Rhythm Cup Passing Circle Game

1 plastic cup per person (unbreakable is key)

Phone or speaker for music (optional — you can chant or sing instead)

Sit in a circle on the floor with everyone holding a plastic cup, open side down in front of them.

Learn the pattern step by step: tap the floor twice with your hands, tap the top of the cup once, pick it up, place it in front of the person to your right.

Practice the pattern slowly without music: tap-tap-cup-pass, tap-tap-cup-pass. Go around the circle.

Once everyone has the pattern down, start singing or playing a slow, steady song.

Do the cup pattern in time with the music. Everyone should be tapping and passing in sync — it looks and sounds amazing.

Gradually increase the tempo. The faster the song, the trickier the coordination becomes.

When cups pile up or someone misses a pass, laugh it off and reset. The mess-ups are half the fun.

Start with just 2-3 people. The full circle game with many players is more fun but harder to coordinate.

The "cup song" trend (from the movie Pitch Perfect) is a more complex version of this. Start simple and build up.

Use identical cups so there's no arguing about who gets which one.

For 4-year-olds, simplify: just tap twice and pass. Skip the cup tap in the middle until they're ready.

This builds executive function — the ability to remember a sequence, keep time, and coordinate with others simultaneously. It's a brain workout disguised as a game.