Everyone has that one friend who can randomly shuffle cards like a professional, solve a Rubik’s Cube in seconds, or do something completely unexpected that makes everyone stop and watch. That’s the beauty of a good party trick. If you don’t have your own yet, you can try out a few party trick examples to find the best one.
Party tricks don’t have to involve elaborate magic or hours of practice. Some are silly, some are impressive, and others are just strange little skills that are fun to pull out when everyone is hanging around.
Whether teens want something new to learn before the next birthday party, sleepover, or get-together, these party trick examples are a great place to start.
What Is a Party Trick?
A party trick is a short skill, stunt, illusion, or unusual talent someone can perform to entertain other people or get them talking. It’s usually something that can be done quickly without needing lots of equipment or preparation.
Think juggling, doing a card trick, moonwalking across the room, or somehow solving a Rubik’s Cube way faster than anyone expected. The best party tricks are usually simple enough to perform casually but impressive enough to get a reaction.
What Are Party Tricks For?
Party tricks are mostly for having fun. They give teens something funny or interesting to do when everyone is hanging out. They can also be an easy conversation starter, especially when different friend groups are together, and people are still warming up to one another. Someone pulling out a deck of cards and saying, “Pick a card,” gives everyone something to focus on besides making conversation.
Party tricks can also become fun challenges between friends. One person learns how to juggle, someone else learns a yo-yo trick, and suddenly everyone is trying to come up with their own completely unnecessary but impressive talent.
If you’re planning a whole get-together, you can also check out our favorite party games for teens for even more ways to keep everyone entertained.
Party Trick Examples
Are you looking to learn a new party trick? Check out our list of 25 party trick examples and pick the one that you like the most!
1. Juggling
Juggling is one of the most recognizable and old school party tricks, and teens don’t even need actual juggling balls to practice. They just need three soft objects that are around the same size, like rolled-up socks or small beanbags. Then, they can practice tossing one object between hands before adding a second and eventually a third. Once they master basic three-object juggling, they can try different patterns or objects, or even try to add another one.
2. Card Tricks
A deck of cards can provide countless party tricks, and beginners can learn tricks involving guessing someone’s card, making a selected card appear somewhere unexpected, or predicting which card someone will choose.
There are plenty of card tricks that rely more on memorizing a few steps than having advanced sleight-of-hand skills, so they’re easier for beginners to learn.
@cardmechanic The Best HANDS OFF Party trick that you can do with absolutely zero practice! #tutorials #cardtrick #selfworking #magictrick #learn
3. Yo-Yo Tricks
Knowing how to use a yo-yo beyond simply making it go up and down is impressive, even when starting with beginner moves like Walk the Dog, Around the World, or Rock the Baby. Once those are mastered, teens can work toward harder tricks and combinations. Just make sure there’s enough space before you start flinging a yo-yo around a crowded room.
4. Solve a Rubik’s Cube
Pulling out a scrambled Rubik’s Cube and solving it quickly is definitely a cool party trick for teens. Learning how to solve one may look impossible at first, but most methods involve memorizing a series of patterns and moves. Once the basic solving method becomes familiar, teens can work on increasing their speed.
5. Coin Roll Across Your Knuckles
This party trick is popular in movies, so you may have seen it before. To do it, you’ll place a coin on the side of your index finger and use your thumb to push it across the tops of your fingers. With some practice, the coin appears to smoothly travel across the knuckles before being caught and started again. It takes coordination, but it also gives teens something they can practice pretty much anywhere.
6. Moonwalk
The moonwalk is one of the most iconic dance moves. It creates the illusion that someone is walking forward while sliding backward. The key is learning how to alternate which foot is flat and which is raised while smoothly transferring weight between them. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube that will teach you the step by step basics. This is a great move to show off at the school dance!
7. Backflip
A backflip is definitely one of the more impressive party tricks on this list, but it isn’t one to learn five minutes before your friends show up. It takes strength, coordination, and proper technique. Teens who want to master one should learn and practice in a safe environment with appropriate instruction rather than experimenting in the middle of a party.
@bryn.nalexis
8. Make a Coin Disappear
Basic disappearing-coin tricks are a good introduction to sleight of hand magic tricks. The performer appears to transfer a coin from one hand to another while secretly keeping it in the original hand. The real trick isn’t necessarily the movement itself but learning how to make the fake transfer look completely natural.
9. Handstands
Being able to kick up into a handstand and actually hold it for more than a second is a skill all on its own. Teens who already do gymnastics, cheer, dance, or other sports may have an advantage, but anyone interested in learning can start by practicing balance and building upper-body strength in a safe, open space.
@ivar.vibes all ex gymnasts rise
10. Spin a Basketball on One Finger
Basketball players may already have an advantage with this one, but anyone can learn with practice. The trick requires getting the ball spinning quickly enough before balancing its center on one finger. Once someone finds the balance point, small finger movements can keep it spinning. Eventually, they can try switching fingers or passing the spinning ball to someone else.
11. Whistle Really Loudly
Some people can whistle normally, some can’t whistle at all, and others can whistle loud enough to get everyone’s attention. Learning the classic two-finger whistle takes some experimenting with finger position, tongue placement, and airflow. It may take quite a few unsuccessful practice attempts first, but once you figure it out, it’ll be easier to do consistently.
12. Do a Kip-Up
A kip-up is the move where someone starts out lying on their back and then springs directly onto their feet. It looks impressive and requires strength, flexibility, coordination, and lots of practice. This is a party trick to learn somewhere with lots of open space and a soft surface. Don’t make your first attempt in someone’s crowded living room.
@lauradcomp An excuse to post to my favorite Hannah Montana song #partytrick #kipup #hannahmontana
13. Pen Spinning
Students have probably seen someone doing this one in class. Pen spinning involves rotating a pen around the fingers in one smooth movement without dropping it. The basic movement around the thumb is a good starting point, but there are countless other pen-spinning combinations to learn.
14. Stack Dice
Dice stacking looks a little like magic when it’s done well. The trick involves using a cup to scoop up moving dice and then setting the cup down so the dice end up stacked neatly on top of one another. It takes plenty of coordination and practice, but once you’ve got it down, it’s an awesome trick to pull out when there’s a cup and some dice nearby. If teens like quick challenges like this, our Minute to Win It games are another fun option for parties.
@isabel.end My party trick
15. Memorize Something No One Else Has Memorized
Not every party trick has to be a physical one. Instead, memorize something not many others have memorized, like the first 30 digits of pi, every U.S. president in order, or the Gettysburg Address. Wait for the specific moment when that knowledge becomes useful, and then impress everyone all at once with your random knowledge.
@savannahhhleahhh if anyone needs me im gonna go sign up for gettysburg reinactment but im abe lincoln #partytrick #hiddentalent
16. Flip Your Eyelids
Some party tricks are impressive, and others mostly make everyone else ask how you’re doing it. Flipping your eyelids definitely falls into the second category, and it’s also a little gross to some people. My son does it all the time, and I’d rather not look. If this happens to be one of your strange hidden talents, it qualifies as a memorable party trick. Just don’t keep doing it if it irritates or hurts your eyes.
@hallygalletta_ Not another one #foryoupage❤️❤️ #partytrick
17. Bottle Flipping
Bottle flipping still counts as a party trick, even though it seems like everyone is trying to do it. However, to make it a cool party trick, make it more challenging than simply landing one upright. Try to land it on a small table, flipping it onto different surfaces, or even attempting two bottles at once. Friends can also turn it into a competition to see who can land the most difficult trick or the most bottles.
18. Do Impressions
Celebrity impressions, movie characters, teachers, fictional characters, and even friends can become funny party tricks. Keep the impressions lighthearted instead of making someone else the joke. If the person you’re imitating probably wouldn’t laugh along with you, it’s better to choose someone else.
To make the impressions even more challenging and fun, have everyone write characters or famous people on slips of paper. Then, take turns attempting impressions while the others guess. If your group likes acting and guessing games, try the Fishbowl Game next.
19. Beatboxing
Beatboxing is the skill of making drum beats, bass sounds, and other rhythms using only your mouth. Beginners can start with a few basic sounds and practice combining them into a simple beat. This is a great party trick because you can make friends as others try to freestyle over your beats!
20. Ear Wiggling
Some people can wiggle their ears without touching them, which makes this an easy party trick if you happen to have the ability. It usually involves learning how to control the small muscles around your ears, and some people can pick it up with practice.
21. Tongue Rolling
Tongue rolling is one of those strange little skills that some people can do easily while others struggle with it. The most common version is curling the sides of your tongue upward into a tube. Some people can also make clover shapes or other unusual movements. If you’re still struggling with it, you could just learn tongue twisters as your party trick instead!
22. Balancing Objects
Being able to balance everyday objects in unexpected ways can become a surprisingly entertaining party trick. Try balancing a spoon on your nose, a broom on one finger, or stacking several objects without letting them fall. Once you get good at it, you can make the objects more awkward or challenge friends to see who can keep something balanced the longest.
23. One-Handed Claps
When you think of clapping, you think of two hands hitting each other. Did you know it is possible to clap with just one hand? You can do it by quickly moving your fingers against your palm to create a clapping sound without using your other hand. It can take some practice to make the sound loud and consistent. Once you figure it out, it’s an easy trick to perform anywhere.
24. Breaking an Apple With Your Hands
Splitting an apple in half with your bare hands looks like a strength trick, but technique plays a big role. The goal is to grip the apple firmly and apply pressure in the right spot until it splits apart. Make sure to eat the apple afterwards, so you’re not being wasteful. This is one of the silliest party trick examples on this list, but it makes you look super strong!
25. Mental Math
Quick mental math can be a great party trick because it looks much harder than it is once you learn a few shortcuts. Teens can practice multiplying numbers quickly, figuring out percentages in their heads, or solving simple number challenges faster than everyone expects. Mental math is not just a cool party trick, but also a very useful life skill!