April Fools’ Day and pregnancy announcements make the perfect prank combination. I have helped people pull off fake pregnancy pranks for years, and April 1st is the most popular day for these schemes. The best April Fools pranks work because of timing, delivery, and knowing when to yell “APRIL FOOLS!”
I have watched pranks make entire families cry happy tears, then burst into laughter. I have also heard about ones where the prankster misjudged their audience. This guide will help you nail the perfect April Fools pregnancy prank without crossing any lines.
Why April Fools is Perfect for Pregnancy Pranks
April 1st works as the ideal day for a fake pregnancy announcement for several reasons:
- Built-in reveal moment – Everyone expects pranks, so “APRIL FOOLS!” makes sense
- Easier forgiveness – People laugh it off more easily on a recognized prank holiday
- Perfect tension – They will not know if you are serious
- Social acceptability – This prank on a random Tuesday? Weird. On April 1st? Expected.
Classic April Fools Pregnancy Pranks (10 Ideas)
These tried-and-true approaches work every time:
1. The Breakfast Bomb
Slide a fake ultrasound onto someone’s breakfast plate before they sit down. Time it so they find it while you are casually sipping your coffee. Act completely nonchalant.
2. The Card Reveal
Buy a generic “Happy April Fools” card but put an ultrasound inside with a note saying “Kidding… or am I?” Maximum confusion achieved.
3. The Group Text Chaos
Send an “accidental” ultrasound photo to the family group chat with the caption “oops, wrong thread.” Watch your phone explode.
4. The Partner Ambush
Leave a positive pregnancy test on the bathroom counter where your partner will find it first thing in the morning. Bonus points if you are still “asleep” when they find it.
5. The Social Media Switcheroo
Post a genuine-looking announcement early in the morning, let the congratulations pile up, then update at noon with “APRIL FOOLS! 🤡” (More on this in the digital pranks section.)
6. The Gift Box Trick
Wrap an ultrasound in a nice gift box with “To Grandma & Grandpa” on it. Hand it over casually saying someone dropped it off for them. Their confusion will be priceless.
7. The Puzzle Prank
Create a small puzzle (12-24 pieces) using a fake ultrasound image. Give it to parents or in-laws to solve as a “fun activity.” Their faces change as the picture comes together.
8. The Fortune Cookie
Slip a tiny note saying “You are going to be a grandparent!” into a fortune cookie. Works perfectly after a family dinner, especially Chinese takeout night.
9. The Book Announcement
Get a parenting book like “What to Expect When You are Expecting” and casually leave it on the coffee table with the ultrasound tucked inside as a bookmark.
10. The Morning Coffee Note
Write “Baby on Board!” on someone’s coffee cup or travel mug with an ultrasound taped to the bottom. Perfect for a partner or roommate prank.
Ultrasound-Based April Fools Pranks
Going all-in with a fake ultrasound? Here is how to maximize the impact:
11. The Office Desk Drop
Leave an ultrasound on your own desk where coworkers will “accidentally” find it. When confronted, act embarrassed like you were not ready to announce yet. Reveal at the end of the day.
12. The Fridge Magnet
Stick a fake ultrasound on the fridge with a magnet like it has been there a while. Wait for someone to notice. When they freak out, casually say “Oh that? Check the date.”
13. The Twin Surprise
Go big with a fake twins ultrasound. If they are going to be shocked, double it. The reveal is even funnier when you “reduce” it from twins to zero babies.
14. The Framed Ultrasound
Put the ultrasound in a nice frame and set it up in your living room before guests arrive. Act surprised when someone notices and points it out.
15. The Mail Surprise
Send an ultrasound to parents or in-laws via actual mail, timed to arrive on April 1st. Include a note saying “We wanted you to be the first to know!” They will get it, call you crying happy tears, and then… you reveal.
Pregnancy Test April Fools Ideas
Pregnancy test pranks are great because they are quick and require less setup:
16. The Bathroom Discovery
Leave a positive pregnancy test in the bathroom trash where it is visible but looks “hidden.” Classic, effective, panic-inducing.
17. The “I Found Out” Call
Call your mom or best friend sounding nervous, saying you took three tests and they are all positive. Send photos of the tests as “proof.” Do not let them buy baby gifts before you reveal.
18. The Double Whammy
Combine a positive pregnancy test WITH an ultrasound for maximum believability. When they say “But is it real?” you pull out the ultrasound. Done.
Social Media & Digital April Fools Pranks
The digital age has given us new ways to fool everyone at once:
19. The Instagram Announcement
Post a beautiful, aesthetic pregnancy announcement on Instagram first thing April 1st morning. Let the likes and comments pile up for a few hours, then edit the caption to say “April Fools! Thanks for the love though 😂”
20. The Facebook Timeline Memory
Use Facebook’s “On This Day” memories as cover. Post the ultrasound with “I still remember when we found out!” Even though there was no announcement a year ago. Confusion guaranteed.
21. The Zoom Background
Set your Zoom virtual background to include a subtle ultrasound on a “desk” behind you during a work call. See how long it takes someone to notice.
22. The Status Update
Change your relationship status to “Expecting” on Facebook. Watch chaos unfold in comments and DMs.
Timing Your April Fools Reveal
Many people mess up the timing. Here is how to do it right:
| Reveal Timing | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate (under 30 seconds) | Close friends, partners | Do not let them text others |
| Short (1-5 minutes) | Parents, siblings | Let them have their moment, then reveal |
| Medium (1-2 hours) | Social media posts | Long enough for engagement, not long enough for word to spread too far |
| End of day | Extended family, coworkers | Risky. Only if you are OK with wide spread |
The Golden Rule of April Fools Timing
Never let someone tell others your “news” before you reveal. If grandma calls her sister before you yell “April Fools,” you now have two pranks to clean up instead of one.
Who NOT to Prank on April Fools (Seriously)
I have heard too many stories of pranks gone wrong. Skip these people:
- Anyone struggling with infertility – This is not funny for them. Ever. On any day.
- Someone who recently experienced pregnancy loss – Do not do it.
- Parents who are desperately hoping you will have kids – The disappointment when it is “a joke” hurts.
- Your boss or HR – This backfires professionally in unexpected ways.
- Anyone who would need to make actual plans – If grandma was going to book a flight to help with the baby, skip her.
Where to Get Your April Fools Prank Supplies
For an April Fools prank to work, your props need to look convincing for at least the first few seconds. Here is what you need:
Fake Ultrasound
For a realistic fake ultrasound, I recommend Baby Maybe Shop. They do custom ultrasounds with your actual name and date, which makes the prank more believable.
Fake Pregnancy Test
Check out our guide to the best fake pregnancy tests. Baby Maybe Fake Ultrasounds also has these if you want to combo them with an ultrasound for maximum effect.
Props and Presentation
Think about:
- A nice gift box or envelope
- Greeting card for the reveal
- Frame for the ultrasound (adds legitimacy)
- Your best poker face (free, priceless)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is April Fools a good day for a pregnancy prank?
It is the BEST day because everyone expects to be pranked. The built-in “April Fools!” reveal moment makes it socially acceptable, and people laugh it off more easily compared to pulling this prank on a random day.
How long should I wait before revealing it is a joke?
For in-person pranks, 30 seconds to 5 minutes works best. Long enough to see their reaction, short enough so they have not told anyone else. For social media, 1-2 hours max. Any longer and the news spreads too far.
What if someone does not take it well?
Apologize genuinely, explain it was meant in fun, and move on. If you chose your target well (avoiding people with fertility struggles or pregnancy-related trauma), most people will laugh about it eventually. If not, take the feedback for future pranks.
Is combining a fake ultrasound with a fake pregnancy test effective?
Yes, and it is devastatingly effective. Start with the test (“I found out!”), then when they ask for proof, pull out the ultrasound. It removes any doubt and makes the final reveal even more dramatic.
What is the best platform for a social media April Fools pregnancy prank?
Instagram is ideal because you edit the caption after posting. Post your “announcement,” let the engagement roll in, then update the caption to reveal. Facebook works too but comments spread faster to people who will not see your edit.
Should I tell anyone beforehand?
Tell your partner if you are pranking family (they need to play along or at least not blow it). Beyond that, the fewer people who know, the better the reactions will be.
What if I am pregnant and it is April Fools?
Pregnant people on April 1st have it rough. If you are announcing for real, either wait until April 2nd or lead with “This is NOT an April Fools joke” and have serious documentation ready. People WILL doubt you.
Wrapping Up
April Fools pregnancy pranks work because they tap into one of the most exciting announcements a person makes and flip it into comedy. Know your audience, time your reveal right, and have props looking real enough to sell those crucial first few seconds.
Want to browse more prank ideas? Check out our general fake ultrasound prank ideas guide, or explore using fake pregnancy tests for your scheme.
And remember: the best pranks are the ones where everyone laughs at the end, including the person you pranked.
