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Dublin Live
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Kyle O'Sullivan & Anita McSorley & Kim O'Leary

April Fool's Day best harmless pranks and jokes to play on your family and friends

Today is April Fool's Day, meaning that many people will be playing practical jokes and tricks on their loved ones today for a bit of fun.

It's an annual tradition in many countries across the world and sees families, friends and co-workers enjoying harmless fun. Some April Fool's Day jokesters may already have a detailed plan of action for the day ahead, while others may be searching for some inspiration to add that sense of uniqueness to their pranks.

The Irish Mirror has scoured the internet to find 10 of the best and most harmless ideas to prank your family, friends or co-workers today.

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1. Freeze breakfast

If you're preparing breakfast for someone special, why not fill a bowl with cereal and milk, half-submerge a spoon and then put it in the freezer. Serve it up to your victim and watch as they hilariously struggle to work out why they can't budge the spoon or eat their breakfast.

2. Swap cereal

For a quick and easy breakfast prank, just swap two (or more) bags of cereal before your household gets up in the morning.

And if you want to be truly devious, you can replace your target's favourite cereal with rice or pasta to really confuse them when they attempt to pour themselves a bowl.

3. Typing dots gif text

If you can't see your friends and family in person this April Fool's Day, you can still prank them remotely.

Start up a friendly text conversation with one of your friends, then halfway through send them a gif of the typing dots. They'll be waiting for a text that will never arrive.

4. Spider light silhouettes

You could cut out spider shapes from black paper, and put them inside a lampshade. When the light gets turned on, it will look like there's a huge spider waiting to pounce.

For those feeling artistic, other options are cutting out huge cockroaches or scorpion shapes that will really terrify your victim.

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5. Funny water

If you've got food colouring lying around, wipe some on the underside of your kitchen or bathroom tap spout under where the water comes out.

This will dye the water as it flows out of the tap, giving your unsuspecting victim a shock.

6. Swap beds

If you've got young children and they're heavy sleepers, pick them up and move them into a different bed after they've dozed off.

They'll be very confused when they wake up in the morning.

7. Fake tattoo

Ah, the good old reliable fake tattoo prank. This is a good prank if you're [articularly tech savvy, and good with photo editing. Text a family member and tell them you've had a tattoo done in their honour.

Edit a picture of yourself so it looks like you've got a large tattoo of their name somewhere conspicuous - like your face, neck or forearm. To make it even better, make sure there's a big spelling error or mistake in the 'tattoo'. They won't know how to tell you you've made such a permanent mistake.

8. Change clocks

There was some confusion in March when the clocks went forward by an hour, and why not cause confusion by messing with the clocks in your house this April Fool's Day? You can change all the clocks in your house - including your family's devices - moving them forward or back one hour.

When everyone wakes up, they'll be completely confused.

9. Glass half full

Lay breakfast out for your household in the morning - but with everybody's drinks upside down.

To do this, fill a glass with water and then put a card over the top. Put the glass face down on the table, and then very quickly pull out the card.

The water will be trapped inside the glass - and there'll be no way to pick it up without spilling it everywhere. Be aware though - only attempt this one if you don't mind mopping.

10. Cracked screen

If you have a family member or housemate who uses their computer or laptop today, you can download a picture of a cracked screen and set it as the screensaver on their laptop.

Make sure you alter the settings so the screensaver activates after a very short period of time - like 30 seconds. When your target gets up to use the toilet or make a cup of tea, they'll come back and be thoroughly confused to see their screen apparently shattered.

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