PriceSage

Gift guides › White elephant ›

Kid-Friendly White Elephant Gifts (in Hilarious Prank Boxes)

The secret to a great kids' white elephant isn't the gift. It's the box. Kids will happily steal a box of "Broccoli Buddies" cereal just to find out what's really inside. Every idea here pairs a real prank gift box (the kind sold at Walmart, Amazon and Target) with a gift kids actually want, plus a packaging plan for maximum suspense.

Budget: $10–$25 for the gift inside, plus about $10 for the prank box. Prank boxes are empty; the products shown on them are fake. Store links search for the box and the gift; PriceSage may earn a commission when you buy, at no extra cost to you.

1 The “My First Fire” prank box

The box claims: A children's fire-starting kit. "Finally, a game that encourages kids to play with fire." Every grown-up in the room will gasp.

Find the box: Amazon · Walmart · Target · Etsy · eBay · Prank-O

What's really inside

A s'mores kit, a pack of glow sticks and a kid-sized flashlight: all of the campfire, none of the fire.

Packaging plan

  1. Fold the box together and line it with orange and red tissue paper so it looks like flames when it opens.
  2. Snap one glow stick and lay it right on top. It glows through the tissue.
  3. Wrap the box in clear cellophane so everyone can read it from across the room. The box is the joke.

The reveal: Turn the lights off before they open it. Instant (safe) campfire.

2 The “Broccoli Buddies” prank box

The box claims: A family-size box of broccoli-based breakfast cereal. Kids' faces will fall instantly.

Find the box: Amazon · Walmart · Target · Etsy · eBay · Prank-O

What's really inside

A bag of their favorite sugary cereal, plus a small toy "prize" tucked in the bottom like old-school cereal boxes.

Packaging plan

  1. Pour the real cereal into a zip bag and slide it into the box so it rattles like the real thing.
  2. Drop the toy prize in the bottom, under the bag.
  3. Put it on the gift table unwrapped, like someone brought groceries by mistake.

The reveal: Hand them a bowl and a spoon as they open it. They'll check for broccoli first.

3 The “Extreme Chores” prank box

The box claims: A video game where the challenge is raking leaves. On expert difficulty.

Find the box: Amazon · Walmart · Target · Etsy · eBay · Prank-O

What's really inside

A real video game (Nintendo Switch party games are a hit) or a game store gift card in a game case.

Packaging plan

  1. Put the game inside and stuff the rest of the box with a real dish towel or a sponge so it feels like chores.
  2. Tape a fake "chore chart" to the back with one item: "Play this game."
  3. Wrap it in regular paper so the box itself is the first surprise.

The reveal: Let them read the box out loud before they find the real game.

4 The “12,000 Piece Puzzle” prank box

The box claims: A 12,000-piece jigsaw puzzle where almost every piece is the same color.

Find the box: Amazon · Walmart · Target · Etsy · eBay · Prank-O

What's really inside

A fun 100- to 300-piece puzzle, or a fast family game like Spot It!

Packaging plan

  1. Put the real puzzle box inside. If it's smaller, fill the space with crumpled paper so it shakes like a heavy puzzle.
  2. Tape on a sticky note: "Due back by New Year's."

The reveal: Ask who wants to help them start the 12,000-piece version tonight.

5 The “Mold Farm” prank box

The box claims: A children's fungus habitat. "It's never too early to teach your kids about mold."

Find the box: Amazon · Walmart · Target · Etsy · eBay · Prank-O

What's really inside

A crystal-growing science kit: something real to grow, minus the mold.

Packaging plan

  1. Line the box with green crinkle paper (it looks deeply suspicious).
  2. Nestle the science kit inside.
  3. Wrap it in a clear produce bag from the grocery store, twisted at the top.

The reveal: The kid gets to grow something after all.

6 The “Fire Chief” prank box

The box claims: A family board game about fire, "for families that put fun first, safety second".

Find the box: Amazon · Walmart · Target · Etsy · eBay · Prank-O

What's really inside

A real family game, ideally a less fire-focused one: UNO, Exploding Kittens or Sushi Go!

Packaging plan

  1. Card games are small, so put the game in a nest of red tissue paper to fill the box.
  2. Tape a toy fire helmet or a firefighter sticker to the lid for full commitment.

The reveal: Play one round right there, before the next turn.

7 The “Pet Paint Kit” prank box

The box claims: An art kit so your dog or cat can finally express themselves.

Find the box: Amazon · Walmart · Target · Etsy · eBay · Prank-O

What's really inside

A paint-your-own kit for the kid: rock painting, paint-your-own figurines, or watercolor paints.

Packaging plan

  1. Put a few paw-print stickers on the box (dollar store stickers work great).
  2. Tuck in a note "signed" with a paw print from the family pet.

The reveal: The pet is very disappointed. The kid is not.

8 The “Cat Hat” prank box

The box claims: Don't just buy a cat tree, be a cat tree: a hat your cat can climb.

Find the box: Amazon · Walmart · Target · Etsy · eBay · Prank-O

What's really inside

A cat plush or Squishmallow and a cat-ear headband.

Packaging plan

  1. Put the headband on the plush and seat it inside facing up, so it's the first thing they see.
  2. Add a few crinkly cat toys to the box so it jingles.

The reveal: Make them wear the headband for the rest of the game.