Article created by: Ingrida Jasiukevičiūtė

When I see some of the pranks kids play on their parents, I am more than a little relieved that my son is only five years old. His idea of a prank is “when you give someone a fright, Mama.” Oh, if he only knew. 

Nowadays, some people spend a fortune pulling off the perfect prank. There are even those making millions pranking others. I’ve come across videos of kids covering their parents' entire kitchen in peanut butter, creating a fake news broadcast convincing their folks there’s a nuclear attack, smashing expensive televisions, faking parental affairs and more. I’ll take a “little” fright over that stuff. Any day…

Not everyone is brave enough to push their parents to the edge. But for those who are, Bored Panda has compiled a list of some of the best times adult children refused to grow up, pranked their parents and made it out alive. We also spoke to an expert about the science behind practical jokes.

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#1

Mom Was Worried About My Trip To Detroit, So I Sent Her This Picture

Man in a red jacket moving away from a group of masked people at night, illustrating a playful prank scenario.

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    #2

    My Dad Fell Off A 10-Foot Ladder And Dropped Through The Ceiling. I Was Walking By And Caught Him. This Was The Tile He Went Through, And Now His Christmas Present Is Finished

    Framed poster with a playful message, part of adults' epic pranks on parents, displayed against a closet door.

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    #3

    My Parents Haven't Noticed

    Nativity scene with figurines, including an unexpected Yoda, showcasing a prank played on parents.

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    #4

    I’m Pretty Sure My Mom Will Never Again Ask My Help With Putting Away The Nativity Scene

    Wrapped items labeled humorously, suggesting playful pranks on parents.

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    #5

    That’s The Most Evil Thing I Can Imagine

    Text of a prank where an adult adds a mustache to a granddaughter’s photo to trick a parent.

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    #6

    For My Holiday Card, I Photoshopped Myself As My Own Awkward Family. Yes, Every Person Is Me

    Adults in colorful outfits posing humorously for a holiday photo, showcasing an epic prank on parents.

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    #7

    The Dad Energy Is Strong In This One

    Text message prank between child and mother using wordplay on "come out."

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    #8

    My Mom Wanted A Nice Picture Of Me And My Sister For Mother's Day. Well, She's Getting These Instead

    Adults playing pranks pose in retro outfits with a large cat backdrop.

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    #9

    My Brother Replaced A Picture Of Jesus At My Parents' House With A Picture Of Obi-Wan Kenobi As Portrayed By Ewan McGregor. Three Months And Counting Without Them Noticing

    Framed photo in living room comedic prank displayed subtly on a side table.

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    #10

    Jokingly Sent My Mom A Cutout Of Myself While I'm Studying Abroad. She Seems To Be Entertaining Herself With It

    Cardboard cutout pranks with a man in four settings: in bed, with doctor, outside restaurant, and dining with family.

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    #11

    My Parents Are Retiring And Want To Travel Full Time. My Brother Sent Them This Suitcase For Christmas

    Man posing on a beach printed on a suitcase, under a Christmas tree, showcasing a playful prank on parents.

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    #12

    I Work In Wastewater Treatment. My Parents Wanted A Picture For Their Christmas Cards

    Man in a robe and hat, holding a soda and hose, outdoors. Adult prank on parents scene.

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    #13

    Amongst My Dad's Christmas Decorations Is A Set Of Porcelain Angels In A Box Marked "Christmas Angles"

    Colorful triangular pranks with angles written on them, part of playful adult pranks on parents.

    We've giggled about this misspelling for years, so I finally made him the "Christmas Angles" he deserves this season.

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    #14

    Whenever I Ask My Dad What Time It Is, He Says "2", Followed By A Brief Pause - "Too Late!" Or "Too Early!", So I Made Him This Clock

    Wooden wall clock with all numbers replaced by the number two, part of an epic prank on parents.

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    #15

    Still Doing Great On Mother’s Day

    Handmade Mother's Day card featuring pink handprints in a heart shape, with text "Joshua Age 32", showcasing epic pranks.

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    #16

    My Dad Got A New Printer, And Turns Out That It Has An Email Address That You Can Send Stuff For It To Print Out. Decided To Give Him A Little Scare

    Paper with text pretending printer is self-aware, part of a prank.

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    #17

    My Mother-In-Law Cherishes All Of The Photos I Send To Her Digital Photo Frame. She Tells Me That She Checks For New Pictures Every Morning. Just Added A New One

    Child sitting near realistic alligator prank on rocky shore.

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    #18

    Then And Now Pictures I Recreated For A Mother's Day Gift

    Adult recreates childhood photos in a playful prank on parents, featuring a similar outfit and pose in four panels.

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    #19

    My Dad Was Adamant That We Not Get Him A Cake For His Birthday, But He Eats Tomatoes Like Candy, So This Is What My Brother Came Up With

    Tomato with "77" candles in a red bowl, part of a playful prank on parents.

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    #20

    My Dad Complains About Doing Dishes, So My Sister Made Him A Dish Sponge Cake For Father's Day

    Green and yellow sponge cake prank resembling kitchen sponges on a plate.

    It's regular yellow cake with blueberry and lime.

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    #21

    My Mom Put Me In Charge Of The Thanksgiving Centerpiece This Year

    Toy dinosaurs and palm trees create a playful prank table setup, showcasing epic adult mischief.

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    #22

    Finally Got A Picture Of It. There's Another One On The Opposite Side Of The Building

    Adult prank on parent: man in a tie on a billboard for his 60th birthday with humorous text.

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    #23

    Gave My Dad A Really Heartfelt Card This Year

    Adult prank on parent with a note saying, "Dad, I just wanted to say congratulations, I turned out perfect. Good job."

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    #24

    I Replaced The Old Family Photo In My Mom's House With This. I'm Still Waiting For Her To Notice

    Family photo with epic prank: parents have swapped faces with their children, creating a hilarious family moment.

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    #25

    It Was My Dad's Birthday Today. We Didn't Have The Right Numbers, So We Got Creative

    Pie with "OLD" candles on a tray, showcasing a playful prank on parents.

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    #26

    Told My Mom To Cancel Brother’s Senior Pictures Appointment, I Can Do It For Free

    Adult climbing a tree in the forest, wearing a plaid shirt and shorts, playing an epic prank.

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    #27

    My Dad Is A Huge Golden State Fan, My Husband Is Not. This Is What My Father Woke Up To This Morning After A Raptors Win

    Inflatable dinosaur decorations on a garden path, part of an epic prank.

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    #28

    My Mom Told Me To Make Something Nice To Wear For Thanksgiving. I Think I Nailed It

    Adult dressed as a turkey in a colorful costume pranking parents outdoors, showcasing playful holiday spirit.

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    #29

    Someone Had To Take The Family Reunion Photo, But To My Credit, You Can Barely Notice The Photoshop

    Group photo with giant head edited in as part of adults' epic pranks on parents.

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    #30

    After Years Of Pictures From Our Dad Posing With Trophy Deer, My Brother One-Upped Him With This Beauty

    Man kneeling with bug-zapper, highlighting prank on parents with fake insect.

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    #31

    I've Been Hiding Pictures Of My Dad Around The House. This One's My Favorite

    Pink lotion bottle with a face photo taped on, part of an epic prank on parents.

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    #32

    My Brothers And I Decided To Recreate Our Mother's Favorite Photo Of Us For Mother's Day, 20 Years Apart

    Adults recreate childhood photo, wearing similar outfits, as a prank on parents.

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    #33

    Friend Of Mine Bought This For His Dad

    Adjustable gag gift comb for bald heads, a humorous prank item displayed in its packaging.

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    #34

    Set Up My Mom’s Updated TV System Yesterday

    Remote covered in blue tape with labels, part of an epic prank on parents.

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    #35

    My Mother's Day Card This Year

    Adult's prank on parents with a humorous collage of a man at the beach.

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    #36

    With Father’s Day Approaching, Don’t Forget To Buy Dad The Bouquet He’s Always Wanted

    Zip ties arranged in three cylindrical holders, showcasing an epic prank on parents without them noticing.

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    #37

    My Mom Complained I Never Use Her Housewarming Gift

    Prank on parents: labeled jars of pasta, air, and more air on a kitchen shelf.

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    #38

    Embarrased My Mom At The Airport With This Sign

    Woman holding a humorous sign reading "Welcome Home From Prison Grammy" at the airport as part of an epic prank.




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