How to Nail the 'Make Up a Handshake' Dare in Truth or Dare

Some dares in Truth or Dare are forgettable. Others become the highlight of the entire night. The "make up a handshake" dare falls firmly in the second category. There is something hilariously awkward and genuinely fun about two people fumbling through an impromptu secret handshake in front of a crowd of laughing friends.

Whether you are the one issuing this dare or the one nervously trying to come up with moves on the spot, this guide has everything you need. We will walk through how the dare works, tips for making it epic, creative variations to keep things fresh, and answers to the questions people always seem to ask about it.

Why This Dare Works So Well at a Party

The make-up-a-handshake dare is a crowd favorite for a few key reasons. First, it requires zero props, no planning, and works in any setting. All you need are two willing participants and a group of people ready to watch and laugh.

Second, it naturally involves two people instead of one, which means the energy in the room doubles. Both participants are invested, both look a little ridiculous, and the audience gets twice the entertainment. It also breaks the ice in a big way, especially if the two people doing it do not know each other very well yet.

Third, the end result is something the group can actually use for the rest of the night. Once the handshake is invented, you can declare it the official greeting of the party. That kind of running joke keeps the energy alive long after the dare is done.

The Core Rules for This Dare

Before diving into the how-to, it helps to establish a few ground rules so the dare stays fun and fair for everyone involved.

The dare-giver should specify a partner. Either the person who drew the dare picks their partner, or the group nominates someone. Having a partner chosen ahead of time removes any awkward silence while someone figures out who to grab.

Set a time limit for the creation phase. Two to three minutes is usually the sweet spot. Enough time to actually come up with something, but short enough that it stays spontaneous and slightly chaotic.

The handshake must have at least four distinct moves. This is the most important rule. A single fist bump does not count. You want claps, snaps, finger guns, chest bumps, spins, or anything else the two players can dream up. Four moves minimum keeps it from being too easy.

Finally, the duo must perform the completed handshake in front of the whole group without stopping. No do-overs mid-performance. If they mess up, they laugh it off and keep going. That is part of the fun.

Step-by-Step: How to Create a Handshake on the Spot

Feeling the pressure of the clock? Here is a simple approach that makes the creation process feel less overwhelming and more like a fun collaboration.

Step 1 — Start with a classic opener. Every great secret handshake needs an opening move. A standard handshake, a high five, or a fist bump are all solid starting points. Pick one fast and commit to it so you can move on to the creative stuff.

Step 2 — Add something physical and silly. This is where you inject personality. A snap, a clap behind your back, a little shimmy, tapping elbows, or a spin are all options. Bounce ideas back and forth quickly and say yes to the first thing that makes both of you laugh.

Step 3 — Build in a verbal element. The best handshakes have a sound effect or a word that goes with one of the moves. A dramatic "boom" when you do a chest bump, a whistle during a spin, or just shouting someone's name adds another layer of absurdity that the crowd will love.

Step 4 — Nail the ending. How you finish the handshake matters. A dramatic freeze pose, pointing finger guns at each other, or doing simultaneous jazz hands are all solid options for a big finish. Plan the ending before you rehearse the whole thing so you know where you are headed.

Step 5 — Run through it once, then perform. Do one quick practice run during your planning time, then perform it confidently for the group. Mistakes during the performance are expected and hilarious. Own them.

Tips for Making the Dare Extra Memorable

If you want this dare to go from funny to absolutely legendary, a few small additions can make all the difference.

Have the audience score the handshake on a scale of one to ten after the performance. Ask them to rate categories like creativity, execution, and overall energy. This turns the dare into a mini-competition and gives everyone something to react to.

Add a theme twist. Instead of letting the pair create freely, give them a theme they have to work with. Something like "you are two cowboys meeting at a saloon" or "you are robots greeting each other for the first time" gives the handshake a narrative and makes the audience even more invested in the result.

Declare the handshake a party tradition. Tell the group that for the rest of the night, every time those two people interact, they have to do the handshake. It keeps the bit running and creates a fun inside joke that carries through the whole evening.

If the group is feeling competitive, you can run a handshake tournament. Multiple pairs each create their own and perform them back-to-back, then the group votes on a winner. This works especially well at larger gatherings where you want to keep a big group engaged.

Fun Variations to Switch Things Up

The basic dare is already great, but here are some creative spins on the format that can keep things feeling fresh across multiple rounds.

The one-minute version: Cut the creation time down to sixty seconds. The chaos this produces is genuinely spectacular. Pairs barely have time to agree on anything, which means the performance is usually a beautiful disaster that the whole group loses it over.

The silent handshake: No verbal communication during the creation process. The two players have to figure out moves using only gestures and facial expressions. This version is equal parts hilarious and strangely impressive when it actually comes together.

The evolving handshake: Each new pair that does the dare has to incorporate at least one move from the previous pair's handshake. By the end of the night, the final handshake is this absurd mashup of every group's contributions, which makes for a great closing ceremony.

The blindfold handshake: One player wears a blindfold during the creation phase and has to figure out what moves the other person is doing entirely by feel. Safe, silly, and surprisingly tricky. Make sure the moves stay simple and the space around them is clear.

The long-distance version: Playing over video call? This dare still works. Each person performs their side of the handshake toward the camera, and the audience on both ends watches the synchronized result. It is goofy in the best possible way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if one person is shy or not very coordinated?

That is actually part of what makes this dare so charming. You do not need to be athletic or outgoing to pull it off. Keep the moves simple and remind the shy player that everyone is rooting for them, not judging them. The messier it is, the more the group laughs with them, not at them.

Can you use this dare in a smaller group of two or three people?

Absolutely. In a tiny group, the person not doing the dare becomes the sole audience and judge, which actually adds a fun dynamic. They can give feedback, demand changes, or score the performance with dramatic flair. Small groups can lean into the intimacy of it.

How do you make sure both people are equally involved in creating the handshake?

Set a simple rule upfront: each person has to contribute at least two of the moves. This prevents one person from dominating the creative process and ensures both players feel ownership over the final product. It also means neither person can coast by just copying whatever the other suggests.

Is this dare better earlier or later in the game?

It works at any point, but it tends to land especially well once the group has warmed up a little. Early in the game, people might be more reserved. Once everyone has loosened up after a few rounds, this dare usually generates the biggest laughs and the most energy.

The make-up-a-handshake dare is one of those rare Truth or Dare moments that everyone remembers the next day. It is creative, collaborative, and completely unpredictable — which is exactly what a great party dare should be. Grab a partner, set the timer, and see what ridiculous masterpiece you two can come up with. The crowd is already ready to judge.