Skip to main content

Best dad jokes to embarrass the kids with and make them laugh

Keep the kids entertained and the teens eyes rolling with these funny dad jokes

Dad jokes have been around for ages. Fathers have told those corny jokes that make younger kids giggle and older ones roll their eyes for years. The internet started giving dads some praise for those jokes back in 2003. It wasn’t until 2013, though, that funny dad jokes started to make some noise on the internet. Even former President Barack Obama hopped on the dad joke train in 2016, when he was giving the annual turkey pardon at the White House before Thanksgiving.

Dads have always enjoyed telling those jokes. While tweens and teens don’t exactly love them now, they will when they’re older and think back on those silly jokes Dad always told on the way home from practice. When they’re dads, the jokes will eventually come full circle. Even though every father has their go-to funny dad jokes; who told the first dad joke?

Related Videos
Family laughing at a funny dad joke

First dad joke

Dads have been telling their signature jokes forever, but it wasn’t until 1987 that those pun-ny jokes were given a name. In one of his columns, writer Jim Kalbaugh coined the term “dad joke” in the Gettysburg Times in honor of Father’s Day. Kalbaugh’s wish was that those corny dad jokes never lose traction, and they haven’t.

Best dad jokes

We’ve all heard them growing up, but what exactly is a dad joke? Dad jokes are usually pretty short and involve puns. A dad joke can also start with a question, with the answer being a punchline. It’s the pun part that usually gets the tween and teen eyes rolling. However, younger kids will almost always giggle, or at least smile at a funny dad joke. Your family probably had ones that are memorable, but what are the top dad jokes of all time? Here are 15 of the best ones.

  • What did one plate say to the other? Dinner is on me.
  • Try the seafood diet. First, you see food. Then, you eat it.
  • Why did the scarecrow win an award? He was outstanding in his field.
  • What are the strongest days of the week? Saturday and Sunday. All the rest are weekdays.
  • How do you stop a bull from charging? Cancel his credit card.
  • What did the baby corn say to the mama corn? Where is popcorn?
  • What do you call two monkeys who share an Amazon Prime account? Prime mates.
  • Why did the orange lose the race? It ran out of juice.
  • How do you fix a broken pumpkin? With a pumpkin patch.
  • Why are fish so smart? They live in schools.
  • What has ears but can’t hear? A cornfield.
  • Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven ate nine.
  • What do houses wear? An address.
  • What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing. It just waved.
  • What happens when a snowman throws a tantrum? He has a meltdown.

Of course, we could keep going. What type of tree fits in your hand? A palm tree.

What makes dad jokes so fun is that they are corny. Dads always manage to pull one out just at the right moment when the kids need a laugh or a pick-me-up. So, keep the tradition going, dads. If you need some inspiration, here are 15 that are guaranteed to get a giggle, or at least an eye roll, or both.

Editors' Recommendations

5 New Year’s resolution ideas for kids that promote healthy habits
Want to keep your New Year's resolutions? Make them together as a family
A person making a list of New Year's resolutions

New Year's resolutions have quite a long track record. The practice of setting goals when welcoming in a new year date all the way back to the ancient Babylonians. Back then, New Year's Day was celebrated in March, not January. The ancient Romans also had a habit of starting a new year with resolutions, as did early Christians. Today, New Year's resolutions aren't necessarily based on religion. Instead, New Year's resolutions are more personal and often involve losing weight, getting the finances in order, and decluttering or organizing the house.

Of course, while lots of people make resolutions at the start of a new year, these goals often fall by the wayside by Valentine's Day. According to the American Psychological Association, the secret to keeping New Year's resolutions is to limit your resolutions to small goals instead of large ones, like losing weight.

Read more
Ring in the new year with kids – and these tips to make it fun for all
Have an exciting New Year's Eve with kids using these tips
Happy New Year sign with confetti

When you have children, celebrating New Year’s Eve requires a bit more planning. Perhaps more planning than it makes it worth it to leave the house. To help, we’ve thought of some ideas to make your kids feel involved whether you plan on going out, inviting friends over, or just enjoying quality family-only time at home. Crafting New Year’s Eve traditions with your kids is something to look forward to every year.

Even if you do decide to leave the house for your party plans, incorporate some of the following activities for your little ones before you go. Your kids will get to share a special moment with you, and that will mean more to them than waiting up until midnight, which they might not make it to, anyway. So, before the kiddos fall asleep, start one of these traditions on New Year's Eve with the kids.

Read more
An expert party planner reveals the top kids’ party trends for 2023
Need birthday party inspiration for 2023? Meet Viginia Edelson Frischkorn
Happy kids at a birthday party

Kids' parties may have been put on the back burner during the pandemic, but they've never gone out of style. Busy parents are always on the lookout for birthday party ideas for kids and Virginia Edelson Frischkorn has made it easier than ever with her newest endeavor Partytrick.

Frischkorn is one of the top event planners around. Even Martha Stewart Weddings, Vogue, and Brides have recognized her work. The single mom of two hails from Colorado and is also the founder of Bluebird Productions and Aspen Picnic Companies. With over 10 years of party planning under her belt, Frischkorn is the one to talk to when it comes to the top kids' party trends for 2023.

Read more