Pranks and practical jokes can be loads of family fun. MAOAM, creator of delicious long-lasting chews, believes family mischief is vital. Its Mischief Hub is full of tricks, tips and ideas. Plus, light-hearted pranks benefit families and children, researchers agree. Discover why you should pull pranks with your family this Halloween.
Need ideas?
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Psychological benefits of pranks
We love mischief not only for the fun but also because they are so good for our families and our kids.
Pranks are a “comic release valve to cope with stressful, high-pressure situations, or the flip side, to relieve boredom,” reports this piece in Medium. “The element of surprise plays an important component to creating the quintessential practical joke.”
Studies have found that “practical jokes are commonly an effort to bring a person into a group…an integral part of rituals around the world intended to temper success with humility,” according to The New York Times. Folklorist Moira Marsh, author of the book Practically Joking, says, “They take planning. They take knowledge of a situation, knowledge of the person you’re targeting.” So there’s an intimacy to playing light-hearted pranks on family members. “Good practical jokes are an opportunity for a good deal of creativity,” Marsh told Salon. Plus, she says, the laugh at the end is rewarding, which makes them fun.
You can also teach kids how to make Halloween “tricks” fun for everyone. Check out these top 10 golden rules of mischief from MAOAM. See why parents love pulling pranks with the family on Halloween, below.
How pranks are good for kids
- You can show them how tricks can be funny for all. They shouldn’t be mean or make anyone sad. We love playing tricks on each other in our house all year round! @Tantrums2Smiles
- My kids love coming up with scary pranks each year, they keep getting better and better. I love how their imaginations can make great pranks. They can also express their creative side. It’s awesome how talented they are — fun, scary & exciting. @SophieTrufShuf
Pranks and confidence
- My daughter is more confident in talking to new children when she is dressed up and feels confident. @Y7RRA
- I find that it develops their social skills as well as their confidence as they get to hang out with friends and sometimes new people too. @CarsandTractors
- Trick or treating, preparing for Halloween and even playing pranks on family members helps build kids’ confidence and expands their circles… @BritMums
- Our son definitely has more confidence to play tricks on us now 🤣🤣🤣🤣 @Angep1969
- At first they are scared but then they become the scarers! @LifeSoFarBlog
The importance of pranks and fun
- Life can be so stressful for the kids, especially with stuyding and exams. So it is good to let them have some mischief once in a while to let off some steam. @CarsandTractors
- Just being able to let loose and have fun. Life can be so busy and serious sometimes with work, school and deadlines etc. It’s nice to be able to find your inner kid and show the kids that life isn’t always serious. Parents know how to laugh too! @Tantrums2Smiles
Why we love pranks
- With work, school and deadlines etc. it’s nice just to be able to find your inner kid and have fun to show the kids that life isn’t always serious and us parents know how to laugh too! @Tantrums2Smiles
- It’s just a great chance to get creative and silly with the family. Everyone can embrace some silly tricks. @emmaandthree
- We can spend quality time whilst being fun and mischievous! Let them be wild. @MeLuckyRainbow

- We shouldn’t forget this: It’s a pleasure to see kids laugh, having fun and dressing up. @AmyDoyl387
- It provides opportunity to get away with being silly again. 🙂 @SophieTrufShuf
- It bonds us a family: We LOVE dressing up and making mischief with family and friends when they come over for our annual evening of Halloween fun! @battynatty29

Get more ideas for mischief and pranks on the MAOAM Mischief Hub. MAOAM treats are great for your trick-or-treaters: They’re easy to share and long-lasting. MaoMixx bags & Stripes are individually wrapped and come in a range of flavours.
More Halloween pranks and ideas
41 spooky Halloween food, pranks, crafts an decorations
35 fun pranks and mischief for kids and family
5 tips for easy light-hearted Halloween pranks
About
BritMums is the UK’s original collective of lifestyle bloggers and digital influencers, fueling the country’s most influential social content. We lead the online conversation with members who are parent social influencers creating content on topics ranging from food, parenting, travel, politics, style and more.

