Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Celebrations · The activity desk
Silly basket surprise
Make an April Fools surprise by putting a clean sock in a toy basket.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A clean sock and a toy basket.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Ask a willing player whether they would like a gentle silly surprise. Keep their usual toys nearby.
Adult's role: Help choose a playful surprise and reveal it promptly. Respect anyone who prefers not to play.
Let's make it happen
- Place one clean sock where a toy usually rests in the basket.
- Invite the willing player to look inside and spot what is different.
- Say 'April Fools!' and put the sock back, then invite the player to invent a different silly surprise.
Make it simpler: Place the sock in the basket together and pretend to be surprised.
Clean up: Return the sock and toys to their usual places together.
Keep the surprise kind and easy to undo. Stop if anyone is upset or does not want to participate.