Jokes for kids, explained
Clean classics that English-speaking children tell each other. Read the joke, guess, then open the answer — each one comes with a short note on why it is funny.
A joke is a real test of a language: to laugh, you need both meanings of a word. That makes jokes perfect for learners of seven and up. Tell one at the end of a lesson, then ask the class which word has two meanings.
How to tell a joke in class
Tell the question, pause, and let the class guess before you give the answer. Then draw the two meanings side by side on the board — a school building and a school of fish. Knock-knock jokes are for two: you knock, the class asks “Who's there?”
- 1
What do you call a fish with no eyes?
Show the answer
A fsh!
Why it's funny: Eyes sounds just like i's — more than one letter i. Take the i out of fish and you get fsh.
fish - 2
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Show the answer
To get to the other side!
Why it's funny: The surprise is that there is no trick — the answer is simply the obvious reason. It is the most famous joke in English, so children love knowing it.
chicken - 3
What do you call a bear with no teeth?
Show the answer
A gummy bear!
Why it's funny: With no teeth, a bear only has its gums, so it is gummy — and gummy bears are also little jelly sweets.
bear - 4
What do you call a sleeping dinosaur?
Show the answer
A dino-snore!
Why it's funny: Snore is the noise you make when you sleep, and it sounds like the end of dinosaur.
- 5
Why are fish so clever?
Show the answer
Because they live in schools!
Why it's funny: A school of fish is a big group of fish swimming together — and of course a school is also where children learn.
fish - 6
Why did the banana go to the doctor?
Show the answer
Because it wasn't peeling well!
Why it's funny: Peeling (taking the skin off) sounds like feeling — “I'm not feeling well” means “I'm ill”.
banana - 7
Knock, knock!
Who's there?
Lettuce.
Lettuce who?
Show the answer
Lettuce in, it's cold out here!
Why it's funny: Lettuce sounds like let us. Every knock-knock joke works like this: the name at the door turns into part of a sentence.
lettuce - 8
Knock, knock!
Who's there?
Boo.
Boo who?
Show the answer
Don't cry, it's only a joke!
Why it's funny: Boo who sounds like boo-hoo, the sound of someone crying — so the answer comforts you.
- 9
Knock, knock!
Who's there?
Interrupting cow.
Interrupting c—
Show the answer
MOO!
Why it's funny: The cow interrupts — it cuts in before you finish the line. The joke happens in the telling, and every child wants to be the cow.
cow - 10
What do you call a pig that does karate?
Show the answer
A pork chop!
Why it's funny: A pork chop is a piece of meat from a pig, and a chop is also a karate hit with the side of your hand.
pig - 11
What do elves learn at school?
- 12
What do you call a snowman in summer?
Show the answer
A puddle!
Why it's funny: No wordplay here — the snowman simply melted. A good first joke for young learners.
snowman - 13
What is orange and sounds like a parrot?
Show the answer
A carrot!
Why it's funny: Carrot rhymes with parrot. You expect a bird, and you get a vegetable.
carrot - 14
Why did the boy eat his homework?
Show the answer
Because the teacher said it was a piece of cake!
Why it's funny: A piece of cake means “very easy”. The boy took it the other way — as real cake.
cake - 15
What do you call a train full of bubble gum?
Show the answer
A chew-chew train!
Why it's funny: You chew gum, and choo-choo is the sound a train makes.
train - 16
How do you make an octopus laugh?
Show the answer
With ten tickles!
Why it's funny: Ten tickles sounds like tentacles, an octopus's long arms. (An octopus really has eight — that's part of the fun.)
octopus - 17
Where do cows go on Friday night?
- 18
What did the sea say to the beach?
Show the answer
Nothing. It just waved!
Why it's funny: A wave is moving water in the sea, and to wave is to say hello with your hand.
wave - 19
Why did the bike fall over?
Show the answer
Because it was two-tired!
Why it's funny: A bike has two tires (wheels), and two-tired sounds just like too tired.
bike - 20
What kind of tree fits in your hand?
Show the answer
A palm tree!
Why it's funny: The palm is the inside of your hand, and a palm tree grows on the beach.
palm tree - 21
What is a cat's favorite color?
- 22
What do you call a sheep with no legs?
Show the answer
A cloud!
Why it's funny: No wordplay: a white, fluffy sheep with no legs would just float in the sky. Draw it — the class gets it at once.
cloud - 23
Why was six afraid of seven?
Show the answer
Because seven eight nine!
Why it's funny: Say it fast: seven eight nine sounds like seven ate nine — eight and ate (the past of eat) sound the same.
seven - 24
Why was the math book sad?
Show the answer
Because it had too many problems!
Why it's funny: Problems are the sums in a math book — and also the troubles that make you sad.
book - 25
Why can't your nose be twelve inches long?
Show the answer
Because then it would be a foot!
Why it's funny: Twelve inches make one foot — a measure of length, and also the thing at the end of your leg.
nose - 26
What is a witch's favorite subject at school?
Show the answer
Spelling!
Why it's funny: Spelling is writing words correctly, and a spell is the magic a witch does.
witch - 27
Which room has no doors and no windows?
Show the answer
A mushroom!
Why it's funny: Mushroom ends in room — but you can't go inside it.
mushroom - 28
What do you call a deer with no eyes?
Show the answer
No idea!
Why it's funny: No idea (“I don't know”) sounds like no-eye deer — a deer with no eyes.
deer - 29
Why do bees have sticky hair?
Show the answer
Because they use honeycombs!
Why it's funny: A honeycomb is where bees keep their honey, and a comb is what you use on your hair.
bee - 30
What did the left eye say to the right eye?
Show the answer
Between you and me, something smells!
Why it's funny: Between you and me means “this is a secret” — and what is really between your eyes? Your nose.
eye
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