Joke of the Day for Students

That five-minute window before class starts is prime time for a quick laugh. A short, clean joke can wake up sleepy faces, break the ice, and give students something small and fun to carry through the day. Below you get 60 school-safe jokes grouped by age and vibe, plus quick tips on when and how to use them so the moment lands just right.

Each joke is short enough to read aloud in 10 to 20 seconds. Use them for morning announcements, a whiteboard of the day, a classroom jar, or a school newsletter.

How to use these jokes (quick guide)

• Read one joke in under 30 seconds during morning check-in or before a lesson.
• Rotate categories by day of the week. For example, Monday: Knock knock. Wednesday: STEM giggles.
• Keep it inclusive. Never make the punchline about a specific student.
• Delivery tip: pause before the punchline. A 1 second pause makes the laugh bigger.
• Safety note: avoid jokes about tests, grades, or anyone’s appearance.

Knock Knock Jokes (Great for younger grades)

• Knock knock. Who’s there? Lettuce. Lettuce who? Lettuce in, it’s cold out here.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Boo. Boo who? Don’t cry, it’s just a joke.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Cow says. Cow says who? No, cow says mooo.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Olive. Olive who? Olive you and I miss you.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Knock knock. Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Tank. Tank who? You’re welcome.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Dishes. Dishes who? Dishes the police, open up.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Atch. Atch who? Bless you.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Doughnut. Doughnut who? Doughnut forget to smile.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Snow. Snow who? Snow use, I forgot my joke.

Elementary-Friendly One-Liners

• Why did the cookie go to the doctor? It felt crummy.
• What do you call a sleeping bull? A bulldozer.
• Why was the broom late? It over swept.
• What do you call a dinosaur that is sleeping? A dino-snore.
• Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert? It was already stuffed.
• What do you call cheese that is not yours? Nacho cheese.
• Why did the bicycle fall over? It was two tired.
• What kind of tree fits in your hand? A palm tree.
• Why did the tomato turn red? It saw the salad dressing.
• What do clouds wear under their shorts? Thunderwear.

Middle School Puns and Wordplay

• I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.
• I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It is impossible to put down.
• What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.
• I told my computer I needed a break. It said no problem, it will go to sleep.
• Why don’t eggs tell jokes? They might crack up.
• The math teacher called me average. How mean.
• Parallel lines have so much in common. It’s a shame they’ll never meet.
• I would tell you a joke about construction, but I’m still working on it.
• Why are ghosts bad liars? Because you can see right through them.
• Why did the scarecrow become a successful leader? He was outstanding in his field.

High School Clever Jokes

• I told my friend she drew her eyebrows too high. She seemed surprised.
• My chemistry teacher told a joke, but there was no reaction.
• I asked the librarian if the library had books on paranoia. She whispered, “They’re right behind you.”
• I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.
• Why do programmers prefer dark mode? Light attracts bugs.
• I can’t trust stairs. They are always up to something.
• What did the zero say to the eight? Nice belt.
• I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands.
• Why did the history teacher go to jail? For sentencing people to the past.
• I have a memory like an elephant. I remember every time I forget something.

STEM and School Subject Jokes

• Why was the equal sign so humble? Because it knew it wasn’t less than or greater than.
• What did one cell say to his sister cell when she stepped on his toe? Mitosis.
• Why did the computer show up at work late? It had a hard drive.
• Why was the geometry book sad? Too many problems.
• How does a scientist freshen her breath? With experi-mints.
• Why did the physics teacher break up with the biology teacher? There was no chemistry.
• What did the triangle say to the circle? You’re pointless.
• Why do plants hate math? It gives them square roots.
• How do you organize a space party? You planet.
• Why are obtuse angles so frustrated? Because they are never right.

Teacher-Approved Clean Classics

• What did one wall say to the other wall? I’ll meet you at the corner.
• Why did the student eat his homework? The teacher said it was a piece of cake.
• What do you call a fish wearing a crown? King Neptune.
• What did the pencil say to the paper? I dot my i’s on you.
• What is a cat’s favorite color? Purr-ple.
• What do you call a snowman party? A snowball.
• Why did the music teacher need a ladder? To reach the high notes.
• How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together.
• Why did the computer keep sneezing? It had too many bytes.
• What do you call a group of unorganized cats? A cat-astrophe.

Quick tips for teachers and student leaders

• Keep it short. Aim for one joke that takes under 30 seconds to deliver.
• Mix categories so jokes feel fresh. A weekly schedule keeps students guessing.
• Invite a student to be “joke captain” for a week. Ownership boosts participation.
• Use a whiteboard or slide with the joke of the day and encourage retells at recess.
• If a joke falls flat, laugh anyway and move on. That models lightness and confidence.

A small opinion worth following

Funny routines work best when they are predictable but low pressure. A one-line joke each morning builds a calm, joyful start to class without taking time away from learning.

Pick a category, post one joke each day, and watch a small ritual become a bright habit.