April Fool's Day fun for the family

March 29, 10:19 AMCheyenne Family Entertainment ExaminerBlithe Platt

When you’re playing pranks on family members keep in mind you have to live with these people when the joke is over. And remember, for an April fool, revenge can be sweet. Follow these April Fool’s Rules to keep it fun:

• No prank should make anyone mad for more than a few minutes before you relieve them with “April Fool’s!”
   
• No harm should be done, including excessive embarrassment.
   
• If your prank makes a mess, you clean it up
   

Family Fun magazine is a fantastic source for fun pranks, family style. A sampling of April Fool’s fun from familyfun.com:

• Cook up a prank. Lots of ideas here for making fake-out food from the simple (fried egg sundaes) to the elaborate (chicken not-pie). Don’t tell my kids, but I’m going to try the gelled juice this year.
   
• Super boing. Stash as many bouncy balls of all sizes in a kitchen cupboard or medicine cabinet as you can. This prank takes team work.
   
• Growth spurt. Plant some seeds with your kids March 31st. That night, sneak out to the garden and plant some vegetables or flowers in their place. Carrots with the tops on and radishes work well. Or stick the stems of cut flowers into the dirt where you planted the seeds. The kids will be amazed to see what “grew” over night.
   
• Paid to potty. Unroll a roll of toilet tissue and then roll it back up with dollar bills inside it. Hang it with the flap at the back so when pulled the money slides out. They won’t believe their luck.
  
   

These pranks take a bit of planning, but you’ve still got time to gather your supplies and accomplices before the big day.

Check back on Tuesday for a list of simple, no planning necessary pranks.