15 Funny Lies We Tell Younger Kids (That We All Believed Once)
Older kids love to mess with younger ones, and sometimes, that means making silly lies to get a reaction. Whether they’re trying to seem more competent, play a prank, or simply have a laugh, older siblings and friends can be pretty convincing.
Many of us believed at least a few of these little fibs when we were younger. While most of them are harmless, they stick with us because they are so easy to fall for. Here are some of the most common (and funny) lies older kids tell little ones.
Swallowed Gum Stays in Your Stomach for Seven Years
One of the most famous lies is that chewing gum will stay in your body for seven years if you swallow it. This made many little kids panic if they ever accidentally swallowed a piece. While it’s not true, the idea is just gross enough to be believable. Older kids love telling this one to scare their younger siblings. In reality, your body passes it like anything else you eat.
If You Cross Your Eyes Too Long, They’ll Stay That Way
This classic warning is told with a serious face to stop kids from making silly faces. Crossing your eyes won’t make them stick, but it sure made younger kids stop trying. Older kids use this to feel like they’re giving good advice—even though it’s not true. Most little ones believe it and never question it until much later. It’s one of those lies that sounds just believable enough.
Ice Cream Truck Only Plays Music When It’s Out of Ice Cream
This trick is just cruel—but clever. Older kids say the ice cream truck plays music when nothing is left, so little kids won’t ask for treats. It’s a sneaky way to avoid spending money or waiting in line. Many kids missed out on frozen treats because they trusted this one. Turns out the music means it’s open for business.
TV Turns Off If You Sit Too Close
“Back up or you’ll break the TV”—older kids have been saying this for years. It’s usually told to keep younger siblings from hogging the best seat in front of the screen. They make it sound like sitting too close will ruin the TV or your eyes forever. The truth is, while sitting too close can be annoying, it won’t hurt the TV. But younger kids don’t usually argue with this “rule.”
Chocolate Milk Comes from Brown Cows
It’s silly, but some kids believed chocolate milk came straight from brown cows. Older kids tell it with such confidence that little ones don’t think to question it. This makes for a funny moment when the truth finally comes out. It’s a good example of how young kids take things literally. The milk and chocolate syrup mix is far less exciting than magical cows.
Your Toys Come to Life When You’re Not Looking
Inspired by cartoons and movies, older kids love to say that toys have secret lives. This lie sparks imagination but also a little fear—especially when a toy seems to move. Younger kids might watch their toys closely, trying to catch them in action. It’s playful, but it can be a little creepy for some. Still, it’s one of the more creative lies older kids enjoy telling.
You’ll Get Sucked Down the Drain if You Stay in the Tub Too Long
This spooky story is meant to rush younger kids out of the bath. Older siblings tell it with severe warnings: once the water drains, it pulls you down too. It sounds silly now, but it worked when we were little. Baths suddenly felt a lot scarier after hearing this. It’s a sneaky way for older kids to avoid sharing bathroom time.
The Moon Follows You
Older kids love to point out that the moon is “watching you” or “following your car.” Younger kids look up and totally believe it because it really does seem to move with you. While it’s an optical illusion, the idea feels so magical—and just a little creepy. It’s one of those lies that’s both fun and harmless. Many of us believed it for years.
If You Eat a Seed, a Plant Will Grow in Your Stomach
Told while eating fruit, this lie is often used to scare kids into chewing carefully. Older kids claim it’ll sprout inside you, whether it’s a watermelon seed or an apple core. The image of vines growing from your belly button was enough to freak anyone out. It’s totally false, of course, but younger kids didn’t know that. It’s one of those lies that makes you extra careful with your food.
Video Game Controllers Work Better When You Blow Into Them
When younger siblings want to play, older kids often give them a controller that’s not even plugged in—or tell them to “blow on it” to fix it. The blowing trick seems like magic, but it doesn’t do anything for modern games. It’s a way to keep the younger sibling busy while the older one gets the real action. Many kids believed they were helping, even if nothing changed. It’s sneaky but clever.
If You Lie, Your Nose Will Grow
Thanks to a famous wooden puppet, this lie became a classic warning. Older kids say if you tell a lie, your nose will get bigger, and everyone will know. Younger kids might even check the mirror after fibbing. While not true, it was a fun way to make kids think twice about lying. It’s one of those tales that teaches a lesson in a silly way.
Grown-Ups Can See Everything You Do
Older kids love to say that parents have eyes in the back of their heads or secret powers. This keeps younger siblings in check, especially when they’re doing something sneaky. It’s meant to scare little ones into behaving, which usually works. While it’s not true, it’s compelling when paired with a serious voice. Kids learn quickly that grown-ups are always “watching.”
If You Step on a Crack, You’ll Break Your Mother’s Back
This rhyme-turned-lie made kids terrified of sidewalks. Older kids said it with fake concern, watching younger ones try to avoid every single crack. Of course, it’s completely made up, but it caused some cautious walking. It became more of a silly game than anything else. Still, many of us believed it just in case.
If You Swallow a Penny, You’ll Turn into a Piggy Bank
This one is weird but memorable. Some older kids claimed that swallowing a coin would turn you into a piggy bank and people could “deposit” more money into you. Younger kids often panicked and ran to an adult if a coin ever got too close to their mouth. It was totally made up, but it worked as a scare tactic. One of the more creative lies.
You Can’t Go to School If You Don’t Know the Secret Rules
Older kids sometimes told younger ones that schools had special rules or codes that only “big kids” knew. They’d pretend there were handshakes, secret lunch tricks, or hidden words. This made school feel like a mystery, and younger kids feel left out. While it’s not true, it built a sense of excitement (and maybe some nerves). Eventually, they learned the only rule was showing up and paying attention.
Related: 15 Clever Hacks To Reduce That Never-Ending Grocery Bill
Managing grocery expenses can be challenging for many households, especially with rising food costs and fluctuating budgets.
However, with some creativity and resourcefulness, you can implement numerous clever hacks to reduce your never-ending grocery bill without sacrificing the quality or variety of your meals.
