Our Readers' Favorite April Fools' Pranks

April Fools' Day is a time for pranks that push boundaries. You might think you're watching out for yourself on this one day of "anything-goes," but with a good prank, you can be caught blindsided. We asked our readers to tell us about their favorite April Fools' Day Pranks, either as victim or perp. Here are some we received:

Jail, Anyone?
After discovering an abandoned street sign near my house, I decided it would make a nice wall decoration. About two days later, my sister innocently called me downstairs to toss me a letter that had just arrived. Turning it over in my hands, I inspected the official letterhead, and the address, in which the sender had misspelled my last name. "Pittsburgh Department of Public Works Water and Sewer Authority" it read. "Hmm?" I thought.

Standing by myself in the entryway, I popped it open and pulled out a single sheet of tri-folded stationary, the official seal centered on the top, and began to read:

The Pittsburgh Dept. of Public Works has issued this notification under section 119.b, chapter 2 of the Pennsylvania state penal code. Under this code all person(s) are subject to notification for all misuse, misappropriation, theft, and so forth before their appeal to plea, and official citation. Removal of signage as property of the state of Pennsylvania, city of Pittsburgh, this citation is official and hereby delivered. Penalty for said infractions may include minimum fines of $2500, 30 days in prison, Sentencing before the magistrate at the Allegheny courthouse, located at" etc etc.

I couldn't move. I didn't know what to do. I was about to go upstairs to at least look at the sign, now hanging proudly above my desk, but one more look at that letterhead, and I knew I didn't have a moment to waste.

"Ummm, Mom? Remember that sign I got the other day? I need to go to the police station and turn myself in. This letter says that I might go to jail if I don't do something about it, like NOW."

At this point my sister, sitting at the kitchen table, cracks a grin and begins to chuckle.

"Becca you don't understand this isn't a joke! I'm really screwed here and you're laughing at me!"

Eventually someone put an end to it. "When is the letter dated?"

"May 29th? So what"..." and what day is it today?" Fooled by my little sister.

Full Scholarship
My son had worked hard on his first group engineering project as a freshman in college. We knew it would be a few days before he knew his grade. Sure enough, after a few days, we got the report:

"Mom. Dad. You will never believe what just happened. Today, our group met with our professor to review the results of our project. He told us that we could feel really proud of our project. In fact, it was the best analysis of this problem he had ever heard in 23 years of teaching. He had talked with the Dean, and based on our analysis, the Dean agreed to give all three of us FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS, starting next semester. We'll still have to pay for room and board. It's just tuition. And, we'll have to maintain a B average for the rest of the semester. There's one other thing...You need to call the department today to give them your approval."

We made the call. It was a simple recording: "Your son is incredible. Happy April Fools' Day."

Winning the Lottery
Buy a lottery ticket for your victim the day before April Fools' Day. That night, check for and write down the winning numbers for that day. On April 1, buy another ticket with the winning numbers from previous day. Switch tickets and watch what happens when they check the numbers in the paper. They'll be winners! Only one day late.

For Lots More...
One of our readers sent us this link with over 100 tried and true pranks. No need to add more. Check out: http://www.aprilfoolzone.com/unique2.htm.


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