I have a confession to make:  I will do anything to make a kid laugh. A few weeks ago, my mom, older sister and I were hanging out and having an adult conversation while my niece, Caroline, just hung out watching her usual T.V. show on Noggin (she can’t get enough of The WonderPets, The Backyardigans or Little Bear).

As we grown-up ladies chatted about the latest in our lives, Caroline headed to her room to grab our attention. Literally two second later, she emerged wearing two swim diapers as accessories, one on her head, and one on her arm, like a purse. Of course, we adults all chuckled for a moment, until I notice she had one extra, which she handed to me.

Princess of Diaperland?

Since I’ve never been one to turn down a good game of make believe, I immediately took the diaper and put it on my head. The next thing I knew, and I swear to you all I’m not lying, there we were, three generations of women sitting with diapers on our heads pretending they were hats. Caroline started giggling, as if she were in on this ridiculous joke. I sat on the floor with her laughing and eventually, with a few more props we created a whole ensemble. That night, I crowned her the princess of Diaperland.

This wasn’t the first time I had pulled a silly stunt for the sake of a child’s laugh. Back in high school, when I babysat regularly, I would do ridiculous dances or talk in a funny voice, all to keep the kids entertained. 

But my silly stunts don’t work on everyone. My nephew Aidan usually just stares at me when I act like a fool around him (although he laughs every time his mom makes a silly noise). However, if he hears me telling a funny story, he will crack up. I was recently having lunch with him and his mom and I could swear he knew what we were talking about even though he’s only one. He was laughing right on cue!

Part of me thinks I have no shame because I know the kids probably won’t remember or care how silly I act. Another part of me likes to act silly because it reminds me of how fun childhood is. Sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock and go back to a time where manners and social morays didn’t weigh so heavily into my actions.

Maybe that’s why I love being an aunt so much. Spending time with the children means I can let my guard down and enjoy the spirit of their youth and recapture the essence of being a kid. I guess in the end I owe my nieces and nephew some gratitude. After all, they are the ones keeping me young at heart!

What type of tricks do you pull to make your nieces or nephews laugh?

*Photo: author with a diaper on her head. Yes, really.