79 jokes
Cake & candles
Why was the birthday cake as hard as a rock?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
It was marble cake.
What did the birthday cake say to the knife?
Ages 5+
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“Want a piece of me?”
Why do candles always go on top of the cake?
Ages 3+
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Because it's too hard to light them from the bottom.
What's the best thing to put into a birthday cake?
Ages 3+
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Your teeth!
What did one birthday candle say to the other?
Ages 5+
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“Want to go out tonight?”
Why did the kid put the birthday cake in the freezer?
Ages 3+
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They wanted it iced.
Why is a birthday cake bad at hide-and-seek?
Ages 3+
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Its candles always give it away.
What did the frosting say to the cake?
Ages 3+
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“I'm so glad we stuck together.”
What's an ice cream cake's favorite day of the week?
Ages 3+
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Sundae.
Why did the kid sprinkle sugar on their pillow?
Ages 3+
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So they'd have sweet dreams after the party.
What does a birthday cake wear to bed?
Ages 3+
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Pa-jam-as.
What kind of cake do parents want after the party?
Ages 8+
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A piece of quiet.
How do birthday candles stay so cheerful?
Ages 5+
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They always look on the bright side.
Presents
Which birthday present can nobody beat?
Ages 5+
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A broken drum.
Why did the birthday present go to school?
Ages 5+
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It wanted to be gift-ed.
What did the bow say to the present?
Ages 5+
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“Don't worry, I've got this all tied up.”
What do you give the kid who has everything?
Ages 5+
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A shelf to put it all on.
Why did the kid wrap up the clock?
Ages 8+
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To give the gift of time.
Why are birthday presents so good at keeping secrets?
Ages 8+
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They're always under wraps.
Why do presents make great comedians?
Ages 5+
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They always have a surprise ending.
What do you get a pet rock for its birthday?
Ages 5+
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Nothing. It never asks for anything.
What did the kid say after unwrapping a box of feathers?
Ages 5+
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“This gift really tickles me!”
Party animals
What do cats eat at birthday parties?
Ages 3+
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Mice cream cake.
What do you give a dog on its birthday?
Ages 3+
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A pup-cake and lots of belly rubs.
What song do you sing to a frog on its birthday?
Ages 3+
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“Hoppy birthday to you!”
What do sheep say at birthday parties?
Ages 3+
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“Happy birthday to ewe!”
What's a cow's favorite party game?
Ages 3+
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Moo-sical chairs.
What does a snake write in birthday cards?
Ages 5+
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“Hugs and hisses.”
What snack does a duck bring to a party?
Ages 3+
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Cheese and quackers.
How do monkeys get ready for a party?
Ages 3+
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They go bananas.
What do bees chew at birthday parties?
Ages 3+
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Bumble gum.
What do you call a dinosaur at a birthday party?
Ages 5+
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A party-dactyl.
What did the octopus bring to the birthday party?
Ages 3+
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Eight presents, one for each arm.
Why did the turtle leave for the party a week early?
Ages 5+
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It wanted to get there on time.
Party games
Why does every party want the piñata?
Ages 5+
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It's always a big hit.
Why can't balloons play hide-and-seek?
Ages 5+
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They keep popping up.
Why was the donkey grumpy at the party?
Ages 8+
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Everyone kept trying to pin something on it.
How did the kid know they'd win the sack race?
Ages 5+
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It was in the bag.
Why are statues so good at freeze dance?
Ages 5+
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They never move a muscle.
Why didn't the egg win the egg-and-spoon race?
Ages 8+
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It cracked under pressure.
Why couldn't the pirate play cards at the party?
Ages 8+
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He was sitting on the deck.
Why did the kid bring a shovel to the treasure hunt?
Ages 5+
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They really dug the game.
Why do clocks win every relay race?
Ages 5+
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They never stop running.
Why was the limbo champion so humble?
Ages 8+
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He knew how low he could go.
Why does the same kid always win hot potato?
Ages 5+
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They always keep their cool.
Balloons & decorations
Why don't balloons like music?
Ages 3+
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They're scared of pop.
Why did the streamer stay so long at the party?
Ages 3+
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It really liked to hang around.
What did the balloon say to the pin?
Ages 8+
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“Hi, buster!”
Why don't balloons ever win arguments?
Ages 8+
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They're full of hot air.
Why was the balloon so excited for the party?
Ages 3+
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It was totally pumped.
Why does the confetti always get invited back?
Ages 5+
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It really throws itself into a party.
What did the party hat say to the kid's head?
Ages 5+
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“Don't worry, I'm on top of things.”
What did one balloon say to the other balloon?
Ages 3+
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“I'm feeling a little light-headed.”
Party entertainers
Good ones to tell when the magician, clown or face painter arrives.
What do you call a dog that does magic tricks?
Ages 5+
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A labracadabrador.
What did the magician say when his rabbit disappeared?
Ages 5+
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“Has anyone seen my hare?”
Why did the balloon animal run from the porcupine?
Ages 5+
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It didn't want to get the point.
Why did the tiger visit the face painter?
Ages 8+
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To earn its stripes.
Why did the clown go to the doctor?
Ages 5+
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He was feeling a little funny.
Why did the clown wear loud socks?
Ages 5+
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So his feet wouldn't fall asleep.
Why couldn't the pony sing “Happy Birthday”?
Ages 5+
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It was a little hoarse.
What did the goat at the petting zoo say?
Ages 5+
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“You goat to be kidding me!”
Why was the science party such a hit?
Ages 8+
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Every experiment got a big reaction.
Getting older
What did the calendar say on your birthday?
Ages 5+
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“You've got a big date today!”
Why did the birthday kid sleep next to a clock?
Ages 5+
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They wanted to have the time of their life.
Why are birthdays good for you?
Ages 8+
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People who have the most birthdays live the longest.
What did the pirate say on his eightieth birthday?
Ages 8+
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“Aye, matey!”
Why do birthday kids make great gardeners?
Ages 5+
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They're always growing.
What did the birthday kid's shoes say?
Ages 5+
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“We're going to need a bigger size!”
Why are birthday kids so good at math?
Ages 5+
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They always add one more candle.
Birthday knock-knocks
The birthday kid knocks; the guests answer in chorus.
Knock, knock.Who's there?Abby.Abby who?
Ages 3+
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Abby birthday to you!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Bacon.Bacon who?
Ages 3+
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Bacon a cake for your birthday!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Tamara.Tamara who?
Ages 3+
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Tamara is my birthday, don't forget!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Henrietta.Henrietta who?
Ages 5+
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Henrietta whole cupcake in one bite!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Candle.Candle who?
Ages 5+
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Candle you open the door? My hands are full of presents!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Sherbet.Sherbet who?
Ages 5+
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Sherbet you can't guess how old I am!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Freeze.Freeze who?
Ages 5+
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Freeze a jolly good fellow, and so is the birthday kid!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Howl.Howl who?
Ages 3+
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Howl you celebrate your birthday this year?
Knock, knock.Who's there?Gift.Gift who?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Gift me a minute, I'm still wrapping your present!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Party.Party who?
Ages 5+
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Party-cularly happy to see you!
Play it at a party
Tell It to the Birthday Kid
4–12
Ages
4–20
Players
10–15 min
How long
- Seat the birthday kid in a decorated “joke throne” facing the guests.
- Hand every guest a card with one joke on it. Grown-ups read for kids who can't yet.
- Guests take turns telling their joke straight to the birthday kid.
- The birthday kid picks the joke that made them laugh hardest, and that teller leads the next game.
Pass the Punchline
4–10
Ages
6–15
Players
10–15 min
How long
- Wrap a small prize in one layer of paper per guest, with a joke card tucked under each layer.
- Pass the parcel around the circle while music plays.
- When the music stops, the holder tears off one layer and reads the joke underneath, with a grown-up's help if needed.
- The guest who opens the last layer gets the prize, and the last joke.
Borrowed from pass the parcel, where the full rules live.
Piñata Joke Slips
5–12
Ages
Any size
Players
5–10 min
How long
- Before filling the piñata, roll up joke slips and tie each one with a ribbon.
- Mix the slips in with the candy and toys.
- After the piñata breaks, every kid keeps at least one slip in their haul.
- Over cake, kids take turns reading their slip to the table.
Borrowed from piñata, where the full rules live.
When to run it
- While guests arrive and the birthday kid is opening the door.
- During cake, while candles are lit and everyone is gathered.
- In thank-you notes and goody bags, one joke each.
More games for the same party: Party Games for 5-Year-Olds, Party Games for 8-Year-Olds and Indoor Party Games for Kids.
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Magic party
A learn-a-trick magic party where every kid goes home able to fool their family — magic-word games, a mystery-box food table, a top-hat photo corner, and a printable invitation.
Magic party ideas
Circus party
A circus party built as a home carnival midway — ring toss, popcorn, a strongman photo op, and a printable big-top invitation to send out.
Circus party ideas
Pirate party
A pirate party built around one real treasure hunt — a cardboard ship, a treasure map you draw yourself, gold-coin snacks, and a printable invitation.
Pirate party ideas
Dinosaur party
A dinosaur party you can run out of the recycling bin and the backyard — excavation games, a volcano cake that behaves, footprint decor, and a printable invitation.
Dinosaur party ideasBooking the real thing? Kids magicians, balloon artists and face painters.
Frequently asked questions
- What are good jokes for a kid's birthday party?
- Jokes about cake, presents, balloons and party animals work best, because every kid in the room can picture them. Keep them short enough to say in one breath, and match them to the birthday kid's age.
- How do you use jokes at a birthday party?
- Tuck them into games the kids already know. Put a joke under every layer of pass the parcel, roll joke slips into the piñata, or let each guest tell one to the birthday kid. A grown-up can read for non-readers.
- What's a good joke to write in a kid's birthday card?
- A short question-and-answer joke from the cake or party animals group fits on a card. Write the setup on the front and the punchline inside, so the birthday kid gets to open the answer.
- How many jokes do I need for a party game?
- About 15 to 20. That covers one joke per guest for a game like pass the parcel, plus a few spares for kids who want another turn. Pick them from one age group so every guest can follow along.
