Whether it’s a silly word or even a funny face, it probably doesn’t take a lot for your kid to
break out in giggles — but it can be another story for adults. Sometimes stress invades our life (or some monster in your family puts an empty container of Oreos back in the pantry), and the worries of the world catch up to us. But a little bit of laughter can reduce anxiety and stress, give us energy, and even boost our immune system.
Plus, developing a sense of humor in kids gives them the tools to navigate social situations, work their creative muscles, and helps them bounce back from tough spots. Just like cooking dinner or brushing your teeth, making an intentional habit to find some funny every day is important for your daily to-do list. Yes, I see you groaning at the thought of adding another task to that mental load. Here are a few ideas to get you started, with no whoopee cushions required.
Be Ridiculous
Once, my mom stopped in the middle of folding laundry and started dancing. It was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen… but it was also hilarious and now happily shines as a core memory. Get your kids to expect the unexpected. Start a silly string or Nerf war on a random Wednesday. Roll down a hill with them. Demand an over-the-top karaoke or dance party night. Take a bunch of selfies with the weirdest Snapchat filters you can find. Catch your kids off guard, and you’ll get them laughing for sure.
Listen, Learn, Laugh
Books, movies, and even podcasts are great ways to let someone else provide your daily quota of laughs. Next time you’re at the library, pick out some books to read aloud with your young kids that will really make them giggle. The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak, I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen, The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone, and pretty much anything by Mo Willems are some of our favorites. Podcasts like The Past and the Curious, Story Pirates, and Wow in the World bring history, creativity, and science to life while using humor. There are also some great funny performances across KC this theatrical season: Pete the Cat at the Coterie for young kids, Hairspray at Starlight, and you can even share your love of Mean Girls with the next generation at the Music Hall this spring.
Play Together
The concept of family game night hasn’t changed since I was growing up, but what has changed is the selection of hilarious games. No longer do you have to start family feuds over Monopoly or stacking Draw 4’s in Uno. Games guaranteed to make you laugh include:
- Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
- Pie Face
- Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition
- Exploding Kittens
- Monikers
- Throw Throw Burrito
For more ideas on family-friendly games and where to buy them, check out this article!
Try Something New
Even teenagers laugh. Sometimes. On Tuesdays, mostly, and where no one can hear them. You may not 100% not understand your teen’s sense of humor, but just making the effort to send them a funny TikTok might elicit both an eye-roll and a little chuckle from them. If live comedy is something you love, some 7pm performances at The Comedy Club of Kansas City will allow minors who attend with a parent (but make sure you research the performer lest you find yourself explaining a lot of dirty jokes), and the comedic venue Harley’s Hideaway Bar and Grill is planning on soon featuring family-friendly performances.
You don’t even have to leave the house for a great stand-up experience. Streaming platforms have a great collection of stand-up shows from comedians like Bo Burnham and John Mulaney. Just add popcorn and your favorite sweats. Another great way to get the laughs flowing is to find something new to fail at together. Let your teen laugh at your attempts to score at Topgolf, go bowling or play pickleball, check out your county’s parks and rec classes, or try one of your teenager’s hobbies with them for the day. Trust me, there are a million ways to make yourself look stupid in front of your kid, and all of them are hilarious.
Capture the Memories
I bought this journal online to capture all the funny things my kids say. Like most planners and diaries that require discipline and attention, I am super bad at filling it out. But if a hilarious family moment ensues, I’ll quickly type it in my Notes app, and one day —when I actually live up to being a Virgo — I’ll transfer them to the written journal. Hopefully. You can also put all the memories on sticky notes and put them in a jar to read at the end of the year. The great thing about keeping track of your family’s funny moments is you can revisit them later and laugh just as hard. All the laughs, none of the extra work.
Most of the time, you won’t need any of these tips to create funny moments with your family. It’s the unexpected, everyday moments of absurdity we really remember.
But when I’m facing another toddler tantrum or a day when I have to work to find some laughs, I just close my eyes and picture what it’s all for: a future with my fully grown, well-adjusted kids. A future where they always feel like they can be their ridiculous, whole selves with me. A future spent enjoying each other’s company, sense of humor…and a good fart joke or two.
