Today is April Fool’s Day, the one day of the year that office pranks are not only socially acceptable, but anticipated.
While just about everybody appreciates a good April Fool’s prank, you don’t want to spend the afternoon in human resources explaining why you thought your joke was appropriate for the office.
So here are some funny, but safe, April Fool’s pranks you can play on your co-workers that aren’t going to hurt anybody’s feelings or be too disruptive to the work environment:
1. What’d You Say?
When a co-worker leaves his or her desk, change the language on their computer to one you know they don’t understand, such as Mandarin Chinese or Russian. Then, when they return to their desk and log on, watch their surprise as they try to figure out what happened.
2. Auto-Incorrect
Another trick you can play using a co-workers unattended computer is to open Microsoft Word and click on the Tools tab. Choose the auto-correct option and replace a word they would commonly use — such as the name of your company — with a silly (but politically correct) substitute. When they return to your desk, send them an email that will require them to use that word when they respond.
Bonus Points: Ask to borrow their smart phone and do the play the same trick with the Auto Correct function on their text messaging app.
3. Crayola Craziness
Bring one of those large boxes of crayons into the office and swap out all of your co-worker’s writing implements with different colored crayons. Then ask if you can borrow a pen.
4. The Great Drawer Swap
If everybody in your office uses the same type of desk, swap out the most commonly used drawer in your desk with that of a co-worker. Then ask them for something you know they usually keep in that drawer.
Bonus Points: Repeat this same trick with multiple co-workers so more people can get in on the fun!
5. Red Alert!
Tape an air horn behind a commonly used door with the trigger handle facing the door. Then close the door. The next person who walks through the door will be in for a shocking surprise.
Bonus Points: Using the same air horn, tape it beneath a co-worker’s seat then watch them jump three feet in the air when then sit down.
6. Balloon Avalanche
This one will be easier if you have a few helpers. Buy a few bags of balloons at the dollar store and inflate them all. Then stuff them into a closet and ask an unsuspecting co-worker to retrieve something from that closet for you. Roll on the floor laughing when they are caught in a balloon avalanche.
Bonus Points: Using more balloons, use this same trick on an office of a small conference room.
7. Rubber Band Man
Borrow a box of rubber bands from the supply closet then stretch all of them around a co-worker’s phone. The moment they sit down at their desk, keep calling their phone over and over again.
April Fool’s Day should be enjoyable for everyone, but it’s important to make sure it’s all in good fun. Avoid playing pranks that involve other people’s personal property or that might be considered to be insulting or insensitive to other people.