10 Classic April Fools Pranks

All images copyright Karen Foley & Dreamstime.com.

April Fool’s Day is not an official holiday on any country’s calendar, and yet it is unofficially celebrated around the world as the one day tricksters have free reign to wreck their merry havoc.   And while pranks are limited only by the imagination of the prankster, there are a few universal themes that carry time honored tradition. 

Mousetraps. Strategically placing a mousetrap in unexpected locations – a cookie jar, in place of an alarm clock, inside the sock drawer – and watching the reaction during the inevitable trap never gets old.  Unless of course you are the one getting trapped, those things really hurt! 

Exploding Stuff.  Our healthy habits have pretty much destroyed the opportunity to pull the old exploding cigar or cigarette trick off successfully.  But that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the gift rigged to explode on opening or the candles that go Roman unexpectedly.  

Sleeping Surprises.  It’s a good idea to stay awake and aware of your surroundings on April Fool’s Day.  Woe is the target that naps off only to awaken to graffiti on the forehead or finds their hand filled with shaving cream when they go to swat that pesky fly off their nose.  

Hidden Things. Snakes, spiders, mice.  Those are only a few things that the April prankster can hide in unsuspecting places.  They can be the real McCoy or simply good likenesses.   The key is to hide them where they will cause the most reaction – in a cereal box, under the pillow, or in a drawer are only a few suggestions. 

Things that frighten you.  Want to really get into someone’s head?  Find their true phobia and bring it to life.  Some people are afraid of clowns, or masks, or zombies.  Even cute little kitties cats can strike terror into the hearts of some.  So find that one thing and spring it on them when they least expect it.  Then sit back and laugh. 

Banana Peels.  Enough said – who doesn’t like to watch a good banana peel slide? 

Water Tricks.  For the handy man amongst us, there are any number of tricks that can be done with plumbing.  Remove a section of pipe under the kitchen sink and watch the reaction when water comes pouring out on the floor.  Or loosen the shower nozzle enough to see it come crashing down on the unsuspecting bather.  The real classic is to rubber band the spray nozzle in the kitchen sink so the unsuspecting victim is sprayed when they turn on the water. 

Eggs.  Eggs can look just like a softball when being pitched to the unaware - giving a whole new meaning to the phrase Batter Up. 

Bathroom antics.    Think carefully of the ramifications before considering pulling off the next pranks.  Use plastic wrap to cover the toilet bowl and replace the seat.   Or lodge something in the drain of the toilet to create a clog.  Bear in mind that you may be the party responsible for cleaning up after either of those. 

Electric Shock.  Everyone has seen the electric buzzer in the hand trick, but have you ever used a small voltage battery on a door handle?  The results are shocking. 

Please prank responsibly.  And remember, April Fool’s Day will come around again next year – so make sure your victims aren’t the types with long memories.

No photographers were injured in the making of this article!

All images copyright Karen Foley & Dreamstime.com.

Karen Foley is a professional freelance stock photographer who enjoys writing about her art and the creative process.  See more of her work on her personal website or at Dreamstime.com.