For as long as I can remember, I have always said the phrase, ‘Hay is for horses,” whenever one of my kids exclaims, “Hey!” This more often than not sends them into fits of giggles. I must have heard it from my mom or Mamaw. Either way, it is ingrained in my brain as an automatic response. Today, my nephew said, ‘hey!” to his cousin, and I replied with, “hay is for horses,” like always. He turned around and started a giggle fit. This got me thinking; sometimes, the silliest sayings are exactly what you need to turn any mundane task into something fun and silly for your child.
So, today, I am sharing “Hay is for horses and other fun sayings to make your kids giggle.” Store these in your brain arsenal and pull them out at the most random times; your child will remember these sayings for years to come.
Hay is for Horses and Other Fun Sayings to Make Your Kids Giggle
You know those moments when you hear your child say something completely random, and it’s so out of the blue that it cracks you up? I’m talking about the moments when the simplest phrases—like “Hay is for horses” or “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” —send kids into fits of giggles. And let’s be real, they’re not just laughing because of the words. They’re laughing because these sayings don’t really make sense in the most delightful way.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a good amount of time in the parenting trenches, battling the daily chaos, to-do lists, and countless “mom, mom, mom!” requests. But sometimes, all it takes to turn the mood around is a funny little saying. Something that doesn’t have to make perfect sense but sure does bring the joy and lightheartedness we all need more of in this wild ride called motherhood.
So, here’s a collection of quirky, funny, and oh-so-silly sayings that will make your kids giggle, snort, and maybe even ask, “Why do people say that?” Which—let’s be honest—might just lead to an impromptu mini-history lesson. But that’s part of the magic, right? We can laugh with our kids, bond with them, and keep the lightheartedness alive.
Let’s get started with 20 sayings you can use to make your kids giggle because laughter is always a good idea.
1. “Hay is for horses, but grass is for cows!”
We’ve all heard the phrase “hay is for horses,” but this silly twist is sure to get a laugh when your kids are in the middle of a nature walk or playing with their toy farm animals. It’s catchy and playful—plus, it might even get your kids asking, “What’s hay, and why do horses eat it?” (Cue a great opportunity to teach them about farm life!)
2. “Stop, drop, and roll (unless you’re a pancake).”
What’s not to love about a playful take on a fire drill? I know we’re all about safety, but wouldn’t it be hilarious to add this little pancake twist when the kids are practicing stop, drop, and roll at home? Or even just when you’re making pancakes together. Because let’s face it, in the middle of a chaotic morning, we all wish we could roll away, but not like a pancake. (Because those things don’t roll.)
3. “You’re the apple of my eye but also the grape of my vine.”
If you’ve got a fruit lover in your house (who doesn’t, right?), this one is a winner. It’s silly, it rhymes, and it’s a sweet way to tell your kids that you love them in the goofiest way possible. Plus, it just feels fun to say!
4. “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch… but count your cookies before they’re eaten!”
Ah, cookies. They’re the sweet treat that can solve almost any problem. This playful twist is perfect for baking days, or anytime your little ones are excited about something (like, say, those cookies they can’t wait to eat). It brings a little humor to the classic “don’t count your chickens” saying while also teaching patience.
5. “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!”
I’ll be honest; I’ve been known to bust this one out when we’re in the car, and someone mentions “ice cream.” It’s so goofy that it can instantly brighten the mood. Sure, you could scream for ice cream, but you could also laugh about it first.
6. “Like a bull in a china shop (but with a tutu on).”
Have you ever seen a kid dressed up for a ballet class and felt like it might be a little more chaotic than graceful? This saying is a perfect way to describe those moments when things are a little… too much—but in the funniest way. Picture a bull in a tutu, and you’ve got a recipe for giggles.
7. “If the shoe fits, wear it; if it doesn’t, make a hat out of it.”
Some of the best creative moments come from bending the rules a little, right? This saying is the perfect balance of logic and silliness, and your kids will love imagining a world where shoes are hats. (Honestly, I kind of want to try it now.)
8. “It’s raining cats and dogs! Just hope no one gets hit by a chicken.”
This one is bound to spark a few confused looks before the laughter rolls in. The idea of animals falling from the sky is already funny, but adding a chicken to the mix just makes it extra ridiculous.
9. “Time flies when you’re having fun, but it just sits there if you’re waiting for your turn.”
Anyone who’s ever tried to teach a child patience knows this saying is so spot-on. Time moves in mysterious ways when it’s your turn to do something, but for a kid, the wait can feel like an eternity. It’s a fun way to validate their frustration and add a little humor to the situation.
10. “A penny saved is a penny earned… but a quarter thrown in the fountain is a wish!”
Kids love wishes. And let’s be real, sometimes they’ll find a quarter just for the sole purpose of throwing it in the fountain. This is a great way to connect that familiar saying with the magic that comes with making wishes.
11. “You snooze, you lose, unless you’re a cat. Then you snooze, and you win.”
If you have a cat at home, you know how much they love their naps. This saying not only applies to those of us chasing after kids who seem to never stop moving, but it also celebrates the “lazy” life of our feline friends who always seem to have it together.
12. “Curiosity killed the cat… but the cat came back for round two.”
This saying puts a fun spin on the classic “Curiosity Killed the Cat” idiom. It acknowledges kids’ endless curiosity in a playful way, while also giving a nod to how that curiosity often leads to the best (or most hilarious) moments.
13. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket… unless it’s a basket full of chocolate.”
I mean, who’s not tempted by the thought of a basket full of chocolate? This is the twist that makes an old saying not only funny but delicious too. It’s the kind of saying that will make your kids giggle and then ask for more chocolate.
14. “You’re as sweet as a sugar cookie on a snow day.”
Sugar cookies are the ultimate comfort food, and there’s just something about a snowy day that makes them even sweeter. It’s a warm, heartwarming phrase you can use to tell your kids just how much they mean to you. Plus, who doesn’t love a good cookie metaphor?
15. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But don’t forget the sugar.”
Let’s be real: life isn’t always sweet, but this twist makes it a little better. This one’s perfect when your kids are feeling a bit down or frustrated—it’s a reminder to make the best of things, and add some sweetness along the way.
16. “There’s no place like home—except maybe Disneyland.”
For the days when you’re running around doing a thousand things and wishing for a break, this saying brings a little humor to the mix. Because, yes, home is lovely, but sometimes a magical trip is what you really want.
17. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth… unless it’s wearing a party hat.”
This is another one that gets a good laugh simply because it’s so silly. Imagine a horse wearing a party hat—and suddenly, this old saying gets a fun twist that’ll have your kids laughing.
18. “When pigs fly… but only after they’ve had their lunch.”
Kids love the idea of animals flying, so this one is sure to get them giggling. Add in the idea that the pigs need a snack before they can take off, and you’ve got an extra layer of silliness to make them laugh even more.
19. “If the glove fits, wear it. But if it’s a mitten, it’s going to be a long day.”
This one will get your kids laughing at the thought of trying to do something with mitten-covered hands. It’s the perfect playful take on a classic saying.
20. “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it do the cha-cha!”
Who wouldn’t love to picture a horse doing the cha-cha? It’s a quirky and unexpected twist on a classic saying that’ll have everyone laughing.
One Last Note
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this wild, messy, beautiful journey of motherhood, it’s that laughter is our secret weapon. We can be in the middle of a chaotic day, but these funny sayings—whether we’re sharing them with our kids or just making ourselves laugh—have a way of lightening the load. So, go ahead—try out a few of these sayings and share them at dinner, during family walks, or whenever you need a moment of connection and joy. Your kids will giggle, and you might just find that it’s the perfect way to shake off a hard day and rediscover the beauty of the little things.
And let’s face it—if we can’t laugh at ourselves and the sometimes ridiculous things we say, what can we laugh at? Let’s keep bringing the humor into our homes and making space for joy—even on the days when everything feels like a giant mess.
What are some of your favorite silly sayings? Share them with me; I’d love to hear what makes your little ones giggle!
