There are a variety of synonyms that can be used for the phrase "clowning around." One possibility is "fooling around," which suggests playful or silly behavior. Similarly, one could use "mucking about" or "joking around" to convey a sense of lightheartedness. "Horsing around" can also be used to describe playful or mischievous behavior, particularly when it comes to physical play. Additionally, "messing around" or "playing around" can be used to describe behavior that's not necessarily harmful or aggressive but is nevertheless silly or non-serious. All of these phrases can be used to describe instances of playfulness and humor.