Word similar to "distraction" but with jokey connotation

I was wondering if there is a word that carries the same meaning as "distraction" but can be used for a comedy effect too.

As an example, imagine a situation where my parents are away and I've been eating take-aways, but also created a mess in the kitchen just to give the impression that I was cooking. I'm looking for a light-hearted word to describe this action and "distraction" doesn't sound that great to me.

I'm a native Greek speaker and this word exists in Greek. I'm trying to approximate the word "xekarfoma" (ξεκάρφωμα). It's the opposite of the word "karfoma" (κάρφωμα) which in slang means give someone away. So I'm looking for the word to describe the actions one is taking in order not to give oneself away.

Not light-hearted, but I assume you're looking for sleight-of-hand kind of things more than distractions. "Red Herring" sounds like what you need for the scenarios you mentioned.

Or maybe you're just going for general subterfuge or misdirection.

Also, 'hoodwink' has a little bit more lightheartedness.

You are pulling the wool over your parents' eyes.

I would recommend either 'ruse' or 'ploy'. Out of curiosity, what is the Greek word that you're trying to approximate?

We shouldn't we overlook the obvious trick:

NOUN

1.0 A cunning act or scheme intended to deceive or outwit someone:

1.1 A mischievous practical joke:

1.2 An illusion:

2.0 A skillful act performed for entertainment or amusement:

but for pulling a fast one like that:

informal

Trick someone:

Craft is a relatively lighthearted expression for deception:

[MASS NOUN]

2. Skill used in deceiving others:

You could probably pass Flimflam:

A confidence trick:

to dupe most English speakers with its jokey sound:

VERB

[WITH OBJECT]

Deceive; trick: