Cup Stacking and Beat Game

1 plastic cup per person (unbreakable is essential for practice)

A table or flat, hard surface

Optional: phone for playing the "Cups" song or any steady-beat music

Sit at a table with a plastic cup placed upside down in front of you.

Learn the basic cup pattern in slow motion: clap twice, tap the top of the cup with both hands, clap once, grab the cup from the bottom edge with your right hand, tap it on the table, set it down to your right.

Practice the sequence slowly, saying each move aloud: "Clap-clap, tap, clap, grab, tap, pass." One step at a time.

Once each motion is smooth, try linking them at a steady pace. One motion per beat.

Add music — the "When I'm Gone" (Cups) song is the classic, or use any song with a clear, steady beat.

Try to loop the pattern continuously: as soon as you set the cup down, start the claps again.

Level up: sit next to someone and do the pattern in sync, or pass the cup to each other on the "pass" beat.

This WILL be frustrating at first. The cup will fall, the pattern will break. That's normal. Encourage persistence — the breakthrough moment when it clicks is incredibly satisfying.

Break the pattern into two halves: practice the first three moves (clap-clap-tap-clap) separately from the last three (grab-tap-pass). Then connect them.

Use a heavy plastic cup while learning. Lighter cups move around too much.

Search "cup song tutorial for kids" on YouTube for visual demonstrations at slow speed. Seeing it helps.

Once mastered, this skill stays forever. It's like riding a bike — muscle memory locks it in.