TikTok has not only become the cornerstone of Internet culture — its influence has seeped into our daily lives, especially among the younger generation.
Walk into a public place — a park, a department store, or even just down the street — and you might stumble (or, in my case, walk right in front of their camera) upon a group of TikTokers as they shoot their videos.
Usually, you’ll see them participating in the latest or most popular TikTok challenge. And why not? These bite-sized, often quirky tasks are what captivate the platform’s users.
It’s got a Gen Z aesthetic written all over it, which you can leverage to connect with Zoomers.
As a brand that wants to grow a presence on TikTok, you better pay attention to these challenges. Maybe taking that drinking or dancing challenge is just the thing to finally make your target audience sit up and take notice. As long as you stay away from those Tide pods, you’re good.
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6 Top Tiktok Challenges Of All Time
There’s a popular saying: When you’re in doubt, go with the classics. The same applies to TikTok challenges.
Yes, you can always brainstorm and try to come up with unique ideas for creating TikToks, but sometimes, the tried and tested challenges are what truly resonate with audiences, not to mention give your TikToks a higher chance of getting picked up by the TikTok algorithm.
Here are the top Tiktok challenges that have stood the test of time.
1. The Wednesday Dance Challenge
Back in late 2022, it seemed like everyone wanted to get in on the Wednesday dance challenge or at least entertain the notion.
With Netflix’s “Wednesday” series garnering 341.23 million hours of view time in its first week, it’s not surprising why the dance challenge became viral.
But with the titular character Wednesday Addams’s signature black dress and offbeat dance (with the Cramps’ Goo Goo Muck playing, no less), it was an inevitable outcome. Of course, full credit must also be given to the star of the show, Jenna Ortega, whose stoic yet fascinating portrayal breathed new life into the iconic character.
I mean, look at her go. I can’t count how many times I’ve watched it.
Among the thousands (or maybe millions) of Wednesday dance recreations published on the platform, Lady Gaga’s was my favorite.
With Season 2 of “Wednesday” slated for release in November, there’s a strong possibility that the Wednesday dance challenge could once again sweep through TikTok.
For aspiring creators and established influencers alike, seizing the opportunity to participate in this resurgence could prove to be a game-changer for growing your audience and engagement on the platform.
2. Flip the Switch Challenge
In 2020, TikTok users were flipping their light switches to Drake’s “Nonstop” and took full advantage of the platform’s transition-friendly effects and features.
This popular dance challenge had TikTok users dancing with a partner. When they get to the part where Drake sings the words “just flip the switch,” the partners switch places or swap clothes (or whatever they can think of).
The results were often mesmerizing.
Even Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren joined in on the fun by doing the challenge alongside her SNL doppelganger Kate McKinnon. When the switch flipped back on, we see the senator busting a move. Now that takes some political courage.
3. The Blinding Lights Challenge
If you want a TikTok challenge that’s sure to bring laughs to your loved ones, you can’t go wrong with the Blinding Lights challenge.
The main objective of the challenge is to dance as a group with a popular track by The Weeknd of the same name playing in the background.
The results are hilarious, more often than not.
With its energetic 80s vibe and the comically awkward dance moves, the challenge leaves everyone looking delightfully ridiculous. It doesn’t hurt that the whole setup gives participants enough room to get silly. It’s the kind of wholesome silliness that’s guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of your followers on the platform.
4. The Lip Sync Challenge
Lip Sync videos have been a mainstay on TikTok even in the platform’s early days.
And those videos keep pouring in. Even my mysterious neighbor next door, Shernan (who rarely speaks more than three words at a time), did a couple, to my fascination and shock.
But given TikTok’s extensive library of music tracks, movie dialogues, and sound clips, that’s hardly surprising.
One of the main reasons why the Lip Sync Challenge remains popular is because it leaves a lot of room for individual expression.
Case in point:
If you want to get seen and expand your reach, doing the lip sync challenge can do wonders for your brand.
By using tracks, movie dialogues, and audio clips that are familiar and appealing to your audience, you can create entertaining and shareable TikToks that will delight them.
5. The Renegade Challenge
In October 2019, 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon choreographed a dance featuring the song “Lottery (Renegade)” by Atlanta rapper K Camp.
Before long, thousands of social media users copied the dance or improvised their own. Celebrities like Millie Bobby Brown and Lizzie also joined in.
The result? A TikTok challenge for the ages. And it’s still popular in 2024.
6. The SupaLonely Challenge
The “Supalonely” challenge went its rounds on TikTok during the pandemic. The trend features the song “Supalonely” by New Zealand singer Benee featuring Gus Dapperton.
And yes, there’s a certain irony about a song on loneliness that went viral during a global lockdown.
The challenge typically involves users lip-syncing or dancing to the upbeat track, often incorporating humorous or creative elements into their videos. You may act out the lyrics or perform choreographed dances or whatever you can think of. The lyrics are super relatable, so you get a lot of leeway to put your own spin on it.
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Top TikTok Challenges to Try in 2024 and Beyond
Doing the tried-and-tested TikTok challenges mentioned above can give you the momentum you need to stand out on the platform.
That said, you run the risk of losing the interest of your audience if you’re doing what everybody else is doing. Give them something new and unique every once in a while so that they stand to attention every time they see your brand on their TikTok feeds.
Here are fun and unique TikTok challenges that will surprise and delight your audience.
1. The Opposite Best Friend Check Challenge
You know the old saying “opposites attract”?
Well, there’s a terrific way to put that to the test: the Opposite Best Friends Check Challenge.
To do the Opposite Best Friends Check, simply ask your best friend, at least if they happen to be your complete opposite in terms of appearance, personality, or interests. And then create a TikTok showcasing your differences in a fun and entertaining way.
Here’s a great example:
The Opposite Best Friend Check provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of friendships while injecting some humor and creativity into your TikTok content.
2. The Silhouette Challenge
To say that The Silhouette Challenge has become a viral TikTok trend is an understatement. The challenge took social media platforms by storm in 2021, and many are still taking it.
To take part in the Silhouette Challenge, simply create a video where you dance or pose in a well-lit room while dressed casually or conservatively. As the music transitions to a slower, more seductive beat, the video cuts to a silhouette effect where only your outline is visible against a red filter. You can strike a dramatic pose or movement to emphasize the contrast.
Quite tricky, I know, but worth the trouble if you do it well.
Despite its popularity, the Silhouette Challenge has not been without controversy. Concerns have been raised regarding privacy and consent, as some individuals have attempted to remove the red filter to reveal the identities of participants in their silhouette videos.
That said, as long as you do the challenge ethically, you’re in the clear. If you think you can use the power of contrasts to showcase your brand’s unique value proposition, knock yourself out!
3. The Mirror Reflection Challenge
The Mirror Reflection Challenge is a viral TikTok trend that involves, you guessed it, a mirror and a “hidden” object.
This may be a headscratcher at first, but believe me, it’s worth the trouble if you want to wow your followers.
To do the Mirror Reflection Challenge, participants hold an object with a piece of paper underneath it against a mirror in such a way that the paper blocks the mirror’s view of the object. Then, while filming, they move the camera to the side and are astonished to see the previously obscured object suddenly visible in the mirror.
This has puzzled a lot of TikTokers. How come the mirror knows what’s hidden in the paper?
The answer, of course, is physics (in my best Sheldon Cooper voice).
You have to admit it’s a gnarly trick.
There are many possibilities to leverage this challenge for your brand. You can, for example, showcase your product appearing magically in the mirror.
4. The Face Swap Challenge
The Face Swap Challenge is a big hit on social media. It’s all about using special apps to switch faces with someone else, like a friend or a pet.
Here’s how it works: You turn on the face-swap filter in the app, then line up the camera with two faces. When you hit the button, the app swaps the faces, making a funny mix of features.
What makes this challenge fun is how it mixes up reality. You can become anyone you want, even for just a moment. People love trying it out with friends or fellow influencers.
It’s like a digital playtime where you can laugh and be amazed by the silly combinations.
Want an interesting example? This guy below face swapped 10 times, and the results are as terrifying as they are fascinating.
Give it a go and see what funny faces you can make!
5. Corn on the Cob Challenge
How you eat corn on a cob reveals a lot about you as a person. Some people prefer to eat it one row at a time. Others would rather rotate the cob as they go. But how would you eat that corn as fast as possible?
This age-old conundrum has given birth to the Corn on a Cob Challenge. And it went even more viral when a woman lost a patch of hair when she tried eating corn using a rotating drill (don’t do this, seriously).
This one I can stand behind.
Wrap up
TikTok users love to do these challenges because it gives them a great excuse to showcase their creativity. There’s a performative aspect to doing dance challenges that highlight
their skills, personality, and individuality, all while connecting with a global community of fellow creators and enthusiasts.
As a brand, you can leverage this enthusiasm and creativity by participating in TikTok challenges that align with your brand identity and values. By joining in on popular challenges or even creating your own unique challenges, you can engage with TikTok users in a fun and authentic way.
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TikTok management tool for teams
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