Everyone loves a good joke. There’s something about laughter that is stress relieving and contagious. With three sarcastic, witty teenagers trying out new material on their unsuspecting family members, there is a lot of laughter in my home! But you know when I laugh the loudest? When the preschoolers I teach tell me jokes. There’s something about a 3-year-old with amazing delivery that puts me in stitches!
The first time you teach a young child a joke, you may have to explain it (taking away from the comedic timing). And it may feel like they don’t “get it.” But it is so worth it to spend a little time explaining the joke first so they are on board with you — the giggles will take you down!
Here are a few of my favorite jokes for kids — as told by children.
Want to hear a pizza joke?
Sorry, it’s too cheesy!
— O.G., age 3
What sort of key does not open a door?
A monKEY!
— E.D., age 4
Why did the banana go to the doctor?
It wasn’t PEELING well!
— A.M., age 4
What do you say to a cow in your way?
MOOOOOOve!
— A.G., age 3
What does a train say when it has a cold?
ACHOOO-choo!
— T.E., age 3
What do you call a tired dinosaur?
A dino-SNORE!
— D.M., age 4
What did one toilet say to the other?
You look FLUSHED!
— L.K., age 3 (*while potty training*)
Sure, these jokes might not be winning any comedy awards, but think of these through the mouths of a child, caught in a giggle fit, waiting in anticipation of your laughter. They just got about a hundred times funnier.
And remember, a joke might go over their heads today, and tomorrow — but unlike comedy for adults, explaining the humor makes it even funnier for kids!
