April 1st is traditionally a day when creative pranks and funny deceptions are allowed, and the practice of April Fools' Day dates back to the 16th century. From media stunts to small office pranks, this day has always provided humorous moments. Here, we present the most legendary April Fools' jokes in history and show you which ones you can easily pull off in 2025!
The best pranks are those that are harmless and leave no lasting damage. This way, the fun of April 1st remains unforgettable!
The Best April Fools' Jokes of the Past
In 1957, the BBC aired a seemingly serious documentary about the spaghetti harvest in Switzerland. The presenter, speaking in professorial Oxford English, reported on the excellent crop of "homegrown spaghetti." Around eight million Britons were fooled by this prank, and many viewers called the station to inquire how they could grow their own spaghetti. At a time when spaghetti was still a rarity in England, the perfectly staged segment seemed entirely credible.
In 1962, the Swedish broadcaster SVT, which at the time only aired in black and white, cheekily announced in the news that color television could be achieved by simply draping a nylon stocking over the screen. One wonders how many ladies sacrificed their expensive hosiery for this prank!
In 1977, The Guardian published a multi-page supplement about the fictional island nation of San Serriffe in the Indian Ocean, celebrating its tenth anniversary. Each island was shaped like a semicolon, with its capital named Bodoni and a not-so-popular general named Pica as its head of state. British travel agencies were baffled when many customers suddenly wanted to vacation at this fictitious paradise.
In 2008, the BBC presented a documentary about a newly discovered colony of flying penguins. An excited reporter announced, "These little guys can do something no other penguins can," as the animated penguins took off toward South America. This video, supposedly filmed in Antarctica, gained cult status, despite being shot in a studio.
Fast forward to 2011, when several German radio stations reported that the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt in Flensburg would erase points from driving records through a lottery. The prank even had its own temporary website, "punkteerlass.de," leading to a flood of confused calls to the real office.
In 2020, CoinMarketCap introduced a supposedly new cryptocurrency called "Toilet Paper Token," claiming it had a market capitalization of $85.5 billion, but sadly, it was already sold out. Who hasn’t experienced the panic of running out of toilet paper?
Simple April Fools' Jokes to Try
For the office:
- Mouse Trick: Tape a small piece of paper under a colleague's mouse so it stops working.
- Money on the Floor: Stick some money to the floor, hide, and watch others struggle to pick it up.
- Gummy Animals: Place gummy spiders in drawers to give a scare.
- Classic Hiding: Empty the fridge or move the sofa outside.
For WhatsApp:
- “We have an exam today—did you study?”
- “I have some free time. Where is there nothing to do?”
- “Hey, sorry for the late notice! I’m getting married on April 1st, you’re invited—can’t wait!”
- “Nightmares are dreams where you appear!—April, April!”
- “When God was handing out brains, you must have been in the fries line!—April, April!”
Best Pranks for Kids
- Small pranks like: “Look, your fly is open!—April, April!” or “You still have toothpaste on your face.—April, April!”
- Seal the faucet with tape so that when it’s turned on, water sprays everywhere.
- Replace sugar with salt in the sugar bowl for a surprising taste test.
- Cover the TV remote with a narrow strip of tape.
- Stuff children’s shoes with toilet paper.
Company April Fools' Jokes
These days, you have to be cautious about everything you read and hear on April 1st, as companies and newspapers also love to join in on the fun. Here’s a selection from recent years:
- In 2014, Ritter Sport released a special edition called "Ritter Sport Mett."
- In 2017, Burger King claimed to have a burger-flavored toothpaste, which was sadly just a joke.
- The BBC's classic from 1957 reported on the spaghetti harvest in Ticino, showing women picking spaghetti from trees, leading thousands to call to find out where to buy spaghetti trees.
- Microsoft introduced "Office for Cats"—finally, cats could create their own PowerPoint presentations and Word documents!
Beware of Newspaper Pranks
As March ends, the risk of falling victim to a newspaper hoax increases. By April 1st, you might find yourself in the crosshairs of a media prank. Organizations, associations, or agencies often try to pull a fast one on the press. Be especially cautious of reports that sound too bizarre to be true. But don’t worry: not all of them are fabricated!
For instance, on March 29, 2012, TV commissioner Til Schweiger wanted to bid farewell to the legendary "Tatort" opening credits, stating, "That's really outdated," which caused a stir when it became clear he was serious.
In another case, the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University of Bonn advertised a professorship for the exegesis of the New Testament, inviting "suitably qualified women to apply." However, this was later corrected, and the male-only priesthood remained unchanged.
On March 29, 2017, police in Buxtehude near Hamburg sought a bearded man with a baseball cap after a robbery, which amused many as the sketch resembled rapper Bushido, who humorously acknowledged the resemblance on Instagram.
As April 1st approaches, be prepared for a day filled with laughter, creativity, and harmless fun. Just remember to choose your targets wisely, as not everyone appreciates a good prank!
