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?

Family laughing at a funny dad joke
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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

Dawn Miller
Dawn Miller began her professional life as an elementary school teacher before returning to her first love, writing. In…
Kids of all ages can make these easy and delicious meals for Mom on Mother’s Day
Whip up these Mother's Day meals for a thoughtful and tasty gift for Mom
Yummy Mother's Day pancakes on a tray spelling Mom

Mother's Day has a long history, and celebrating moms on the second Sunday in May is a spring tradition. Many kids typically honor their moms and all the wonderful things they do with flowers or brunch out. If you're looking for different Mother's Day gift ideas, why make Mom a special meal?

Mother's Day meals can be a wonderful way to show Mom how much you appreciate her. Cooking her a delicious meal on Mother's Day makes for a gift that comes straight from the heart. It's also a Mother's Day gift idea the whole family can create together.

Read more
There are actually some helpful benefits of tongue twisters for kids
Tongue twisters are a laugh, but did you know they are also a useful learning tool?
teenagers getting twisted over tongue twisters

Ready to get twisted? With tongue twisters that is! November 12 is National Tongue Twister Day, but you don't need to put those pickled peppers Peter Piper picked in a pot nor do you need to save tongue twisters for the fall. Tongue twisters have been around for ages and are simply a phrase that's hard for people to say clearly, especially when spoken quickly. Of course, tongue twisters don't have meaning and they're always a laugh, but did you know tongue twisters for kids can actually be helpful?
Benefits of tongue twisters
Many people might think of tongue twisters as a silly thing to do at a party. The big laugh always comes when someone says a tongue twister incorrectly. Sure, tongue twisters are fun, but saying them does serve a purpose, especially for the kiddos. Don't worry! Our tongues won't get twisted talking about these surprising perks of tongue twisters.
Pronunciation
Since people try hard to say tongue twisters correctly, the practice actually helps speakers to articulate clearly and work on word pronunciation.
Developing speech muscles
Yes, people have speech muscles, and saying tongue twisters can help develop the muscles in the tongue used in pronouncing words. This's why tongue twisters are a great way to warm up those speech muscles before an oral presentation. Tongue twisters are also used to help kids and adults with stuttering.
Improve reading and language skills
Another added benefit of saying Sally sells seashells by the seashore is that tongue twisters for kids help improve fluency when speaking. Tongue twisters also expand vocabulary. Both of these perks translate into enhancing reading skills.
Learning English
Teachers often use tongue twisters in class with kids for the reasons previously mentioned. Tongue twisters are also a wonderful tool for kids and adults learning English.
Popular tongue twisters for kids
The key to saying tongue twisters is to try to say them three times fast. That's usually where tongue twisters trip up people, though some of us have difficulty saying them slowly. Here are a few popular tongue twisters to use in the car with kids, at a party, or just because.

Which witch is which?
He threw three free throws.
A snake sneaks to sneak a snack.
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
If a dog chews shoes, whose shoes does he choose?
Nine nice night nurses nursing nicely.
Four fine fresh fish for you.
I saw a kitten eating chicken in the kitchen.
Six sleek swans swam swiftly southwards.
We surely shall see the sun shine soon.

Read more
Bring imagination back into your kid’s playroom with these ingenious DIY ideas
These DIY kid's playroom ideas are super easy to achieve and great for boosting imagination
Montessori shelf playroom

The kid’s playroom should be a space not just for fun and letting off some of a child’s youthful energy, but also an educational hub that encourages imagination. As you curate a space for your child to play and grow, you’ll want to include unique activities to help them express themselves. So, we’re giving you some incredible DIY playroom ideas that not only make the space look nice but add more room for imaginative play and learning.

Add a chalkboard wall
A chalkboard wall is a classic playroom addition, functioning as both a teaching opportunity and an art station. Not to mention; it also curbs that desire to draw on the walls!

Read more