The Big Year Challenges

L

Lola

Silver League

169 challenges saved

Saved Challenges (169)

Judge 300 challenge matchups on the Point Judge page

Uncategorized— pts

https://www.bigyear.xyz/point-judge

1 hour

Learn to Windmill

Uncategorized14 pts

Learn the breakdancing windmill move well enough to complete 3 consecutive rotations

Varies

Learn to Do a Backflip

Uncategorized14 pts

Learn to perform a standing backflip on flat ground (gym training allowed during learning)

Varies

Cook Something New

Uncategorized4 pts

Prepare a dish from a cuisine you've never cooked before

Varies

Uncategorized10 pts

Learn to play or sing one complete song

Varies

Festival Immersion

Uncategorized10 pts

Attend a cultural celebration or community event outside your usual circle

Varies

Solo Navigation

Uncategorized12 pts

Travel somewhere unfamiliar alone and navigate without GPS

Varies

Hometown Tourist

Uncategorized13 pts

Spend a full day exploring your own area as if you were a visitor. Ask locals for highlights. Visit landmarks

Varies

Build Something Useful from Scrap

Uncategorized10 pts

Create a functional object using only materials you already have or can get for free

Varies

Eat Beans with a Toothpick

Uncategorized2 pts

Eat as many baked beans as possible in 60 seconds using only a toothpick (competitive)

Varies

Blow a Giant Bubblegum Bubble

Uncategorized2 pts

Blow the largest bubblegum bubble you can (competitive)

Varies

Balance Spoons on Your Face

Uncategorized2 pts

Balance as many spoons as possible on your face simultaneously. You can have help from another person. You cannot be lying down. Sitting and kneeling ok. Competitive challenge

Varies

Blindfolded Candy Chopstick Challenge

Uncategorized4 pts

Blindfolded and pick up and eat as many M&Ms as you can using only chopsticks in 60 seconds (competitive)

Varies

Bake 10 Unique Recipes in 48 Hours

Uncategorized7 pts

Make 10 different baked goods or cooked dishes in one weekend

Varies

30-Day Daily Photo Challenge

Uncategorized10 pts

Take one intentional creative photo every day for 30 consecutive days

Varies

Create a 24-Hour Time-Lapse Video

Uncategorized8 pts

Record a continuous 24-hour period and compile into a time-lapse video

Varies

Build a Relationship with Legislative Staff

Uncategorized29 pts

Have 3+ substantive interactions with the same staff member over 6 months

Varies

Contribute to Social Impact Open Source

Uncategorized8 pts

Make 3+ meaningful contributions (code and documentation and issues) to open source projects serving social good

Varies

See and Document 20 Bird Species

Achievement12 pts

Observe and photograph/document 20 different bird species

Variable

Get Pushed Around in a Wheelbarrow

Get pushed around in a wheelbarrow in public for at least 10 minutes

10+ min

Buy Only Unfamiliar Groceries

Achievement10 pts

Buy a week's worth of groceries where nothing is something you've ever eaten before

1 week

Achievement11 pts

Get a tattoo (any size)

1-2 hours

Get a Wildly Different Hairstyle

Achievement13 pts

Get a dramatically different haircut or style than you normally have

1-2 hours

Beat a Video Game You've Never Played

Achievement8 pts

Complete a video game from start to finish that you've never played before

Variable

Commit a Very Small Crime

Break an outdated or obscure law that's technically illegal but harmless

Variable

Get Photo from Highest and Lowest Points in City

Achievement12 pts

Take photos at both the highest and lowest elevation points in your city - including buildings and basements

Variable

Visit 10 Coffee Shops in Your City

Achievement7 pts

Visit and order from 10 different coffee shops in your city

Variable

Buy Food from One Restaurant Eat in Another

Purchase food from one restaurant and eat it inside a different restaurant

1-2 hours

Go to a Protest or Rally

Achievement11 pts

Attend a protest or rally for a political cause you care about

2-4 hours

Organize a Group Hike

Plan and lead a hike with 4+ people

4-6 hours

Ask A Stranger for $100

Ask a stranger if you can have $100

5 min

Take Your Boss to Lunch

Invite your boss to lunch and pay for it

1-2 hours

Take a Dance Class

Attend and complete a dance class in any style

1-2 hours

Learn 3 Magic Tricks

Achievement10 pts

Learn three different magic tricks well enough to perform them

2-4 weeks

Write an original joke and tell it to at least 5 people

Variable

Write an original poem of at least 12 lines

1-2 hours

Make Wholesome Graffiti

Create positive/uplifting street art or chalk art in a public space

1-2 hours

Take a Themed Photography Series

Take a series of at least 10 photos around a specific theme

Variable

Paint Something and Display It

Create a painting and display it proudly somewhere in your home

Variable

Draw a Self-Portrait

Create a self-portrait drawing or painting

2-4 hours

Bake Bread from Scratch

Make a loaf of bread completely from scratch (no bread machine)

3-4 hours

Learn to ride a skateboard and perform a kickflip

1-2 months

Don't Shower for 5 Days

Go 5 consecutive days without showering or bathing

5 days

Learn to Handstand

Learn to hold a freestanding handstand

1-3 months

Get Best Free Item from Classifieds

Achievement8 pts

Find and claim the best free item you can from Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace/local classifieds

Variable

Attempt a Guinness World Record

Achievement19 pts

Make an official or documented attempt at any Guinness World Record

Variable

Get Autograph from Famous Person

Achievement9 pts

Obtain an autograph from someone famous enough to have a Wikipedia page

Variable

Wear Shoes on Wrong Feet for Entire Day

Wear your left shoe on your right foot and vice versa for an entire waking day

1 day

Compose an original song with lyrics and melody (instrument optional and can be a cappella)

Variable

Digital Detox Day

Achievement5 pts

Spend 24 hours without phones computers or internet

24 hours

Earn a Verifiable Credential

Achievement— pts

Complete a recognized certification or course with proof of completion

40-200 hours

Automate Retirement Savings

Achievement8 pts

Open a retirement account and set up automatic contributions

1-3 hours

Master 10 New Meals

Achievement12 pts

Learn to cook 10 nutritious meals without recipes

4-8 weeks

Sleep 8+ Hours for 14 Nights

Get 8+ hours of actual sleep for two straight weeks

14 days

30 Days Alcohol-Free

Go 30 consecutive days without drinking

30 days

Tell a family member I love you if you rarely do

5 min

Approach someone whose path you admire and ask for mentorship

Varies

Use Your Time Off

Achievement7 pts

Take your full vacation/PTO this year or 10+ days if self-employed

Year-long

The Protected Call

Schedule a recurring monthly call with someone important and complete 3 consecutive months

3 months

The Reconnection

Message three friends you haven't contacted in 1+ year with personalized messages referencing specific memories

30 min

Achievement13 pts

Write your top 10 values and make one small ongoing life change to better align with your values. https://qualitycharters.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Hiring-For-Fit_Values-List.pdf

2 hours

Release a Lantern at a Festival

Uncategorized11 pts

Attend a lantern festival and release a sky lantern

Varies

Build an Epic Blanket Fort

Uncategorized8 pts

Build a blanket fort large enough to sleep in and spend a full night in it

Varies

Build a Bat House

Uncategorized7 pts

Build and install a functional bat house outdoors

Varies

Build a Backyard Raku Kiln

Uncategorized13 pts

Assemble a functional raku kiln in your backyard and fire at least one piece of pottery in it

Varies

Hit a Bullseye with an Arrow

Uncategorized9 pts

Shoot an arrow and hit the bullseye on a standard archery target

Varies

Take an Emergency Preparedness Class

Uncategorized7 pts

Complete a certified class in CPR first aid or emergency response (e.g. Red Cross or community college)

Varies

Switch to an Ergonomic Keyboard

Uncategorized8 pts

Purchase and switch to an ergonomic or split keyboard and use it as your primary keyboard for 30 days

Varies

Learn to Pick a Lock

Uncategorized9 pts

Learn to pick a lock using lockpicking tools and successfully open a locked padlock you own

Varies

Repaint and Redecorate a Room

Uncategorized7 pts

Fully repaint the walls and redecorate one room in your living space with new paint and rearranged or new decor

Varies

Apply Henna Art to Someone

Uncategorized10 pts

Learn henna application and complete a full henna design on another person's hand or arm

Varies

Create a Day of the Dead Altar

Uncategorized14 pts

Build a complete ofrenda honoring someone who has passed with traditional elements

Varies

Build and Maintain a Terrarium

Uncategorized12 pts

Build a terrarium housing live creatures (isopods snails etc.) and keep it thriving for 90 days

Varies

Make a Voodoo Doll

Uncategorized8 pts

Craft a handmade voodoo doll or poppet using fabric pins and stuffing

Varies

Create a Piece of Pottery

Uncategorized9 pts

Shape and fire a piece of pottery using real clay (wheel or hand-built)

Varies

Practice Tai Chi for 30 Days

Uncategorized10 pts

Follow a Tai Chi routine at least 3 times per week for 30 consecutive days

Varies

Stretch Every Day for 30 Days

Uncategorized8 pts

Complete a dedicated stretching session of 10+ minutes every day for 30 consecutive days

Varies

Learn to Moonwalk

Uncategorized10 pts

Learn to moonwalk smoothly enough to do it across a room without stumbling

Varies

Uncategorized18 pts

Learn fire breathing and successfully perform it (with proper fuel and technique)

Varies

Learn to Do the Worm

Uncategorized10 pts

Learn the worm dance move well enough to travel at least 10 feet across the floor

Varies

Uncategorized10 pts

Stand up and ride a wave to shore on a surfboard

Varies

Tread Water for 2 Hours

Uncategorized11 pts

Stay afloat treading water continuously for 2 hours without touching the bottom or sides

Varies

Build a Treehouse

Uncategorized13 pts

Build a treehouse or elevated platform sturdy enough to sit in

Varies

Build a Tire Swing

Uncategorized6 pts

Build a functional tire swing from scratch and swing on it

Varies

Frugal Month and Donate Savings

Uncategorized12 pts

Remove as many expenses as you can for a full month (eat out less - cancel subscriptions - bike instead of Uber) and donate all the money you saved

Varies

See Inside a Datacenter

Uncategorized10 pts

Get a tour of or access to a datacenter and see the servers in person

Varies

Chug a Gallon of Milk

Uncategorized7 pts

Attempt to drink an entire gallon of milk in one sitting. Barfing is allowed.

Varies

Do 50% More Pull-Ups

Uncategorized12 pts

Increase your max set of pull-ups by 50% compared to your starting number (e.g. - 10 to 15) If you can't do one pull-up to start, then 50% more pullups with the same assistance level compared to your starting number.

Varies

No Spending for a Week

Uncategorized5 pts

Go 7 consecutive days without spending any money at all. Pre-paid bills like rent and utilities are fine.

Varies

Visit Every National Park in Your State

Uncategorized13 pts

Visit every national park or national monument in your state

Varies

No Processed Sugar for a Month

Uncategorized9 pts

Cut out all processed sugar from your diet for 30 consecutive days. Natural sugars from whole fruit are allowed.

Varies

Capture an Invasive Species

Uncategorized9 pts

Legally capture or remove an invasive species in your area (spotted lanternfly - invasive plants - etc.)

Varies

Pay for the Person Behind You

Uncategorized5 pts

Pay the bill of the person behind you in line at the grocery store

Varies

No Eating Out for a Month

Uncategorized9 pts

Prepare every meal at home for 30 consecutive days. No restaurants or takeout or delivery.

Varies

Take a Long-Distance Train Ride

Uncategorized9 pts

Ride Amtrak or equivalent train to a destination more than 12 hours away

Varies

Delete a Social Media Account

Uncategorized11 pts

Permanently delete one of your social media accounts (Instagram - TikTok - Twitter - Facebook - etc.)

Varies

Sunrise to Sunset Outdoors

Uncategorized10 pts

Spend an entire day from sunrise to sunset outdoors without going inside for any reason

Varies

Try a Combat Sport

Uncategorized11 pts

Attend at least 3 classes in a combat sport you've never trained (boxing - jiu jitsu - muay thai - wrestling - etc.)

Varies

Hold an Unfamiliar Animal

Uncategorized11 pts

Physically interact with or hold an animal species you've never touched before (reptile - bird of prey - tarantula - etc.)

Varies

Visit Another Player in Their City

Uncategorized14 pts

Travel to visit another Big Year participant in their home city and spend meaningful time together.

Varies

Donate Clothes to a Shelter

Uncategorized4 pts

Gather clothes you no longer wear and donate them directly to a homeless shelter or clothing bank

Varies

Uncategorized12 pts

Perform karaoke at a bar or public venue in front of an audience of strangers

Varies

Best Sandcastle

Uncategorized5 pts

Build sandcastles at the same beach on the same day; group votes on the best

Varies

Build and Launch a Model Rocket Together

Uncategorized9 pts

Assemble and successfully launch a model rocket with a partner

Varies

Forage a Meal Together

Uncategorized12 pts

Find and correctly identify wild edible plants/mushrooms with a knowledgeable partner and eat a dish made from them

Varies

Volunteer Together for 8 Hours

Uncategorized10 pts

Complete a full day of volunteer work (8+ hours) with a friend at the same organization

Varies

Build a Piece of Furniture Together

Uncategorized10 pts

Build a functional piece of furniture from raw materials (not IKEA) with a partner

Varies

Cook a Full Meal Together Blindfolded

Uncategorized11 pts

Partner up and cook a complete meal where one person is blindfolded and the other can only give verbal instructions

Varies

See Sunrise and Sunset in One Day

Uncategorized8 pts

Intentionally watch both the sunrise and sunset on the same day. Ideally from somewhere with a view.

Varies

Walk Every Street in Your Neighborhood

Uncategorized13 pts

Physically walk down every street within 1/2 mile of your house.

Varies

Solve a Rubik's Cube

Uncategorized7 pts

Solve a Rubik's Cube from a fully scrambled state

Varies

Use Your Non-Dominant Hand for a Day

Uncategorized9 pts

Use only your non-dominant hand for all tasks for one full waking day

Varies

Learn Morse Code and Send a Message

Uncategorized10 pts

Memorize Morse code and use it to send a real message

Varies

Fold 100 Origami Cranes

Uncategorized12 pts

Fold 100 paper cranes

Varies

Shadow Someone in Another Career

Uncategorized11 pts

Spend half a day+ observing someone in a field you're curious about

Varies

Enroll in One Course

Achievement13 pts

Enroll in and complete a course on something you've always wanted to learn

Varies

The Authentic Day

Achievement13 pts

Describe your perfect day given no outside obligations and then do it.

1 day

Take someone on a sunrise picnic

Uncategorized14 pts

Prepare breakfast and watch the sunrise or sunset together from somewhere beautiful.

Varies

Learn Balloon Animals

Uncategorized14 pts

Learn to make at least 5 distinct balloon animal shapes and make them for strangers in public

Varies

Have Conversation with Your 1st Grade Teacher

Uncategorized14 pts

Track down and have a real conversation with your first grade (or other early) teacher

Varies

Write a Children's Book

Uncategorized14 pts

Write and illustrate a children's book about something you're passionate about

Varies

Cook a Meal for a Stranger

Uncategorized14 pts

Prepare a homemade meal and share it with someone you don't know personally

Varies

Learn a Partner Dance Routine

Uncategorized14 pts

Learn and perform a choreographed partner dance (salsa - bachata - swing - etc.) of at least 1 minute

Varies

Memorize 50 Digits of Pi

Uncategorized14 pts

Memorize and recite 50 digits of pi from memory

Varies

Take Cold Showers for 30 Days

Uncategorized14 pts

Replace your regular shower with a cold shower every day for 30 consecutive days

Varies

Ask Out Someone Who Intimidates You

Uncategorized14 pts

Ask someone on a date who you're genuinely interested in but nervous about

Varies

Make Monthly Constituent Calls

Uncategorized14 pts

Make phone calls to elected representatives for 6 consecutive months

Varies

Specific Appreciation

Tell 5 people what you specifically appreciate about them including a specific moment and how it affected you

1 week

Plant a Fruit Tree

Uncategorized15 pts

Plant a fruit-bearing tree and keep it alive for one full year

Varies

Let 10 Species Eat from Your Hand

Uncategorized15 pts

Feed animals from 10 different species directly from your hand (squirrels - birds - goats - horses - etc.). Make sure you're not feeding the animals things that are bad for them. EG bread is bad for geese/ducks!

Varies

High Five 100 Strangers

Uncategorized15 pts

Get 100 different strangers to high five you in a single day

Varies

Coffee Chat with a Stranger

Uncategorized15 pts

Approach strangers and ask them to have coffee with you until someone says yes - then have a genuine conversation

Varies

Talk with an Unhoused Person

Uncategorized15 pts

Have a genuine - extended conversation with an unhoused person. Learn their name - hear their story - and share yours.

Varies

Make a New Close Friend

Uncategorized15 pts

Develop a genuine friendship with someone new. Spend meaningful one-on-one time together at least 5 times.

Varies

Go on a Meditation Retreat

Uncategorized15 pts

Attend a meditation or mindfulness retreat of at least 2 days

Varies

Meet Someone New

Uncategorized15 pts

Attend an event where you know few/no people and start a genuine conversation

Varies

Record a One-Second-a-Day Video Diary

Uncategorized15 pts

Film one second of video every day for 90 days and then compile

Varies

Sneak Into an Event

Achievement15 pts

Get into an event you weren't invited to or don't have a ticket for

Variable

Collect Hair from 10 People

Collect a piece of hair from 10 different people (with their knowledge)

Variable

Ask Someone for Clothing Item They're Wearing

Notice something someone is wearing that you like and ask them to give it to you

5 min

Gain or Lose 10 Pounds

Reach a weight goal of gaining or losing 10 pounds (whichever aligns with your health goals)

2-3 months

Meet Someone with Fake Identity

Meet a stranger and maintain a completely fake identity and backstory for at least 10 minutes (bonus for accent - longer duration)

10+ min

Build an Emergency Fund

Achievement15 pts

Save enough to cover 1-3 months of essential expenses

3-12 months

Achievement15 pts

Apply for an opportunity you think you're not ready for (job and grant and program)

2-3 hours

12 Books Outside Your Lane

Achievement15 pts

Read 12 books this year in subjects outside your normal interests

1 year

The Collision Dinner

Host a meal introducing friends from different parts of your life who don't know each other

3-5 hours

Wear Makeup Every Day for a Month

Uncategorized16 pts

Apply makeup every day for 30 consecutive days (if you don't normally wear it)

Varies

Learn Basic Sign Language

Uncategorized16 pts

Learn the ASL alphabet and 20 common phrases

Varies

Build a Giant Slingshot and Launch a Watermelon

Uncategorized17 pts

Construct a slingshot large enough to launch a watermelon and successfully fire one

Varies

Hitchhike Somewhere

Achievement17 pts

Travel somewhere by hitchhiking with a buddy

Variable

Complete a Salary Negotiation

Achievement17 pts

Negotiate for more compensation in current role or new offer

2-5 hours

Take a Random Stranger to Lunch

Uncategorized18 pts

Invite a complete stranger off the street to have lunch with you - you pay.

Varies

Guerrilla Garden

Uncategorized18 pts

Plant edible vegetables or herbs in a public space (park - unused lot - grocery store flower bed) and harvest the produce later

Varies

Say I Love You to 5 New People

Uncategorized18 pts

Tell five people you genuinely love that you love them - people you've never said it to before

Varies

Uncategorized18 pts

Regularly guide someone less experienced in an area you know for at least 4 meetings

Varies

Don't Speak for 48 Hours

Achievement18 pts

Go 48 consecutive hours without speaking a single word and otherwise going about your normal routine

48 hours

Pitch an Idea to Leadership

Achievement18 pts

Prepare and deliver a formal proposal to senior leadership

5-20 hours

Grow a Meal from Seed to Plate

Uncategorized19 pts

Plant grow and harvest enough ingredients to cook a full meal where every ingredient (vegetables protein seasoning) was grown by you from seed

Varies

Track a Metric and Present It

Uncategorized19 pts

Choose a personal metric (mood - sleep - spending - steps - etc.) - track it daily for at least 6 months - and give a presentation on your findings

Varies

Uncategorized19 pts

Let someone else plan a full day for you and participate in everything they choose

Varies

12-Hour Meditation in Your Room

Achievement19 pts

Complete 12 hours of meditation* in a single day without leaving your room** *Breaks allowed for bodily functions. **Your room could be replaced with any single location, eg a picnic blanket in a park or wilderness, a meditation retreat, etc.

12 hours

Reach Conversational Level in New Language

Uncategorized21 pts

Learn enough to hold a 15-minute conversation with a native speaker

Varies

Compliment 100 Strangers

Uncategorized22 pts

Give 100 genuine compliments to people you don't know (in-person face-to-face)

Varies

The Old Apology

Apologize for something you did years ago with a genuine apology that asks nothing in return

30 min

Learn to Do the Splits

Uncategorized23 pts

Achieve a full front or side split through daily stretching

Varies

Time with Declining Health

Spend meaningful time with someone whose health is declining (aging relative and hospice volunteer and care facility visit)

Varies

Quit an Addiction

Uncategorized24 pts

Identify a habit or substance you're dependent on and quit for at least 3 consecutive months

Varies

Letter to the Living

Write a letter to a living person expressing everything you'd want them to know if they were dying and deliver it

1-2 hours

Handwrite 10 Gratitude Letters

Uncategorized25 pts

Write and send 10 handwritten letters(or email if you dont have their address) to people who have positively impacted your life

Varies

Recent Completions (3)

Buy Food from One Restaurant Eat in Another

Purchase food from one restaurant and eat it inside a different restaurant

1-2 hours

Judge 300 challenge matchups on the Point Judge page

Uncategorized— pts

https://www.bigyear.xyz/point-judge

1 hour

Sneak Into an Event

Achievement15 pts

Get into an event you weren't invited to or don't have a ticket for

Variable