Ranking of Popular Surprise/Prank Ideas
We’re introducing popular surprise and prank ideas in a ranking format!
Do you like surprises and pranks?
From touching surprises for special occasions to lively pranks among friends, there are many forms—but for those who love being startled, these plans are irresistible.
We’ve gathered ideas that will help when you’re planning a surprise or want to pull a prank on a friend.
If you’re the one setting it up, keep in mind that “everyone should be able to laugh in the end,” and have fun enjoying surprises and pranks together!
Top 10 Most Popular Surprise Prank Ideas (1–10)
A candle that relights itself even after being extinguished1rank/position
Cakes are a must for birthdays and celebrations, right? Especially at birthday parties, it’s universal to stick candles in the cake, light them, sing Happy Birthday together, and then blow them out.
But what would you do if those candles came back to life even after you blew them out—again and again? With a product called magic candles, the flames relight no matter how many times you blow them out.
Keep blowing them out while joking about it!
Slideshow2rank/position
A great way to look back on everything at once is with a slideshow.
A slideshow that packs your memories tightly together projects the children’s precious moments one after another on the screen, letting you feel the nostalgia and really sense that graduation is here.
As shouts of “It’s ___!” ring out from the kids, teachers and parents who feel how much the children have grown might find themselves tearing up.
The tone of a slideshow can be fun or moving depending on the background music, so go ahead and create one in your own style!
Sketchbook Relay3rank/position
How about a sketchbook relay as a surprise to express your gratitude? It’s perfect for special celebrations like weddings or preschool graduation parties.
When everyone takes part and writes heartfelt messages, it becomes a memorable gift.
You can also capture it on video, ensuring your appreciation is conveyed clearly to your loved one.
Handing over the sketchbook at the end turns the surprise into something tangible.
Why not make your event even more fun with a surprise filled with everyone’s sentiments?
prank fight4rank/position
It’s not often that you get into a serious fight with a close friend, right? Take advantage of that and try a “fake fight prank.” The method is simple: when there are three or more people, have someone pretend to be in a serious argument.
That’s all—but when it actually happens, it’s pretty shocking, so it’s a great, easy prank.
Just be sure to reveal the prank afterward and follow up so no one’s feelings are hurt!
Song lyrics prank5rank/position
One prank you often see on YouTube or TikTok is the “lyrics prank.” This is where you carry on a conversation using song lyrics without the other person noticing.
If it’s hard to talk face-to-face, you can do it over chat, too.
The key to this prank is picking the right song.
If the lyrics are too distinctive, the other person might recognize them right away and the prank will be blown.
If you’re trying it on someone you’re interested in, choosing a love song is recommended.
Who knows—maybe it’ll spark a romance…?
100 Surprise Birthday Pranks6rank/position
I want to pull a prank for a birthday! But doing something big is hard…
In that case, how about setting up several simple pranks? If you pull one and then say, “There’s more to come!”, the other person will be on edge wondering when the next one will happen and what it will be, and they’ll have fun with it! This video introduces lots of easy pranks anyone can do, so be sure to use it as a reference.
They’re all pranks you can laugh about afterward, so no worries!
Surprise box7rank/position
How about a surprise box to liven up a party where everyone gets together? A handmade box filled with messages of gratitude and photos is sure to warm the recipient’s heart.
When opened, the pop-up messages add an element of surprise and emotion.
A modern design that uses LINE screenshots is also appealing.
A carefully crafted, handmade surprise box is the perfect item for expressing your appreciation to someone special.
Message Movie8rank/position
A message video is highly recommended for anyone planning a confession or a proposal to someone they love at Christmas! If you’re worried you might get shy and not express your feelings well, preparing a video in advance is a great option.
Compile a slideshow of your favorite memories, talk about your feelings while playing a meaningful song, and put it all together into one video to give as a gift—your confession will have a surprising, impactful touch.
If people don’t usually think you’d do something like this, that’s all the more reason to try it and aim for that charming gap!
Chalkboard Art9rank/position
How about expressing your gratitude to your teacher as chalkboard art on the classroom blackboard where you spent time together? You could create a striking piece led by those who are good at drawing, or we also recommend drawing the teacher’s face surrounded by the faces of all the graduates.
Not only will the quality of the work move you, but its fleeting nature—disappearing the moment it’s erased—may bring tears to your eyes.
Since it will eventually be wiped away, be sure to also give them a photo of the finished piece and a video of the creation process as a gift!
Wake-up prank10rank/position
How about trying the classic prank of yesteryear—the “wake-up prank”? It’s the perfect chance when a friend stays over at your place or when you’re all traveling together, right? The most important thing when pulling off the prank is being careful when entering the room; that’s everything.
If you wake them up as you go in, it’s all ruined.
Enter quietly and make sure you absolutely don’t wake them.
And of course, have someone come along to capture the entire prank on camera!