10 TikTok Trends and Challenges to Try Out New Before the Year Ends
With new memes and trends being born almost every day, TikTok moves too fast: what was trending on your For You Page today can be irrelevant in less than 24 hours. However, at least some trends stick and end up sparking creativity and growing your reach as well. Here are 10 real, current TikTok trends (summer–late-2025) you could test before the year ends, with simple explanations in as few words as possible supported by a quick how-to guide, why they work and clever tips to make them all your own. Throughout, when possible, I will provide examples and reporting so one can take a deeper dive.
1. Sync Slaps (Audio-driven smack edits)
What it is: Fast, music-beat-cut-type editing for creators using the audio staccato that syncs up with sound hits as they slap between outfits to scenes or on reactions. Think of it as hyper, like super fast transitions on a click or a clap even stabs of the beat.
Why it works: Short attention spans + great tempo = Easy loop to watch over again on loop.
How to try it:
- Choose a percussive sound (try searching “sync slap” or trending clap/beat hits).
- Plot out 4–8 fast clips (0.2–0.6s each) — different garment, prop, angle per strike.
- Use TikTok to trim clips and the “trim to sound” method or any other basic editor.
Pro Tip: Keep the motion consistent (the same field of movement happening in each shot) so the edits don’t jar.
2. Makeover Math (Before/After carousel)
What it is: A slide carousel that uses basic formula visual — 1 product + 3 steps = glow — with kind of a mini how-to illustrated in play, followed by “math” version caption. This has been skyrocketing in beauty and home circles.
Why it works: Value propositions (in this case the recipe format) make content claimable and shareable.
How to try it:
- Strategy: Problem, process, result. Back to back three clips done consecutively.
- You can use overlay on short text for like Step 1:…., Step 2: …., Result = ….
- End with 2–3 second reveal and last CTA: “Save This.”
Pro Tip: Keep the font clean and readable, along with keeping each card under 3 seconds.
3. Dressing Up As A 10 (Cute Revenge Makeovers)
What it is: Turning yourself into a stylized “10” that evokes a specific location/vibe — “Turning myself into a Bali 10”, “NYC 10” etc. and usually to some weird audio (ex. Foxy Brown “Candy” lip-sync). It’s playful, identity-driven content.
Why it works: A blend of cosplay, POV and comedy with cultural references to spoof — replicable & localizable.
How to try it:
- Find the place, or mood that you function best in. Plan looks/makeup/props.
- Accompany your transition with a transitional sound and unveil the final result.
- Then include text such as “Bali 10” to ensure your viewers find the gag.
Pro tip: Localization wins. Target regional audiences with “Lahore 10” or “Karachi 10”.
4. TikTok Recipe Tests (Experimenting In The TikTok Kitchen)
What to watch: Hundreds of thousands of creators testing or perfecting viral recipes — from 15-second “glass skin” skincare demos to new “girl dinner” twists and unconventional pasta ideas. The quick, feel-good food content that is either replicable or debunking still has a place.
Why it works: It involves food, which everyone shares — this type of content usually does pretty good. Interesting factor: Does it actually work?
How to try it:
- Select a viral recipe sound or hashtag.
- Demonstrate the ingredients, do your experiment, and report back with an honest verdict.
- Display both measurements AND indicate when they were made.
Pro tip: Quick text + up close shots for any unclear step saves from rewatching steps!
5. Sync Slap-adjacent Dances & Mashups
What it is: The dance trends of 2025 are mashups, small choreo sections brought together into one trending remix. It is pretty easy to pick up and a common choice in collabs or duet chains.
Why it works: TikTok loves their music mashups on dance trends.
How to try it:
- Get to know the 8 or 16 count hook.
- Shoot with a full body shot in natural lighting and good lighting.
- Post with the official dance sound and an obvious hashtag.
Pro tip: Incorporate one signature move everyone else could follow to launch your own flip.
6. POV Melodrama (Short micro-narratives)
What it is: Clean, cinematic POVs telling joke or emotional story beats in 15–30 sec — character acting, fast cuts & strong hook by :02. Using this as a tactic for gripping storytelling, employed by both brands and creators.
Why this works: Stories are remembered — people repost micro-dramas that resonate either on an emotional or comedic level.
How to try it:
- A line that will catch their eye: “POV: You spot the last slice of cake…”
- Cut fast, facial expressions are loud
- End on a reveal or punchline.
Pro Tip: Keep the arc (Setup, Complication, Payoff) under 30 seconds.
7. Family Humor: “Guessing My Kid’s Responses”
What it is: Parents or caregivers record a prompt on video, which frames candid kid responses — then subtitle and/or edit for the maximum amount of humor. This is sweet, and in the local language, it talks to a parenting community.
Why it works: Authentic + cute = high share and save rate.
How to try it:
- Ask humorous, short questions: “What’s Your Superpower?”
- Allow child to answer naturally, keep the cameras rolling for authentic moments.
- Include the soundtrack on snippets.
Privacy pro tip: Faces blurred or permission must be gained if sharing other people’s kids.
8. Physical Challenges with Safety Notes
What it is: Challenges in which creators try to accomplish an impressive physical feat (red stiletto challenge). Some of these can and do blow up — but they have come with controversy, as well as injury. Now, the reports are warning stories of serious responses.
How it works: Viral wow factor + skill = virality, but risk is high.
How to try it (safely):
- Explore safer options or scaled versions (reduced height, team of professionals).
- Always mention safety disclaimers in captions.
- If on video, include safety measures (mats, spotters).
Pro tip: If a challenge causes risk of injury, do not re-record just for better content. Use reaction or commentary instead.
9. Duos/Group “Challenge Battles” (Couple Runners, Chaining Reactions)
What it is: Trends with pair coordination tests — running races, paired choreography, or reveal games. These play-fighting videos that make people want to do duets.
Why it works: Social proof + relatability = engagement (comments, duets, stitches)
How to try it:
- Choose a basic, repetitive format (i.e. run to the beat / swap hands on a clap…)
- Capture both sides of the conversation with split-screen editing.
- Promote duets via hashtag.
Pro tip: “Loser does a silly dance” also attracts comments.
10. False Audio Point-of-View + Text Carousel
What it is: Trends with a unique audio cue (“That’s rude”) or misleading first frame to add a twist. They introduce concepts and then turn them on their heads for either humor or surprise.
Why it works: Surprising is interesting to the brain, so these flip formats make top of mind repeat watches and shares.
How to try it:
- The first 3–5 seconds should be real.
- Give viewers an indication of what they will be seeing by providing on screen text.
- Reveal it with a snappy twist at the end of your last second.
Pro tip: The reveal must be kept clean and good sportsmanship — avoid tricking anyone with full disclosure.
Tips on How to Use These Trends to Your Advantage (3 Fast Growth Hacks)
- Jump fast, but add a twist. Early adopters win feeds — this is true, but your individual spin is what gets followers to pay attention to you.
- Short, loop-able content you can re-watch. Replies are the best kind to create — as long as they loop well, which is why natural replay value should be aimed for.
- Utilize trending sounds + 1 niche hashtag. This is a major issue with TikTok as it changes its discover feature quite often. Ground your post on the official sound, and a niche hashtag to find target fans. (Disclaimer: platform rules like hashtag limits or updates can occur; please refer to TikTok Creator updates).
Safety & Ethics — A Brief Refresher
A few trends promote dangerous activity, privacy breaches, or misinformation. Don’t take part in a trend that puts you or anyone else at risk. If it’s another person or object, (people, kids or strangers especially!!) get consent from them. When in doubt, take the trend and turn it into a commentary or parody (albeit safer) — you still get to ride that wave without all the negative backlash.
Before You Post | Final Prep List
- Hook in first 1–2 seconds? ✅
- Audio quality + Subs? ✅
- One-line CTA (save/duet/comment)? ✅
- Safety/consent checked? ✅
While trends change by the minute on TikTok, those surveyed predict what feeds will be filled with in 2025: snappy edits (Sync Slaps), short-form storytelling (POV Melodrama), recipe-testing, dance mashups and playful identity formats (‘Turning myself into a [Place] 10’) are proliferating. Give one of these trends a go tonight — put your special spin on it, be careful and see which format resonates better with your audience. If you are interested in more trend rundowns or weekly updates, be sure to follow software companies like the above mentioned Shopping.io and Zapper, as well as other trend-tracking outlets and TikTok’s own Discover pages.
