Kids can never find their shoes, but tell them one joke and they’ll echo it everywhere—from the car to the pharmacy queue.
Repeating jokes isn’t just for laughs; humor boosts social skills, language, and confidence, according to child‑development experts.
Here are 30 quick, kid‑approved gags the whole family will love.
1. Why did the scarecrow win an award?
Because he was outstanding in his field.
Corny? Yes. But just wait for your little one to deliver the punchline with self-satisfaction. Bonus points if they act out standing in a field.
2. What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary?
A thesaurus!
Kids love dinosaurs, and you get to sneak in a vocabulary lesson without anyone noticing. Everyone wins.
3. Why did the bicycle fall over?
Because it was two-tired.
You might hear this one during every car trip for the next year. On the bright side, it’s a little reminder that puns are alive and well.
4. How do you make a tissue dance?
Put a little boogie in it!
Gross? Slightly. Will your child cackle and possibly fake-sneeze for extra effect? Absolutely.
5. Why can’t you give Elsa a balloon?
Because she’ll let it go.
Disney parents, prepare for this one to be on repeat. Extra points if your child starts singing.
6. What do you call cheese that isn’t yours?
Nacho cheese!
The classic. Cheesy in every sense. Wait for the inevitable snack-time joke session.
7. How does a penguin build its house?
Igloos it together!
Another animal joke for the win. Kids love the word “igloo,” and you might get a bonus craft project out of this one.
8. Why do seagulls fly over the sea?
Because if they flew over the bay, they’d be bagels.
Expect groans from older siblings. Younger kids? They won’t stop giggling.
9. What kind of tree fits in your hand?
A palm tree.
Perfect for little jokesters and anyone who can’t resist a bit of wordplay.
10. What do you call a sleeping bull?
A bulldozer.
Prepare for snorting and, possibly, bull impressions. Sorry in advance to the neighbours.
11. Why are ghosts bad at lying?
Because they are too transparent.
A little spooky, a lot silly. Good year-round, not just for Halloween.
12. What do you call a fish with no eyes?
Fsh!
Spelling jokes are favorites in early primary school. Let them spell it out for you, if you need a hint.
13. What kind of key opens a banana?
A monkey!
You’ll groan, but your child will add it to their “favourites” list, right after the “Why did the chicken cross the road?” classic.
14. Why did the math book look sad?
Because it had too many problems.
Expect this one to come up every time anyone mentions maths. Sorry, teachers.
15. How do you organise a space party?
You planet.
Space puns: the black hole that never ends.
16. What do you call a bear with no teeth?
A gummy bear.
Cute, harmless, and likely to result in giggles for days.
17. What did the zero say to the eight?
Nice belt!
A little maths, a little fashion—what’s not to love?
18. Why did the tomato turn red?
Because it saw the salad dressing!
Prepare for the giggles to be louder than the dinner table conversation.
19. Why don’t skeletons fight each other?
They don’t have the guts.
A little biology, a lot of laughs. Kids love a good skeleton joke, especially if it’s slightly gross.
20. What do elves learn in school?
The elf-abet.
This one earns a spot on the Christmas circuit. Or any day, really.
21. Why did the cookie go to the hospital?
Because it felt crummy.
Snack time just got a lot more entertaining.
22. What do you call an alligator in a vest?
An investigator.
Prepare for your child to attempt a mysterious accent and possibly a magnifying glass.
23. What’s orange and sounds like a parrot?
A carrot!
Perfect for picky eaters. Maybe they’ll even try one for the joke’s sake.
24. Why did the golfer wear two pairs of trousers?
In case he got a hole in one.
Even if your family isn’t sporty, this one tees up a good laugh.
25. Why did the cow win a medal?
For outstanding moos-ic.
Warning: this may spark a round of mooing. Proceed with caution.
26. How does the ocean say hello?
It waves.
That’s it. That’s the joke. And your child will think it’s pure comedic genius.
27. Why did the banana go to the doctor?
Because it wasn’t peeling well.
Fruit jokes: always ripe for the picking.
28. What’s a pirate’s favourite letter?
You’d think it’s R, but their true love be the C.
Best delivered in your most dramatic pirate voice. Eye patch optional, but encouraged.
29. Why did the computer go to the doctor?
Because it had a virus!
A little topical, perhaps, but at least it’s not another “knock knock” joke.
30. What did one wall say to the other wall?
I’ll meet you at the corner.
Perfect for budding architects. Or anyone standing in the kitchen, really.
How to Encourage Your Child’s Joke-Telling Habit
Thirty jokes might seem like a lot. Wait until your child starts inventing their own. That’s when the real “dad joke” energy kicks in.
Why bother? According to child psychologists, sharing laughs with your child builds trust, encourages resilience, and creates positive memories that last longer than any trendy toy.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed (or just slightly tired of hearing about cows and their “outstanding” moos-ic), try these quick ideas to keep the laughter fresh for everyone:
- Rotate the material. Challenge your child to pick a “Joke of the Day” at breakfast.
- Get creative. Make your own joke book together—crayon illustrations preferred, spelling optional.
- Encourage performance. Suggest a family joke night, complete with applause and silly prizes. You might be amazed at how much stage presence your little stand-up has.
- Share the spotlight. Let your child teach their favourite joke to grandparents or friends via a quick video call. The retelling is half the fun!
A Final Chuckle
Picture this: It’s been a long day, the washing machine is on the fritz, and dinner is a slightly overcooked mystery.
Your child looks up and, with a mischievous grin, asks if you know why the tomato turned red. You roll your eyes, say the punchline together, and—just for a moment—life feels lighter.
Go on, try a joke tonight. See who laughs first: you or the kids. My money’s on you.
