10+ Funny Short Stories for Kids That Will Make Everyone Laugh

If you’ve ever read a story to a child and had them burst out laughing—then beg you to read it again—you already know the power of funny books.

Funny short stories are more than just silly distractions. They build reading skills, vocabulary, emotional intelligence, and best of all, a lifelong love of books.

In this article, WuKong Education’re sharing 10+ laugh-out-loud short stories for kids, perfect for parents, teachers, or anyone who wants to make reading time a little more joyful. You’ll also find a few light tips for making funny reading even more fun—and where to find more stories when your kid asks for “just one more.”

Our Favorite Funny Short Stories for Kids

Let’s jump into some of the best, silliest, most giggle-worthy stories you can share with children aged 3–10 and up.

1. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Wait—a kids’ book with NO pictures? Yes, and it’s hilarious. The reader (you!) is forced to say the most ridiculous, silly, and embarrassing words imaginable—like “blork” and “boo boo butt.”

Why kids love it: They’re in charge. You say the silly stuff, they laugh.
Great for: Ages 4–8, read-aloud fun, language play.

2. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

The pigeon wants to drive the bus. You have to say no. The pigeon pleads, bargains, whines, and has a full toddler-style meltdown. It’s a crowd-pleaser.

Why kids love it: It’s interactive—they get to say “NO!”
Great for: Ages 3–7, dramatic reading, bedtime comedy.

3. Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

A little red chicken keeps interrupting Papa’s bedtime stories with her own silly versions of the endings. The result? No one gets to sleep, but everyone laughs.

Why kids love it: Familiar fairy tales + funny twist
Great for: Ages 4–8, parents who like silly voices

4. Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish

Amelia is a housekeeper who takes everything literally. When told to “draw the drapes,” she gets out a pencil. Her mix-ups are perfect for teaching language play.

Why kids love it: Laughs + repetition + lovable character
Great for: Ages 6–9, early readers, vocabulary fun

5. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

A bear searches for his missing hat, interviewing other animals with dry humor and deadpan dialogue. The twist ending makes it a favorite with adults too.

Why kids love it: The surprise ending is sneaky and smart
Great for: Ages 5–9, kids with a dry sense of humor

6. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Each crayon writes a letter to its owner, Duncan, explaining why they’re unhappy—blue is overworked, beige feels boring, and pink just wants a chance!

Why kids love it: Colorful, clever, and full of attitude
Great for: Ages 4–8, creative kids, classroom fun

7. The Serious Goose by Jimmy Kimmel

This goose is serious. Very serious. And your job is to make it laugh—with faces, noises, anything! It’s an interactive challenge that rarely fails.

Why kids love it: Silly sounds, facial expressions, and a payoff
Great for: Ages 3–7, active readers, storytime games

8. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

Dragons love tacos. But they really hate spicy salsa. When a taco party gets out of hand, it’s fire-breathing chaos. A ridiculous crowd favorite.

Why kids love it: Dragons, food, and a silly disaster
Great for: Ages 4–8, read-aloud laughs, taco night

9. There Is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems

Elephant is horrified to find birds nesting on his head. Piggie is not. This back-and-forth comic format keeps even reluctant readers engaged.

Why kids love it: Easy-to-read dialogue + repetition
Great for: Ages 4–7, early readers, classroom groups

10. The Cat on the Mat Is Flat by Andy Griffiths

For kids who love rhymes, puns, and slapstick, this book delivers weird and wild stories in rhythmic form. Think Dr. Seuss meets nonsense poetry.

Why kids love it: Fast-paced and weirdly wonderful
Great for: Ages 6–10, fans of Captain Underpants-style humor

Light Tips for Reading Funny Stories with Kids

Let Them Lead the Laughs

Kids naturally find things funny—and they often find different things funny than adults. Let them giggle at “nonsense” and take their cue on what to re-read.

Use Funny Voices and Dramatic Pauses

Make the silly moments pop by pausing for effect or exaggerating characters’ voices. The weirder your pigeon impression, the better.

Mix Up Story Styles

Try rhyming books one day, dry humor the next. Humor has many flavors—variety keeps kids curious and engaged.

Sneak in Learning

Funny stories build fluency, vocabulary, and even comprehension—especially when you talk about what made something funny after the story ends.

Where to Find More Funny Stories

Local Libraries and Bookstores

Ask for “laugh-out-loud” or “humor” sections. Many libraries even have staff picks for silly books by age group.

Online Story Platforms

YouTube read-alouds, eBook apps, and kid’s podcasts are great for finding fresh funny content—even for reluctant readers.

Learning Platforms with Built-in Humor

Programs like WuKong Education understand the power of humor in learning:

• WuKong Chinese includes age-appropriate funny stories and playful visuals to help kids fall in love with the language.
• WuKong ELA uses fictional storytelling, character dialogue, and humor to build literacy in a way that feels like fun—not work.
• WuKong Math integrates math challenges into light-hearted problem-solving stories that engage curious learners.

“Parents looking for structured Chinese learning may consider programs like WuKong Chinese that offer certified native teachers and storytelling-based lessons.”

Conclusion: Laugh and Learn Together

Funny stories aren’t just for laughs (though those are great too). They spark joy, build emotional bonds, and help children learn language in the most natural way—through play.

Start with a few of these read-aloud favorites, or explore silly stories together at your library, online, or with trusted educational platforms like WuKong ELA. Whether your child is 3 or 10, there’s always room for another giggle-filled book.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What age group are funny short stories best for?

A: Funny short stories are great for kids ages 3 to 10, but the key is matching the humor style to the child’s developmental stage. Younger kids often enjoy silly sounds and repetition, while older children may appreciate wordplay, clever twists, or dry humor.

Q2: Are funny stories educational or just entertaining?

A: Both! Funny stories:

• Encourage reading fluency
• Improve vocabulary
• Support comprehension and recall
• Boost emotional development
  They’re a great way to make learning feel like play.

Q3: What if my child only wants to read silly books?

A: That’s okay—especially in early reading stages. The goal is to build a love of reading first. Over time, you can gently introduce new genres by saying things like, “This story is silly and a mystery,” or “Let’s read one silly, one serious.”

Q4: Can funny stories help with second language learning?

A: Absolutely. In language learning, humor helps children remember words and grammar through repetition, rhyme, and context.
Programs like WuKong Chinese and WuKong ELA often use humorous stories to engage learners and build fluency naturally.

Q5: Where can I find more funny stories for my child?

A: Try:

• Your local library (ask for “humor” or “read-aloud” lists)
• WuKong Education platforms, which use funny stories to teach Chinese, English, and math
• Booklists from trusted blogs, teachers, or reading apps
• Funny audiobooks and YouTube read-alouds for screen-free giggles