Jests › Kids' jokes that actually make children laugh
Kids' jokes that actually make children laugh
Children love a joke they can remember and repeat. These are short, silly and clean, split by age so you can pick the right level.
Why kids love jokes
Jokes help children practise language, timing and surprise. A pun teaches them that one word can mean two things. A knock-knock teaches taking turns. Telling a joke well gives a shy child a way to be the centre of a room for ten seconds, which is a real confidence boost. So do not worry if the joke is groan-worthy. A groan is a laugh in disguise.
For ages 4 to 6: animals and silly things
- What do you call a sleeping bull? A bulldozer.
- Why did the cow go to space? To see the moooon.
- What is a cat's favourite colour? Purrrple.
- What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
- Why did the teddy bear say no to pudding? She was already stuffed.
- What do you call a dinosaur that is never on time? A tardy-saurus.
For ages 7 to 9: puns and wordplay
- Why did the banana go to the doctor? It was not peeling well.
- What do you call cheese that is not yours? Nacho cheese.
- Why was the maths book sad? It had too many problems.
- Why can you never trust stairs? They are always up to something.
- What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved.
- Why did the picture go to prison? It was framed.
For ages 10 and up: groan-worthy
- I told my suitcase there will be no holiday this year. Now I am dealing with emotional baggage.
- I am reading a book about anti-gravity. It is impossible to put down.
- Why did the bicycle fall over? It was two-tyred.
- What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear.
- I was going to make a time-travel joke, but you did not like it.
Knock-knock jokes
Knock-knock jokes teach turn-taking, which is why young children love them. The pattern never changes, so even a four-year-old can learn it:
- Knock knock. Who is there? Boo. Boo who? Do not cry, it is only a joke.
- Knock knock. Who is there? Lettuce. Lettuce who? Lettuce in, it is cold out here.
- Knock knock. Who is there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad to see me?
- Knock knock. Who is there? Cow says. Cow says who? No, a cow says moo.
Making up their own
The best game is to let children invent jokes. Choose a word with two meanings (bat, bark, chip, hay, tie, ring) and ask what silly question could have that word as its answer. A child who works out "What do you call a tree's dog? Bark!" has understood how jokes are built, which is a better lesson than any list.
Some tips for adults: laugh even if you have heard it a hundred times, resist explaining the joke, and never tease the child for getting it wrong. A joke with a muddled punchline is often funnier than the original.
Joke ideas for different moments
- Car journeys: take turns, one joke each, no repeats.
- Lunchboxes: write one on a slip of paper under the sandwich.
- School assemblies: keep it to one short joke and practise it twice at home.
Looking for something for the dinner table? Try our cracker jokes and puns, or read how to tell a joke and share the tips with a young performer.