The Last Laugh: Parental Pranks for April 1

The exact origin of April Fool's Day is uncertain, but popular belief is that it began in France with the adoption of a new calendar. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar (still in use today) replaced the long-standing Julian calendar and New Year's celebrations were moved from April 1 to January 1.

People who continued to celebrate the new year on April 1 were labeled "fools" and often ridiculed. This harassment evolved over time, and now "All Fool's Day" is practised in many parts of the world with each country celebrating it in their own special way.

In Scotland, "Taily Day" lasts 48 hours and is devoted to pranks involving the buttocks. The Scots are rumoured to have invented the "Kick Me" sign.

In France, children exclaim "Poisson d'Avril" (April fish) when playing a prank, referring to a young fish which is easily caught.

In Rome, the "Festival of Hilaria" is on March 25 and is also referred to as "Roman Laughing Day".

While children relish tricking us on this special day, why let them have all the fun. Here are some ways for you to trick them:

Replace the cream filling out of Oreo-type cookies and fill with mint toothpaste. Put in lunches or on a plate and watch their faces.

Send a cheese sandwich for lunch, but "forget" to remove the plastic wrapper off the slice. Consider even placing a note inside stating, "Got 'cha!" or "April Fool".

Put some water in a cereal bowl, and place it in the freezer the night before. Offer to get your family cereal in the morning. Put a thin layer of their favourite cereals on top of the ice, and serve.

Or, just before your kids come down to eat breakfast, put some food colouring in the milk. Blue, green, or yellow (it looks like soured milk)-any color will do. Watch them go into total shock when they pour the milk into their cereal or glasses.

Or consider preparing a special April Fool's Day Dinner, where nothing is quite what it appears:

Make your favourite meatloaf recipe and bake in 2 round cake pans. Frost with mashed potatoes that are the consistency of frosting. You could write "Happy April Fool's Day" on the cake with ketchup.

Prepare lemon Jell-O and pour into glasses, insert a straw and let it set up. The Jell-O is the drink and looks like lemonade (watch your kids try to suck it up a straw).

Make "fish sticks" or "French fries" from pound cake. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees until crisp and golden on the edges. Raspberry or chocolate sauce can be served in opaque red plastic "ketchup bottles".

Everybody loves a well-played joke and the infectious squeals of children's laughter. So this April 1, why not try to catch your own "young fish" in a harmless prank and make it a day of family fun. Just remember ? don't leave this article on the coffee table. You wouldn't want to give your kids any good ideas.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Award-winning educator, speaker and author Rob Stringer coaches parents with his upbeat approach to learning and parenting. Explore articles, activities and learn how to create the family you desire.

BONUS: Subscribe to the FREE monthly "Parenting with Intention" newsletter and automatically receive a special report, 25 Tips to Help Your Child Succeed In School. Sign up at http://www.robstringer.com/newsletter.htm or send a blank email to pwi-subscribe@aweber.com and join our growing list of readers.

---

Dont Want Another Carpet Sweeper This Year For Christmas?

Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More

Alone for the Holidays?

Being alone is a challenge for many people. This challenge... Read More

Single During the Holidays

Mistletoe. Holiday parties. New Years kiss at midnight. This time... Read More

How Santa Makes Out His Christmas List

How Does Santa Make Out His List?I'll let you in... Read More

Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas is such a special day. It is a day... Read More

Christmas Matters

Every year I vow to make Christmas easier, simpler -... Read More

Top Ten Things To Do The Day After Valentines Day

Why should February 14th get all of the attention?1. Water... Read More

The Cheapest Christmas Ever!

Have you ever said "I wish we didn't have to... Read More

Holiday Times Are For Helping Those Less Fortunate, Think Holiday Cards

Every year I watch as advertisers begin to promote their... Read More

Fun Halloween Ideas

Looking for interesting Halloween ideas? Perhaps you are looking for... Read More

Holiday Tips & Treats That Wont Play Tricks On Your Waistline

Halloween ? so starts the Holiday Season. The average American... Read More

Contact Lenses for Halloween

It is never too soon to begin planning the perfect... Read More

Mothers Day is coming-Dont Blow It!

Mother's Day is May 8th. And, you do realize all... Read More

Holiday Survival Guide

The Holiday season has officially begun and Christmas is almost... Read More

Set the Mood- Halloween Decoration Ideas

When Halloween comes around and you want to throw a... Read More

Holiday Promotion Tips

Are you ready for Mother's Day? Yes I realize it's... Read More

Do It Yourself Gifts

Sometimes gifts that you purchase are not as personalized as... Read More

Tools and Tips for Keeping the Holidays Organized

It's November 1st. You've walked into your favorite store to... Read More

Thanksgiving

I was not planning to write this article. Instead, I... Read More

Advantages of Online Greeting Cards Over Paper Cards - Part I

After some recent reports it seems that 90% of all... Read More

How to Have the ?Perfect? Christmas

"This year will be different. I vow I won't get... Read More

No More Ties! Homemade Fathers Day Gift Ideas

If you are like me, you never know what to... Read More

10 Stress Free Tips to Pamper Mom This Mothers Day

Mothers Day is the day we set aside each year... Read More

Maybe This Christmas Will Be Different....

Have you always dreamed of a Norman Rockwell Christmas -... Read More

Christmas Mourning

Deecember is a cruel month. Christmas sales, decorations, advertisements -everyone... Read More

Santa Goes Low Carb!

North Pole- The word is out! Due to an "unpublished... Read More

The Five Best Cigar-Related Fathers Day Gifts

According to a recent study by the internet cigar retailer... Read More

The Holiday Army

Here it comes again - the Holiday Army - in... Read More

Tis The Season For Love ? and Stress!

The holidays are upon us and for many people this... Read More

The Last Laugh: Parental Pranks for April 1

The exact origin of April Fool's Day is uncertain, but... Read More

Christmas Tree Topper Ornaments

From my childhood memories, pride of place on the top... Read More

Ten Tips for a Real Holiday Season

Holidays and the start of a new year inevitably make... Read More

Birthday Flowers

Birthdays are one thing you can count on. We all... Read More