How to Win a Tickle Fight

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: August 25, 2022 References Approved

Tickle fights are such a blast! If you want to win your next tickle fight, our handy list below can help you do just that. We'll start by walking you through which body parts are the most ticklish so you can go for those spots immediately. Then we'll touch on some ways you can fake out your opponent and defend yourself so you can win the fight.

1

Start a fair tickle fight.

A silent sneak attack is pretty unfair. Some people aren’t into surprises or tickling, so hitting them with a double whammy will probably upset them. Remember: the only fair tickle fight is the one your opponent agrees to!^{[1]
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- If you still want to do a sneak attack, at least yell “TICKLE FIGHT!” first. They can’t say you didn’t warn them!
- Keep in mind that just because they're laughing doesn’t mean they're having fun. Our brains tell us to respond to tickling with laughter, almost like a reflex.^{[2]
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2

Go for their feet if they're barefoot.

Use a soft touch or a feather to tickle the bottom of their foot. The bottom of the foot is so ticklish! Brush your fingers or a feather lightly on the soles of their bare feet to tickle them.^{[3]
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- If they’re wearing socks, this probably won’t be as effective.

3

Wiggle your fingers under their armpits.

You can tickle a little harder in the armpits. Armpits are super ticklish! Just stick your fingers in the other person's pits and wiggle them around a bit.^{[4]
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- Tickling can be really unpleasant for some people. If the other person doesn't look like they're having much fun, stop tickling them.

4

Tickle their ribs to get them howling.

The ribs and stomach area are super ticklish. If their ribs are ticklish and you get a good shot at them, it's time to go in for the win! Put your hands on their stomach, dig your fingers into their ribs gently, and wiggle your fingers around.^{[5]
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- Don't sit on them or hold them down to get at their ribs. It's not a fair tickle fight if they can't defend themselves! Plus, they might get upset with you.

5

Go for the knees.

Grab the area right above their knee cap and give it a firm squeeze. This is a great way to immobilize them! Use your middle finger and thumb to latch onto the area right above the knee and squeeze it until they can’t take it anymore.^{[6]
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- The tops of the knees are so ticklish that they’ll either freeze in place or fall down in a fit of laughter. They could also make a run for it, though, so watch out for that!
- If the top of the knees don't work, try softly tickling their kneecaps. That should drive them into fits of laughter!

6

Gain the upper hand with a fake out.

Widen your eyes, point, and say “What’s that over there!?” A classic distraction trick can put you in a good position to win this tickle fight. Give it a try and if they fall for it, go in hard for their armpits and ribs. This will probably only work once, so make it count.^{[7]
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- Once you have the upper hand, they’ll probably give up and declare you the winner.

7

Grab their tickle hand as a defense move.

Your brain will think you’re tickling yourself, which doesn't work. Touching their hand makes your brain believe you have something to do with the tickling. Since it’s impossible to tickle ourselves (really, there's scientific proof), your brain won't perceive the movements as ticklish. To test this out, just place your hand on top of the other person's hand as they try to tickle you.^{[8]
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- You’ll have to be quick enough to catch their hand, though!

8

Stop immediately if they get upset.

A tickle fight isn’t fun if the other person is upset. If the person is helpless and defenseless, tickling can become unpleasant pretty fast. If they repeatedly ask you to stop or can’t catch their breath, quit tickling them.^{[9]
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- Never sit on people to tickle them or restrain them in any way.
- Tickle fights should be fun for both people! If the other person looks unhappy, call a tickle truce.

Community Q&A

Question

My best friend is way too strong. When I try to tickle her feet, she kicks and ends up doing the same to me. How can I get her weaker?

Hellovenus1233

Community Answer

You need to initiate the fight with a tickle sneak-attack: sit down next to her and surprise her by tickling her sides or belly, which are the two most vulnerable areas.
Question

After reading this I want to have a tickle fight with my sister. I do not know how to start the tickling or ask, what do I do?

Community Answer

Sneak up behind her and tickle her while screaming "TICKLE FIGHT!" If she isn't in the mood, she will let you know. Then you can try again later.
Question

How do I get someone to tickle me?

Community Answer

Just ask them. Or start ticking them first. Or bring up the subject of tickling and see if it makes them want to tickle you.