Dads around the internet are trying to stack as many Cheerios as they can on their babies

In the days leading up to Father's Day, a fierce battle is being waged by dads across the Internet. 

Called the Cheerio Challenge, this competition involves two things every parent has in their home: A kid, and a box Cheerios.

To play, simply grab the yellow box, find your sleepy toddler and begin vertically stacking the little O's on your little one's head.

Of course, your baby doesn't have to be sleeping, but you'll probably agree that it's easier to stack things on them if they are.

The challenge was started by Life of Dad, a parent community that "celebrates the adventures of fatherhood."

Co-founder Patrick Quinn told Mashable that he thought of the idea while playing with his 3-week-old son. 

"The idea to create the challenge came after I had managed to stack five and thought anything more would be impossible," Quinn said. "I was sitting with my newborn and there were Cheerios left on the couch by my older son and stacking them on the baby's face. It just seemed like the natural thing to do." 

Now the challenge has taken off on social media, using the hashtag #CheerioChallenge.

"We didn't set any rules other than to stack them as high as you can," Quinn said. "People seem to relish getting creative with how they stack them and where they stack them." 

Quinn encourages people to get creative with the challenge. For instance, this dad didn't have Cheerios, so he made do with Fruit Loops:

For those just joining the #CheerioChallenge now, Quinn has this advice: The hardest part is simply trying to hold your laughter.

"The main pointer I would give is try your hardest to stifle your own laughter," he said. "It was my own personal enemy when stacking them the first time. I'd reach four or five, and then my laughter was my downfall."

Some dads can't limit themselves to just one stack.

At the time of writing, the current high score in the #CheerioChallenge is a tie for a single stack at 16 (see below), accomplished by two different fathers. Clearly, an impressive feat — in fact, Quinn is so impressed that he doesn't totally buy it.

"I'm almost ready to call shenanigans on it," Quinn said.

Image: lifeofdad

Image: lifeofdad

Still, he's glad his game has brought a little fun to the world. 

"We're just happy that this challenge seems to have brought people from all walks of life together in something silly and funny. It's nice to bring out something positive in everyone amid all of the bad news the world has been getting lately," Quinn said.

For more #CheerioChallenge content, follow Life of Dad on Facebook and Twitter.  

[h/t: BuzzFeed]