About Harmless Pranks

Pranks are an amusing way to get a chuckle or, if they are good enough, a downright guffaw. They can also serve to seek a little harmless revenge, show how creative a little fun can be or put some pizzazz in April Fool's Day. Dozens of pranks out there can maim or even kill someone. But there are an equal array that are usually harmless in nature, unless someone gets a stomachache from laughing too hard.

Considerations

No prank is harmless if it creates a rift that is never mended, actually scares or shocks someone into a heart attack or worse, or is just plain cruel. An example is reported on Cheap Trick's website's prank section. A man looked up the winning lottery numbers for that day and went to buy a ticket for the next day with those same numbers. He then mixed the ticket in with his wife's stash of that day's tickets. When she saw she won, she went crazy --- until he told her to check the date on the ticket.

Scatter

The prank could only be harmless if it doesn't impede traffic and no one gets hit by a car during the drill. Pack a car full of people and get ready for the next red light. Once the car stops, everyone gets out of the car and runs around it a few times. Then everyone abruptly gets back in the car as the driver pulls away. Keep it up for several lights until all motorists in the vicinity are thoroughly confused.

Sneeze

The sneeze is a very disgusting prank with potential harm if the victim turns around and slaps the perpetrator in the face. Make sure the victim is a friend and someone known very well. Cup a small amount of water in the hand then stand behind someone nonchalantly. Pretend to sneeze with a big "achoo" as the water is flung on the back of the person's neck. Yuck.

Splits

People will be too embarrassed to cause any harm after this prank. Place something on the floor that obviously needs to be picked up. This could be an important-looking piece of paper, a book, a scarf, whatever. As someone bends down to get it, discretely rip a piece of T-shirt material or other such fabric that makes a loud ripping sound.

Snow

This prank only works if there is a ceiling fan in the room that is sure to be turned on. It is only harmless if debris doesn't whip into someone's eye and blind them for life. Turn off the ceiling fan and place paper cups filled with shredded paper or Styrofoam peanuts on their sides on top of the fan blades. Secure in place with rubber bands when needed. When the fan is turned on, the paper will scatter like snow around the room.

Resources

• More Pranks