The Ultimate List Of TikTok Challenges That Went Viral In 2021

We live in the silver age of scrolling.

But not all scrolls are created equal, especially when it comes to viral videos on the TikTok challenges list. 

When you scroll on TikTok, hours go by as you watch people dance, sing, and do tons of amazing things.

You’d even go as far as running a TikTok search to find out which TikTok challenge your favorite influencers are doing.

Once something goes viral, it naturally demands the attention of everyone, whether young or old.

And once that TikTok viral sensation takes off, it’s easy to get caught up in all the hoopla! 

We put together 20 of the most viral TikTok challenges in 2021, both to reminisce about great times and to replenish your creative reserves for your next TikTok video. 

If you wish to save all these amazing TikTok videos, you can download them on your device to watch them anytime, even if you don’t have an internet connection.

What Is a TikTok Challenge? 

Without a doubt, TikTok’s success worldwide led to a landslide of hashtags fueled by viral videos of engaged TikTok users doing funny or outlandish things.

As a video goes trending or viral, it automatically becomes one of those videos included in the TikTok challenges list that users feel compelled to do.

But what are TikTok challenges anyway?

In its most basic sense, a TikTok challenge is a call to action that has to be recorded via TikTok video.

A challenge typically originates from TikTok videos that have gone viral and are often accompanied by a song, a dance move, movie quotes, voiceovers, etc. 

Sometimes a challenge can be a simple question-and-answer format that’s stitched together, a dance challenge, lip-sync challenge, or even a pasta dish. No matter what it is, TikTok challenges never cease to entertain with an ever-revolving door of trends and challenges. As more and more people join in the fun, it’s undeniable that these challenges make the TikTok influence even stronger. 

Top TikTok Challenges From 2021

The year 2021 has brought a lot of the most memorable videos, putting them on the TikTok challenges list to beat. Since many people are stuck at home due to lockdown restrictions, people participated in many of these challenges to combat boredom. Plus, they are all fun to watch! We’ve compiled the ones that stood out the most. 

1. The Flip The Switch TikTok Challenge

This challenge is for those who want to trade places with another person momentarily. The concept is simple. Find another person and dance to Drake’s song, “Non Stop.”

To successfully do the challenge, one person starts off dancing while the other is in the background. And while dancing, that person turns the light off.

Once the light turns back on, the roles should be reversed, with the participants also switching outfits and positions. 

The ‘Flip the Switch” Challenge was created by Dallin and Bella Lambert. Here we see J-Lo and Alex Rodriguez joining in with the challenge, too. 

Celebrities participating in the challenges level up the ante and attract more people to join.

2. Now Look At this

This TikTok challenge features a snippet of Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Nite” hit, and people use it to share hilarious video clips.

The trend begins with a TikToker filming themselves to the viral sound “Day ‘N’ Night” that features the attention-getting lyric, “Now look at this.”

The video then cuts to whatever video the TikToker chooses to present. And that’s that. 

3. I Hate All Men, But…

This bait-and-switch trend went viral because of a meme of a slowed-down cover of Beach Bunny’s “Cloud 9” performed by Paravi.

The song begins with “I hate all men,” then goes into the lyrics: “But when he loves me, I feel like I’m floating. When he calls me pretty, I feel like somebody.” 

https://www.tiktok.com/@georgefanacct/video/6945496586466168069

4. Clown Check TikTok Challenge

This challenge uses the popular Psychedelic Clown filter. Although the sounds used vary, the most common one is “Pan Con Choclo” by Firenetics.

All you have to do is add some text to your TikTok video describing a time when you got something so wrong or when you were duped while using the clown filter. 

5. “Waking Up In The Morning” TikTok Challenge 

This TikTok sensation forces users to confront the most cringe-worthy embarrassing moments that they can’t get over.

The viral sound is from a clip from Real Housewives of New Jersey’s  where Teresa Guidice’s daughter sings to the original song lyric, “Waking up in the morning thinking about so many things …

I just wish that things would get better.”

6. “Tell Me Without Telling Me” Challenge

This viral video challenge is so popular, it popped up on every platform. It’s safe to say it became a TikTok staple. People can use this for any scenario, but most people use it to poke fun with someone. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@_maddieellis9/video/6930743201661783302

7. The Renegade Challenge

This challenge is a 15-second dance routine that quickly went viral where moves are a series of choreographed arm and upper body movements.

TikTok users film themselves dancing their accounts. 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon created the dance. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@thewigglesofficial/video/6798342706306223366

8. ‘Obsessed’ Challenge (Mariah Carey’s 2009) 

The #Obsessed TikTok challenge invites users to do a mini dance routine to Maria Carey’s song “Obsessed.”

The performance puts together some dance and hand movements paired with the clip from the music and features the well-known chorus, “Why you so obsessed with me?”  

9. ‘Me Versus’ Challenge

This challenge is much like a digital satire that shows a TikTok user’s aggravating moments or little annoying daily struggles that set the day off course. 

10. DNA Test Challenge

Apparently, Lizzo’s song started the DNA Test Challenge. When she rapped the iconic line, people have been repping their identities and taking stereotypes on TikTok.

Users start making videos with the line, “I just took a DNA test…” 

Most of these challenges are also posted on other social media platforms and even compiled on YouTube. 

11. The ‘Wipe It Down’ Challenge

This challenge is set to the rap song of the same name by BMW Kenny.

It captured the attention of bored people, even celebrities.

The Wipe It Down challenge needs a mirror, something to wipe with, and an alter ego to feature — all filmed to BMW Kenny’s hypnotic voice. 

@colleen

bad things happen when i start cleaning. #wipeitdownchallenge

♬ #WIPEITDOWN – BMW KENNY

12. Defrosting

This hilarious TikTok challenge went viral because of some pretty extraordinary footwork.

This challenge features TikTok users pretending to “thaw” themselves for various situations, and they do this to the tune of a microwave on defrost.

The videos are simple, but the catch is, the TikToker should turn their bodies like they’re rotating on a microwave plate. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@lilzcourvillz/video/6936915338084797701

13. Crowd Cheering Challenge

This challenge is as simple as it gets. The sound features a crowd cheering and giving out a big applause.

The challenge here is to have this sound play for a silly feat, making sure to use a subtitle or caption to type out that insignificant deed that the crowd is cheering for. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@mrandmrsphoenix/video/6989284997593337094

14. The ‘Unlock It (Lock It)’ TikTok Challenge

For this challenge, TikTok users do a fun and simple dance to the tune “Unlock It (Lock It).”

The video can be filmed in any location, but it grew in popularity because some people do it while on vacation, working at their jobs, or with big groups. 

15. “Yah Trick Yah” Dance Challenge

This viral TikTok dance is a favorite because it’s easy to do. TikTokers dance to the song “Yahh!” by Soulja Boy while doing a simple lip-sync to “Yah Trick Yah” lyrics in the beginning.

Towards the end, users then bust some rad moves to complete the challenge. 

16. The ‘Get Up’ Challenge

This challenge brought a dance routine to the 2016 hit “Get Up” by Ciara featuring Chamillionaire.

Although the dance requires some skilled moves, all TikTok users need to do to complete this challenge is dance with a lot of energy. 

@avani

congrats on HES ALL THAT @addisonre here’s an old video to celebrate!! 🎉🎉 go watch the movie now!!

♬ Get Up (feat Chamillionaire) – Ciara

17. “What You Know About Love” Challenge

This is an adorable TikTok dance challenge that’s popular for best friends and couples. This dance is set to Pop Smoke’s song, “What You Know Bout Love,” while drawing a heart with your hands and completing some quick and easy moves. 

18. Perfect Match Dance Challenge

This is another challenge for couples, and it’s all about showing how a couple’s differences complement each other.

Each one describes themselves somewhat sarcastically, then the couple dances around in a circle while holding hands. 

19. The First Name Challenge

This challenge is a rather funny one for duos. It starts by recording a partner’s reaction who calls them by their first name instead of their pet name. It can go anywhere from there. 

20. Reese’s Puffs TikTok Challenge

For this challenge, the only thing you need is to dance around to a funny beat that simply repeats “Reese’s Puffs” over and over and over again.

Add text to describe the funny situation where you’re not paying attention when you should be. 

What’s In Your TikTok Challenges List?

Everyone needs a little bit of fun. And what better way to release angst, stress, or whatever pent-up feelings through viral TikTok challenges?

While you’re at it, you can even grow your following on the platform by getting in on these trends and challenges. 

If you’re the spontaneous type who loves to dance and be in front of the camera, you could be the next viral thing on TikTok! So many large accounts on the platform are now raking in thousands of dollars every month. That is also why many are interested in joining the trend and becoming the next big thing.

So many TikTok stars now ride the most elegant cars and can be seen at glitzy events. Who knows? It could be you that’s next.