We’ve all been there.
Midway through barking about cleaning up the toys for what seems like the 47th time, a child swoops in in a cape and tiny pair of underwear to save the day (and your sanity). With a burst of laughter, that mini Captain Underpants has made it impossible to take the situation seriously anymore. Whatever the circumstance, show us a parent who hasn’t felt a wave of frustration suddenly dissolve after a hilariously sweet reaction from a child. Just like that super hero, humor has an amazing power to right-size anger or frustration.
In kids' lives, forts will fall, knees will be scraped, soccer championships will be lost, and scooters will tip over. But humor can help ease the pain. It has the power to diffuse a conflict or relieve a tense moment. It can ease the stress of some of the small daily surprises of parenting. When your child resists going to bed, refuses to wear THAT outfit, or screams in their car seat, humor and laughter — when it’s accessible — can break the cycle. A little bit of laughter can serve as a bridge back to that bond between you and your child.
A sense of humor, when we tap into it, can help parents model how to cope with stressful situations and expand kids’ flexibility in dealing with the problems that come with life. Humor can help kids (and parents) learn not to take themselves too seriously — building an atmosphere in which it is okay to make mistakes.
Plus, find out why funny books are an important part of kids' home libraries.
Best of all, laughing with your family is one of the best ways to build closeness. So for those times when you need a few ideas on how to find the fun and tap into your sense of humor, we have the inspiration you didn't know you needed. Try these parent-approved tips to bring more laughter and hilarity into your house.
Wacky Ways to Use More Humor at Home
If your child is giggling, laughing, howling, falling out of their chair, or begging you to do it again, you can be certain that you’re on the right track.
- Laugh at yourself. If you drop a plate, crack a joke: "I didn't like that plate anyway." Refrain from getting angry if your child makes a mistake — or a mess. When they spill the milk on the kitchen table for the third time, make a joke about it: "Hope the table was thirsty."
- Play. It doesn't matter what the game is; the important thing is to play with your child. And be prepared to repeat what you do. Try the staring game. One person tries to keep a straight face while the other tries to get them to crack up.
- Ham it up. If playing tag, let your child catch you. When they do, scream, and try to escape. Repeat till worn out.
- Create a funny gallery. Cut out comics from the newspaper, funny photos out of magazines, or jokes. Add them into their lunch box, or put them on the refrigerator or bulletin board. Reference them when your child needs a laugh.
- Surprise them. Do something completely unexpected. Is morning wake-up a tense time? Walk into their room with a lampshade on your head.
- Join children in their world. For kids, mattresses are deserted islands surrounded by shark-infested waters or molten lava. Dining room tables are fortresses. Closets are caves. Follow their lead.
- Read joke books or try a hilarious new book series. Few kids can resist the hilarity of wordplay in books. Cry tears of laughter over a chapter of Captain Underpants at bedtime. Exchange jokes at dinnertime or when stuck in traffic.
- Learn a magic trick. Just one. The sillier the better.
- Tell funny stories from your own childhood. Your kids will love hearing them, and remember every single one. They might even see you in a new light.
- Watch a funny movie together. For some deep belly laughs, try Dog Man The Movie or The Bad Guys. Just make sure to read the book series to prolong the fun.
- Give butterfly kisses. Or make up your own silly kiss.
- Loosen up. Dance. Sing funny songs. Get up from the park bench and play on the jungle gym. Slide down the slide. Swing on the swings. Throw your dignity out the window.
- Use a funny voice. Instead of telling your child to feed the dog, sing it like an opera singer, or say it with an accent. Sing silly songs. Remember those goofy songs you learned at camp? Sing them.
- Arm wrestle. Try hard, but never win.
The American humorist James Thurber once said, "Humor is our most valuable resource. We must preserve it at all costs." Here’s to laughing through it together.
Ready for the books that will have you all roaring? Shop The Scholastic Store, and browse some of our hilarious favorites books for kids below.
