Thirteen clean and fun Dollar Tree April Fools pranks from as low as $20 – Easy April Fools Day prank ideas for kids from the Dollar Store.

Dollar Tree April Fools Pranks

Every April 1, April Fools’ Day is an annual celebration full of practical jokes. These jokes can have a wide range of silliness form hoaxes to playful amusement. We like to focus on the later, making sure all parties of the prank find it fun and laughable. In an effort to prepare for April Fools’ Day this year, my girls and I went up and down the aisles of the Dollar Store to find some of the most creative (and clean) Dollar Tree April Fools Pranks for Kids. This pranks can be done on kids or the kids can become involved pranking parents or even other siblings.

Also check out our April Fools Ideas for the Kitchen, Home and Office. We also have plenty of fun Free April Fools Day printables for kids and adults. Have fun, be kind!

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 1: Sponge Cakes

Only two items are needed for this April Fool’s Day Prank for the kids. We tricked my husband as his birthday had just occurred when we made our sponge cake. At the Dollar Tree pick up a sponge and we found a package of Funfetti Pillsbury Icing with sprinkles. The trickiest part was not having the sponge show through. I would suggest the lightest sponge you can find (ours was dark blue.) I also suggest icing the cube, freezing it for about five minutes, icing it again, freezing again. My daughter was very patient with it, it was about four times she took it in and out of the freezer until it looked like a mini cake. Supplies include a sponge, icing, sprinkles, scissors and a butter knife.

Price: $2

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 2: Plastic Wrap Shampoo

This is good for a container of bath wash, shampoo or conditioner. Take some plastic wrap and seal under the cap. When your family member tries to squeeze the liquid out of the bottle, it will not come out. This might be an April Fools prank you already have on hand and don’t have to purchase! Supplies include plastic wrap, and shampoo/conditioner/body wash.

Price: $2 – $3

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 3: Kraft Mac and Cheese Juice

For this kids April Fool’s Day Prank you will need powdered Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.  My frugal self pulled out the pasta and made it for the kids later in the week – who doesn’t love pasta with butter? It was easy to make our April Fool’s Day juice. I was amazed how real this looked. When I poured the powder in our pitcher, I was sure that it wasn’t going to fool anyone but it looked just like freshly squeezed orange juice with pulp. You can sift out some of the top if you feel it looks like too much pulp. Gross… but so much fun! Supplies include powdered mac and cheese, water, and a pitcher.

Price: $1

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 4: Pop Corn

We picked up a popcorn container and a can of corn for this April Fools Day fun! After you ask the kids if they want popcorn, pour a can of corn in the cup and see their reaction! Silly but fun. Supplies include a popcorn container, a can opener and canned corn.

Price: $2

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 5: Brown Es Brownies

Construction paper, a pan and Reynolds Aluminum Foil are all that is needed for this Brown-Es April Fool’s Day brownie prank!  I took brown construction paper and layered it on top of each other. I then drew an E on the top piece of paper with a pencil. I quickly cut out six Es in one cut. On the top of the pan, my girls wrote a note to their dad – “Brownies, Love Lucy and Bella.” He fell for it after dinner! Laughs from all of us! Supplies include brown construction paper, scissors, a baking tray, aluminum foil and a pencil.

Price: $1 – $3

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 6: JELL-O Punch

Full disclosure. Our Dollar Tree did not have powdered JELL-O so we had to grab four of the pre-made individual packs. Four filled up this entire mason jar cup To fill the cup, we melted on the stove-top until it was runny (no chunks).  We pour our melted JELL-O in a mug, added a draw and put it in the fridge. It solidified just fine. After the pranks pilled up, my husband did not fall for this one but he also is not the first to grab a mug of juice out of the refrigerator.  This is a better prank saved for the kids! Supplies include JELL-O (plus ingredients), a mug, and a straw.

Price: $1 – $3

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 7: Frozen Cereal

There are a few option to this cereal prank. You can freeze a layer of ice in a bowl or you can freeze the milk, spoon and cereal in the bowl.  We added a layer of water to the bowl about 2/3 up. We then frozen the layer of water. When I served the cereal and milk, just a litter was on the top layer so when you went to dig your spoon in the bowl, you hit a solid surface! Supplies include a cereal bowl, spoon, milk, cereal and water. You might have everything you need for this April Fool’s Day breakfast prank making this as low as $0!

Price: $1 – $4

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 8: Thin Mint OREOs

The kids loved making these Thin Mint OREOs and I have to admit, they smelled so good! The prank level of how hard it was, was low, but you have to make sure you keep it clean. Otherwise it clearly is not an OREO. I also think it would work better with one of those peel back OREO containers. Using a small bag, we had to open the bag and it doesn’t make it too appealing to start eating OREOs from an already open bag. If it was the peel back container, it would be easy to lay them in the cupboard until someone went in the pantry and served themselves. Supplies include cookies, toothpaste and a butter knife.

Price: $2

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 9: Rock Filled Shoes

So don’t do this prank when you are rushing out the door. No fun having a child clean up rocks and getting their shoes on ten minutes before school starts. Supplies include shoes with rocks, Pony Beads, marbles, toilet paper, or whatever!

Price: $1

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 10: Caramel Ice Cream Parfait

I love this Dollar Tree prank because you can make a practical joke serving ice cream with caramel sauce but it isn’t something that you have to toss after the prank is done. In fact, my kids were thrilled to be eating the mashed potatoes with gravy! It was just as much of a treat. All you need for supplies are instant mash (the ingredients like butter and water) and gravy sauce. We picked up the spoon and glass at The Dollar Tree but they were not needed because you can use your own utensils and parfait glass.

Price: $2 – $4

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 11: Spider Escape

This prank is playful and easy. Grab a paper cup and put on this caution note “Warning… huge, aggressive spider under cup. Do not lift!” Then tear the cup as if this aggressive spider escaped. Fun not only for the home but maybe for a common room in an office. If not for someone to fall for, at least for someone to get a small chuckle. Supplies include a cup, marker, and Post-it note.

Price: $1 – $3

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 12: Remote Control Trick

Dad is sure to fall for this one, especially when the big game is on. Cover the remote control sensor with Scotch Tape. Be sure to draw a black circle where the sensor is completely blocking the transmission. How many times do you think he will change the batteries? Supplies include tape, a permanent marker and of course, a remote control.

Price: $2

Dollar Tree April Fools Prank 13: Bar Soap Trick

For this soap prank, you cover bar soap in clear nail polish. When you go to wash your hands, the soap will not create suds causing the hand washer to keep trying to later up the bar. This worked in our home! Supplies include bar soap and clear nail polish.

Price: $2

Take a look at this funny list of April Fool’s Day Pranks for the Office, Home and Kitchen. Pin to Pinterest.

We have more! Take a look at all of these Free April Fools’ Day Printables. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Get inspired this Spring with Dollar Store Easter Decor.


Also access our Free Frugal Coupon Living Printables to help you find joy through embracing the chaos of motherhood more easily!



Stay in the know with daily deals, recipes, crafts, life hacks and seasonal content on Frugal Coupon Living. Receive this and more in your inbox.