Ah, dear old dad. He's funny, he's supportive, and he looks great in cargo shorts. His mediocre jokes probably won't go down in history, but they've still got a place in our hearts and deep down, we have to admit that they are a little funny. Life isn't always predictable, but even on the most challenging days, we can always trust that dad will be out by the grill in his white New Balance shoes. So what exactly does this dad persona look like? Read on for some dads who went viral just for being, well, dads.
Henpecked Hal the Decorator
We mean, he's not wrong. Anyone who lives with young children has probably experienced something like this - the toys they're "not done playing with," clothes that just came out of the laundry, basically anything that can be put off dealing with. More often than not, things that get put away need to be taken out again at some point anyway, so why not simplify the process and follow Hal's advice?
We just hope whatever he tripped over for a few days didn't include Lego pieces. Have you ever stepped on a Lego? Best to avoid it if you can - it's not fun.
The Flying Dad
Kudos to both dads for being so open to goofing around. We can imagine that some dads would not have said yes when approached with such a proposition, but this one seemed to take it in stride, and maybe even enjoy it a little bit. It certainly made for a pretty entertaining picture, and it's great that the man could show his daughter an example of giving others a turn.
Did you ever play 'airplane' with your parents as a kid? If so, did you enjoy it, or did the feeling of being up in the air make you nervous?
A Wise Investment
We like his style - and his energy. There are few things more indicative of dad humor than a solid pun, and this dad knew an opportunity when he saw one. He could have gone straight for the "not as invested" joke and skipped putting one on altogether, but instead, he went all in and put on a vest just so he could say "vest day ever," and not even just once.
Simon Holland is one of the funniest dads on social media. His feeds are full of hilarious content about all of the little nuances and observations that come with being a dad.
A Sentimental Man
Who knew something so clever could also be so wholesome? Yes, it's funny, but it's also a little sad. Having peeled oranges with lunch every day, something that this girl probably took for granted at times, turned into a viral joke when her dad did a 180 and decided it was time for her to start peeling her own citrus. While we can admire the sentiment, the printed instructions were a very dad-like touch.
Did your parents have any little traditions like this when you were in school? Did they peel your fruit for you or leave little notes? When did they stop? These are important questions.
The Kids Are Safe With Him
Kenny Deuss is a graphic artist who created his Instagram account 'On Adventure with Dad' as a way to prank his girlfriend. Every Tuesday Kenny stays home with the kids, and while his girlfriend is at work she often texts him to ask for pictures of them. After a while, he decided to have some dad-level fun with it and photoshop the pictures to make the kids look like they're in dangerous situations.
He's created photos of the kids cooking without supervision, playing on the roof, even getting stuck inside of a vending machine. You've got to give the man some credit for his creativity.
"Dad, Please, Just One More! "
At least he tried. Every parent knows how difficult it is to say "no" to their children, especially when saying "yes" makes everything so much easier. His intentions were good, but we remember the days when going somewhere new meant you just had to have a souvenir, and we'd be lying if we said that didn't lead to the acquisition of countless stuffed animals from wherever we went as children.
What was your souvenir of choice as a child? Did you like stuffed animals too, or did you prefer to collect other gifts? Does this dad's recollection of their day ring true?
You Can't Trust Anyone
The real world is a harsh place. We admire this dad's commitment to a joke to the point that he set it up over a period of two years, but this joke is, well, low. He played the long game, and now his son is going to pay. Hopefully, he'll catch on quickly and turn it around to pull a "too slow" right back on his dad. It's a classic move, but it cuts deep.
Most of us have been 'too slowed' a time or two, but this kind of betrayal rarely comes from a dad. It just goes to show, no one is safe.
He CAN Go to Taco Bell
Obviously, this person's dad is not on an all-carb diet. We love Tacos as much as anyone, and though we can't say we've ever gone black tie for a burrito, we like his style. He must really love tacos to get this dressed up, either that or he wanted an excuse to put on his finest threads. Either way, it's a good look - we just hope he doesn't get hot sauce on it.
Taco Bell was definitely not the answer we were expecting to the poster's question. Would you get this dressed up for Mexican food, or do you prefer something a little more casual?
That's Not What That Means
We'd like to believe that this dad meant well, but as technology and culture evolve, sometimes it takes a while for some people to catch up. Obviously, this dad was referring to the death of his brother when he chose these emojis but didn't understand that the skull is most often used in reference to something someone finds exceptionally funny, and the flame is often in response to someone or something looking attractive.
Has anyone you know ever used an emoji in an inappropriate way by accident? We also have to wonder why this dad chose to text his son with such important news rather than call.
Don't Blink!
Every parent wants to do what they can to make their child happy, but ultimately there are some limits. Hal had probably had enough after taking his daughter to two different parks, maybe he needed to get home to cook dinner, maybe the third park was far away, whatever his reason, it seems that the first thing his daughter would accept as compensation was, at the end of the day, something he couldn't deliver.
Luckily for him, young children usually have pretty short memories. While we're sure the rejection must have stung at first, she'd probably forgotten about her list of demands by bedtime.
When Dad Is Dramatic
We have to cut this dad a little slack, maybe he just missed his daughter! On the other hand, she may have been at work all day and had no choice but to be out, so can you blame her for calling her dad dramatic? Either way, his message is a peak dad humor way of asking if she'd be home for dinner that evening. He gets points for creativity, at least.
Did you think his message was dramatic, or did you find it funny? How would you have responded to a message like this? If we were her, we'd call down for room service.
A Little Rain Never Hurt Anybody
This dad is a shining example of what it means to never give up on your dreams. Sure, it was pouring rain, and yeah, maybe the buns got a little soggy, but at least he could guarantee the meat would be nice and moist. He gets extra dad points for his outfit as well; the winning combination of swim trunks and Crocs illustrates just how prepared he was for grilling, rain, or shine.
If he's anything like most dads, he probably told his wife that he'd grill and she didn't have to worry about dinner, only to leave her to prepare side dishes and clean up afterward.
Deep Down, This Dad Is Proud
This guy is a savage. It's one thing to let your kids observe their failures on their own, but to make a point to rub it in their faces? We have to assume he's kidding and that his children's art because deep, deep down it actually touches his heart. In any case, if the artworks aren't perfect, he can just consider them abstract expressionism. Like something Jackson Pollock would have created.
What did your parents do with your childhood artwork? Or, if you have children, what do you do with the artwork they create? Hopefully, it's never involved coloring on the walls.
Like Father, Like Daughter
Sometimes children have little characteristics that leave no doubt as to who their parents are - the way their hair curls, the color of their eyes. But sometimes these characteristics transcend anything physical and it's in the personality that we can really see their family tree. This child seems to be one of them, and her dad recognizes it. Seems like snacking on the sofa is a pastime in this family.
In what ways can you see your personality in your parents (or vice versa)? Do you share a lot of the same traits, or is any resemblance between you strictly in appearance?
He Must Really Like Fish
We know that deep down, this man must love his daughter, some people just have a more difficult time showing it. She seems to be implying that he was less excited about her birthday than he was when seeing this fish, but perhaps he was just hungry and goofing around by pretending to eat it? At the very least, he seemed to have remembered her birthday based on the flowers and balloons.
Some dads are silly, and some are more serious, but it seems like this girl's dad is a little of each. At least he has a humorous side - he looks very entertaining.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Whoever created this post is either a dad themself, or really understands how the mind of a dad works. What dad wouldn't respond to power tools, questionable fashion choices, or someone touching the thermostat? Who among us hasn't walked into a room and announced that we were hungry, only to be met with the response "Hi Hungry, I'm dad?" There's a reason these jokes are so well-known - we've all experienced them first hand.
Does your dad commit any of these cliches? If you are a dad, how many of these boxes do you check? What other dad jokes would you choose to chant?
He's Doing His Best
Who else's dad has gone to the grocery store just to grab a few things, only to call home with questions every five minutes? Sometimes the simplest tasks end up being the most difficult, but at least this dad seems aware of his own limitations. We just feel bad for the mom; it can't be easy to be interrupted so often when you're trying to prepare everything for a party.
Is your dad like this guy, or is he a little more self-sufficient? There's nothing wrong with needing to call for help once in a while, but five times seems a little excessive.
A Very Generous Review
We have to admire his commitment to staying 'in character.' Not every day would respond this way to getting mugged by his own children. We have to wonder what exactly the western brawl entailed, and what about the experience was redeeming enough to warrant him leaving a 2-star review. It sounds like great entertainment, at least - perhaps the children should consider rebranding the restaurant so that it includes live theater.
Did you play 'restaurant' when you were a kid? Did it ever turn into something like this? We're curious what kind of food was on the menu - probably something a cowboy would eat.
In Case You Weren't Sure
Joe wanted to make sure there were no doubts about whom he was wishing a happy birthday in this post. Confusing a photo's subjects is an easy mistake that anyone could make, especially with a picture as adorable as this one. Luckily, his daughter Raylin seemed to find some humor in this situation, even if her response was a little bit sarcastic. We don't blame her. It's hard sharing the spotlight with a seal.
How would you respond if your dad posted something like this on your birthday? Would you find it funny? Seals never have to put up with dad jokes on their birthdays. Lucky them.
This Dad Is a Keeper
We're not sure what the point of buying a bee suit is if you're not going to be working with bees, but this dad seems to be really enjoying his purchase and even used it as an opportunity to dish out a world-class dad joke. Maybe he'll use this as an opportunity to pick up a new hobby. Hopefully he can get some good deals on all of the other beekeeping equipment he'll need.
Is this the kind of thing your dad would do? It's kind of a wholesome purchase, at least. There are definitely worse things he could buy for himself on Amazon.
Not From the Same Era
If you can't take it then don't dish it out. This dad probably meant his joke in a lighthearted way, and maybe his daughter's outfit reminded him of things he used to wear, but her response seems to have struck a nerve. We love 90s fashion and her outfit probably looked great, but we're still happy to live in an era with cell phones. Imagine having to call someone for every little thing.
Have you had an exchange like this with your parents? What would your dad say if you came out wearing 90s style clothes? Would you reply the way Grant's daughter did?
What's in a Name?
Maybe this was a dad joke, or maybe Mere's dad just couldn't remember the name of this fruit (yes, avocados are technically a fruit!) Either way, we love the term "guacamole ball" to describe an avocado. It reminds us of a children's book called 'Why Not Call It Cow Juice' that follows a dad as he asks his kids why if oranges make orange juice, milk shouldn't be called 'cow juice' instead.
These kinds of questions are peak-level dad humor, and it's honestly a pretty humorous way to look at the world. What other foods would be well-suited for a more literal new name?
The Punchline Is Apparent
What makes a joke a "dad joke" is a great question and not one we've ever really thought about before if we're being honest. Is it something specific, or more like a feeling that can't be explained; something one can only understand through experience? We would have guessed that a dad joke is something punny and cliche, but when this user saw the question, he saw an opportunity to provide an example in the answer.
Oxford defines dad jokes as 'an unoriginal or unfunny joke of a type supposedly told by middle-aged men.' That sounds a little harsh. We think we'll stick with this guy's answer.
A Sandwitch Is a Sandwitch
Speaking of dad jokes, this family's group costume hits the nail on the head. When most people are asked what the male equivalent of a witch is, they'd probably respond something like a wizard or warlock, but this dad got creative and made an A+ costume that not only fits in with his family but surely got some laughs out of their fellow trick-or-treaters as well. Bonus points for the witch's hat.
Have you ever done a family costume on Halloween? Did your dad ever dress up as something punny to go along? What other costumes could this man have chosen to fit in with witches?
"Treat" Yourself, Dad
Maybe this wasn't the most responsible decision, he probably should have done a bit more research, but we have to admire his commitment to his dog. We can think of worse reasons to buy a new car, especially if the dog was particularly cute. After all, dogs are man's best friend, so hopefully, he's taking the dog for lots of long drives where the dog can stick his head out the window.
Have you ever made a purchase for a reason like this? Is this the kind of thing that your dad would do, or is he more like the wife who does some research?
This Joke Stinks
It's some pretty low-brow humor, but what would a list of the funniest dads be without a fart joke or two? One of the most well-known dad jokes is the "pull my finger" bit. Fortunately, this dad's joke comes without the smell. It looks like the letters are meant to spell "fair," but this dad saw an opportunity and ran with it. The icing on the cake is his full-on dad uniform.
Would you take a picture of your dad like this, or would you be too embarrassed upon realizing this is the way he wanted to use the letters at a fair?
Smooth Science
Props to this dad who encourages scientific experimentation. His son had a question, and while he thought he knew the answer, he couldn't say from experience, so rather than assuming he was right, they turned it into an afternoon project so that they could determine the answer together. That said, they wasted a package of butter and made a mess on the tire, which mom might not be so happy to come home to.
Did you ever do experiments like this growing up? Did your dad encourage testing hypotheses? How else could they have discovered the answer to this question without wasting so much butter?
That's a Good Look
It's easy to attribute the iconic "dad uniform" to a lack of interest in shopping or following trends. Many dads go for comfort over style, and when they find an item that works for them buy it over and over again. After all, if it's not broken, don't fix it right? In this case, though, it seems like even dads can do their research when motivated by free concert tickets.
For what it's worth, we think this sounds like a great concert look. This dad will have style, and be able to hold all of his things, including Bud Light.
AHHchoo
She asks a good question; why do dads do that thing where they wind up for a sneeze, only to let it out in a manner so loud that it seems like they're completely surprised by it and have never experienced a sneeze before? It's like they're afraid of sneezing or maybe trying to warn everyone around them. It's one of life's great questions, but probably one we'll never know the answer to.
What are your theories? Do you think this is an automatic thing that comes with being a dad, like grilling and puns, or is it more likely a gradual process?
Hamburger Helper?
Nobody ever asked for a foot made of ground beef, and yet, here we are. In defense of the dad who made this, ground meat is very pliable; it almost has a consistency similar to Play-Doh, so we can't blame him for letting his creativity get away from him like this. That said, it's not the most appetizing shape, and we have to wonder if it will even cook evenly.
Would you eat a foot made of hamburger meat? Do you think it would look better once it's done cooking? We know one thing - we would skip the toenails.
Never Heard That One Before
The mark of a great comedian is to know how to work your audience, and it seems like this dad knows when to strike. He's got a mediocre joke and he's not afraid to use it, the question that remains is exactly how to time it to get the best response - although the waiter is probably the only one laughing. We can imagine his kids might find the joke embarrassing.
It seems like he's done this more than once or twice, and yet still seems to find it entertaining. Do you think jokes get old after a while, or can you tell them on repeat?
The Ultimate Family Outing
Sometimes being a parent means doing things you don't want to do, but in this case, it seems like the memories are what count. He makes a good point though, many families like to take pictures when they go apple picking in the fall, and usually, this means wearing fall attire - even when the weather hasn't changed much yet. At least apple picking is a good way to keep the kids occupied.
Have you ever been apple picking? Did you enjoy it, or do you agree with Simon? Did you do anything special with all of the apples afterward, or just eat them as is?
May the Force Be With This Dad
Let the man live, mom! The best part of this exchange is that it seems like the child in this situation is already grown up. It'd be one thing if dad was playing with toys with his child, but the child wasn't even there when the lightsaber incident took place and had to be notified later by both parents. It's funny how the parent-child roles seem to reverse over time.
What toys did you have growing up that could still be fun to play with now? Lightsabers are a "blast," if we may say so, and we can't blame this dad for enjoying his.
Delivery Dad
If you've got it, flaunt it. Someone seems annoyed that their dad's using his Twitter this way, but we think it's a great use of social media. There are few things more embarrassing than mediocre dad-jokes, and this dad's combination of a picture of himself while at work and a popular internet meme surely must have embarrassed his child. It's certainly mediocre, but it probably got a few half-hearted laughs.
Would you be embarrassed to find your parent using Twitter this way, or would you find it funny and retweet? Hopefully, he at least got around to delivering those packages.
Father of the Plants
This dad is probably the most wholesome on our list. Sometimes being a dad means more than just punny jokes and cargo shorts, it means taking care of the world around you to make it a better place, and that's exactly what this dad did in a Walmart garden section one day. He noticed that the plants were looking a little thirsty, and rather than go tell an employee, he watered them himself.
This dad is an example that there are countless ways to be of service. Anywhere you look, even in your local Walmart, you can find opportunities to make the world a better place.