How to Make Dad Laugh: The Ultimate Guide to Dad Jokes and Shenanigans

Dads, Grandpas, and Uncles are a special breed when it comes to humor. Whether it’s their unbeatable collection of dad jokes, their love of slapstick, or their ability to find the same joke hilarious for decades, making Dad laugh is both an art and a science. 
If you’re on a mission to get your dad chuckling, here are some foolproof ways to do it.

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10 Great Ways To Make Dad Laugh

1. The Classic Dad Joke Trap

Dads love dad jokes. It’s a fact of life. If you want to make him laugh, the easiest way is to throw one of his own weapons back at him. 
Here are some surefire winners:

 Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself?
Because it was two-tired.

 What do you call a factory that makes good products?
A satisfactory.

Try delivering these with an exaggerated, straight-faced confidence. The more ridiculous, the better. If Dad jokes are your pop's favorite check out this book Hilarious Book of Dad Jokes which has more than 400 family-friendly side-spliting jokes and puns!

2. The Fake Serious Story

Start telling a heartfelt, serious story—only to end it with an unexpected, absurd twist. For example:

"Dad, I need to confess something. I’ve been keeping it in for a long time. Every time I see a stack of Pringles, I hear them calling my name. It’s getting worse. I think I’m… snacknostic."

The key here is to drag it out as long as possible before the punchline.

3. Mimic His Signature Moves

Every dad has his quirks—his signature laugh, the way he sighs before standing up, or the way he points at a menu like he’s reading legal documents. Mirror his behavior back at him in an exaggerated way, and you’ll get a laugh (or at least a playfully annoyed shake of the head). Bonus points if you can mimic his “dad sneeze” in public.

4. The Over-the-Top Compliment

Dads love being hyped up. Try this at dinner:

"Wow, Dad. The way you grilled this burger? Perfection. The seasoning? Revolutionary. The way you flipped it? Pure athleticism. I’m in awe."

The more dramatic, the funnier.

5. Text Him a Meme That’s Slightly Outdated

Dads love memes, but their humor timeline is usually a few years behind. Send him an oldie but goody meme, like the this one: 

6. The Absurd Hypothetical Question

Dads love a good “what-if” scenario. Hit him with something ridiculous and act like it’s a real problem:

"Dad, if we were in a zombie apocalypse, but the zombies only responded to ‘dad jokes,’ what’s the one joke you’d use to save us?"

Watch him take it way too seriously and enjoy the deep, philosophical debate that follows.

7. The Unexpected Gift

Wrap up something silly, like a single hotdog bun or a remote with no batteries, and hand it to him with a straight face:

"Dad, I saw this and thought of you."

His confusion followed by realization will be comedy gold.

8. The “Dad Reflex” Challenge

Dads have built-in reflexes—whether it’s catching a falling remote or blocking a rogue frisbee with their backhand. Try tossing something random his way (safely, of course) and shout, "Dad Reflex Test!" His reaction alone will be hilarious.

9. The Ultimate Weapon: The "Laugh Attack"

If all else fails, start laughing at absolutely nothing. Dads can’t resist joining in, even if they don’t know why. Once he starts chuckling, keep it going until you’re both crying from laughter.

At the end of the day, making Dad laugh is about enjoying the moment, embracing the silliness, and appreciating the quirks that make him, well, Dad. So go forth, crack a joke, and cherish the sound of his laughter—it’s one of life’s best sounds.

What’s your favorite way to make your dad laugh? Let me know in the comments!