Remember the good ol’ days when you could stick a box of Kleenex in front of your baby and he would be entertained for hours pulling tissues out one by one?
A box of facial tissue is a cheap way to keep your toddler happy, but then that little guy grows up and starts asking for expensive electronic toys that cost more than your monthly water bill.
That’s when you need to get creative.
And by creative I mean teach your kids how to embrace old school cheap thrills: simple and safe pranks that don’t require a lot of masterminding to execute.
My 8-year-old is completely obsessed with playing practical jokes on just about any sucker who walks into our home. Her latest and greatest pranks are classics that elicit belly laughs without harming the “victim”:
Shrinking Shoes: Ball up some toilet paper or tissue paper and stick it in the toe of your victim’s shoe. When he slips his foot into his kicks, he’ll wonder why they seem to have shrunk overnight.
Sugar Switcheroo: Before the rest of the family sits down to eat, pour the salt from your regular shaker into the sugar bowl and vice versa. Try not to crack a smile when loved ones shake sugar on their potatoes or spoons salt into their coffee cups.
Stuck Coin: This old trick works without fail. Simply find a dry area on the sidewalk or your driveway and add some super glue to a quarter or half dollar. Stick the coin on the pavement and watch as people try to pick it up.
Toilet Paper Message: Get a new roll of toilet paper and unravel a little bit of it. Then, take a marker and write a funny message, joke or riddle on the tissue before rolling it back up all the way. The next person who uses the toilet will get a good laugh when he sees the surprise note.