucking in the cuffs to hold the stuffing in place. With the double-sided tape, adhere the gloves to the top of the helmet.

4. Using the embroidery thread and needle, make a few stitches through each glove and knot the thread ends inside the helmet.

Originally published in the April 2012 issue of FamilyFun magazine.