35 classic door-knocking puns so silly your kids will demand you do them again — and again — and again.
The knock-knock joke is one of the oldest interactive comedy formats in the English-speaking world, and for good reason — it gives kids the power to participate. When a child gets to say "Who's there?" and "__ who?", they are not just listening to a joke, they are performing one. That is brilliant comedy engineering disguised as a groan.
Here are 35 of the best knock-knock jokes for kids — tested on real children, approved by grudging parents, and guaranteed to be demanded at least three more times before bedtime.
🚪 Knock Knock!
Knock knock. Who's there? Lettuce. Lettuce who?
Lettuce in, it's cold out here!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Cow says. Cow says who?
No, cow says MOO!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Interrupting cow. Interrupting cow wh—
MOO!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Boo. Boo who?
Don't cry, it's just a joke!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Nobel. Nobel who?
Nobel, so I had to knock!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Olive. Olive who?
Olive you and I miss you!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Harry. Harry who?
Harry up and open the door!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Banana. Banana who? Knock knock. Who's there? Banana. Banana who? Knock knock. Who's there? Orange. Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn't say banana?
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Knock knock. Who's there? Atch. Atch who?
Bless you!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Wire. Wire who?
Wire you asking? Just open the door!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Cargo. Cargo who?
Car go beep beep!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Justin. Justin who?
Justin time for dinner!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Dishes. Dishes who?
Dishes the police, open up!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Wooden shoe. Wooden shoe who?
Wooden shoe like to know!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Woo. Woo who?
Don't get too excited, it's just a knock-knock joke.
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Knock knock. Who's there? Canoe. Canoe who?
Canoe help me with my homework?
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Knock knock. Who's there? Annie. Annie who?
Annie thing you can do, I can do better!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Cow. Cow who?
Cows don't say who, they say MOO!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Needle. Needle who?
Needle little help right now!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Tank. Tank who?
You're welcome!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Turnip. Turnip who?
Turnip the volume, this song is great!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Ima. Ima who?
Ima gonna knock again if you don't open up!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Leaf. Leaf who?
Leaf me alone — I'm trying to knock!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Police. Police who?
Police let me in, it's cold!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Alaska. Alaska who?
Alaska my friend if she wants to come in too.
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Knock knock. Who's there? Nana. Nana who?
Nana your business!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Ice cream. Ice cream who?
Ice cream every time I see a spider!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Figs. Figs who?
Figs the doorbell, it's broken!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Spell. Spell who?
W-H-O!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Hike. Hike who?
I didn't know you liked Japanese poetry!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Cows go. Cows go who?
No, cows go MOO. Owls go WHO!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Doris. Doris who?
Doris locked, that's why I knocked!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Icing. Icing who?
Icing so loud the neighbors can hear me!
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Knock knock. Who's there? Noah. Noah who?
Noah good place to get lunch around here?
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Knock knock. Who's there? Hatch. Hatch who?
Bless you again! You should see a doctor about that.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What age are knock-knock jokes best for?
Knock-knock jokes are especially popular with kids ages 4-10, who love the call-and-response format and the predictable setup that still manages to surprise.
Who invented knock-knock jokes?
The knock-knock joke format became popular in the United States in the 1930s, though similar call-and-response humor formats existed earlier in vaudeville comedy.
Why do kids love knock-knock jokes so much?
The interactive format gives kids a sense of control — they get to say "Who is there?" and feel like active participants rather than just passive listeners.
Are these knock-knock jokes school-appropriate?
Yes! Every joke on this page is G-rated and appropriate for classrooms, family dinners, and road trips.
Further reading: Knock-Knock Joke — Wikipedia | Humor — Wikipedia | Laughter & Health — Mayo Clinic