Every April fools’ day, we always come across a clear split of people who either loathe the idea of April Fools’ marketing or those who can’t wait to see what creative campaigns are released into the world of possible product ideas.
2026’s line up of April Fools campaigns didn’t disappoint. From bizarre product launches that left some of us yearning for them to be real to chaotic brand collabs, here are five April Fools’ campaigns that stood out from this year.
Plus, we’ve even added an old but gold campaign because we just can’t stop wishing it really existed…
Tesco’s Giant Boiled Eggs
Currently, protein is everywhere and to some people, protein is everything. This is one of those April Fools campaigns that makes you genuinely believe the product exists and once the joke is revealed, you’re left wondering how easy it would actually be to make it a reality.
That’s right, Tesco announced that they had every gym goers dream – a giant boiled egg! Of course, unless Tesco somehow managed to source a batch of ostrich eggs, this couldn’t be a possible, but it still feels like something you might come across in the meal deal mains one day.
This campaign worked so well because even though it’s simple, it’s visually funny and catches you off guard. Food content, especially ridiculously oversized versions of everyday foods, always performs well on social media. This idea worked particularly well for Tesco, too, given that for two years in a row their Protein Egg Pots have been revealed as the UK’s favourite meal deal snack. Who knew?
Dyson Pet
It’s healthy to experiment with your audience from time to time and that’s exactly what Dyson did by releasing a “Dyson Pet Vacuum”. Designed specifically for cleaning your dogs, cats and whatever other hairy animals you keep at home in need of a blowout. The campaign even included visuals of pets calmly enjoying a luxury grooming session with Dyson’s new device.
This idea was genius – it was something that could’ve been real. There’s already Dyson branded pet friendly vacuum tools, so why would this suddenly be a step too far?
This campaign succeeded because it was a fresh new idea that didn’t stray too far from Dyson’s original products. This, paired with the high-quality visuals made it look like a legit product launch that was believable enough to spark debate.
Stolen KitKats
Now, this campaign is ongoing and was it really an April Fools joke? At the moment – who knows?
A large shipment of KitKat bars was stolen while in transit, a major crime before the Easter holiday AND announced on April 1st… suspicious, right? However, if this really did happen, KitKat had the right idea and instead of simply reporting the missing stock, the brand had turned the unfortunate situation into an interactive experience.
A webpage appeared prompting users to enter the batch code of their KitKat bars, just to make sure they didn’t have one of the “missing” KitKats. Alongside this, brands began to release their own campaigns addressing the incident. One example was Domino’s who playfully apologised to KitKat regarding their unfortunate situation before announcing a new KitKat pizza, suggesting that they might’ve had something to do with the missing batch of chocolate bars.
Not only did they turn an unfortunate event into an interactive experience, but also opened the door for other brands to chime in.
However, the mystery is still ongoing… so be sure to check your batch numbers.
When it comes to travelling, it’s important to understand what’s driving people to consider where they want to go. The trick is to then deliver compelling creative through the right channel.
However, the mystery is still ongoing… so be sure to check your batch numbers.
SheaMoisture x Hellmann’s
We’ve all heard someone on the internet (or in person) swear that mayonnaise is the best hair mask you can use, right?
Well, SheaMoisture x Hellmann’s genius collaboration leaned into this myth and created a fake launch for a haircare product inspired by mayonnaise.
As you can imagine, this campaign sparked instant reactions online and some people even claimed to be ready to whip out their credit cards for the product.
This unexpected brand crossover worked perfectly by tapping into a real beauty myth that’s been circulating online for years.
Baskin’ Robbins’ Ice Cream Soup
Ice cream soup might bring back a lot of childhood memories for many and Baskin’ Robbins’ brought the idea to life. When their Ice Cream Soup was announced via Instagram, it seemed that the ultimate comfort food had been invented
Again, food content is performing phenomenally well online right now and the visual concept is something that people could instantly imagine. Simple, yet effective!
Old but gold: McDonalds Milkshake Sauces
Finishing this off with a throwback. On April Fools Day in 2019, McDonalds cruelly teased their ‘soft serve sauce’ dipping pots – perfect for those who love to dip fries in their milkshake.
The idea was so simple: small sauce tubs filled with McDonald’s classic milkshake flavours designed for dunking fries. The concept was just familiar enough to feel realistic, and the internet was sold on it, many fans were left genuinely disappointed when they realised the product didn’t actually exist.
This campaign has the perfect mix of tapping into existing consumer habits, simplicity and presenting it in a way that felt possible for the brand, sparking conversations and debates across the internet.
Does April Fools Marketing Still Work?
April Fools campaigns can succeed when made right – by hitting the sweet spot between ridiculous but still possible. A key part to this is understanding your audience in depth and making their personal habits feel seen through a joke or product that still feels on brand.
