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For thrill-seekers and fans of the paranormal, the idea of trying a horror challenge at home can be both thrilling and terrifying. Whether it’s invoking spirits, testing urban legends, or participating in eerie games, these challenges tap into our primal fears of the unknown. While many of these activities are steeped in folklore and superstition, they’ve endured because of their ability to create spine-chilling experiences.
Here’s an in-depth look at some of the scariest horror challenges you can try at home. Proceed with caution—you might find more than you bargained for.
1. Bloody Mary
The Premise
One of the most infamous and enduring horror challenges, Bloody Mary involves standing in front of a mirror in a dark room and chanting "Bloody Mary" three times (or more, depending on the version). Legend has it that a ghostly figure—often described as a vengeful woman—will appear in the mirror, and what happens next ranges from eerie stares to violent attacks.
Why It’s Scary
The fear surrounding Bloody Mary stems from the psychological power of suggestion and the eerie nature of mirrors. Staring into a dimly lit mirror for an extended period can cause visual distortions due to the Troxler Effect, where the brain fills in gaps and creates illusions. This phenomenon explains why people often claim to see faces or figures during the challenge.
How to Try It
- Enter a dark room with a mirror (a bathroom works best).
- Light a single candle for atmosphere.
- Look into the mirror and chant "Bloody Mary" three times while maintaining eye contact with your reflection.
- Wait and watch for any changes or movements in the mirror.
While most people will walk away unscathed, the fear of what could happen keeps this challenge firmly rooted in our collective imagination.
2. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board
The Premise
This classic sleepover game involves one person lying flat on the floor or a surface, while others place their fingers under the individual and chant, "Light as a feather, stiff as a board." According to legend, the group can lift the person effortlessly as if by supernatural forces.
Why It’s Scary
The fear factor in this challenge comes from its seemingly magical outcome. While the game can be explained by simple physics (teamwork distributing the weight evenly across multiple fingers), the ritualistic chanting and eerie atmosphere create a sense of mystery and unease.
How to Try It
- Gather at least four to six participants.
- One person lies flat on their back, eyes closed, as the others kneel around them.
- Everyone places their fingertips under the body while chanting, "Light as a feather, stiff as a board."
- Attempt to lift the person while continuing the chant.
Even when the "levitation" is revealed as a group effort, the act of participating in such a ritual can still leave participants with chills.
3. The Midnight Game
The Premise
The Midnight Game is an urban legend-based challenge allegedly used in ancient pagan rituals to punish those who disobeyed the gods. Players must summon "the Midnight Man" and avoid him until 3:33 AM. Failure to do so supposedly results in hallucinations or worse.
Why It’s Scary
This challenge capitalizes on the fear of being hunted by an unseen entity. The idea of walking through a dark house while being pursued creates a deeply unsettling experience, even if the Midnight Man is purely fictional.
How to Try It
- Write your full name on a piece of paper and prick your finger to add a drop of blood.
- Place the paper in front of a closed door and light a candle.
- At exactly midnight, knock on the door 22 times. On the final knock, open the door, blow out the candle, and relight it.
- Walk through your house with the candle, avoiding dark corners. If the candle goes out, relight it within 10 seconds. Do not stop moving.
While the Midnight Man is unlikely to materialize, the challenge’s rules and atmosphere create an intense, nerve-wracking experience.
4. The Elevator Game
The Premise
The Elevator Game is a ritual said to transport players to another dimension. To play, participants must enter a building with at least 10 floors and press a specific sequence of buttons. If done correctly, an eerie woman may enter the elevator, and you may find yourself in a parallel reality.
Why It’s Scary
The fear of the unknown drives the terror in this challenge. The possibility of encountering the mysterious "woman" or being stranded in another dimension is enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine. The challenge gained notoriety following the Elisa Lam case, where eerie elevator footage from the Cecil Hotel sparked speculation about supernatural involvement.
How to Try It
- Enter an empty elevator alone and press the following buttons in sequence: 4, 2, 6, 2, 10, 5.
- Upon reaching the 5th floor, a woman may enter. Do not look at or speak to her.
- Press the button for the 1st floor. If the elevator begins ascending to the 10th floor instead, you’ve succeeded.
- On the 10th floor, you can explore, but don’t leave the elevator for too long.
Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, the eerie steps and anticipation make this challenge a truly hair-raising experience.
5. The Closet Game
The Premise
The Closet Game is a ritual where players summon a demon by standing in a pitch-black closet with a lit match. According to legend, opening the closet door reveals the demon’s presence.
Why It’s Scary
The challenge exploits the primal fear of darkness and the unknown. Standing in an enclosed, pitch-black space amplifies your senses, making even the slightest sound or movement feel terrifying. Add the idea of summoning a demon, and the fear becomes almost unbearable.
How to Try It
- Enter a closet with a lit match and close the door behind you.
- Stand in the dark and say, "Show me the light or leave me in darkness."
- If you hear whispers, light the match immediately.
- Exit the closet without looking behind you.
Even skeptics may find the oppressive darkness and heightened atmosphere deeply unnerving.
6. The Candyman Challenge
The Premise
Similar to Bloody Mary, the Candyman challenge involves standing in front of a mirror in a dark room and chanting "Candyman" five times. According to urban legend, the vengeful spirit of the Candyman will appear, seeking retribution.
Why It’s Scary
The Candyman legend draws from the supernatural and the fear of inviting danger. Mirrors often serve as a symbol of a portal to other worlds, heightening the feeling of vulnerability during this challenge.
How to Try It
- Stand in front of a mirror in a dimly lit room.
- Chant "Candyman" five times while maintaining eye contact with your reflection.
- Watch and wait for any changes or strange occurrences.
While the challenge is often dismissed as harmless fun, the psychological effects of engaging with a long-standing urban legend can leave participants feeling deeply unsettled.
Why These Challenges Persist
Horror challenges remain popular because they tap into universal fears of the dark, the unknown, and the supernatural. While many can be explained through psychology or science, the thrill of engaging with something potentially otherworldly keeps them alive in popular culture. These challenges are as much about bonding with friends and testing personal bravery as they are about actual belief in the supernatural.
So, if you’re feeling brave—or just want a spooky thrill—grab some friends, dim the lights, and try one of these challenges. Just don’t forget to leave a light on afterward.