French April Fools’ Day Custom: Le Poisson d’Avril
Did you know that we have the French to thank for the fun custom of April Fools’ Day? It all started back in the 16th century, when King Charles IX adopted the new Gregorian Calendar and New Year’s Day shifted from April 1 to January 1. The first April Fool pranks involved tricking or making fun of the people who forgot the new date. Happy New Year . . . not! (I’m fairly certain I would have been one of those fools who just couldn’t remember the change.)
To this day, the French continue to be up to something “fishy” on April 1. The lighthearted celebration is known as le poisson d’avril, or April Fish Day. Why fish? No one really knows. It could have something to do with the zodiacal sign of Pisces. It just is what it is: a day to tape paper fish onto the backs of the unsuspecting. Juvenile? Maybe . . . but it’s FUN and harmless (no “kick me!” signs SVP.)
I’ve gathered some online resources to help you celebrate an authentic French April Fool’s Day with your kids:
Here’s my classroom packet of activities, games, worksheets, and printables that you can purchase at TeachersPayTeachers.com. Le Poisson d’Avril: April Fool’s Day Activities for Novice-Level French Learners
Print colorful poissons d’avril at Tomlitoo
Make a tricky “pop-open” fish at Bonjour les enfants
Find a variety of poisson d’avril crafts and coloring pages at Tête à Modeler
Learn a poisson d’avril French rhyme at Momes and a song at Chansons Nettes
Send a free French poisson d’avril e-card at CyberCartes
Here’s the fish my kindergartener made for tomorrow. I suspect I’ll be wearing it 
Image Credit: Public Domain from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cartes_postales_poissons_d%27avril.jpg
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