by Gillian Janicki

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From fake products to viral “reveals,” 2025’s best April Fools’s Day pranks proved that brands aren’t afraid to get weird. Here’s a roundup of the ones that stood out to the Slide Nine team:

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Columbus Metropolitan Library: “Beach Reads for All”

Columbus’ public library got in on the fun with a TikTok announcing its new mission: to make every book a beach read. The over-the-top execution made this prank a masterclass in staying on-brand and community-focused.

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KFC Toothpaste

Crispy clean? KFC teased the release of a fried chicken-flavored toothpaste “designed to leave your breath finger lickin’ fresh.” 

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Build-A-Bear’s Emo Axolotl

Build-A-Bear went full My Chemical Romance with a limited-edition Emo Axolotl that feels ripped from a Millennial’s MySpace profile. 

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National Park Service: Social Media Manager Reveal

The National Park Service took a playful jab at internet culture with a “face reveal” of the person running their account. Spoiler: the photo was unable to load.

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Oreo's Legal Team Got the Last Word

Oreo posted a carousel of rejected April Fools’ ideas from their legal team. The real joke? That legal always wins.

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Crunch Bar’s “Cooked Bar”

For anyone who finds chocolate bars too loud, Crunch introduced a “cooked” version… with white rice instead of puffed. Quiet but still delicious.

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Olipop x Hidden Valley: Ranch Lovers Soda

Olipop and Hidden Valley dropped a fake limited-edition soda lineup inspired by America’s favorite condiment: ranch dressing. The post featured flavor descriptions, designed packaging and just enough seriousness to make people wonder, “Is this real?”

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Red Lobster Cheddphones

Craving a cheesy jam session? Red Lobster unveiled the Cheddphones—headphones made using their iconic Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

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This year’s batch of pranks was a refreshing mix of chaotic and cleverly on-brand. Whether brands leaned into absurdity or poked fun at themselves, the best April Fools’ jokes showed that a little humor (and plenty of planning!) can go a long way. 

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As fun as April Fools’ Day can be, not every brand should hop on the prank train. If you're already brainstorming ideas for next year, here are a few red flags that signal it’s better to sit this one out:

• You’re in the middle of a crisis. Humor can seem tone-deaf when your audience is skeptical or upset.
• Your audience values trust above all. If your brand operates in finance, healthcare or safety-related industries, misleading jokes can impact credibility.
• Your brand voice doesn’t naturally lean playful. April Fools’ jokes work best when the tone is authentic and consistent with your usual messaging. 

When done right, a prank can generate buzz and engage your audience, but when in doubt, it’s best to play it straight.