Tickling is not only this annoying thing that your friends or siblings do when you’re little. It is also an intense kink that will leave you crying, laughing, and begging.
There’s more to the tickling kink than you see on the surface, and we’re going to explore all aspects and nuances of it in today’s beginner guide to tickling.
What is tickling as a kink?
Tickling is a sensory kink, and it’s a unique way of exploring vulnerability and trust.
You may have also heard about it as tickle fetishism or knismolagnia. Unlike regular tickling, the kinky version of it insinuates that one or all participants derive sexual pleasure from tickling others and being tickled themselves.
While impact play and other physically taxing kinks may sound dubious to some, they are generally okay with and open to if they happen in a controlled environment with someone they know. Tickling, on the other hand, is a whole different beast. We can guarantee that the majority will prefer impact to tickling without even thinking about it.
Whether it’s practiced as light teasing or a full-blown session, it can be challenging and scary to withstand.
You may have also heard about it as tickle fetishism or knismolagnia. Unlike regular tickling, the kinky version of it insinuates that one or all participants derive sexual pleasure from tickling others and being tickled themselves.
While impact play and other physically taxing kinks may sound dubious to some, they are generally okay with and open to if they happen in a controlled environment with someone they know. Tickling, on the other hand, is a whole different beast. We can guarantee that the majority will prefer impact to tickling without even thinking about it.
Whether it’s practiced as light teasing or a full-blown session, it can be challenging and scary to withstand.
Tickling tools
If you and your partner(s) are among the brave ones, and you’re ready to give it a try, grab a couple of tools to help make the most of this experience and also make it more versatile.
Surely, you don’t need anything to start. Your hands are perfectly capable of driving them crazy, so if you ever get a spontaneous rush to tickle your lover (and they’ve consented to it) – just go for it!
- Feathers to drive them absolutely mad. Feathers may be soft and gentle, but they’ll create a super powerful sensation.
- Restraints to prevent them from escaping the tickling and having to lean into it. Only use if the partner consented, of course.
- Sensory restraints. You can let your partner move around freely but limit how much they see or hear. Imagine being tickled in a blindfold and with earplugs in. Now that’s a combination of emotions and sensations they won’t forget.
- Gloves and scarves. Leather, latex, and silk accessories will create a unique and intense tickling experience.
- Vibrators and other sex toys. Use vibrators and everything else you have at hand to tickle your partners before eventually using it on their genitalia.
- Brushes for painting or makeup are great contestants for sessions. They’re soft and won’t hurt your skin, but they’ll be able to create just the right tickling sensation.
Surely, you don’t need anything to start. Your hands are perfectly capable of driving them crazy, so if you ever get a spontaneous rush to tickle your lover (and they’ve consented to it) – just go for it!
Why Do People Enjoy Tickling?
If you’re wondering why anyone on Earth agrees to tickling, don’t judge this kink by its cover!
There are several benefits that you might get and enjoy if you give it a try.
There are several benefits that you might get and enjoy if you give it a try.
- Physical thrill. Tickling is pretty unique in terms of how it makes your body feel. It activates your fight-or-flight mode, yet it can’t hurt you; you can even derive pleasure from it. It’s not easy to appreciate it for the pleasant sensations, but if you practice and get used to it, you’ll be able to get the most out of it.
- Extreme vulnerability. Anyone who agrees to be tickled opens themselves up to the person tickling them. They’re super vulnerable and submit fully, letting the other person tickle them to the point of hysterical laughter, almost peeing oneself, and, finally, sexual arousal. This is not something you’ll let just anyone do, and it inevitably creates a special bond between the partners participating in the tickling kink.
- Power play. You might not see it like that, but whoever is tickling has power over the person. This is one of the many forms of power play where partners are either dominating or become fully submissive. This little psychological dynamic adds to the thrill.
- Good laughter and positive vibes. Not every intimacy or kink experience has to be super serious and erotic. There is room for a bit of playfulness and fun, too. Tickling creates a perfect opportunity to bring positive vibes to the bedroom and have a lighthearted, fun, and sexy time. First, you have a laugh and tickle each other; then, you slowly transform tickling into a more sensual and erotic play.
Safety tips and consent
If you think tickling is harmless and safe, think again. Just kidding! But really, don’t let its deceptively innocent nature trick you.
First, tickling can be discomforting and even painful if you’re doing it too aggressively. Your partner might struggle with the play and have a negative, if not traumatic, experience.
To avoid that, get full consent from everyone who’ll be engaged in tickling and make sure you are giving verbal and enthusiastic consent yourself. Can you handle tickling if it’s continuing for a few minutes or longer? Sometimes, we have an idea of how we’ll react to something, but we can’t predict what will happen.
Don’t overwhelm yourself, and remember that everyone has a right to revoke consent and have the play stopped at any point. That includes you, too.
Note: Make sure you come up with a safe word, gesture, or symbol. If someone’s about to literally or figuratively pass out from all the tickling, they’ll have no time or energy for elaborate begging. A simple word or a gesture will help them get their point across quickly and end their suffering.
Now, consent and safe words are not the only things to be considered for tickling kink. You also need to make sure that you are following the safety protocol.
First, tickling can be discomforting and even painful if you’re doing it too aggressively. Your partner might struggle with the play and have a negative, if not traumatic, experience.
To avoid that, get full consent from everyone who’ll be engaged in tickling and make sure you are giving verbal and enthusiastic consent yourself. Can you handle tickling if it’s continuing for a few minutes or longer? Sometimes, we have an idea of how we’ll react to something, but we can’t predict what will happen.
Don’t overwhelm yourself, and remember that everyone has a right to revoke consent and have the play stopped at any point. That includes you, too.
Note: Make sure you come up with a safe word, gesture, or symbol. If someone’s about to literally or figuratively pass out from all the tickling, they’ll have no time or energy for elaborate begging. A simple word or a gesture will help them get their point across quickly and end their suffering.
Now, consent and safe words are not the only things to be considered for tickling kink. You also need to make sure that you are following the safety protocol.
- Track physical responses. Tickling should cause chaos, but not too much. Watch your partner’s reactions as you play and check in with them if you get a suspicious vibe.
- Take breaks. Prolonged tickling can turn into low-key torture. To avoid fatigue and severe discomfort, run shorter tickling sessions, especially at the start.
- Offer aftercare. Once the tickling and whatever else you engage in is over, do some aftercare. Whether it be a talk, cuddling, a massage, or something else, – it needs to happen to ensure you guys had a good time, and if something was wrong, it was addressed and fixed.
How to explore tickling: the first steps
Exploring tickling ethically is a lot of fun but it takes some skill as well. Here are the first steps you need to take if you’re going to give this kink a try.
- Start by sharing your boundaries and giving consent.
- Take things slowly at first as you explore each other’s limits and reactions.
- Try different tools. Mix and match your hands, feathers, and other items you have at your disposal.
- As you continue, play intensely and monitor how it makes others feel.
- As you get more comfortable, try restraints for a more theatrical experience.
- When finished, hug, kiss, and talk about what just happened.
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Advanced Tickling Techniques or Variations
If you’re up for something spicier and more intense, here is what you can add to your tickling mix:
- Use restraints that immobilize the person completely, not just hold them in one place, like handcuffs.
- Include power play in tickling and dominate over the partner or vice versa.
- Add sensory deprivation, such as blindfolds, earplugs, or almost full-body costumes.
- Tickle your partner in different positions to find the ones where the sensation is the strongest.
- Try vibrators, home decor, or something else that doesn’t belong in the bedroom for a shock effect and a good laugh.
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FAQ
Is tickling normal?
Tickling is a funny kink that causes good laughs and makes your intimate life a bit more entertaining and different. Unless you’re doing it without consent and actually hurting your partners, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a little bit of tickling every once in a while, or a lot of it if that’s what you are really into.
Can you overdo tickling?
Yes. Tickling is a gentle kink but it can get pretty intense. If you tickle someone too hard for too long, they can actually feel pain, discomfort, and anxiety. That’s why you should start slowly and not rush to intense tickling until you’re confident that the other person is enjoying it.
What’s the right way to do tickling?
The right way to tickle someone as a kink is to get consent, discuss each other’s boundaries, start slowly with gentle tickling, and eventually grow more intense given that everyone likes it. Also, incorporating additional tools, such as feathers, will make the kink more enjoyable and memorable.
