April Fools! Playing Simple Pranks on Your Children Give Them Memories for Life

I can't believe how many times I fell for my grandfather's April Fools pranks. He had an almost evil glee in fooling me the one day a year he didn't have to be honest. It didn't happen every year, that would have been too predictable. He's been gone for 24 years now and his pranks live on with me still... and the kids in my life as I try to make good memories for them.

The Phone Call

He called early in the morning, just before our family would be waking up and say, "Look outside! School's been canceled because of all the snow!" I would get excited and run to the window and it would be a beautiful April morning in Texas. It never snows in West Texas in April. Another year it was because there was a big power outage. That did happen in West Texas.
Yes, I was gullible and even more so early in the morning.

The Milk Jug Prank

Save and wash a plastic milk jug, gallon or half gallon, the more opaque the better. Plaster of Paris mix can be found at crafts stores and hardware stores. Mix the plaster according to directions and fill the jug a bit more than halfway. Use a funnel so the plaster doesn't get on the side (it's almost impossible to get it off neatly.) Let the jug cure for a day or two. On April Fools morning replace the regular milk jug with the plaster jug. When the child gets the milk for breakfast wait for the fun to begin.

All Over the Floor

(Note: This one takes care. Instead of a prank you may end up with a real mess. Practicing on unimportant surfaces might be best. Being skilled at making "awful spill" pranks can serve you for Halloween, surprise parties, anytime you need a gag.)

Plaster of Paris is the basis of this prank, as well. Prepare a "spill" ahead of time with a paint can, food dye, plaster and a big sheet of plastic. Decide where you want the spill... On her pretty bedspread? Maybe on the desk? Mix the plaster according to directions, leaving it a tiny bit runny and add food coloring, pink for a boy's underwear drawer? Red for a pretty white pillow? Cover the target surface with plastic and dribble the plaster on the plastic until you get a nice, but not overdone, mess. Use a hair dryer for faster drying. You can then peel the plastic off or cut carefully around the edges with scissors. You now have a custom spill to hide until the big day.

Old paint works well for this, too, just be careful. It's even messier than plaster.

Surprise!

You'll need some balloon, the latex sort, not mylar, filled with helium. You might be able to find canned helium at a card store, party store or craft store. If not talk to your local florist. Now you have to decide where to put the balloons. The toy box is good for surprising the littlest kids. A closet or dresser drawer for the older kids. You can put them in a car trunk then send the child out to fetch something from the car.

Get creative and make it fun! Kids get their feelings hurt easily so be considerate and they will remember you and the laughs and smiles on April Fool's day forever.