My dad made us laugh all the time. One of his favorite things to do to make us laugh was to dress up. On New Year’s Eve one year, he dressed up as Baby New Year—and he fully committed. He wore a diaper, sash, and top hat. That’s all he was wearing, and we lived up north where it was cold. He had no problem going out into the neighborhood like that to get a laugh. He had people rolling. Another time, a friend invited my dad to a pool party and told him to “be sure to wear your suit.” Naturally, my dad showed up in a three-piece business suit, walked up to the pool, and jumped in.
Most of the best family memories revolve around something that was really funny. To possess a sense of humor is not only a happier way to exist, but it’s good for you. Laughing reduces stress and builds our connections and relationships. If you want more smiles, here are 10 ways for your family to laugh more.
1. Old Stories
Your kids absolutely love to hear funny stories from your childhood. Self-deprecating humor is always a winner. Just don’t go too far with it and ruin their opinion of you. Sharing your past helps them bond with and feel closer to you.
2. Creative Bedtime Stories
We all read bedtime stories to our kids. But do you make it funny? The laughter of your daughter or son is the most beautiful sound in the world. Add funny voices to the characters. Make hand motions. If you are the creative type, make up your own stories. Kids love to be included in the storyline.
3. Observing Life
People-watching and making up funny stories as you go is great fun. Same thing applies to animals. You would be amazed how many silly conversations you can pretend they are having. Keep it light though. Humor shouldn’t be mean.
4. Slapstick Movies
Before you roll your eyes at the idea of watching a movie that has slapstick humor, remember that physical comedy almost always hits with kids (pun intended). A mindless film is a good way to get a belly laugh with little kids.
5. Your Own Lyrics
Chances are you are listening to your kids’ favorite music anyway. By the 500th time around, you probably need to switch things up to keep your sanity. Make it fun for yourself and funny for them by changing the words more to your liking. Sing it loud and proud.
6. Impersonations
It could be of anybody or anything—one of their favorite television characters, a famous singer, or your kids’ grandpa. Even if you stink at your impression, it will probably still be funny. The laughter might come from how bad you are at it, but it’s still humor.
7. Silly Pranks
A timeless classic: the whoopee cushion. It’s funny 99% of the time. The whole joke depends on the timing. There’s quiet hush in the room. One of your sons is in serious mode, ready to sit down and study. Boom. Now that’s funny. Pranks require catching the victim off guard. It also requires good enough sense not to be mean or destructive.
8. Crazy Props
Funny coats. Wild hats. Fake teeth. Props rule when it’s unexpected. Maybe you are shopping with your daughters. Grab one of those big sun hats that always seem to be around women’s clothing stores, put it on, and sneak up behind your kids. It will be funny. If you keep a straight face like it’s normal, that’s even better. The key to humor is always timing.
9. The Repeated Joke
Some of the funnies moments in my family of four happen when we repeat a line we heard from a movie or show or in conversation. It can make absolutely zero sense in the context of the current conversation, but little inside jokes and one-liners create a sense of unity and bring big smiles.
10. Real Life Situations
Everybody has bad moments. Maybe you just tapped into the back of the car in front of you. Maybe your bag of groceries—the one with the carton of eggs—just broke open two feet from your front door. Generally, you might be inclined to shed a tear. (Eggs are expensive!) Instead, make it funny. Lighten the tension. Making fun of yourself at these moments can turn a possible bad memory into a lifelong great one.
What do you do to make your family laugh?
