Knock knock jokes are often the very first jokes children learn. The format is simple and interactive: one person says "Knock knock," the other says "Who's there?", a name or word is given, the listener repeats it with "who?", and the punchline twists it into a sentence.
Because the listener has to participate, knock knock jokes are perfect for car rides, classrooms and bedtime. Here are our favorites, written out in full so you can read them aloud.
Tap the copy button on any pun to grab it. Question jokes hide their punchline until you tap Reveal.
Classic Knock Knock Jokes
- Knock knock. Who's there? Lettuce. Lettuce who? Lettuce in, it's cold out here!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Boo. Boo who? Don't cry, it's only a joke!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Cow says. Cow says who? No, cow says moo!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Interrupting cow. Interrupt— MOO!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Atch. Atch who? Bless you!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Tank. Tank who? You're welcome!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you going to open the door?
- Knock knock. Who's there? Banana. Banana who? (Repeat several times, then:) Knock knock. Who's there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad I didn't say banana?
- Knock knock. Who's there? Olive. Olive who? Olive you!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Doctor. Doctor who? You've seen that show too?
Funny Knock Knock Jokes for Kids
- Knock knock. Who's there? Owls say. Owls say who? Yes, they do!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Hawaii. Hawaii who? I'm fine, Hawaii you?
- Knock knock. Who's there? Ice cream. Ice cream who? Ice cream every time I see a scary movie!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Wooden shoe. Wooden shoe who? Wooden shoe like to hear another joke?
- Knock knock. Who's there? Dishes. Dishes who? Dishes the police, open up! (Just kidding — it's me.)
- Knock knock. Who's there? Yah. Yah who? Wow, you're really excited to see me!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Nobel. Nobel who? No bell, that's why I knocked!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Woo. Woo who? Don't get so excited, it's just a joke.
- Knock knock. Who's there? Candice. Candice who? Candice door open, or what?
- Knock knock. Who's there? Justin. Justin who? Justin time for dinner!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Luke. Luke who? Luke through the peephole and find out!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Annie. Annie who? Annie thing you can do, I can do better!
Food Knock Knock Jokes
- Knock knock. Who's there? Butter. Butter who? Butter open the door, I have to go!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Figs. Figs who? Figs the doorbell, it's broken!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Cheese. Cheese who? Cheese a jolly good fellow!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Water. Water who? Water you doing? Open up!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Pasta. Pasta who? Pasta salt, please.
- Knock knock. Who's there? Peas. Peas who? Peas let me in!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Turnip. Turnip who? Turnip the volume, I love this song!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Muffin. Muffin who? Muffin to worry about, it's just me!
Animal Knock Knock Jokes
- Knock knock. Who's there? Alpaca. Alpaca who? Alpaca the suitcase, you load the car!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Goat. Goat who? Goat to the door and find out!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Moose. Moose who? Moose you be so nosy?
- Knock knock. Who's there? Owl. Owl who? Owl be sad if you don't let me in!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Toucan. Toucan who? Toucan play at this game!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Rhino. Rhino who? Rhino every knock knock joke there is!
Holiday Knock Knock Jokes
- Knock knock. Who's there? Snow. Snow who? Snow use, I forgot my keys again.
- Knock knock. Who's there? Gladys. Gladys who? Gladys Thanksgiving! Let's eat!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Yule. Yule who? Yule never know unless you open the door!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Witch. Witch who? Witch one of you wants candy?
- Knock knock. Who's there? Arthur. Arthur who? Arthur any cookies left for Santa?
- Knock knock. Who's there? Phillip. Phillip who? Phillip my bag with candy, please!
Knock Knock Jokes for Adults
- Knock knock. Who's there? Déjà. Déjà who? Knock knock.
- Knock knock. Who's there? To. To who? Actually, it's "to whom."
- Knock knock. Who's there? Control freak. Con— Okay, now you say, "Control freak who?"
- Knock knock. Who's there? Spell. Spell who? W-H-O.
- Knock knock. Who's there? Old lady. Old lady who? I didn't know you could yodel!
- Knock knock. Who's there? Broken pencil. Broken pencil who? Never mind, it's pointless.
Why These Knock Knock Jokes Work
- "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?" — The repeated "banana" builds tension and confusion, which makes the payoff feel huge. It's a lesson in comic timing.
- "Interrupting cow" — The joke breaks its own format by interrupting the listener. Kids love the surprise.
- "To whom" — A grammar joke that only adults (and English teachers) truly appreciate.
- "Déjà who? Knock knock." — A loop joke about déjà vu. It only works because you know the format.
- "Old lady who" — "Old lady who" sounds like yodeling, a playful sound effect that makes people laugh out loud.
How to Tell Knock Knock Jokes
Teach the format first. Young kids may need to learn the "Who's there?" response before the jokes land.
Slow down on the name. Say the name clearly so the listener repeats it correctly.
Say the punchline quickly. The surprise is in how fast the name becomes a sentence.
Let kids tell them back. Knock knock jokes build confidence and language skills when children get to be the joke-teller.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the funniest knock knock joke?
"Orange you glad I didn't say banana?" and "Interrupting cow" are two of the most loved knock knock jokes.
What is a good knock knock joke for a five-year-old?
"Knock knock. Who's there? Boo. Boo who? Don't cry, it's only a joke!" It's short and easy to remember.
Are knock knock jokes good for learning?
Yes. They help children practice listening, turn-taking, wordplay and pronunciation.
What's a clever knock knock joke for adults?
"Knock knock. Who's there? To. To who? Actually, it's 'to whom.'" It's a favorite among grammar lovers.
Final Thoughts
Knock knock jokes are the doorway into a lifetime of puns. Teach one to a kid today, and you might hear it a hundred times this week — which is exactly the point.