Harmless but Funny Pranks to Do on Friends or Adults

Updated March 22, 2022
Pranked office worker with sticky notes

You don't have to be a kid to play practical jokes and funny pranks on friends and family members; adults like to make some mischief, too. The key is to make sure your prank is hilarious instead of harmful. Avoid rude, dangerous, damaging, or hurtful tricks, and always keep your audience in mind. These good prank ideas for friends and adults are perfect for a little grown-up goofy fun.

Harmless Food-Related Pranks

When it comes to "how to prank someone?" There are lots of ways to try. This list of pranks involves food or drink. Before trying these tricks, always be sure your "victim" doesn't suffer from food allergies or other health conditions. You don't want a silly prank to become unintentionally harmful.

Food With Eyes Prank

When it comes to adult pranks, you can't go wrong with googly eyes. Get several sets of googly eyes and add them to different things on the shelves in your refrigerator. When they open up the fridge, they will be a little startled. But they are sure to get a laugh out of this funny, practical joke. You can make it even more fun by adding eyes to jars that already have a face or eyes on them.

Salted Cookies

Make a batch of homemade cookies, and instead of sugar, add salt. Package the cookies up in attractive tins or arrange them on a plate. Leave the plate on the table or bring it to a friend's house for dinner. Don't forget to carry a camera to capture people's facial expressions when they take a bite.

Lemon Juice

Squeeze a bit of lemon juice in someone's water when they're not looking. You could also add a small amount of vinegar or salt, as well. Then get ready for their reaction when they take another sip.

 Young Woman Squeezing a Lemon into a Cup of Water

Frozen Cereal

The night before you plan to do this prank, pour some cereal and milk into a bowl. Then place the bowl in the freezer overnight. The next morning, offer to make breakfast and place the frozen cereal and a spoon in front of your "victim." Watch and enjoy as they try to take a bite during this funny prank. This would make a great April Fools prank for your parents.

Safe Household Tricks to Try

Pranks to do on friends go beyond just food. You can do things around the house, too. These pranks are perfect for roommates and family members. Make sure the "victim" isn't in a hurry when performing these pranks, since that can result in anger or hurt feelings.

Gooey Phone

Put something gooey on the ear or mouthpiece of the phone, such as toothpaste or peanut butter. Don't use gum, as this can get caught in the victim's hair and can't be washed out. Make sure the person is not allergic to whatever you put on the phone. Then give the person a call and watch their reaction.

Shoes Got Smaller

Stuff a clean sock or napkin in the toes of the "victim's" shoes. If you're feeling mischievous, take a moment to perform this trick on every pair of shoes the person owns.

Girl tries wrong shoe size

Balloons in the Bedroom

Fill the "victims" bedroom with balloons. Choose helium-filled balloons for the best impact. You may need to rent a helium tank to pull off this trick. When the person opens the bedroom door, balloons will come floating out.

Door Trick

While the "victim" is asleep, tape a piece of newspaper from the top of the door frame to the wall over the door. Place foam peanuts, popcorn, or small balls of paper over the top of the newspaper above the door. When the person wakes up and walks out the door, they will be showered with these lightweight objects floating down on their head as the newspaper rips.

Hand Sanitizer Trick

Grab a small bottle of hand sanitizer and clear glue. Empty the hand sanitizer out of the container (keep the hand sanitizer in another container, so you don't waste it). Rinse out the hand sanitizer bottle and allow it to dry out completely. Replace it with clear glue. Allow it the glue to dry at an angle overnight. Leave the hand sanitizer for your unsuspecting victim. They will squeeze and squeeze, but nothing will come out.

A gel-based clear glue works best. Make sure you don't use glue containing cyanoacrylate (found in Krazy Glue and Super Glue), or another glue product that might be unsafe. A non-toxic, non-hazardous glue that cleans up with water is best. Make sure it dries completely in the hand sanitizer container, because you don't want your target to actually get glue on their hands.

Spider Attack

Attach several small fake spiders to a thin string. Tape the string just above the door jamb and then shut the door. Fit the spiders into the small space between the top of the door and the door jamb. When your victim opens the door, the spiders will fall down and appear to be jumping at them. Get the video camera ready to capture their reaction.

Safe Front Lawn Pranks

Need some good ole' prank ideas? If you're sneaky, you can make a big impact by pranking a friend's front lawn in the middle of the night or while they're at work. Just be sure your friend won't be alarmed by your visit.

Toilet paper house

Heart Attacks

Make little paper hearts and glue them on Popsicle sticks. Poke hundreds of them in the victim's front yard for a great Valentine's Day prank or just to show your love.

Forking a Front Yard

Poke hundreds of plastic forks in their front yard. Forking is good for the yard because it aerates the ground when you remove them. Always be prepared to help clean up your pranks.

More Fun and Safe Pranks

Some pranks are perfect for specific situations. Whether you're playing a trick on your college roommate or pranking a co-worker, you can try these funny, practical jokes to make adults LOL.

Car Pranks

Does your friend or family member live behind the wheel of their car? If so, you can have a lot of fun performing harmless car pranks. From resetting the settings to covering a friend's car in plastic wrap, you'll love these fun and safe ideas.

Cup on top of car

Office Pranks

If you are at work on April Fool's Day, these office pranks can offer lots of inspiration. There's no need to wait for the holiday; you can also use these tricks to get a laugh any day of the year.

Camping Pranks

Even adults can get in on the fun of camping pranks. From the classic of short-sheeting a bed to the creative crop circles, these safe camping pranks will delight.

College Pranks

College is another excellent opportunity for safe pranking. You can stick to dorm room pranks and senior pranks, or branch out to other types of safe college practical jokes.

Keeping It Harmless

Whether it's the best prank idea ever or not, it is essential to consider the feelings of the person you are pulling the prank on. You might not want to pull the prank if there will be any adverse consequences, especially if it involves damage to property, people, or relationships or, you're trying to pull an April Fools prank on a teacher. As long as you keep these considerations in mind, everyone will find your prank as funny as you do. After you're finished with these pranks, it's time to find some pranks to do to your siblings and explore some jokes to tell your friends. You're about to become the funniest person anyone knows!

Harmless but Funny Pranks to Do on Friends or Adults