For as long as I can remember, I have always said the phrase, ‘Hay is for horses,” whenever one of my kids exclaims, “Hey!” More often than not, this 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, “Hey is for horses,” like always. He turned around and started giggling. That 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 the post Hay is for horses, plus 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.
What’s The Deal With Funny Sayings?
You know those moments when your child says something completely random, out of the blue, and 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 to their little brains.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a lot of time in the parenting trenches, battling 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 things light.
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 during a nature walk or while your kids play 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 kids practice stop, drop, and roll at home? Or even just when you’re making pancakes together.
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 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 in the car when 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 ballet class and thought they might be a little more chaotic than graceful? This saying perfectly captures those moments when things are a little… too much, but in the cutest 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 want to try it now.)
8. “It’s raining cats and dogs! Just hope no one gets hit by a chicken.”
This one will spark a few confused looks before the laughter ensues. Animals falling from the sky is already funny, but adding a chicken to the mix makes it even more 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, 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.
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 of 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 applies not only to those of us chasing kids who never seem to stop moving, but also celebrates our feline friends’ “lazy” life; they always seem to need another nap.
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 playfully while nodding 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 twist makes an old saying funny and 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 snowy day.”
Sugar cookies are the ultimate comfort food, and something about a snowy day makes them even sweeter. It’s a warm, heartwarming phrase 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 reminds them to make the best of things and add some sweetness along the way.
16. “There’s no place like home, except maybe Disneyland.”
On days when you’re running around doing a thousand things and wishing for a break, this saying adds a little humor. Because yes, home is lovely, but sometimes you really want a magical trip.
17. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth… unless it’s wearing a party hat!”
This one gets a good laugh 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 will definitely get them giggling. Add that the pigs need a snack before they can take off, and you’ve got an extra layer of silliness that’ll 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.
Let’s Face It, Funny Sayings Make Life… Well… More Fun
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, can lighten 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!
