Share a cool way to shake hands
Design and practice a cool way to shake hands with a friend using claps, snaps, and a final pose; rehearse timing and smooth moves.
Step-by-step guide to design and practice a cool handshake
Step 1
Find a friend to practice with and stand facing each other in the open space.
Step 2
Decide together how many beats your handshake will have like three or four beats.
Step 3
Pick two hand sounds you want to use such as a clap and a finger snap.
Step 4
Choose a final pose you will both strike at the end like a thumbs-up or superhero pose.
Step 5
Assign which beat will be the clap which beat will be the snap and which beat is the pose.
Step 6
Practice the sequence slowly while counting the beats out loud by yourselves.
Step 7
Try the sequence together at a slow steady speed matching each other’s beats.
Step 8
Speed up a little and keep your moves smooth by staying in time with your partner.
Step 9
Polish the transitions by repeating only the tricky change between moves until it is smooth.
Step 10
Add a fun facial expression or small body motion to make your handshake look cool.
Step 11
Perform your full handshake ten times in a row with smooth timing and confident moves.
Step 12
Share your finished cool handshake on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't want to clap or can't snap?
If you can't or don't want to use a clap or finger snap from 'Pick two hand sounds,' substitute a thigh pat, soft foot stomp, or a whisper-pop as your second sound and still assign it to a beat.
We keep getting out of sync when speeding up—how do we fix it?
If you get out of sync when accelerating, go back to 'Practice the sequence slowly while counting the beats out loud,' slow the tempo, and follow 'Polish the transitions' by repeating only the tricky change until both partners match each beat.
How can we adapt this handshake for different ages?
For younger children, choose just two beats in 'Decide together how many beats,' use big gestures and a simple thumbs-up from 'Choose a final pose' while practicing slowly and counting aloud, and for older kids add extra beats, quicker timing from 'Speed up a little,' and sharper sounds like clap plus snap.
How can we make our handshake more special or share it?
To personalize it, create a signature facial expression and small body motion from 'Add a fun facial expression or small body motion,' polish the routine by 'Perform your full handshake ten times in a row,' and record the finished handshake to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to design and practice a cool handshake
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Facts about greeting gestures and social skills
⭐ Famous duos and teams often create signature multi-step handshakes that become a fun part of their identity and teamwork.
🌍 Handshakes aren’t universal — many cultures prefer bows, cheek kisses, or verbal greetings instead of hand contact.
👏 Synchronized clapping and rhythmic moves help groups feel connected and excited — they’re simple tools for building team spirit.
🤝 The handshake goes back thousands of years — ancient Greek art shows people shaking hands as a sign of peace and trust.
🕺 Treat a choreographed handshake like a tiny dance: practicing counts and timing makes the moves smooth and confident.
How do I design and practice a cool handshake with claps, snaps, and a final pose?
What materials do I need to practice a handshake routine with claps and snaps?
What ages is this handshake activity suitable for?
What safety and etiquette tips should we follow when creating a handshake routine?
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