Dad jokes for kids are short, silly jokes that dads use to make their children laugh. Or, at least, they try to.
Despite our dads’ best intentions, these funny one-liners often result in a hard facepalm and rolling of the eyes. Instead, if your sense of humor is broken like mine, you’ll find them utterly hilarious, to the point that I also use them despite being female, in my 20s, and definitely not a dad.
Dad jokes were once considered a bad thing, but millions now celebrate them. They’re a staple of social media and have even been studied by academics.
While the exact origin of the term dad joke is unknown, a writer for the Gettysburg Times quoted it in June 1987 under the headline, “Don’t ban the ‘Dad’ jokes; preserve and revere them.”
What we know for sure is that good dad jokes usually involve puns and lame wordplay, but can also include references to pop culture, like movies or TV shows, that few people under 30 would understand.
If you’re looking for some help to expand your repertoire of funny dad jokes, this article is made for you. Enjoy the best dad jokes for kids, and have fun driving your kids up the wall!
Funny Dad Jokes for Kids
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My dog is a genius. I asked him, "What's two minus two?" He said nothing.
Why are balloons so expensive? Inflation.
What’s the easiest way to burn 1,000 calories? Leave the pizza in the oven.
What's the difference between a "dad joke" and a "bad joke?" The direction of the first letter.
I was once a personal trainer until I gave a too-weak notice.
I want to name my puppies Rolex and Timex so I can have watch dogs.
To the person who stole my bed: "I won't rest until I find you."
I was wondering why the baseball kept getting bigger and bigger. Then it hit me.
My therapist told me I have problems expressing my emotions. Can’t say I’m surprised.
What do you call a boomerang that doesn't come back?
A stick.
I'm reading an anti-gravity book, and I just can't put it down!
My boss asked me why I only get sick on workdays. I said it must be my weekend immune system.
I can tolerate algebra, maybe even a little calculus but geometry is where I draw the line.
Silly Dad Jokes for Kids
Silly dad jokes for kids lean into goofy, lighthearted wordplay that younger children love. They are easy to follow and even easier to repeat at the dinner table.
To the person who stole my glasses: "I will find you. I have contacts."
How do you know carrots are good for your eyesight? Have you ever seen a bunny wearing glasses?
I'm so good at sleeping that I can do it with my eyes closed!
I had a dream that I weighed less than a thousandth of a gram. I was like, 0mg.
Why are peppers the best at archery? Because they habanero.
What concert costs just 45 cents? 50 Cent featuring Nickelback!
Most people can’t tell the difference between entomology and etymology. I can’t find the words for how much this bugs me.
What do you call cheese that isn’t yours? Nacho cheese!
What’s the best way to watch a fly-fishing tournament? Live stream it.
Why can’t you ever run through a campsite?
You can only ran — it’s always past tents.
To the person who stole my laptop with my copy of Microsoft Office on it: "I will find you. You have my Word!"
And I have a certain set of skills -Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer
Cheesy Dad Jokes for Kids
Cheesy dad jokes for kids are peak dad energy, built on puns so corny they loop right back around to funny. Perfect for a kid who loves a good eye-roll.
If money doesn’t grow on trees, then why do banks have branches?
I just paid $100 for a belt that doesn’t fit — what a huge waist!
Why don’t astronomers like Orion’s Belt? It’s a big waist of space.
Clean Dad Jokes for Kids
Clean dad jokes for kids are completely family-friendly, with no bad language and nothing you need to explain later. Safe for the classroom, a birthday party, or a long car ride.
What’s the difference between a badly dressed kid on a bicycle and a well dressed kid on a tricycle? Attire!
Why did the bicycle keep falling over?
It was two tired.
I'd avoid the sushi if I were you — it's a little fishy!
I failed my calculus exam because I was sitting in the middle of identical twins — I couldn’t differentiate between them.
Short Dad Jokes for Kids
Short dad jokes for kids are quick one-liners that children can memorize in seconds and retell all day. Great for when you need a fast laugh without a long setup.
Kid: Dad, can you put the cat out? Dad: I didn't know it was on fire.
I used to run a dating service for chickens, but I was struggling to make hens meet.
Mom texted me from the grocery store to say they’re out of pasta, and we’re penneless.
What happened when the world's tongue-twister champion got arrested?
They gave him a tough sentence.
What breed of dog can jump higher than a skyscraper? Any breed of dog. Skyscrapers can’t jump.
How do you tell the difference between a bull and a cow? It is either one or the utter.
What’s red and smells like blue paint? Red paint.
What’s the difference between a hippo and a Zippo? One is very heavy, the other is a little lighter.
What type of coordination was Whitney Houston most famous for?
“Hand eeeeyeeeeee!"
The Best Dad Jokes for Kids
The best dad jokes for kids are the reader favorites that get voted to the top of this list. If your child only remembers a handful, make it these.
Why did the math problem look so sad? Because of all its problems.
Dad tells kids: Here’s a cautionary tale. Don’t sing in the shower!
Kids: What?? Why not?
Dad: If you get soap in your mouth, it will turn into a soap opera.
Kids: GROAN!!!!!
Kid to Dad: Why are there balloons in the bathroom? Dad: I wanted to throw you a birthday potty.
Two peanuts went walking down the street. One was assaulted.
Every time I take my dog to the park, the ducks try to bite him. That’s what I get for buying a pure bread dog.
We’re renovating the house, and the first floor is going great, but the second floor is another story.
Sound like your trying to tell me a about a good and bad story
I was going to go on an expensive vacation with a classical pianist, but he was too baroque.
Good Dad Jokes for Kids
Good dad jokes for kids are the reliable all-rounders that work on almost anyone. A solid place to start if you are teaching a child their very first joke.
What did the three-legged dog say when he walked into a saloon?
“I’m looking for the man who shot my paw.”
Why is the cow always smiling? It’s in a good mooood I guess.
Because it's always eating the grass man. (yes I was born in the 60's man)
Kid: What’s that? Dad: It’s a henweigh. Kid: What’s a henweigh? Dad: About two pounds.
Dad: What’s this vegetable called? Kid: An artichoke. Dad: Well, it may have choked Artie, but it won’t choke Dad!
Dad Jokes for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dad joke?
A dad joke is a short, clean joke built on an obvious pun or play on words, usually so predictable that it makes people groan more than laugh. They are called dad jokes because they are the kind of wholesome, corny humor parents love to tell their kids.
What are some good dad jokes for kids?
Good dad jokes for kids are simple, clean, and easy to retell. A few favorites:
"How do you cure a fear of speed bumps? You slowly get over it."
"I wanted to name my puppies Rolex and Timex, so I would have watchdogs."
"Why are balloons so expensive? Inflation."
What is the funniest dad joke for kids?
The funniest dad jokes for kids are the ones with a surprise twist in the punchline. A classic example: "What is the easiest way to burn 1,000 calories? Leave the pizza in the oven."
Can you give me a dad joke?
Here is a quick one: "6:30 is my favorite time of day, hands down." Dad jokes like this work because the punchline hides in a phrase everyone already knows.
What makes a good dad joke?
A good dad joke keeps the setup short and lands on a single, groan-worthy pun. As one joke on this list puts it: "What is the difference between a dad joke and a bad joke? The direction of the first letter."
Are dad jokes good for kids?
Yes. Dad jokes are clean and wordplay-based, so they help younger kids learn how puns and double meanings work, and they are easy to memorize and retell, which builds confidence.
Why do the French only eat small omelets? They say one egg is an oeuf.
Why do the French only eat small omelets? They say one egg is an oeuf.
