Fake ultrasound pranks work best when you commit to them. Done right, you get a reaction worth talking about for years. Done wrong, you lose a few friends.
I have helped people pull off pregnancy pranks for years. I have seen the tears, the screaming, the “I am never forgiving you” moments. And I have learned what separates a great prank from a disaster.
This guide covers my favorite fake ultrasound prank ideas, plus tips for making them land.
Pranking Your Parents (The Classic)
Parents are the most popular prank targets for a reason. Their reactions are unmatched. Here are the best approaches:
1. The Casual Photo Discovery
Leave the ultrasound in a spot they will find naturally. Inside a book they are reading, tucked in their mail pile, or slipped into the photo album. Then wait. Their confusion when they “find” it is priceless.
Best for: Parents who snoop. You know who they are.
2. The “Hold This for Me” Handoff
Hand them the ultrasound casually while you “look for something” in your bag. Watch the delayed realization hit. The longer they stare at it confused, the better the payoff.
Best for: Quick reveals with maximum impact.
3. The Family Dinner Bomb
Pass it around the table in a card or frame. “Hey, check out this photo I found.” Watch the chaos unfold as everyone catches on at different times.
Best for: Pranking multiple family members at once.
4. The Grandparent-to-Be Gift Reveal
Wrap the ultrasound in a gift box with a onesie saying “Grandma’s Favorite” (or Grandpa). Works well for birthdays, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day.
Best for: Parents who have been dropping hints about wanting grandkids.
5. The Reverse Prank: “I am NOT Pregnant”
Start the conversation telling them you are pregnant. Let it sink in. Then pull out the fake ultrasound with a tiny alien or dinosaur on it. “Kidding. Here is my ‘baby.'” The relief-then-annoyance combo is perfect.
Pranking Your Partner
Partner pranks require more finesse. They live with you and know your patterns.
6. The Bathroom Counter Surprise
Leave the ultrasound next to a positive fake pregnancy test on the bathroom counter. Exit the house. Wait for the frantic phone call.
Best for: Partners who use the bathroom first in the morning.
7. The “Guess What Came in the Mail”
“Babe, there is something weird in the mail for you.” Hand them an envelope addressed to them with the ultrasound inside. Watch the confusion turn to shock.
Best for: Partners who check the mail religiously.
8. The Baby Book Bomb
Order a baby name book and slip the ultrasound inside it. Leave the book somewhere they will find it. Double confusion points for adding highlighted names with notes.
Best for: Long-term partners who know your shopping habits.
9. The Anniversary Card Insert
On your anniversary (or any romantic occasion), include the ultrasound in the card. “Here is a preview of next year’s celebration.” Their face will go through every emotion.
Best for: Partners who love milestone moments.
10. The Dinner Date Reveal
At a restaurant, excuse yourself to the restroom. Ask the waiter to bring the ultrasound to your partner with their dessert. Bonus points if you have them write “Congratulations!” on the plate.
Best for: Partners who would appreciate a public (but private enough) reaction.
Pranking Your Friends
Friends are good targets, especially if they have pranked you before. Here is how to get them:
11. The Group Chat Bomb
Drop the ultrasound image in your friend group chat with a casual “So… this happened.” Watch the chaos unfold in real-time. Screenshots are mandatory.
Best for: Friends who live for drama.
12. The Brunch Reveal
At brunch, “accidentally” let the ultrasound slip out of your wallet when paying. “Oh, this? Yeah, so anyway…” Play it ultra-casual while they lose their minds.
Best for: The friend who wants to know everything first.
13. The “I Need Advice” Setup
“Hey, I found this and I do not know what to do.” Show them the ultrasound like you found it somewhere. Their concerned advice-giving will make the reveal even better.
Best for: The friend who loves giving advice.
14. The Photo Album Plant
Next time you are at their place, slip an ultrasound into their photo album or picture frame. Wait weeks, or months, until they find it. The delayed reaction is everything.
Best for: Long-term pranking with maximum confusion.
15. The Baby Shower Invitation
Send a baby shower invitation with the ultrasound attached. Watch them scramble to figure out how they missed the news. Works well for friends who live far away.
Best for: Friends who HATE being out of the loop.
Pranking Siblings
Siblings deserve their own category. You know each other too well.
16. The “Mom and Dad Know” Power Move
Tell your sibling AFTER you have “told” your parents (who are in on the prank). When they call Mom to verify, she confirms it. Total chaos.
Best for: Siblings who fact-check with parents.
17. The Baby’s Name Reveal
“We are naming it after you.” Hand them the ultrasound with their name written on it. The flattery-to-confusion pipeline works well with family.
Best for: Siblings who love being the center of attention.
18. The “I am Telling You First” Fake-Out
“You are the first person I am telling.” Show the ultrasound with intense seriousness. Siblings are often more emotional about this than parents. Use that.
Best for: Close siblings who share everything.
19. The Niece/Nephew Competition
If they have kids: “Guess your kids are getting a cousin.” If they do not: “Guess I am winning at life.” Competitive siblings will have a reaction either way.
Best for: Sibling rivalries (you know the type).
Workplace Pranks (Proceed with Caution)
Workplace pregnancy pranks are risky. But if you have got the right office culture and the right people, here are some ideas:
20. The Desk Photo Frame Swap
Replace one of their desk photos with an ultrasound. Act innocent when they find it. “That is not mine… wait, whose is that?”
Best for: Close coworker friends ONLY.
21. The Meeting Room “Mistake”
Leave the ultrasound in the meeting room “by accident.” Wait for someone to find it and start the gossip. Watch chaos ensue.
Best for: Offices where everyone knows everyone’s business.
22. The “Big Announcement” Email
“Team, I have some news.” Attach the ultrasound. Send to your closest work friends only (NOT the entire company). The panic before the reveal is half the fun.
Best for: Small team environments with great rapport.
Holiday & Special Occasion Pranks
23. The April Fools Special
April Fools Day is peak pregnancy prank season. Everyone’s guard is up, but they still fall for it. The key: reveal in a way that does not feel like a prank. Sincerity is your weapon.
Best for: People who know it is April 1st but will not see it coming.
24. The Christmas Gift Wrap
Wrap the ultrasound in layers of progressively smaller boxes. Their excitement building with each layer makes the reveal stronger, whether it is real news or a joke.
Best for: Holiday gatherings where everyone opens gifts together.
25. The Birthday Card Surprise
On THEIR birthday, include an ultrasound in their card. “Happy Birthday! Here is your gift.” The confusion of “wait, this is supposed to be about me” is beautiful.
Best for: Birthdays where you want to take their spotlight (with love).
26. The New Year’s Resolution
“My resolution this year is to be a better parent.” Drop the ultrasound. Watch them process what you said. Works well right at midnight.
Best for: New Year’s parties with close friends and family.
Timing & Delivery Tips
A great prank is 50% concept and 50% execution. Here is what I have learned:
Commit to the Bit
The second you start smiling or breaking character, the prank dies. Practice your serious face. Prepare for follow-up questions. The longer you hold it, the better the payoff.
Choose Your Moment
- Mornings: People are groggy and less skeptical
- After work: Relaxed but alert, good for processing
- Holidays: Emotional atmosphere amplifies reactions
- Random Tuesdays: Zero suspicion. Peak vulnerability.
Have Your Exit Strategy
Plan how long you are going to let it run. 30 seconds? A minute? Five minutes? Know when to reveal it is a joke before it goes too far or anyone makes calls they will regret.
Document Everything
Have someone filming. Set up your phone to record “casually.” You will want the footage later, both for laughs and for showing future generations what your family and friends are like.
When NOT to Prank (Read This)
I have seen pregnancy pranks go wrong. Here is when you should not do this:
Red Flags – Do Not Prank If:
- They are struggling with fertility. If you are not 100% sure, do not risk it.
- They have experienced pregnancy loss. Do not. There is no scenario where this is okay.
- They have told you they do not want kids. Respect it. Pranking them about it is not funny.
- They are going through a breakup or divorce. Timing matters.
- They have expressed baby fever. Getting their hopes up as a joke is cruel.
- You are not close enough. If you would not feel comfortable crying in front of them, skip the pregnancy prank.
The Golden Rule
Ask yourself: “Will they think this is funny in 24 hours?” If there is any doubt, pick a different prank.
What to Do If It Goes Wrong
If you misread the situation:
- Reveal immediately. Do not let it linger.
- Apologize genuinely. No “it was a joke” dismissiveness.
- Give them space if they need it.
- Learn from it. Some people are not prank people, and that is okay.
Ready to Pull Off Your Prank?
Whether you are going for the classic parent reveal or an elaborate multi-stage operation, the right ultrasound makes all the difference. A flimsy, obvious fake ruins the whole setup.
For convincing fakes that hold up to close inspection, check out Baby Maybe Shop. You can customize everything: name, date, hospital, due date. Perfect for pranks that need to survive the “wait, let me see that” moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best prank for someone who knows I joke around a lot?
The “I Need Advice” setup. Play it serious, concerned, even nervous. The more out-of-character you act, the more convincing it is. Your usual jokey personality makes the sincere approach unexpected.
How long should I let the prank run before revealing?
30 seconds to 2 minutes is the sweet spot. Long enough to get a genuine reaction, short enough that no one makes life-altering phone calls. Watch their face. When they start reaching for their phone to “tell someone,” reveal it.
What if they figure out it is fake right away?
Either your ultrasound was not realistic enough, or you could not keep a straight face. Both are fixable. Get a higher quality ultrasound and practice your poker face before attempt #2.
Does this work for real announcements too?
Yes. Many of these ideas work for real pregnancy announcements. The setup is the same. Skip the “kidding” part.
What about pet “pregnancy” pranks?
Yes, pet ultrasound pranks are a thing and they are hilarious. Announce your dog is having puppies with a fake ultrasound. Bonus: zero risk of hurting anyone’s feelings.
What if I want props beyond the ultrasound?
Layer it up: fake ultrasound + fake pregnancy test + baby name book + maternity clothes receipt. The more “evidence,” the more convincing the prank.
