Pranking your dad is a timeless tradition — part revenge for all those dad jokes, part love language, and 100% guaranteed to create stories you’ll laugh about for years. Whether he’s the type who pretends to be grumpy or the one who secretly loves the chaos, these pranks are lighthearted, harmless, and easy to pull off without causing real damage (or getting grounded forever).
Here are 10 funny, creative, and dad-approved prank ideas ranked from beginner-level to “you might need to run”:
- The Fake Lottery Ticket
Print a realistic-looking “You Won $1,000,000!” scratch-off ticket (tons of free templates online). Scratch off just enough to reveal the big win, then leave it somewhere he’ll find it (wallet, car console, kitchen counter). Film his reaction when he realizes it’s fake — bonus points if you act disappointed that he “lost” it. - Swap All the Remote Batteries
Remove the batteries from every remote in the house (TV, streaming devices, ceiling fan, etc.) and replace them with dead ones. Watch him click furiously for 10 minutes before he figures out nothing is working. For extra drama, hide one good remote and “find” it dramatically after he gives up. - The Endless Loop of Dad Jokes
Record yourself (or a friend) reading 50 terrible dad jokes in a row. Set it as a 30-second alarm loop on his phone with no way to turn it off easily. Bonus: label the alarm “Wake Up, Legend” so he feels guilty disabling it.
- Replace His Coffee with Decaf
Swap his regular coffee grounds with decaf for a week. He’ll start complaining about feeling “off” or “tired all the time” before the big reveal. (Pro move: have a fresh pot of real coffee ready for the celebration afterward.) - The Fake Parking Ticket
Print a realistic parking ticket template (easy to find online), fill it out with absurd fines (“$250 for excessive dad jokes in public”), and place it on his windshield. Watch him panic and then laugh when he reads the fine print: “Just kidding — Happy [day/month] from your favorite kid!” - Voice-Activated Chaos
If he has a smart speaker (Alexa/Google Home), change the wake word to something ridiculous like “Hey Loser” or “Yo Daddy.” Then spend the day yelling it from another room to trigger random music, lights, or reminders. He’ll think the house is haunted until he figures it out. - The Fake Spill Cleanup
Pour a small puddle of chocolate syrup or ketchup on his favorite chair or the kitchen floor. When he sees it, act panicked and yell “Oh no, Dad spilled something!” Then reveal it’s fake and hand him a paper towel to “clean” it up himself. - Replace His Phone Wallpaper
Sneak his phone while he’s sleeping or distracted and change the lock screen/home screen to an embarrassing photo of him (baby picture, bad haircut phase, or a photoshopped meme version). Set it so it takes a few swipes to change back. The moment he unlocks it in public is priceless. - The “You’ve Got Mail” Classic
Sign him up for a dozen ridiculous free newsletters (e.g., “Daily Cat Facts,” “Random Useless Facts,” “Weird History Daily”) using a funny email alias. Watch his inbox explode for days with notifications like “Your Cat Horoscope Is In!” or “Did You Know Armadillos Can Hold Their Breath for 6 Minutes?” - The Ultimate Fake Gift Reveal
Wrap a small box with layers of tape, duct tape, newspaper, and more tape. Inside, put another smaller wrapped box, then another, and so on — until the final “gift” is a note that says “You just spent 10 minutes unwrapping nothing. Happy Birthday/Father’s Day/Whatever. Love, your evil genius child.” (Pro tip: film his growing frustration.)
Quick Safety & Love Notes
- Keep it light — never prank in a way that could cause real stress, embarrassment in public, or damage (no fake injuries, no messing with his car/work stuff, no financial scares).
- Know your dad’s limits — some love elaborate pranks, others prefer quick one-liners.
- Always follow up with a hug and “I love you” — pranks are funnier when he knows it’s coming from a place of affection.
Go forth and prank responsibly.
May your dad’s reaction be legendary, and may you both laugh until it hurts.
