Top 50 Jokes for Kids That Actually Get a Laugh

September 9, 2026

The test of a kids' joke isn't whether an adult laughs. It's whether a seven-year-old can remember it long enough to tell someone else.

Fifty below, all clean, all short enough to memorise. Perfect for lunchbox notes, birthday cards and long car journeys.

Animal jokes

These delightful giggles are perfect for animal-loving children who enjoy a silly punchline. They are ideal for brightening up family dinners or keeping little ones entertained during long train journeys. To make them even more fun, encourage your child to practise the delivery with dramatic animal sound effects, which helps build their confidence when speaking to family and friends.

What do you call a dinosaur with a big vocabulary? A thesaurus.
Why did the cow go to space? To see the moooon.
What do you call a pig that does karate? A pork chop.
Why don't elephants use computers? They're scared of the mouse.
What do you get when you cross a snowman and a dog? Frostbite.
Why did the bee get married? Because he found his honey.
What do you call a duck that gets all As? A wise quacker.
Where do cows go on a Friday night? The moo-vies.
What's a cat's favourite colour? Purrr-ple.
Why did the fish blush? Because it saw the ocean's bottom.

School jokes

Ideal for primary school pupils and teachers alike, these school-themed jokes are brilliant for easing back-to-school anxiety or sharing in the playground. Use them on hectic school mornings to start the day with a smile. A practical tip is to slip a handwritten joke into their pencil case, giving them a lovely little boost just when they need it most during the day.

Why was the maths book sad? It had too many problems.
What's a teacher's favourite nation? Expla-nation.
Why did the pencil get told off? For being too sharp.
What did the glue say to the teacher? I'm stuck on you.
Why did the student eat his homework? The teacher said it was a piece of cake.
What building has the most storeys? The library.
Why was the broom late for school? It over-swept.
Why did the clock get sent out of class? It tocked too much.
What's the king of the classroom? The ruler.
Why did the geography book stay home? It felt lost.

Riddles they can retell

Perfect for curious youngsters who enjoy a bit of a mental challenge, these clever brainteasers are brilliant for keeping minds active during rainy weekends. Use them at family gatherings to get everyone interacting and laughing together. For the best results, let your child test these riddles on grandparents, which is a fantastic way to boost their conversational skills and build social confidence.

What has hands but can't clap? A clock.
What has a head and a tail but no body? A coin.
What gets wetter the more it dries? A towel.
What has to be broken before you use it? An egg.
What goes up but never comes down? Your age.
What has one eye but can't see? A needle.
What has legs but doesn't walk? A table.
What can travel around the world while staying in a corner? A stamp.
What's full of holes but still holds water? A sponge.
What runs but never gets tired? A tap.

Silly ones

These simple, light-hearted jokes suit children of all ages who appreciate pure nonsense. They are particularly useful when you are stuck waiting in a long supermarket queue or need to distract a tired toddler. We suggest keeping a few of these in your back pocket as emergency mood-lifters, ready to turn a potential tantrum into a moment of shared laughter.

Why did the banana go to the doctor? It wasn't peeling well.
What do you call a boomerang that doesn't come back? A stick.
Why did the biscuit go to hospital? It felt crummy.
What's brown and sticky? A stick.
Why can't your nose be twelve inches long? Because then it'd be a foot.
What did one wall say to the other? Meet you at the corner.
Why did the jelly wobble? Because it saw the trifle.
What do you call a man with a spade on his head? Doug.
What do you call the same man without a spade on his head? Douglas.
Why did the football team go to the bank? To get their quarter back.

Where to put them

Designed for busy parents and grandparents, this practical guide offers simple ways to weave humour into your daily routine. It is ideal for making ordinary moments feel special, whether you are preparing for a birthday or a long road trip. Try keeping a small notebook of these jokes in your car glove compartment, ensuring you always have a quick laugh within arm's reach.

One in the lunchbox each Monday. It's the cheapest thing you'll do all week.
Inside a birthday card, written by them for a friend - the handwriting is the gift.
In the car, one each, no repeats. It buys you fifteen minutes of motorway.
On a sticky note on the bathroom mirror before a school test.
Written in the back of a book you're giving them, with the date.

Key things to remember

Let them pick their own favourite - a joke they chose gets told twenty times.
Write one inside the card in their handwriting, however wonky.
Keep a running family list. It becomes a keepsake without anyone deciding it should.

You might also be interested in...

Knock-Knock Jokes for Funny Kids (Buster Laugh-a-lot Books)

This brilliant joke book from the Buster Laugh-a-lot Books series is packed with classic knock-knock jokes to keep young minds thoroughly entertained. It makes a wonderful gift for cheeky kids who love to giggle and perform their very own comedy routines for the family.

Knock Knock jokes for kids

This delightful collection of knock knock jokes for kids is packed with silly giggles and light-hearted comedy. It is a wonderful little gift for budding young comedians who love to make the whole family laugh.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good joke for a child to tell?

Short animal jokes work best - "what do you call a pig that does karate? A pork chop" is two lines and impossible to forget.

Are these jokes suitable for school?

Yes. Every joke on this page is clean, non-personal and fine for assemblies, lunchboxes and classroom joke books.

What age are these jokes for?

Roughly five to eleven. The riddles suit the older end; the animal and silly jokes work from reception up.

What is a good example of top 50 jokes for kids?

"What do you call a dinosaur with a big vocabulary? A thesaurus." is one of 45 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.