Work can be stressful, and sometimes, a little humor can go a long way. Whether you’re in a cubicle, an open office, or working remotely, there’s always room for light-hearted fun. One great way to boost morale, break the ice, and create a positive vibe is by playing safe and harmless pranks. Of course, it’s important to respect boundaries, avoid anything offensive, and always know your audience. But when done right, pranks can bring coworkers closer and make the workday a little brighter. That’s why many teams enjoy exploring fun and clever pranks to do on coworkers. This article will walk you through some of the best ideas—from classic desk tricks to creative remote gags. Get ready to laugh, but keep it clean, respectful, and safe. After all, the goal is fun, not frustration.
Best Pranks to Do on Coworkers Without Getting in Trouble
Pranking your coworkers can be a great way to add some fun to the workday, but not all pranks are created equal. The best pranks are harmless, easy to undo, and make everyone laugh—including the person being pranked. They shouldn’t cause messes, damage equipment, or cross any professional lines. When thinking of pranks to do on coworkers, always keep workplace rules in mind. You don’t need to go overboard or spend money. A simple trick involving their desk setup, tech settings, or morning routine can be surprisingly effective. In this section, we’ll look at pranks that won’t land you in HR’s office but will definitely get a few laughs around the break room. Let’s start with the classics—because sometimes, the old tricks are still the best.
Classic Desk Pranks That Never Get Old
Sometimes the funniest pranks are the simplest ones. Desk pranks are easy to pull off and usually don’t require much planning. For example, one classic move is to take a screenshot of a coworker’s desktop and set it as their wallpaper. Then, hide their desktop icons. They’ll click around thinking their computer is frozen. It’s harmless, and once they figure it out, it usually gets a good laugh.
Another favorite is the sticky note prank. Cover their entire desk—or even their chair and keyboard—with colorful sticky notes. It’s silly, non-destructive, and oddly beautiful.
Swapping keyboard keys is another go-to. If your coworker uses a physical keyboard, gently pop off a few keys and mix them around. Just don’t mess up so badly they can’t work.
These small tricks are easy to undo and perfect examples of pranks to do on coworkers in a light-hearted way.
Tech-Savvy Office Pranks
If you’re a little more tech-inclined, there are creative digital pranks that can really confuse your coworkers—in a good way. For example, you can switch the settings on their mouse by reversing the primary and secondary buttons. Suddenly, left-click is right-click and nothing works the way they expect.
Another clever one is setting up a fake software update screen. Just put it on full screen when they leave their desk. When they return, they’ll think their system is stuck. It’s quick to set up and funny for a few seconds of confusion.
Auto-correct chaos is another subtle option. In Word or Outlook, set a few common words to change into something ridiculous. For instance, every time they type “meeting,” it changes to “pizza party.” It’s unexpected but not harmful, and it’s easy to change back.
These pranks are perfect if you want to keep things funny without leaving a mess behind.
Harmless Pranks for Remote Coworkers (Zoom and Slack)
Not everyone is in the office. For remote workers, digital communication platforms like Zoom and Slack open the door for new prank ideas. One harmless Zoom prank is switching your background to something funny—like sitting in their chair, or in the same outfit they’re wearing. It’s subtle but gets laughs.
Changing your display name to theirs on a team Zoom call can also create some brief, hilarious confusion—especially if two people are suddenly labeled “Mike.”
On Slack or Teams, you can use bots or reactions to mess with their messages. Reacting to every message with a different emoji can feel weird but harmless. You could also schedule a message that reminds them of a “meeting” that doesn’t exist.
These are good-natured pranks that work well in today’s hybrid or fully remote workspaces. They’re safe, easy to undo, and perfect examples of modern pranks to do on coworkers.
Group Pranks for Team Bonding
Sometimes, the best pranks are the ones done as a group. Planning something silly together not only brings coworkers closer but also spreads the fun. One favorite is filling someone’s cubicle with balloons. It takes time, but the visual impact is worth it. And once it’s done, everyone enjoys watching the reaction.
Another group idea is setting up a fake “crime scene” in someone’s workspace. Add caution tape, mysterious objects, and silly clues. It’s funny without being destructive and gives everyone something to talk about all day.
Then there’s the “voice-activated” prank. Stick a sign on the printer that says, “Now voice-activated.” You’d be surprised how many people try to talk to it before realizing it’s a joke.
These group pranks don’t target or embarrass anyone. Instead, they’re shared fun that can help build stronger team bonds.
Food-Related Pranks (Play Nice!)
Food can be tricky when it comes to pranks, so it’s important to be gentle and respectful. You never want to tamper with someone’s food in a harmful or gross way. But there are a few funny, safe food-related ideas that won’t cause any real issues.
For example, giving someone a regular donut that’s filled with mayonnaise instead of cream can be hilarious—if they have a good sense of humor and you reveal the prank quickly. Don’t let them actually eat it.
Switching out their regular coffee for decaf for a day might cause a sleepy afternoon, but again, be sure to confess by the end of the day. It’s harmless if done just once.
Labeling plain water bottles as “vodka” or “tequila” can also be funny in a playful way—as long as everyone knows it’s a joke.
Food pranks should always be clean, respectful, and short-lived.
Seasonal & Holiday-Themed Pranks
Holiday seasons are a great excuse to get creative with themed office pranks. Around Halloween, placing a plastic spider in someone’s drawer or keyboard can cause a small jump scare—fun if they don’t have a phobia.
In December, you can gift-wrap everything on someone’s desk—monitor, keyboard, pens, and even their chair. It’s time-consuming but festive and funny. It’s also easy to clean up.
April Fool’s Day is the ultimate time for pranks to do on coworkers. Fake IT emails, phony announcements, or pretend promotions (that are obviously jokes) can get everyone talking—just make sure nobody actually gets hurt or misled.
These seasonal pranks feel more natural and are often expected, which makes them easier to pull off without crossing any lines.
What to Avoid When Pulling Pranks at Work
Not every prank is a good prank. It’s important to know where the line is. Never do anything that could damage property, embarrass someone in public, or mess with sensitive personal items.
Avoid anything involving someone’s appearance, clothing, or hygiene. These can quickly go from funny to offensive.
Don’t tamper with passwords, delete files, or change work-related documents. That’s not a prank—that’s sabotage.
Also, be mindful of cultural, religious, and personal boundaries. What’s funny to one person could be deeply offensive to another.
The goal of pranks to do on coworkers is to create laughter, not discomfort. When in doubt, skip it or ask a teammate if it’s a good idea.
Also Read: 20 Funny Historical Events That Actually Happened
Final Thoughts on Pranks to Do on Coworkers
When done right, office pranks can bring a team closer, add humor to the daily grind, and create fun memories that last. The best pranks are simple, kind, and easy to reverse. They don’t hurt anyone’s feelings, damage anything, or waste a lot of time.
If you’re planning to try out some pranks to do on coworkers, remember to know your audience and keep it light. Always be the first to clean up or fix what you did—and be ready to be pranked in return!
A little fun at work can go a long way. Just make sure everyone’s in on the joke. Because when people laugh together, they work better together.
FAQs About Pranks to Do on Coworkers
1. Are pranks at work allowed?
It depends on the workplace. Some offices encourage fun, while others have strict rules. Always check your company’s policies before pulling a prank.
2. What makes a prank safe for work?
A safe prank doesn’t cause harm, mess, or offense. It should be easy to undo and make the person laugh—not feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.
3. Can I prank my boss?
Only if you know they have a good sense of humor. Keep it mild and respectful. Some bosses love a good laugh—others may not.
4. What if someone gets upset?
Apologize right away and don’t do it again. Not everyone enjoys pranks, and it’s important to respect their feelings.
5. How can I prank someone who works remotely?
Try Zoom background swaps, funny display names, or Slack bots. These digital pranks are fun and easy to reverse.
Hi, I’m George Orwell – a curious mind and passionate writer at Celiac Magazine. I cover a little bit of everything, from everyday tips and how-tos to deeper dives into topics that spark conversation. I enjoy turning research into readable, relatable content that informs and inspires. Whatever the subject, I aim to keep it clear, engaging, and genuinely useful.This article is published under the editorial guidance of Philip John, Founder of Celiac Magazine.