Gotcha! The Art of a Great Prank

April Fools’ Day is the one day a year when tricks aren’t just allowed—they’re expected. Some people believe the tradition started back in 1582, when the calendar changed and New Year’s Day moved from April 1 to January 1. Those who kept celebrating in April were teased, and over time, the idea of playful pranks stuck. Today, April Fools’ Day is celebrated around the world, and even major companies get in on the fun.

Brands have turned pranks into an art form. Companies like Duolingo have announced over-the-top ideas like a five-year cruise where you learn 40 languages, while ElevenLabs joked about an app that translates human speech into dog barks. Even BBC once convinced people that penguins could fly! The best pranks feel just real enough to believe—but harmless enough to laugh about once the joke is revealed.

Your Task: Create a Clever (and Kind) Prank
You’re part of a marketing team planning an April Fools’ Day idea. With a partner:
1. Come up with a prank idea for a brand, school, or app
- What’s the fake announcement or product?
2. Make it believable
- Why would people almost believe it’s real?
3. Keep it positive
- How do you make sure it’s funny, not harmful or embarrassing?
4. What would your headline or social media post say to hook people in?

Remember that each partner needs to submit separately.