Simple! Easy one-shot gags. Surefire bits that liven up parties and performances [2026]
When someone says, “Do a quick gag!” you freeze up thinking, “What should I do?” Right? But no worries! If you do a comedian’s catchphrase or a simple impression, everyone already knows the bit, so it’s an easy way to liven up the mood.
People will be saying, “Yes, that one!” and “So nostalgic!”—it’s sure to spark a shared laugh.
Plus, most of these are super easy to copy, so you hardly need any practice beforehand.
This time, we’ve gathered comedian routines and impressions you can perform at parties and various events.
Give them a try for inspiration!
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Physical, daredevil challenge acts (1–10)
Human tissue box
Just stick a tissue between the buttons of your dress shirt and say, “Tissue box!!” That’s all! It’s a really silly gag, but somehow it ends up being pretty funny (lol).
The classic method is the one I just described—wedging it in the gap between the dress shirt buttons—but if you modify a T-shirt’s chest pocket so you can put a pocket tissue pack in it, the unexpected twist makes it even funnier!
Physical, daredevil-style performances (11–20)
Put on a rubber glove and make it burst
A tight disposable rubber glove—the act where you wear it on your head, inflate it, and pop it—packs quite an impact as a quick gag.
You’ll likely struggle at the first step of stretching the glove and pulling it over your head, but that turns into funny faces that get laughs anyway.
Once you manage to get the glove down to under your nose, use your nose breath to inflate the snug glove.
That visual alone is pretty outrageous and should get a reaction.
Will it pop cleanly in the end? This is recommended if you want a crowd-pleasing, comedy-style one-shot gag.
Improvised nickname giving
If you’re confident in your wordplay, how about showcasing improvised nickname-giving—something Karen Takizawa and Hiroyuki Ariyoshi are known for—as a quick party trick? Just coming up with funny nicknames can really liven things up, making it a highly cost-effective bit.
If improvisation isn’t your strong suit, preparing nicknames for the participants in advance should work well.
Taiko no Tatsujin Human
This is a one-shot gag where a trio recreates the game Taiko no Tatsujin.
The roles are: the player, the drum, and the singer.
The player says sounds like “Don” and “Ka” as if hitting the drum, while tapping the drum-role person’s belly.
The drum role, while being tapped, occasionally calls out the combo count like “10 combo!” “20 combo!” Meanwhile, the singer should enthusiastically sing not only the vocal parts of the chosen song but also the instrumental breaks.
Since Taiko no Tatsujin is a very well-known game, it’s sure to get everyone hyped!
Relatable jokes
Relatable skit ideas that make people on the spot say things like “So true!” or “I feel that!” are great.
They’re easier to do within a group from the same company or school.
If you can research what resonates with everyone, all that’s left is to talk about it in a funny, lighthearted way.
Instead of just talking, turning it into a mini sketch could be fun too! It’s also recommended to make it a contest where several people take turns and see who can deliver the most relatable bit that gets the biggest reaction.
Take off glasses without using hands
How about “taking off your glasses without using your hands”? First, set a time limit and have everyone guess whether it can be done within that time, making it a fun challenge.
The appeal of this one-shot gag is that anyone can get laughs with it.
To remove the glasses, you’ll have to move your face or shake your head, which will look pretty comical.
You could also invite others to compete to see who can take them off faster.
If you prepare two pairs of glasses and attempt it simultaneously, it’ll get even more exciting.
Make it so a person can’t stand up from a chair with just one finger
This is a party trick where you keep a seated person from standing up using just one finger.
Many people have heard of it but never tried it themselves.
You might wonder if that’s even possible, but it really can make it feel impossible to stand with just a single finger.
Try it here and you might have fun doing it at home later too.
Since it’s a physical, one-shot gag, it’s also great for breaking the ice with people you’re meeting for the first time.
