Summer is a great time of year with longer daylight hours and the sun bringing warmth to everything – including game nights. And when the sun goes down, people tend to gather in more social situations which is the perfect setting for party games, especially when you can take them out into the garden. Party games have a unique way of bringing people together, and it doesn’t matter if you are gathered together in a cosy living room on a rainy evening or enjoying the sunshine in the garden. The best summer games are simple to learn, quick to set up and are packed with enough energy to get everyone laughing, shouting and fully involved. When played indoors, party games help break the ice and turn an ordinary night into something memorable. But take them outdoors and they become even more lively as there’s more space to move, more room for chaos and very often more players are ready to jump in. In both settings, the magic lies in the shared reactions and friendly competition of the players. And when it comes to choosing a game to play, one that has become a fun challenge game splashed across social media (TikTok) is The Cup Challenge and Bear Faced Games have recreated the game that fits perfectly into this world of easy, energetic fun games, offering a fast-paced experience that works just as well around the dining table as it does on a picnic bench in the garden.
If you have used social media such as TikTok, Facebook, Twitter etc. you will have no doubt seen cup challenge clips. Now you can play at home or in the garden.
The Cup Challenge is a simple idea: cups, colours and quick thinking. But simplicity doesn’t mean predictable. The game thrives on speed, sensory guessing and the kind of frantic swapping and decision-making that gets everyone shouting advice, whether helpful or not remains to be seem. It’s suitable for 2 or more players, age 5+. This set includes:
- 1x Base Unit
- 10x Reusable Cups (5 different colours)
- 5x Reusable Straws
- 1x Sheet of Drinks Labels
- 1x Instruction Sheet
This set gives players everything they need to dive straight into the action. The game’s compact size makes it ideal for travel, parties, holidays or family gatherings and its lightweight components mean you can easily take it outdoors without worrying about bulky equipment or any complicated setup. Plus, it’s two games in one: a fast-paced cup matching game or flip over the base and it becomes a blind taste-test drink challenge game.
As I have previously mentioned, The Cup Challenge Game is two games in one. The first game is a colour matching challenge – this is where the competitive spirit really kicks in. One player becomes the host and secretly arranges a hidden sequence of coloured cups inside the base. This leaves the other players to race and match the pattern using their own cups on top – swapping cups out, guessing and adjusting as quickly as they can. It’s a test of memory, reflexes and speed. The tension builds as players try to work out the hidden order and trying to complete the matching pattern as fast as they can – when all cups have been placed, the host lets the player know how many they have correct and they can start replacing them. The player with the fastest time wins. This mode works brilliantly indoors, where players can huddle around the base and focus intensely, but it’s equally fun outdoors, especially when there’s more space for frantic cup swapping chaos.
The second game mode is a blind taste‑test challenge and it adds a completely different flavour to the experience. Instead of colours, the host fills the cups with different drinks, and players must sip through straws and guess what they’re tasting. Juice, cola, water, lemonade, milk etc. – anything goes, as long as the drinks are safe and family‑friendly (unless you decide to play upgrade it for an adults only version later in the evening when the kids have gone to bed). The player that guesses the most drinks correctly is the winner. This mode is hilarious because it relies on instinct, confidence and the occasional wildly incorrect guess. It’s a sensory challenge that encourages players to slow down, think and trust their taste buds. Indoors, it becomes a cosy, giggly guessing game; outdoors, it feels like a refreshing twist on classic party activities, especially on warm days when chilled drinks make the challenge even more enjoyable.
What makes The Cup Challenge stand out is how accessible it is. It’s a simple game with simple rules, the setup is quick and the replay value is high. Every round feels different because the hidden sequence changes, the drinks vary and players naturally develop new strategies (or completely abandon them entirely in the heat of the moment). It’s a game that is suitable for kids, teens, families and adults, making it extremely versatile and a great choice for mixed‑age gatherings where you want something everyone can join in with. The game’s compact design also means it doesn’t dominate the table or require lots of space, and it’s perfect for indoor and outdoor play, depending on the weather or the mood.
Overall, we have enjoyed playing The Cup Challenge from Bear Faced Games. We think that it’s a lively and versatile party game that captures the spirit of fun sociable play: fast, funny and endlessly replayable. Whether you’re hosting a family games night, planning a garden party or looking for something to take on holiday, it delivers the kind of shared excitement that makes party games unforgettable.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £12.99
Available to buy from Smyths Toys here.