Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
A day without laughter is a day wasted. – Charlie Chaplin
Making toddlers laugh could seem difficult as they do not understand things yet. However, our list of jokes for toddlers can help you tickle their funny bone. You may start with making silly faces or funny noises. Then introduce science, animals, colors, and sports to them in the form of jokes. Laughter is not just a source of entertainment; it plays a vital role in a child’s development. It helps toddlers improve their social skills, boosts creativity, and promotes emotional health. Engaging them with jokes can enhance their understanding of language and encourage bonding between parents and children. Here are some interesting jokes for little kids to make them laugh. And, keep a camera handy to capture their innocent smiling faces.
Why Are Jokes Important To Toddlers And Preschoolers
Laughing at jokes plays an important role in the development of children. Studies show that a sense of humor can increase social competence, popularity, and adaptability (1). Moreover, humor can help children handle life’s adversities as they grow older (2).
Here are some more benefits of jokes for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Language development: Humor introduces children to new words and phrases in a fun way. It helps children learn about puns and wordplay, which enhances their imagination. Humor also encourages children to experiment with language, improving their vocabulary and communication skills.
- Cognitive development: Jokes, particularly those with patterns and punchlines, can support cognitive development in children. Understanding the structure of a joke involves recognizing patterns in language, which helps develop critical thinking skills. Moreover, recalling jokes and telling them to others strengthens memory retention.
- Social development: Often, children use jokes as icebreakers to bond with other children. Sharing jokes creates a sense of shared understanding and mutual enjoyment, which fosters a sense of belonging. Moreover, when children laugh together, they develop empathy and learn to understand different perspectives.
For children with autistic spectrum and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), humor can aid in understanding non-verbal cues and social interaction. It can also increase engagement and focus (2).
100+ Jokes For Toddlers And Preschoolers
These jokes for kids are sure to elicit laughter in the room. They are specifically crafted with simple language and playful themes, making them perfect for toddlers just beginning to explore humor. Add some funny expressions and thrilling sounds and make your narration even better. These also act as perfect jokes for 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds and will land well with them. These jokes are taken from personal accounts as well as from online sites to suit every child’s taste.
Animal Jokes
Children love animals and usually associate them with fun. These animal jokes for toddlers and preschoolers are easy to remember and sure to make them giggle at any time of day.
1. What will you call a sleeping and snoring dinosaur?
Dino-Snore!
2. Where does the cow go to have fun?
Moooo-vies
3. What do you get if hot water is poured down a rabbit hole?
Hot cross bunnies.
4. Why is the giraffe the only animal with a long neck?
Because its feet smell
5. What will you name a dancing cow?
A milkshake!
Quick tip6. Why did the lazy boy cross the street in a hurry?
Because the cow said MOOOOOOOOOOOO
7. What is a bear with no teeth called?
A gummy bear
8. What will you call a fly without wings?
A walk
9. What did the firefly say to the other firefly?
“You glow, girl!”
10. What will you name a donkey with three legs?
A wonkey
11. Why did the cute teddy bear say no to dessert?
Because he was stuffed
12. What did the Dalmatian say to his master after lunch?
That hit the spot!
13. Who is Peppa Pig’s favorite painter?
Pigcasso
14. How do piglets express greetings to their grandparents?
With hogs and kisses
15. What did the duck say when it saw fireworks?
A fire quacker!
16. Which bird is always out of breath?
A puffin!
17. Why do fireflies light at night?
They want little ants to study all night!
18. Which dinosaur is the best with vocabulary?
The thesaurus
19. Why do porcupines always win the game?
They have the maximum points.
20. Where do elephants pack and store their valuable clothes?
In their trunks!
21. Name the place where the sheep went on vacation with his kids?
The Baaa-hamas
22. What’s a deer standing in the rain called?
The Rain-Deer.
23. Why do birds fly?
It’s faster and better than walking
24. When do ducks wake up?
At the quack of dawn
25. Why did the giraffe’s son always get bad grades?
He had his head above in the clouds.
26. Why didn’t the koala bear ever find a job?
The interviewer said he was over-koala-fied.
27. What will you call two love birds?
Tweethearts!
28. How can you make an angry octopus laugh?
Just tickle its ten-tickles!
29. What do you call a dog who masters magic tricks?
A labracadabrador
30. Name a pony’s favorite juice?
Lemon-neigh’d
31. Where do fish save their money?
River-Bank!
32. What will you call an alligator wearing a vest?
An investigator!
33. What nickname will you give to a monkey at the North Pole?
Lost-Monkey
34. What would you say to a Bear with no ear?
“B”
35. What’s a dog’s favorite toy?
Funny bone!
36. What’s the favorite rock of the cow?
Mooo-n rock
Food Jokes
Food jokes never go old. Whether it is for young children or adults, food jokes manage to enthrall all audiences. Here are some food jokes for toddlers that will leave you in splits.
37. Why did the banana need medication?
It wasn’t peeling well!
38. Why is telling jokes about pizza hilarious?
They’re too cheesy.
39. How will you treat a sick lemon?
Give him some Lemon-Aid!
40. Can you spot the difference between zebras and bananas?
Bananas are yellow!
41. What’s the name of the school that teaches ice cream making?
Sundae school
42. How do you make lemon drop?
Just let it fall.
43. What types of keys are sweet?
Cookies!
44. What will we call two bananas?
Slippers
45. Why does peanut butter never disclose its secret?
He’s afraid you’ll spread it.
46. What will you do if peanut butter gets on your doorknob?
Use a door jam
47. What did the little corn say to the mama corn?
Where is pop corn?
48. What did the banana say to the puppy?
Bananas don’t talk
49. Why couldn’t orange win the race?
It ran empty on juice.
50. What do you get if you add a pie and a snake?
A pie-thon.
51. What is brown and hairy and wears sunglasses?
A coconut on vacation
52. What did the apple say to the baby?
Nothing. Apples can’t talk.
53. What excuse did the egg give when it was late for breakfast?
I was being scrambled!
54. Guess the game where you crush candies to level up?
Candy crush
55. What happens when you eat Spinach daily?
You become a Popeye
School Jokes
School time can become fun with these simple yet classic school jokes for toddlers and preschoolers. Teachers can use these jokes to lighten the mood of a class instantly.
A preschool teacher and blogger shares how humor helped her connect with the children she teaches. She writes, “I remember as a child, my dad would put objects on his head and pretend to sneeze, and the object would fly off his head. I laughed so hard and begged my dad to do it again! My dad continued this with my own children, who equally loved it and wanted more. As a teacher, I, too, have continued the silliness of sneezing things off my head with the preschool children, and they laugh with delight! I have to admit that I do this with preschoolers not because I am checking their development, but because of a connection (i).”
56. Why was 6 afraid of 7?
Because seven eight nine!
57. What did the science book say to the math book?
“Wow, you’ve got problems!”
58. Why did the librarian ban clocks in the library?
Because they tick every time!
59. What is the favorite subject of a witch at school?
Spelling!
60. Why did the teacher go to school with sunglasses?
The students were so bright.
61. What did one math book say to the Algebra book?
We both have problems!
62. Why did the student mistakenly eat all his homework?
The teacher said it was a piece of cake!
63. What are elves taught in school?
The elf-abet
64. Where do pencils go for vacation?
Pencil-vania
Spooky Jokes
Some children like to hear spooky stories and talk about ghosts. These child-friendly, spooky jokes for toddlers and preschoolers will banish their fear of the unknown.
65. What dessert do ghosts eat after dinner?
I scream!
66. Name the instrument that the skeleton plays?
The tromp-bone
67. What type of pants do ghosts wear?
Boo-jeans
68. What is a zombie’s favorite food?
Brain food
Point to consider69. In which bank do vampires save their money?
A blood bank
Science Jokes
If your child has a knack for science, they will love these jokes! In addition to sharing them with like-minded friends, these jokes are also great for sharing at school.
70. Why do robots never feel scared?
They got nerves of steel.
71. How do scientists refresh their breath?
With experi-mints!
72. How can you bring the Moon to Earth?
In your dreams
73. Why couldn’t scientists ever meet aliens?
Because aliens are shy
74. What snacks do computers love?
Computer chips!!
75. Why did the computer feel cold?
The user left the windows open!
76. Why are elevator jokes considered the best?
Because they make you laugh at many levels
Miscellaneous Jokes
Looking for a quick joke to lighten the mood? These jokes for toddlers and preschoolers will have them chuckling no matter what.
77. What would you call a train that has a cold?
A-choo-choo train!
78. Name a tree that fits your hand?
A palm tree!
79. What’s the favorite letter of a sea pirate?
Arrrr!
80. What is the cloud wearing under his raincoat?
Thunderwear
81. What did the volcano say to the other volcano?
“I lava you!”
82. What looks brown and sticky?
A stick!
83. What will you name a sad strawberry?
A blueberry
84. Why did the cookie go to the doctor?
It was crumbled
85. How do the oceans say hello?
They wave
86. What did the tree say to the wind?
“Leaf me alone!”
87. What is loud, fast, and crunchy?
A rocket chip!
88. What did the angry cop say to his tummy?
“You’re under a vest!”
Point to consider89. Why did the little kid cross the playground?
To move to the other slide
90. How does a barber travel to work?
He takes shortcuts!
91. How did the pirate buy a cheap flag?
He bought it on Amazon sail.
92. Who keeps the ocean clean?
Mermaid’s refrigerator
93. What did the astronaut say when he accidentally crashed into the moon?
“I’m Apollo-gize.”
94. What did the paper say softly in the pencil’s ear?
Write on!
95. How did the flower react after it shared a joke?
I’m just pollen in love with jokes.
96. When you search for something, why is it always discovered in the last place you search?
Because you stop looking once you find it.
97. Why did Jack and Jill fall from the hill?
They were not wearing shoes.
98. Guess what gets wetter the more it dries.
A towel
99. What will you call a funny mountain?
Hill-arious
100. Name the scariest plant?
Bam-booo!
101. What did the big flower say to the little flower?
Hi, bud!
Illustration: Funny Jokes For Toddlers And Preschoolers
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I teach my toddler to tell jokes?
You may help develop your child’s sense of humor and creativity by starting with easy-to-understand jokes like kid-friendly riddles or amusing knock-knock jokes for kids. You may use books, toys, or puppets to make the joke visually appealing. Make children talk to you about the hilarious things that happened at home (this may include what they found funny about you or other family members). Encourage your child to tell jokes even if they are not that good initially.
2. What are some tips for making jokes funnier for toddlers?
Using funny facial expressions, making elaborate body movements, using a funny vocal tone, and using soft toys or puppets to demonstrate the elements of a joke may make jokes more enjoyable for toddlers.
Laughing with your baby is a good exercise for them to move their facial muscles and give them an excellent bonding time. Toddlers are the easiest to please, and this list of jokes for toddlers can undoubtedly get them to laugh their hearts out. You could also make funny noises and faces while telling jokes, humorous tongue-twisters or short stories to increase fun and laughter. Include some unique jokes to build their vocabularies, such as animal or food jokes for kids. Additionally, you can use these jokes to introduce them to various concepts of animals and plants and tap their intellectual skills.
Infographic: Tickle Your Little One’s Funny Bone
Laughing along with your little ones not only helps you bond with them but also helps you keep your worries at bay. Keep this infographic with you at all times so that you can open it up, share a joke or two with your child(ren), and watch and enjoy as they burst into laughter. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Making toddlers laugh can be challenging, but these simple jokes can make them smile and create a joyful atmosphere.
- To make them laugh, start with funny faces and sounds as they react quickly to visual and auditory stimuli.
- Props like toys or puppets can be used to grab their attention and to help them better understand a joke.
- Create your jokes around topics like animals, colors, and sports, so that they can relate to them and understand your joke.
- Encourage toddlers to tell jokes. You may start with simple riddles or even the usual knock-knock jokes.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Humor in Preschool;https://www.bixbyschool.org/humor-in-preschool/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
References:
- Wening Sahayu, et al.; (2022); Children’s humor development: A case of Indonesian children.
https://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/IJAL/article/view/43707 - Encouraging your child’s sense of humor.
https://www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials/parents/article/10289/encouraging-your-childs-sense-of-humor/ - Margaret Semrud-Clikeman and Kimberly Glass; (2010); The relation of humor and child development: social, adaptive, and emotional aspects.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20558671/
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