Pranks you’ll want to pull on April Fools’ Day: ideas that will make your friends and family smile
As April 1st, April Fools’ Day, comes around each year, don’t you get the itch to wow your friends and family with a big surprise? April Fools’ is the perfect day to have fun with humor-packed pranks.
But choosing the right gag can be tough—go too far and it gets awkward, stick to the usual and it feels stale.
In this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of prank ideas that are perfect for April Fools’ and guaranteed to make you laugh.
We’ve gathered ideas that everyone can enjoy—so both the pranksters and the pranked end up smiling.
Find your favorites and give them a try!
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Pranks to pull on April Fool’s Day: Ideas that will make your friends and family smile (21–30)
Kinoko no Yama PrankNEW!
@m_u_n_i_o I tried pulling a prank with Kinoko no Yama…April FoolsDaily life of a married couplePrankVerificationKinoko no Yama#tiktokfamily
♬ Mission Impossible Music – Ofail Nadeem
Perfect for April Fools’ Day! This is a heartwarming, laugh-inducing prank.
Secretly mix into a box of “Kinoko no Yama” chocolates a few mushrooms you made yourself using a DIY Kinoko no Yama kit—ones that are just a little different in shape.
They look almost identical, but if you look closely, the caps are a bit unusual…
It’s fun to watch together and see whether people notice while eating—“Huh? Is this a little different?”—or if they don’t notice at all.
If someone spots it, reveal the trick: “Actually, it was homemade!” It’s a gentle, fun April Fools’ prank that spreads surprise and smiles—highly recommended!
Vegetables in a box of nuggetsNEW!
You open the nugget box you were looking forward to, and—surprise—it’s full of vegetables! If you were already in the mood for nuggets, that might be a real shock.
And what if they’re all the vegetables you hate…? It could be a prank that subtly conveys a wish for someone to eat healthier, not just junk food.
You can also switch up both the box and what’s inside.
Give it a try when you get together with friends or family on April Fools’ Day!
Lottery win prankNEW!
@_mitutomo_ Since it’s April Fools’ Day, I tried telling a bunch of lies to my wife ♥April FoolsPrankA married couple with a 27-year age differenceFormer idol and former otaku#Tomoe and Micchan
♬ Original song – Tomoe and Micchan 🐰🦔 – Tomoe and Micchan 👧🏻🩷🧑🏻
The wish to win the lottery is something many people share.
This prank takes advantage of that desire: the “I won the lottery!” prank.
Of course, it’s just a prank, so you haven’t actually won.
First, you tell the person you’re pranking, “I won X yen,” and watch their joyful reaction.
Then, at the right moment, you reveal the truth.
You’ll likely see a range of reactions: disappointment, anger at being lied to, or a brave front like “I figured as much.” The larger the amount you claim to have won, the more intense the emotional roller coaster will probably be when you reveal the prank.
My hand might come offNEW!
@runnynosekentoyamada [April Fools’ Day Scary Prank] “Yamada’s hand comes off!?” Target: Iori (Karashi Renkon)#Yamaken prankApril FoolsAdjustmentKarashi Renkon Iori
♪ Original song – Rainy Nose Kento Yamada – Rainy Nose Kento Yamada
This is a prank that makes people jump and then burst out laughing.
You secretly tuck a realistic fake hand into your sleeve, and just when someone is about to touch your arm, you make it look like the hand “pops” off.
Onlookers are stunned for a split second—“Wait, did the hand come off?”—and it’s a little scary.
But they quickly realize it’s fake, and everyone cracks up.
The key is to keep the vibe gentle and cheerful so it’s not too scary.
If you reveal at the end, “It was an April Fools’ joke!” it turns into a fun prank that spreads surprise and smiles.
Talking teddy bear surpriseNEW!
Haven’t you ever dreamed of talking with your favorite stuffed animal? Many people probably have.
This is a prank using a mysterious talking teddy bear called “Secret Kuma-chan.” By using a device like a walkie-talkie, you can speak through the microphone built into the bear.
It repeats what you say while making slight movements, so it looks almost alive! Try it with your kids or friends who come over to your home.
I’m going back to my parents’ house prankNEW!
Here’s a prank that’s great for couples.
When your partner comes home, they find a note that says, “I’m going back to my parents’ place.” The person on the receiving end will panic, wondering if they did something wrong.
If you’ve argued a few days earlier, they’ll likely think that’s the reason and feel even more anxious.
If you’re the one setting it up, hide somewhere in the house or just step out to the neighborhood for a bit.
When you return, make sure to reveal the prank and enjoy some fun family time together.
A cockroach at the entranceNEW!
When you come home tired from work or school, there’s a cockroach by the entrance! For those who are afraid of insects in general, including cockroaches, this would be an unbearably terrifying sight.
But since it’s a prank, it’s of course not real.
You can use a common toy one, or make one out of origami.
How many you prepare might also be the key.
Sometimes the more there are, the scarier it gets, while other times just one can be extremely effective.
For someone who’s afraid of bugs, be sure to reveal the prank and reassure them that it’s fake.
Amnesia PrankNEW!
“Who are you?” You’d be shocked if a friend you were just playing with suddenly lost their memory like that, right? That’s exactly why it makes the perfect prank idea! Any situation that could lead to amnesia is fair game.
Have another accomplice ready, and while they’re arguing, you “hit your head” and your memory “disappears.” Or you fall asleep and wake up with no memories—whatever setup is easiest.
Just be careful: if you drag it out too long, they might take you to the hospital, so make sure to reveal the prank at the right moment.
Fake Job Transfer Notice PrankNEW!
April 1st, which includes April Fools’ Day, is also when the new fiscal and academic year begins in Japan, so formal personnel notices may be issued.
Because it’s a prank that doesn’t stray too far from everyday life and doesn’t feel too out of place, it seems more believable—and the humor hits afterward.
Post a personnel notice written as if it were real, and the pranksters should start by congratulating the person who’s the target.
Then, at the right moment, reveal the trick.
Some people may feel let down, while others might put on a brave face and say, “I figured as much.” If you’re the one pulling the prank, don’t forget to follow up afterward.
Fake egg
This is a prank using an unbreakable egg.
There are various situations where you can set it up, but the best way is to mix it in with regular eggs and leave it there.
You can buy it at stores that sell novelty items under the name “fake egg,” and I hear the brown ones are recommended over white because the seams are less noticeable and they look more realistic.