Prank call ideas that are funny, safe, and guaranteed to get laughs

Prank call ideas that are funny, safe, and guaranteed to get laughs

Prank call ideas, such as pretending to be a confused food delivery person or asking silly questions in a serious tone, are a fun way to get people laughing. When done right, they're harmless, unexpected, and leave everyone smiling. A clever idea and the right tone are all it takes to turn an ordinary moment into something hilarious.

A woman on a call (L). A guy laughing on the phone (R).
A woman on a call (L). A guy laughing on the phone (R). Photos: Max Mumby/En nser (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram

TABLE OF CONTENTS

18 prank call ideas to leave everyone happy

A perfect prank call is all about timing, tone, and maintaining a playful atmosphere. Good prank call ideas should surprise the person rather than upset them. The best ones are quick, believable, and end with a laugh. Here are some funny and harmless prank call ideas for family and friends to try.

1. Confused food order

This is one of the best prank call ideas for friends. You start by pretending you're calling from a local restaurant, confirming a massive order. This should be something outrageous, like 10 large pizzas with extra cheese and five chocolate milkshakes. 

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Tell your friend that the order is ready for delivery and ask them to confirm their address or card details. Keep your tone calm and professional while at it. When they start denying it or panicking, let the suspense hang for a few seconds. You can then break into laughter and reveal your identity.

2. Secret admirer

Do you want to prank call your boyfriend? Put on a disguised voice and call them, saying you've been admiring them from a distance. Compliment something silly, like how they open snack packets or their mysterious walk.

3. Lost item mix-up

Act like a stranger who has found someone's lost wallet or phone. This can be either a relative or a friend. Give them bizarre descriptions. For instance, you can say that the wallet has glitter, cat stickers, or Monopoly money. 

If you also say that you found their phone covered in jelly. Speak with concern and say you're trying to return it. When they insist it's not theirs, keep up the confusion a bit longer. You can hold on for a while before letting them know it's a prank.

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4. Awkward job offer

Call a friend and pretend you're calling from a fake company offering them a strange job. You can choose funny jobs such as a professional biscuit taster or a sock colour coordinator. Include ridiculous interview questions like, "How do you handle biscuit crumbs in stressful situations?" Keep it playful, and don't drag it too long. 

5. Talkative neighbour

Call the person you want to prank and pretend you're a neighbour calling to complain about something weird or funny. For instance, you can tell them that their grass is growing too fast or their window blinds are too bright. 

Ensure that you use an over-the-top, polite tone. Say things like, "The sound of your curtains rustling is quite disturbing at night." When they get confused or start to argue, hold back a laugh for a moment, then tell them you're just having fun.

6. Fake radio contest

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Call the one you want to prank with an energetic voice and pretend you're a radio host from a made-up station of your choice. Say they've been randomly selected to win a mystery prize and must answer a few questions to claim it.

A boy laughs as he uses a mobile phone at a shop in Baghdad on March 17, 2008. Saddam Hussein deemed Iraqis could live without modern technology such as mobile phones and the Internet.
A boy laughs as he uses a mobile phone. Photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

After the introduction, ask your friends silly questions, such as, "If a giraffe wore trousers, would it wear them on all four legs or just the back two?" Clap or cheer after every answer to make it feel real. The more confused or invested they get, the better.

7. Free pet delivery

This is a good prank for animal lovers. Call and act as a cheerful employee from an animal rescue centre. Tell them that you are confirming the delivery of an exotic pet they recently adopted. This can be something wild like an iguana, a pair of raccoons, or even a baby tortoise. 

You can also mention things like a large cage, funny feeding instructions, and the animal's quirky behaviour. Say it's already on the way and ask where to leave it if no one is home. Let them panic for as long as you can before revealing that it is a prank.

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8. Voice recognition test

Call someone and say you're calling from their mobile provider's tech department to test a new voice recognition system. You can ask them to repeat strange phrases with different tones. Start with something funny like "The pineapples are rising," then switch to something different like "I believe spoons are underrated." 

You can tell them to repeat the phrases slowly, then fast. After this, tell them to repeat, but in a deep voice. Ensure you act as if you're analysing their vocal pitch. Keep it straight-faced until they burst out laughing or ask if it's a prank.

9. Mistaken identity

Ensure you put on a calm, serious voice during this prank. Tell the one you are pranking that you're looking for someone with the same first name as theirs. Say you urgently need to speak to them about something strange, like unpaid cat-sitting fees or overdue weird school tuition. 

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Keep repeating, "Are you sure you're not the same person who owns a rapping parrot?" Sound increasingly confused as the call goes by. Once they have no idea how to respond, pause, then reveal it's you.

10. Echo call

This is one of the funniest prank call ideas for a close friend. Start by ringing them up and act like there's something wrong with your line. Whenever they say something, repeat it back exactly, word for word. Make it sound like an annoying delay or echo. 

If they say "Hello?", respond with "Hello?" in the same tone. Keep it going even if they get frustrated. After a minute or two of confusion and laughter, stop and let them know you're just messing with them.

11. New job role alert

Call your friend and pretend to be from their HR department. Ensure that you use a formal voice. Tell them that they've been moved to a new department starting Monday. This should be something ridiculous like "Emotional Support Plant Services" or "Sock Pattern Quality Control." 

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Describe the new tasks to them in detail. For example, "You'll now be in charge of comforting stressed office plants". Keep it official until they say it can't be real. Then, let them in on the joke.

12. Celebrity call

This is one of the best prank call ideas for someone you know pretty well. Pretend you're a celebrity that your friend or relative likes. You can choose their favourite local artist or actor. It should be something believable, like an up-and-coming artist they have been listening to. 

An Indian woman who collects plastic items speaks on a cellular telephone in Hyderabad on June 2, 2011
A woman laughing on the phone. Photo: NOAH SEELAM (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Use a dramatic accent during the call and thank them for their support. You can drop subtle hints, such as their Instagram usernames or something they recently posted. Keep the conversation playful and end with a cheerful reveal.

13. "You called me first" confusion

This is a prank for anyone. Call them and immediately act confused after they receive the call. Say, "Hi, you just called me?" and insist they were the ones who rang. When they deny it, they sound puzzled. You can say things like, "Are you sure? This is the third time today. Are you pocket-dialling me?" 

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Maintain a casual yet persistent tone during the call. Wait until they start second-guessing themselves before revealing it's a prank.

14. Broken appliance technician

This is a good prank call idea for a parent or older relative. Use a calm, helpful tone and pretend to be calling from an appliance company following up on a repair request. Mention to them that you're calling to troubleshoot the issue with their "blinking microwave" or "cranking fridge." 

Ask them to check if it's plugged in or making unusual sounds. If they sound confused, say something like, "Sometimes the fridge can do that?" Keep it silly, not frustrating. When they're lost completely, tell them it's a joke.

15. New number warning

Call your friend using an unknown number and say you've been assigned their old phone number. Inform them that you keep receiving strange calls and messages intended for them. Read out weird fake messages like, "Your armadillo-sitter is waiting," or "Is the toilet repair services still available?" 

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Ensure that you act mildly concerned. Once they're properly confused, let them know it's you behind the prank.

16. Broken voice call

Call someone close to you and pretend your phone speaker is acting up. Speak normal at first, then start cutting out random words mid-sentence. Say things like, "Hey, I just wanted to (crackle) monkey toes (crackle) picnic blanket." 

Mix in complete nonsense throughout the call. When they ask you to repeat or fix your line, pretend not to hear them properly, either. 

17. Singing customer service rep

This prank call can work well for a partner or close friend. Call them pretending to be from a customer service team. Instead of speaking normally, sing everything like it's part of a musical. 

Women laughing on the phone
Women laughing on the phone. Photos: Simon Maina/ Jeremy Selwyl (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

You can sing things like, "Good aaaaafternoooon, how may I help you todaaaaay?" Maintain an overly cheerful and theatrical tone. If they start laughing or playing along, keep going for a bit. Once they ask what's going on, drop the act and tell them it's you.

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18. Strange survey

Call your friend and say that you are conducting a quick survey for "The International Institute of Weird Habits." You can ask them odd questions like, "How often do you talk to your plants?" Keep your voice flat and act like it's all serious research. When they start asking questions or laughing, reveal the prank.

Final word

The above list of prank call ideas is a fun way to make someone’s day without causing any trouble. They’re light, playful, and sure to get a few laughs from friends or family. You can give one a go and enjoy the reactions whenever you’re in the mood for something silly,

Tuko.co.ke also published an article about 30 hilarious and harmless pranks to do on your boyfriend to test how much he loves you. This article is packed with fun ideas that range from light-hearted mischief to creative challenges designed to keep the spark alive in your relationship. 

Read on to discover pranks you can do over text, online, or in person. These cheeky yet affectionate pranks are perfect for couples who enjoy playful bonding moments.

Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Nicholas Nganga avatar

Nicholas Nganga (Lifestyle writer) Nicholas joined Tuko in 2024 as a content creator, bringing four years of experience in digital storytelling. He previously held other editorial and journalism positions, including news and articles editing role at FW Africa and a Food Science Writer at PressPublish. He specializes in celebrity biographies, fashion, lifestyle, gaming, and beyond. In 2022, Nick graduated from the Jomo Kenyatta University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology. You can reach him via email: muginicholas5@gmail.com.

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