Thumballs by Trainers Warehouse

Which are You and Why? Thumball on table

Where would you put yourself on a variety of continuums

$32.95

Use the Which are You and Why? Thumball prompts to understand where each person is on a variety of spectrums. It's a creative and playful way to get to know each other.

Just look under your thumb and share your reaction to the prompt. Discuss where on the spectrum you'd put yourself, and why! Thumball is a 6" stuffed ball that looks like a soccer ball, but is soft and safe to use at work, school and home.

WHICH ARE YOU AND WHY? THUMBALL PROMPTS

On this Thumball, you'll find two words on each panel. They represent opposites. The goal is to understand if you're "this" or "that" or if you're preference lies somewhere in the middle.

Use the ball to learn more about friends and colleagues. Topics are broad enough that players can apply them to:

Work
Home
Communication styles
Foods
Activities
Relationships
Purchases
Leadership
Teams

When you're playing feel free to frame any prompt to your specific location, situation or objective.

** TIPS & Facilitation Suggestions **

EXPLAIN: The Which Are You Thumball requires players to chose between two opposite characteristics or preferences. They may find it's easy to choose one extreme or the other. If it is, or if it's not, encourage them to explain where they fall on the continuum and why. Invite them to share examples or expand on their answer with analogies to their personality or work style.

If you want to kick it up a notch, try these creative twists:

Specify that answers should relate specifically to personal or workplace experiences.
Ask first recipient to select an answer panel to which all players must respond or contribute.
Survey players on several question panels, then create charts or graphs that reflect the cumulative responses.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

This ball is part of our exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

MORE RESOURCES

Favorites Thumball

What we like says a lot about us!

$32.95

Session Openers Thumball

Break the ice and build teams!

$32.95

SESSION OPENERS THUMBALL – THE ULTIMATE ICEBREAKER BALL

Looking for a fun, low-stress way to kick off your training session, meeting, or classroom activity?
The Session Openers Thumball is a soft tossable ball covered with 32 engaging questions designed to spark introductions, build rapport, and energize your group. Unlike ordinary icebreaker games that participants dread, this interactive tool gets participants moving, laughing, and connecting right from the start.

WHY USE SESSION OPENERS?

Starting a session with an icebreaker helps participants relax, share, and feel included. It shouldn't be pointless or a waste of time. Rather, it should help participants make connections to one another and your content. Done well, opening activities make learning more effective and teamwork more natural. The Session Openers Thumball gives you a ready-made set of conversation prompts that:

Break down barriers and reduce anxiety
Encourage participants to share stories and experiences
Build community and trust among team members
Energize groups with a playful, kinesthetic twist

FEATURES

32 unique prompts designed for introductions and lighthearted sharing
Soft, safe, and durable design—perfect for classrooms, workshops, and corporate training
Versatile use cases: icebreakers, meeting warm-ups, team building, or quick energizers
Simple facilitation: no prep time required—just toss, catch, and share
Reusable: works with any group, again and again
Builds engagement: The mix of physical activity and conversation helps people stay engaged and attentive.

HOW IT WORKS

Toss the ball to a participant.
Wherever their right thumb lands, they answer the question on that panel.
Toss again to continue the activity until everyone has had a turn.

WHO USES SESSION OPENERS THUMBALL?

Corporate trainers looking for quick, effective meeting icebreakers
Teachers & educators who want to energize classrooms
Facilitators & coaches leading team-building sessions
Leaders & managers seeking new ways to build rapport with staff

FAQ

Q: How many people can play?
A: The Thumball works well for groups of 3–25. For larger groups, split into smaller circles.

Q: Is it appropriate for corporate settings?
A: Yes! Prompts are professional, light, and suitable for workplace training.

Q: Can it be cleaned?
A: Yes, the durable surface can be wiped down for reuse.

MAKE EVERY SESSION ENGAGING

The Session Openers Thumball is one of the easiest, most effective ways to start a session with energy and connection. It’s a conversation starter, team builder, and facilitation prop—all in one playful tool.

Get your Session Openers Thumball today and make every meeting or training session more engaging!

SESSION OPENER THUMBALL PROMPTS

The prompts on the Session Opener Thumball are intended to build relationships and tease out session goals, so that facilitators can get their learning sessions off to a good start. To this end, prompts primarily cover these three categories:

Getting to Know You - dreams, peeves, wishes, decisions, frustrations, talents
Learning Styles - best teachers, preferred learning methods, learning goals
Work Styles - proudest accomplishments, creative contributions, strengths

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

** TIPS & Facilitation Suggestions **

Choose when to use it: Customers say, "This is one of the best session starters ever, because I can relate it to my content!" As an open-ended exercise, it's a perfect conversation starter for icebreakers, energizers, team building, lesson reinforcement and more.

Explain: Let your group know that you see the Session Openers Thumball as an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and each other. Help those who dislike icebreakers to understand that the Thumball will help them:

Understand who else is participating (if they don't already know each other)
Uncover goals and expectations for the day
Surface concerns about the material or other issues that may be distracting them

How to play:

Take turns circulating the Thumball by passing, rolling, tossing and catching. Ask recipients to respond to the prompt under their right thumb.

If you want to kick it up a notch, try these creative twists:

Specify that answers should relate specifically to personal and workplace experiences.
Ask players to anticipate what answer will be given by another player.
Have players recall answers given by previous responders, before adding their own answer.
Ask first recipient to select an answer panel to which all players must respond or contribute.
Survey players on several question panels, then create charts or graphs that
reflect the cumulative responses.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

This Thumball is part of Trainers Warehouse's exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

MORE RESOURCES

Shaped by Our Past Thumball

Explore the past experiences that shape who you are today

$32.95

We are who we are today because of our history and our lifetime of experiences. Encourage your group to share details of their past -- school, friends, family, hobbies, challenges, and more!

Help your team get to know each other. The most compelling reason to break-the-ice is to create a stress-free environment, optimized for learning. These 6" soft and safe Thumballs are a great way to do it. Toss the ball to one player and ask them to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their thumb. Shaped by Our Past Thumball is ideal for work, school and home use. Older and "elder" players especially like sharing memories of their past that shaped who they are now.

SHAPED BY OUR PAST THUMBALL PROMPTS

The "Shaped by Our Past" collection of prompts draw out the experiences in our life that helped shape who we are today. Among them you'll find:

Childhood memories: birthdays, vacations, regrets
Past experiences: scary moments, hospital visits, turning points, accomplishments
Daily life when you were younger: extracurricular activities, friendships, summer traditions
People & personalities: impact of birth order, mentors, grandparents
Challenges & accomplishments: difficult choices, challenging times, goals

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

** TIPS & Facilitation Suggestions **

Appreciate that this Thumball may remind participants of both happy and challenging moments in their past. If one question feels difficult, invite them to:

Take a pass
Trade questions with another player
Toss again

If you want to kick it up a notch, try these creative twists:

Discuss how the prompt or the player's story may affect current experiences
Have additional players respond to the same prompt before moving along

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

This ball is part of Trainers Warehouse's exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

MORE RESOURCES

What Makes You You Thumball

Build rapport, camaraderie, and understanding

$32.95

Stress Management Thumball

Chat about Stress Management causes and solutions

$32.95

Look under your thumb and share your reaction to whatever prompt lies beneath it. Thumball is a soft, 6" stuffed ball pre-printed with 32 prompts and LOADS of interesting applications for meetings, training, and employee relations.

With the Stress Management Thumball, explore the causes of stress and various ways to manage its impact. Teams can discuss what affects their stress level, how they can help each other out, how they can better manage their own approach to stress, and more.

STRESS MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION STARTER THUMBALL

The prompts on the Stress Management Thumball will help you explore and discuss the following:

Causes of stress: tasks, chores, times of year, and situation that bring angst
Controlling stress: ways to minimize stress and focus on priorities
Sources of calm: hobbies, activities, quiet places that bring relaxation
Wellness practices: Sleep, exercise and diet that nourish you
Dealing with stress: what do you do (can you do) when you get stressed
Electronics: impact of technology and email on stress levels

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

** TIPS & Facilitation Suggestions **

This Thumball contains both prompts that address causes of stress and others that promote discussion and reflection on responses to stress. This is really meant to be a tool to build awareness and enable conversations about stress.

If you want to kick it up a notch, try these creative twists:

Ask first recipient to select an answer panel to which all players must respond or contribute.
Have players recall the responses of others.
Use each answer as a prompt to discuss broader aspects of stress-management including time management techniques, diet, exercise, sleep, ways to say "no", etc.

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

MORE RESOURCES

Getting to Know You Thumball

Get to Know colleagues and friends better with a fun game

$32.95

Getting to Know You Thumball® (6-inch) is one of Trainers Warehouse’s best-selling icebreaker tools—because it turns dreaded introductions into meaningful, comfortable conversations. Instead of going around the room with stiff intros, participants toss the soft, stuffed ball and answer the prompt under their thumb. With 32 creative questions built in, it is ideal for icebreakers, onboarding, corporate training, or any moment when team rapport matters..

WHY IT WORKS

Connections before content: Brain science shows learners retain more when they feel connected to other learners and to the content being covered. This Thumball sparks safe, real conversations that build trust and engagement, and prepares the mind to dive into the content.
Breaks the ice without the cringe: Even “icebreaker haters” enjoy the playful toss-and-catch format, which feels natural and low-pressure. BTW, we suggest you call them "openers."
Universally appealing: Works across cultures, age groups, and industries—perfect for classrooms, onboarding, and professional training.
Proven popularity: Among the most-purchased Thumballs worldwide, trusted by trainers for decades.
Emphasis on soft skills: Boosts interpersonal communication & active listening. Builds empathy and trust among participants.
Travels easily: Lightweight, portable and hassle-free—perfect for travel or virtual setups.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU THUMBALL PROMPTS

The prompts on the Getting to Know You Thumball are intended to be thoughtful, yet easy-to-answer. They'll help spark conversation and allow players to learn more about one another. It's a wonderful tool for team onboarding, new hire introductions, remote-team icebreakers, and more. Prompts focus on topics such as:

Experiences: memorable moments in your life
People: Family and friends who have impact your life
Most favorite and least favorite: Gifts, ages, sounds, chores
Activities: pastimes, hobbies, bucket list items, travel
Hopes, Fears and Wishes: the details that make you unique

Sample prompts include:

"The most difficult thing you’ve ever done?"
"The age you’d most want to relive"
"The age at which you became an adult"

HOW TO USE

Toss the Thumball to someone in the group.
They answer the question under their thumb.
Keep tossing until everyone has had a chance to connect.
Facilitator tip: Debrief by asking, “What surprised you?” or “What did you learn about your colleagues?”

DIFFERENCE FROM OTHER THUMBALLS

The Getting to Know You Thumball® zeroes in on simple, universally approachable prompts. It’s the best choice when you want to quickly break the ice with any group—even skeptics who normally dislike icebreakers.

SPECIFICATIONS

6-inch stuffed vinyl Thumball®
32 pre-printed prompts
Safe, soft, and durable for repeated use

FAQS

Q: How is this different from other Thumballs?
A: The Getting to Know You Thumball® is designed for quick, universally appealing introductions. Others (like Stress Management, Diversity, and Get Happy at Work) dive deeper into specific themes.

Q: What makes this better than a typical icebreaker?
A: People love playing with toys (which we call "tools"). Instead of putting people on the spot with scripted intros, the playful toss lowers defenses and makes conversation feel natural.

Q: How many people can play?
A: Great for groups of 6–25. For larger groups, use multiple Thumballs or break into several groups.

Q: Who uses this best?
A: Trainers, facilitators, teachers, HR professionals, and anyone who wants to build trust and rapport before diving into content-heavy sessions.

SEE IT IN ACTION

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

** TIPS * Facilitation Suggestions **

Use the Getting to Know You Thumball to interact in a group setting and stimulate lively discussions among players. Take turns circulating the Thumball by passing, rolling, tossing and catching. Ask recipients to respond to the prompt under their right thumb.

If you want to kick it up a notch, try these creative twists:

Specify that answers should relate specifically to personal or workplace experiences.
Ask first recipient to select an answer panel to which all players must respond or contribute.
Survey players on several question panels, then create charts or graphs that reflect the cumulative responses.
After they hear the answer, have other players guess what the prompt was.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

MORE RESOURCES

Be A Leader Thumball

Discuss what it takes to be a leader!

$32.95

Look under your thumb and share!

The Be a Leader Thumball gets the conversation going about what skills great leaders possess, and guides players through a bit of introspection as they consider their own leadership strengths or opportunities for improvement.

This ball contains 32 panels including both reflective and forward-thinking prompts! Players share their reaction to whatever prompt lies beneath their thumb.

BE A LEADER THUMBALL PROMPTS

In this unique Leadership Thumball, find a full range of conversation starters, including:

Leadership traits that I have or aspire to have in myself and my team
Ways to motivate, inspire, and recognize employee contributions
Methods for dealing with disagreement, decision making, and mistakes
Reflections on challenges, frustrations, delegation, and impatience
Approaches to promote growth and learning
Techniques to get buy-in, promote diversity, and share feedback

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

FACILITATION SUGGESTIONS

Some seem to be born leaders; others must work at it. No matter who you are, you'll be a better leader if you take time to reflect on past experiences, discuss future goals, and identify ways to engage your group. The Be a Leader Thumball is a discussion tool to help you develop key leadership qualities and identify specific ways to communicate your vision, spread enthusiasm, build your team's esteem, seek broad perspectives, and more.

Be flexible

Expect to adapt your use of this tool to the needs and experience of your group. Some may be able to give quick or pat answers to a prompt; others might want to take some time to discuss or brainstorm best practices; still others might benefit from delving into a conversation about the implied leadership quality in order to discuss why it's important. If a player finds a prompt particularly difficult, invite them to take a PASS, ASK A FRIEND, or request a DISCUSSION about why it matters.

Options

Discuss similarities or differences in replies.
Have everyone respond to the same prompt.
Discuss the long-term implications of various actions.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

MORE RESOURCES

Diversity Thumball

A playful tool for a serious discussions about diversity & inclusion

$32.95

Look under your thumb and share! Diversity Thumball is a playful tool for serious discussions.

We live in a diverse world. Some differences are visible, like skin color, gender, height or weight, physical challenges, and age. Others may not be visually apparent, but still affect how individuals feel or are treated: ethnicity, socio-economic position, sexual orientation, virginity, use or non-use of alcohol, allergies, intellect, depression, and other emotional diseases.

The Diversity Thumball tackles a difficult topic with smarts and sensitivity. Thumball™ is a soft 6" stuffed vinyl ball that looks like a cool soccer ball and has 32 panels pre-printed with questions suited for adults and teens. Safely toss it around in a group and ask participants to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their thumb.

DIVERSITY THUMBALL PROMPTS

Explore the topic of diversity by chatting about these topics:

Sources of your attitudes towards people unlike yourself
Experiences in which you felt like an outsider or shared an unpopular idea
Important aspects of your identity that feel important
Origins and experiences with prejudice
Ways to combat discrimination and make others feel included
Bias based on gender, disabilities, age, race, sexual identity...

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

FACILITATION TIP 1: EXPLAIN & SET GOALS

Introduce the activity by explaining: "We live in a diverse world. Some differences are visible, like skin color, gender, height or weight, physical challenges, and age. Others may not be visually apparent, but still affect how individuals feel or are treated: ethnicity, socio-economic position, sexual orientation, addictions, abstinence, allergies, intellect, depression or other emotional disorders, etc. The goal is to understand each other better and start a dialogue."

FACILITATION TIP 2: SET GROUND RULES

Explain that conversations about diversity and bias can be emotionally charged. The goal is to share our experiences of feeling different or excluded and identify ways to create a more welcoming, diverse and compassionate community. So that everyone can feel safe, have the group set up their own Ground Rules. Here are some that you might want on the list:

Only one person speaks at a time
Speak only for yourself; use “I” statements
No personal attacks – critique ideas, not people
Agree to disagree; disagree without being disagreeable
Listen – make sure everyone feels heard and validated
Be positive and non-judgmental; open to new ideas

FACILITATION TIP 3: IF CONVERSATIONS GET STICKY

Expert diversity facilitators suggest these techniques to ease difficult or emotional situations:

Pause the conversation so you can review the ground rules with the group.
As the facilitator, share how an experience made you feel.
Ask others how an experience made them feel.
If two parties disagree, suggest that they switch roles and make the counter argument.
Keep a flip chart of difficult topics that can be addressed later.
Allow attendees to volunteer their participation as they feel comfortable.
Ask others for input on how they have handled similar situations.
Be ready to share some of your own personal stories.
Take a break. Stop for a while and regroup.
Thank participants for sharing their personal stories.

FACILITATION TIP 4: MAKE IT YOUR OWN!

Have a look at all the discussion prompts. If you're not perfectly comfortable with all of them, feel free to pick and choose your favorites and write them onto a Create-Your-Own-Thumball so they suit your needs 100%.

That's what Miguel did and then he wrote to tell us how it went:

“Our government client, who sat and watched our facilitation, was utterly impressed with the kinds of deep conversations the ball prompted. He admitted, ‘I wasn't really sure what you guys were going to do with that ball, and I must say it went pretty darn great'. It's a beautiful training tool. Thank you, again.”

NOTE: This ball is part of Trainers Warehouse's exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

MORE RESOURCES

Team Dynamics Thumball

Discuss the dynamics that enable or hinder team success

$32.95

Look under your thumb and share your reaction to whatever prompt lies beneath it. Thumball™ is a soft 6" stuffed ball with loads of applications!

The Team Dynamics Thumball looks like a cool soccer ball and has 32 panels pre-printed with cogent phrases suited for adults and teens.

Teams are everywhere – at work, at home, at school, on and off playing fields. From board rooms to church basements, we're thrown together with people we may or may not know well, and are challenged to achieve great results. Is your team performing to the max? How do you support each other? How do you develop consensus and manage disagreements? Team Dynamics Thumball is a playful way to raise these critical questions so that your teams can reach their full potential.

Use Team Dynamics Thumball to stimulate conversation, promote team spirit, and boost flagging energy.

TEAM DYNAMICS THUMBALL PROMPTS

Through a series of conversation prompts, explore how your group is working as a team. For example, discuss...

Benefits and drawbacks of teaming
Ways to make others feel heard, show respect, and draw in multiple perspectives
Systems to improve productivity and minimize duplication of efforts
Approaches to identify goals, work to completion and celebrate success
Management of disagreements, problems, and mistakes
Methods to develop consensus, show support, and motivate each other.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

** TIPS **

FACILITATION Suggestions

EXPLAIN HOW IT WORKS: Someone throws the ball, another catches it and responds to the prompt under their thumb.

FACILITATION TIP 1: SET EXPECTATIONS AND EXPLAIN CLEARLY

In order to achieve greatness, sometimes teams need to take a step back and reflect on their relationships, communication, and their process of working together.

Tailor your Thumball game to meet your needs:

- Option 1: Have each player respond only to the prompt under their thumb, then toss the ball to another.
- Option 2: After the first player has responded to their prompt, invite others to share their perspective or discuss ways they could work together more effectively.

FACILITATION TIP 2: SET GROUND RULES

Explain that conversations about team dynamics can become emotionally charged. The goal of the Team Dynamics Thumball activity is to raise important issues and have necessary conversations in a positive environment. So that everyone can feel safe, have the group set up their own Ground Rules.
Here are some that you might want on the list:

Only one person speaks at a time
Speak only for yourself; Use “I” statements
No personal attacks – critique ideas, not people
Agree to disagree; disagree without being disagreeable
Listen - make sure everyone feels heard and validated
Be positive and non-judgmental; open to new ideas

FACILITATION TIP 3: BE PREPARED IF CONVERSATIONS GET STICKY

Expert facilitators suggest these techniques to ease difficult or emotional situations:
Pause the conversation so you can review the ground rules with the group.
Redirect negative comments; ask “what can we do differently?”
Focus on changes that can positively affect the team.
If two parties disagree, suggest that they switch roles and make the counter argument.
Keep a flip chart of difficult topics that can be addressed later.
Be ready to share some of your own experiences.
Take a break. Stop for awhile and regroup.
Thank participants for sharing their personal stories.

MORE RESOURCES

Toolbox Talks (Safety) Thumball

Discuss topics of Workplace Safety

$24.24

Look under your thumb and share your reaction to whatever prompt lies under your thumb. Thumball is a soft 6" diameter stuffed ball with loads of applications!

Toolbox Talks are informal safety meetings that address workplace hazards and safe work practices. They help promote an organizational culture that is healthy, safe, and supportive. Intended to supplement safety training, not replace it, Toolbox Talks can help kick off safety initiatives and identify areas to improve workplace safety.

The Toolbox Talks (Safety) Thumball looks like a cool soccer ball and has 32 panels pre-printed with cogent phrases suited for adults in the workplace. Use it to stimulate conversation, promote team spirit, and boost flagging energy.

TOOLBOX TALKS (SAFETY) THUMBALL PROMPTS

Prompts explore a variety of workplace safety topics:

Actions to take if/when things go bad
Dealing with bullying and harassment
Addressing substance abuse
Opportunities to improve employee wellness at work and home
Ways to make the workplace safer, including protocols, rules, support
Effect of personal decisions on others
Rules and hazards that could be revised
...and more!

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

** TIPS **

FACILITATION SUGGESTIONS

Frame the discussion: Explain that the goal is to create a "safer" environment (physically and emotionally), to reduce the probability of injury, and to raise organizational awareness of safety issues. The point is to raise awareness and not to point fingers.

Options:

Intended to supplement safety training, not replace it, the Toolbox Talks Thumball can help kick off safety initiatives and identify areas to improve workplace safety.

* Discuss similarities or differences in replies.
* Have everyone respond to the same prompt.
* Toss the ba!! and pick a single topic on which to focus your weekly safety meeting.

Be prepared: Toolbox Talks are likely to raise questions about proper safety checklists or "correct" techniques for first aid, fire prevention, CPR, etc. Several websites provide such information sheets with ready answers pertaining to a variety of work situations:

Favorites include: * cpwr.com * safetytoolboxtopics.com * ehs.harvard.edu

Take notes for follow-up: While this is a discussion-starter tool, it may surface organizational issues or uncover gaps in knowledge about recommended safety protocols. Keep a list of follow-up actions that are identified during discussions.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

MORE RESOURCES

Common Ground Thumball

Toss, Catch, Look under your thumb! Great training tool and team builder!

$32.95

Get Happy at Work Thumball

Focus on topics of happiness -- goals & accomplishments

$32.95

Look under your thumb, share, and get happy at work!

The Get Happy at Work Thumball discussion prompts help create a more positive workplace by allowing colleagues to share goals, discuss challenges, and build relationships. Focusing on Positive Emotion, Engagement, Meaning, Accomplishments, and Relationships, the prompts help surface sources of happiness as they draw out individuals' personal qualities, work challenges, professional goals, and organizational dynamics. By putting a positive spin on important discussion topics, the Get Happy at Work Thumball helps promote optimism, identify areas for organizational improvement and build a happier workplace.

Share your reaction to whatever prompt lies under your thumb. Thumball is a soft 6" stuffed ball with loads of applications!

You could also purchase our UNZIP-it! with Get Happy at Work Card Deck (Product Code #: BLZPAJ). These cards contain the same awesome prompts as our Thumball!

GET HAPPY AT WORK THUMBALL PROMPTS

The 32 prompts on this Thumball explore...

Workplace opportunities, challenges, and accomplishments
Upcoming priorities
Experiences and learning moments
Personal and professional goals
New risks, learning, or skills you hope to explore
Meaningful mentors, people, and relationships at work

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

** TIPS & FACILITATION SUGGESTIONS **

Explain your goal.To maximize participation, explain that your goal is to promote shared understanding and build a happier, more supportive environment.
Don't rush it.Appreciate that some may not be able to give quick or pat answers to a prompt; others might want to take some time to discuss their thoughts. Don't feel rushed to get to the next question. Rather, give people the time needed to discuss what's on their mind.
Take notes.Thumballs have a great way of teasing out important information. Keep a notepad handy in case you hit an issue you'd like to revisit later.
Give each player a “pass.”If a player finds a prompt particularly difficult, invite them to take a PASS, ASK A FRIEND, or request a DISCUSSION.

NOTE: This ball is part of Trainers Warehouse's exclusive Silver Series Thumballs. (C) Trainers Warehouse.

MORE RESOURCES

Workplace Ethics Thumball

Explore ethical guidelines and distinguishing right from wrong

$24.24

Explore ethical guidelines and discuss right-from-wrong decisions.

Workplace Ethics Thumball focuses on how you distinguish right from wrong. Is your idea of ethical obligations and responsibilities the same as your colleagues, friends and family? The Ethics Thumball raises questions and fosters discussion about individual and organizational norms and ideals, regarding making and breaking rules, fostering ethical leadership, whistle blowing, bending the truth, and more.

Look under your thumb and share your reaction to whatever prompt lies beneath it. Thumball™ is a soft 6" stuffed ball with loads of applications!!

Have rich conversations about the types of people you look to as a moral compass; how you'd handle different situations; what integrity, rules, ethics, and fairness mean to you; and how your organization or team handles ethical issues.

WORKPLACE ETHICS THUMBALL PROMPTS

The Workplace Ethics Thumball prompts will foster discussion around these important topics:

Role models for ethical leadership
Meaning of integrity, ethics, "rules," and "doing the right thing"
Dealing with lies or behaviors you disagree with
The impact of broken promises, disagreement, and transparency
Costs of speaking up or blowing the whistle

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

** TIPS **

FACILITATION SUGGESTIONS:

Your goal is to make conversations about ethics interesting and productive, without judgement or finger pointing. To explore these touchy questions most effectively, remind your group that there are no right answers. Be transparent about these goals and explain your interest in opening discussion and having rich conversations -- about morals, handling sticky situations, evaluating fairness, and exploring the organizational practices that enable or inhibit ethical behavior.

Take turns circulating the ball by passing, rolling, tossing and catching. Ask recipients to respond to the prompt under their right thumb. Because each prompt can lead to an interest dialogue, you may choose any one of these facilitation techniques:

Have each recipient answer the question with the first thought that comes to their mind.
After one recipient responds, invite others to share their replies to the same prompt.
Toss the ball to select one on discussion prompt to focus on for your entire meeting.
Ask players to anticipate what answer will be given by another player.

More for Workplace Ethics:

These same thoughtful prompts are available in the UNZIP-it! with Workplace Ethics Card Deck and come in a playful zippered pocket (Product Code #: BLZPAQ).

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

MORE RESOURCES

Change Management Thumball

Change management conversations made fun!

$24.24

Team Development Thumball Set with 6 different Thumballs

Team Development Thumball Set in mesh bag

Team Development Thumball Set with bag

Inspire teamwork and facilitate amazing team-development events

$197.40

Team Development Thumball® Set (with Free Mesh Bag) is a ready-to-run bundle of soft, tossable conversation balls loaded with prompts that build trust, communication, and collaboration in corporate retreats, business workshops, or workplace training. Facilitate icebreakers, coaching conversations, and debriefs by simply tossing, catching, and answering the prompt under your thumb—no prep, no slides, just real dialogue that strengthens teams. The stitched panels and durable stuffed vinyl are designed for heavy use.

HOW IT HELPS TEAMS

Fast engagement: the toss-catch mechanic reduces anxiety and gets everyone talking
Better communication: printed prompts spark stories, perspectives, and active listening
Psychological safety: low-risk questions build comfort before tackling tougher topics
Scalable & flexible: works for stand-ups, workshops, off-sites, classrooms, and retreats
Zero tech, high impact: portable tools that facilitate face-to-face conversation
Enhances emotional intelligence, listening, and conflict resolution.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Curated Team Development Thumball® set (multiple conversation balls with printed prompts)
Free mesh carry bag for storage and quick transport
Quick-start facilitation tips (toss–catch–answer, pass option, timeboxing, debrief ideas)

The Team Development Thumball Set puts almost 200 content-rich discussion prompts at your fingertips. Whether your team knows each other well, or are just forming new bonds, you're sure to find topics that will build appreciation and understanding. Each ball is easy to use! Just toss one of the 6 balls, then ask the recipient to look under their thumb and respond to the prompt. With this playful tool, your group will be able to explore:

What makes your colleagues feel HAPPY?
How do your TEAM DYNAMICS enable or inhibit success?
Are you sensitive to Issues of DIVERSITY and INCLUSION?
Is your team in sync when it comes to values and ETHICS?
What's causing STRESS and how can it be managed?
How you can promote positive LEADERSHIP?

The Team Development Thumball Set is conveniently packaged in a large mesh bag, which allows you to carry them around comfortably and stay organized.

Each Silver Series Thumball™ (6" stuffed vinyl ball) looks like a cool soccer ball but is pre-printed with 32 questions/discussion prompts that have been vetted by subject matter experts. They are suited for adults and teens alike! Following are more details about each of the popular Silver Series Thumballs in the Team Development set:

The Get Happy at Work Thumball prompts help create a more positive workplace by allowing colleagues to share goals, discuss challenges, and build relationships. Focusing on Positive Emotion, Engagement, Meaning, Accomplishments, and Relationships, the prompts help surface sources of happiness as they draw out individuals' personal qualities, work challenges, professional goals, and organizational dynamics. By putting a positive spin on important discussion topics, the Get Happy at Work Thumball helps promote optimism, identify areas for organizational improvement and build a happier workplace.
The Team Dynamics Thumball enables conversations that promote team spirit and boost flagging energy. Teams are everywhere – at work, at home, at school, on and off playing fields. From board rooms to church basements, we're thrown together with people we may or may not know well, and are challenged to achieve great results. Is your team performing to the max? How do you support each other? How do you develop consensus and manage disagreements? Team Dynamics Thumball is a playful way to raise these critical questions so that your teams can reach their full potential.
The Be a Leader Thumball gets the conversation going about what skills great leaders possess, and guides players through a bit of introspection as they consider their own leadership strengths or opportunities for improvement.
The Diversity Thumball is a fun training tool that tackles a difficult topic with smarts and sensitivity. We live in a diverse world. Some differences are visible, like skin color, gender, height or weight, physical challenges and age. Others may not be visually apparent, but still affect how individuals feel or are treated: ethnicity, socio-economic position, sexual orientation, use or non-use of alcohol, allergies, intellect, depression and other emotional diseases.
The Workplace Ethics Thumball raises questions and fosters discussion about individual and organizational norms and ideals, regarding making and breaking rules, fostering ethical leadership, whistle blowing, bending the truth, and more. It helps in having rich conversations about the types of people you look to as a moral compass; how you'd handle different situations; what integrity, rules, ethics, and fairness mean to you; and how your organization or team handles ethical issues. How do you distinguish right from wrong? Is your idea of ethical obligations and responsibilities the same as your colleagues, friends and family?
The Stress Management Thumball helps you explore the causes of stress and the various ways you might manage its impact. Teams can discuss what affects their stress level, how they can help each other out, how they can better manage their own approach to stress, and more.

Note: Specific Thumball® titles in the set may vary; each ball is focused on teamwork, leadership, and communication themes.

WHEN TO USE

Kickoffs & new team formation
Manager training & leadership development
Retrospectives & after-action reviews
Onboarding, cross-functional meetups, and offsites
Icebreakers, energizers, and closing reflections

HOW TO FACILITATE

Invite a volunteer to start; toss the Thumball® across the room.
When caught, the player reads the panel under their thumb and shares a brief response.
Toss to another person and repeat. Offer a “pass” option to keep psychological safety high.
Debrief: capture patterns, insights, and next steps for the team.

FAQS

Q: What makes Thumball® different from typical icebreakers?
A: Prompts are printed on the ball, so no prep is needed. The playful toss reduces pressure, encourages participation, and keeps energy high.

Q: How many people can play?
A: Ideal for groups of 6–25. For larger groups, use multiple balls or run parallel circles.

Q: How long does a round take?
A: 5–15 minutes for a quick opener; 20–40 minutes for deeper discussion and debrief. It's good to model what sort of answers you're looking for. If an answer isn't thorough, feel free to say, "tell me more..."

Q: Who is this for?
A: Team leaders, facilitators, trainers, educators, and coaches who want a quick, effective way to strengthen team dynamics.

Q: How do I care for the balls and bag?
A: Wipe clean with a soft cloth. Store dry in the mesh bag to keep everything together between sessions.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

MORE RESOURCES

Getting Acquainted Thumball Set with bag

Build relationships, friendships, and mutual respect!

$197.40

Getting Acquainted Thumball® Set (with free mesh bag) is perfect for icebreakers, new employee introductions, team onboarding, or building company culture. For many trainers, it's their go-to icebreaker for building relationships and sparking authentic conversation. Each set includes 6 Silver Series Thumballs (6″ stuffed vinyl balls), each pre-printed with 32 unique prompts—for a grand total of nearly 200 engaging questions. Whether your group is meeting for the first time or already knows each other, these soft, tossable conversation balls with prompts to share identity, values, and first connections.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

6 Thumballs: What Makes You YOU, Common Ground, Session Openers, Which Are You & Why?, Shaped by Our Past, Getting to Know You - see below for more information about each of the balls included in the set.
32 prompts each = almost 200 conversation starters
Free large mesh bag for easy transport and visibility

KEY BENEFITS

Fast connections: Toss it around and watch dialogue unfold—no prep needed. Strengthens trust and common ground in new or cross-department teams.
Built for meaningful sharing: Suitable for both light-hearted and deeper conversations.
Portable & organized: Mesh bag keeps everything together and ready for action.
Trainer-endorsed: All prompts crafted by Trainers Warehouse experts for engaging conversations.

HOW TO FACILITATE

Start with one Thumball—toss it to a participant.
They read the prompt under their thumb and share their response.
Pass or toss to someone else.
Option to debrief by asking “What surprised you?” or “What resonated most?”

FAQS

Q: Is this set good for me if my group wants to have deeper conversations?
A: If you want to go deeper into different topics, we might suggest the Team Dynamics Thumball Set or the Emotional Intelligence Thumball Set.

Q: Who benefits most from this set?
A: While the set is ideal for facilitators, trainers, instructors, or event hosts who want to deepen connections between participants and make conversation easier, the real beneficiaries are the participants who are able to learn more about each other (and maybe even themselves).

Q: When would I use these?
A: They're perfect for employee orientation programs, team lunches, first week introductions, and more!

Q: How do I care for the Thumballs and bag?
A: Wipe the Thumballs clean with a damp cloth. Let them dry before storing. The mesh bag is lightweight and washable if needed.

180 CONVERSATION PROMPTS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, FRIENDSHIPS, AND MUTUAL RESPECT!

Whether your group already knows each other well or is just meeting for the first time, the Getting Acquainted Thumball Set will have a perfect set of discussion prompts. The set of 6 Silver Series Thumballs offers almost 200 discussion topics to stimulate conversation. Choose a ball that will help stir up simple conversation or develop deeper, more meaningful relationships. The balls are super easy to use! Just toss it to another player and ask the recipient to look under their thumb and respond to the prompt. With this playful tool, you'll:

Learn what makes your teammates unique with WHAT MAKES YOU YOU
Find COMMON GROUND with others in your group
Open your group up to more meaningful sharing with SESSION OPENERS?
Learn where folks fall on a variety of continuums with WHICH ARE YOU AND WHY?
Understand how others were SHAPED BY THEIR PAST
GET TO KNOW friend, family or colleagues a little better

The Getting Acquainted Thumball Set is conveniently packaged in a large mesh bag, which allows you to carry them around comfortably and stay organized.

Each Silver Series Thumball™ (6" stuffed vinyl ball) looks like a cool soccer ball but is pre-printed with 32 questions/discussion prompts. They are suited for adults and teens alike! Following are more details about each of the popular Silver Series Thumballs in the Getting Acquainted set:

Use the What Makes You YOU Thumballto help your team learn more about the people around them and dig a little deeper than typical, superficial icebreakers questions.
The Common Ground Thumball prompts help players discover shared experiences and interests. As you try to generate conversation to build new friendships and relationships, a key challenge is finding “common ground.” This ball offers a fun way to uncover these commonalities.
The Session Openers Thumball is a great way to set the groundwork for deeper conversations. It was developed to help groups scratch below the surface and explore motivations, goals, and what makes you tick.
On the Which are You and Why? Thumball each prompt offers an “either/or” choice so that players can share where they'd put themselves on the spectrum –Lake or Ocean; Whisper or Yell; Words or Pictures; Lead or Follow; etc.—making this a fun and unusual icebreaker.
The Shaped by Our Past Thumball brings to light each person's personal history. After all, we are who we are today because of our lifetime of experiences. Encourage your group to share details of their past -- school, friends, family, hobbies, challenges, and more!
The Getting to Know You Thumball asks probing questions that get to your phobias, wishes, and favorite moments. For individuals who know each other pretty well already, it's an excellent way to dig a little deeper and learn something more!

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

COMPARE THUMBALL® SETS

Set	# of Balls	Included Thumballs	Focus / Themes	Best For
Team Development Set	6	Get Happy at Work, Team Dynamics, Diversity, Workplace Ethics, Stress Management, Be a Leader	Collaboration, leadership, workplace culture, resilience	Corporate training, retreats, leadership workshops
Getting Acquainted Set	6	What Makes You YOU?, Common Ground, Session Openers, Shaped by Our Past, Getting to Know You, Which Are You & Why?	Introductions, rapport-building, personal storytelling	Kickoffs, onboarding, classrooms, networking events
EQ (Emotional Intelligence) Set	6	Emotional Intelligence, Building Trust, What Makes You YOU?, Common Ground, Developing Resilience, Getting to Know You	Self-awareness, empathy, resilience, trust-building	Leadership development, coaching, EQ workshops
Sessions Set	3	Session Openers, Session Review, Session Closers	Icebreakers, reflection, session wrap-ups	Trainers, facilitators, classroom instructors
Diversity & DEI Set	2	Diversity, DEI	Diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging	DEI workshops, community conversations, team development
Just for Fun Set	6	Favorites, Would You Rather, Which Are You & Why?, What Makes You YOU?, Shaped by Our Past, Energy Break	Fun icebreakers, energizers, and lighthearted sharing	Breaks, youth programs, student groups, casual team events
Wellness Set	6	Stress Management, Get Happy at Work, Developing Resilience, Change Management, Emotional Intelligence, Energy Break	Wellness, resilience, change, stress management	HR wellness programs, health initiatives, mindfulness workshops

Note: Each Thumball® is a soft 6-inch stuffed ball with 32 conversation prompts. Every set comes with a free mesh bag for storage and portability.

MORE RESOURCES

Building Trust Thumball

Dive into the dynamics of building trust!

$32.95

Look under your thumb and share!

The Building Bridges Thumball™ focuses on issues of trust. Discuss factors that contribute to the development of trust, and building trusting relationships in the process. Simply toss the ball and ask the recipient to share a reaction to whatever prompt lies under their thumb. Thumballs are soft-sided 6" stuffed balls. They look like a soccer ball but are soft and safe for indoor use.

Trust allows us to take risks, open up, and look for mutually beneficial solutions when conflicts occur. Trust gives us peace of mind when we need to rely on one another, and comfort to share our vulnerabilities. Like a bridge, trust also brings people together and deepens relationships. Then, with strong relationship, we enjoy emotional support, confidence, reduced stress, good health, and happiness. Building trust starts with communication - asking the right questions and taking the time to listen.

BUILDING TRUST THUMBALL PROMPTS

The Building Bridges Thumball provides 32 discussion prompts, engineered to foster respect and develop shared understanding about our commonalities, values, and sensitivities. Trust allows us to take risks, open up, and look for mutually beneficial solutions when conflicts arise. Building trust starts with communication - asking the right questions and taking the time to listen.

Discuss...

Causes of trust and distrust
People you entrust with secrets
Impact of promises, apologies, and lies
Ways to make others feel safe
Dealing with mistakes and resistance
Being genuine
and more!

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

** TIPS & Facilitation Suggestions **

Expect to adapt your use of this tool to the needs and experience of your group.

Some may be able to give quick or pat answers to a prompt; others might want to take some time to discuss or brainstorm best practices; still others might benefit from delving into a conversation about how trust impacts relationships in order to discuss why it's important.

If a player finds a prompt particularly difficult, invite them to take a PASS, ASK A FRIEND, or request a DISCUSSION about why it matters.

Options:

Discuss similarities or differences in replies.
Have everyone respond to the same prompt.
Discuss the long-term implications of various actions.

©Trainers Warehouse 2023 – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

MORE RESOURCES

EQ Thumball Set

Develop Emotional Intelligence (EQ) through meaningful conversations.

$197.40

EQ Thumball® Set is an emotional intelligence training game that helps teams and classrooms build self-awareness, empathy, and trust. This team-building icebreaker ball sparks conversation with every toss, turning abstract EQ concepts into interactive learning. Talk about self-awareness, empathy, trust, resilience, collaboration, and more. Perfect for leadership development, coaching, or social-emotional learning programs, the EQ Thumball® makes emotional intelligence training active and memorable.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Improve emotional self-awareness and self-regulation
Build trust and empathy in teams
Encourage resilience and stress management
Enhance listening and interpersonal communication skills

DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Make it easy to talk about Emotional Intelligence in a fun and casual way, as well as build these five essential EQ competencies:

Self-Awareness
Self-Regulation
Motivation
Empathy
Social Skills

THE EQ THUMBALL SET

Emotional Intelligence is the capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and those of others, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and manage and/or adjust emotions to adapt to environments or achieve one's goal(s).

We've specially selected this set of 6 Silver Series Thumballs, with more than 150 discussion topics, to stimulate conversations around Emotional Intelligence. Choose a ball that will help stir up simple conversation or develop deeper understanding about the world around you. The balls are super easy to use! Just toss it to another player and ask the recipient to look under their thumb and respond to the prompt.

Set of 6 EQ-focused Thumballs® Each Silver Series Thumball (6" stuffed vinyl ball) looks like a cool soccer ball but is pre-printed with 32 questions/discussion prompts. They are suited for adults and teens alike!
Each ball features conversation prompts that build emotional intelligence skills
Durable, soft 6″ fabric balls with stitched panels
Free mesh carrying bag

Following are more details about each of the popular Silver Series Thumballs in the Emotional Intelligence set:

Emotional Intelligence Thumball: Develop your teams’ EQ by facilitating conversations that help participants grow more aware of their motivations, measure their reactions to difficult situations, and hone techniques to manage those emotions.
Building Trust Thumball: Build bridges by fostering trust and respect and developing shared understanding about interests, values, and sensitivities.
Common Ground Thumball: Discover shared experiences and interests. As you try to generate conversation to build new friendships and relationships, a key challenge is finding "common ground." This ball offers a fun way to uncover these commonalities.
What Makes You You Thumball: Set the groundwork for deeper conversations. It was developed to help groups scratch below the surface and explore motivations, goals, and what makes you tick.
Developing Resilience Thumball: Explore how individuals and teams can foster patience, acceptance, gratitude, kindness, forgiveness, and personal composure.
Getting to Know You Thumball: Ask probing questions that get to your phobias, wishes, and favorite moments. For individuals who know each other pretty well already, it's an excellent way to dig a little deeper and learn something more!

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

WHY FACILITATORS LOVE THIS SET

Active learning: Gets participants moving, talking, and thinking—ideal for experiential training.
Deeper connections: Prompts explore emotions, trust, communication, and personal growth.
Versatile: Use for icebreakers, coaching, team-building, or leadership development.
Inclusive engagement: A safe, playful way to bring every voice into the conversation.

BEST USES

Leadership training and coaching
Team-building and staff retreats
Classroom discussions on social-emotional learning (SEL)
Conflict resolution and diversity workshops

FAQS

Q: How do you play?
A: Toss the Thumball®, catch it, and answer the question under your thumb. It’s that simple—and it works for groups of 4+ participants.

Q: What skills does the EQ set build?
A: It's an excellent emotional intelligence training game! The prompts focus on emotional intelligence—helping participants explore self-awareness, empathy, trust, resilience, and communication.

Q: Can I mix sets?
A: Yes! Many facilitators combine different Thumball® sets to align with training themes or keep activities fresh.

Q: Who uses EQ Thumballs® most?
A: Trainers, HR teams, facilitators, teachers, and coaches who want to build stronger, more self-aware teams.

Q: How durable are they?
A: Each 6″ ball is made with stitched, fabric panels for long-lasting use in training, classrooms, and workshops.

FROM A DELIGHTED TRAINER, WINSOME CULLEY

COMPARE THUMBALL® SETS

Not sure which set is right for you? Here’s how the EQ Thumball® Set stacks up against other popular Trainers Warehouse Thumballs®:

Set	Number of Balls	Key Themes
Team Development	6	Team dynamics, leadership, stress, workplace ethics
Getting Acquainted	6	Icebreakers, introductions, common ground
EQ (Emotional Intelligence)	6	Emotional awareness, trust, resilience, empathy
Sessions	3	Session openers, reviews, and closers
Diversity & DEI	3	Diversity, equity, inclusion conversations
Just for Fun	6	Favorites, “Would you rather?”, energy breaks
Wellness	6	Stress, resilience, happiness, healthy change

MORE RESOURCES

All about Silver Series Thumballs

Tips & Suggestion on Facilitating Thumball Experiences

How Deep to Discuss

7 Tips to formulate great questions

More tools for great conversations

Discover Your Thumball Style

How Deep to Discuss Infographic

Ground Rules Signs

Tips for facilitating difficult situations

Get Movin' Thumball

Get the blood flowing, re-energize, and re-focus!

$32.95

The Get Movin' Thumball is designed to give groups the energy breaks they need after sitting still for a while. It's perfect to get the blood flowing, re-energize, and re-focus during meetings and training events! The Thumball provides 32 prompts to get mobile – stretching, dancing, balancing and moving about in playful ways.

ENERGY BREAK THUMBALL PROMPTS

Prompts include a variety of stretches, yoga poses, playful movements, breathing exercises, toe taps, dances, and more. In developing the prompts, we are careful not to including movements that would be uncomfortable or embarrassing for kids or adults. As with any exercise, be sure to give your participants an out, or choose a different prompt if desired. Encourage everyone do do the motion at once.

** TIPS & FACILITATION SUGGESTIONS **

Explain the goal: Moving around is an excellent way to stimulate and reinvigorate the brain, as it gets the blood flowing and spreading nutrients throughout the body. In a spirit of transparency, explain these benefits to your group so they understand the goal is to get moving.
Invite modifications: Welcome your group to make any alterations to the suggested movements in order to accommodate physical limitations, protect themselves from injury, or even save themselves from embarrassment. Invite them to participate “if they are able.”
Go for balance: remind your group to treat both sides equally, repeating movements on their right and left sides.
Start playing: Movement can be beneficial at any time during a learning event or meeting, such as:
- Energize the group after lunch -- Toss the ball to a recipient and have them read the prompt and demonstrate the movement to the whole group. Encourage all who can to join in for 1 to 3 minutes.
- Learning review – Pick a movement and relate it to something the group has just learned. Alternatively, toss the ball and have the recipient perform the movement while they think up their answer to a review question.
- Break the ice – Have the ball recipient do the movement described the panel, then have others in the group share a moment that the movement reminds them of.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

MORE RESOURCES

Meeting Zest Thumball

Add some zest to team meetings -- in person or online!

$24.24

The Meeting Zest Thumball provides perfect questions for any meeting, which will build camaraderie, ease tension, foster development of collegial relationships and surface hot topics. On this Thumball, you'll find three types of questions - those that focus on "me," "we," and "me & we."

Me - Share highs and lows, ah-ha moments, mood boosters, favorite activities, and more
We - Consider workplace norms you love and hate, plus opportunities to improve meetings, communications, and processes
Me & We - Discuss individuals roles within the organization, what's working, and what causes stress

Share your reaction to whatever prompt lies under your thumb. Thumball is a soft 6" stuffed ball with loads of applications!

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

HOW IT WORKS

Someone throws the ball, another catches it and responds to the prompt under their thumb.

FACILITATION TIP 1

EXPLAIN....
In order to achieve greatness, sometimes teams need to take a step back and reflect on their relationships, communication, and their process of working together.

Tailor your Thumball game to meet your needs:
Option1: Have each player respond only to the prompt under their thumb, then toss the ball to another.
Option 2: After the first player has responded to their prompt, invite others to share their perspective or discuss ways they could work together more effectively.

FACILITATION TIP 2

SET GROUND RULES

Explain that conversations about team dynamics can become emotionally charged. The goal of the Team Dynamics Thumball activity is to raise important issues and have necessary conversations in a positive environment. So that everyone can feel safe, have the group set up their own Ground Rules. Here are some that you might want on the list:

Only one person speaks at a time
Speak only for yourself; Use I statements
No personal attacks critique ideas, not people
Agree to disagree; disagree without being disagreeable
Listen - make sure everyone feels heard and validated
Be positive and non-judgmental; open to new ideas

FACILITATION TIP 3

IF CONVERSATIONS GET STICKY
Expert facilitators suggest these techniques to ease difficult or emotional situations:

Pause the conversation so you can review the ground rules with the group.
Redirect negative comments; ask what can we do differently?
Focus on changes that can positively affect the team.
If two parties disagree, suggest that they switch roles and make the counter argument.
Keep a flip chart of difficult topics that can be addressed later.
Be ready to share some of your own experiences.
Take a break. Stop for awhile and regroup.
Thank participants for sharing their personal stories.

MORE RESOURCES

DEI Thumball

Discuss Diversity Equity & Inclusion

$32.95

Dive into conversations about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the DEI Thumball by Trainers Warehouse. The DEI Thumball, a favorite diversity and inclusion game, tackles a difficult topic with smarts and sensitivity.

After all, building community and culture by understanding our individual identities and differences isn’t just nice-to-do. It’s our shared responsibility. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical to creating high-performing, supportive, and engaging workplaces. Unfortunately, many leaders are unsure about how to have conversations about these sensitive topics and then how to transform the discussions and intent into action. Like other diversity training SMEs, make this diversity training game a core component of your next DEI training event!

The D-E-I Thumball helps team leaders, teachers, and managers have safe and constructive conversations about identity, experiences with racism, community challenges, privilege and power, as well as ways to promote tolerance and feelings of belonging.

In addition to the 31 conversation prompts contained on the Thumball, you’ll find FACILITATION TIPS and a GLOSSARY of common DEI terms in the packaging.

Many people worry about saying the wrong thing during DEI conversations. As a result, these important conversations often don’t happen. The DEI Thumball is loaded with poignant conversation prompts about identity, experiences, community, us-versus-them thinking, privilege and power, and DEI in today’s world. Each prompt, vetted by diversity experts, is phrased to promote positive conversation and shared understanding.

Thumball™ is a soft 6" stuffed vinyl ball that looks like a cool soccer ball. Its panels are pre-printed with questions suited for adults and teens. Safely toss it around in a group and ask participants to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their thumb. Looking for more DEI resources? Try the Diversity Thumball or the DEI Remote UNZIP-it that lets you have great conversations during online learning events as well!

FEATURES

31 prompts about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
6" ball is safe to toss indoors
Conversation prompts vetted by industry experts
Facilitation notes included in packaging
Glossary of common DEI terms in packaging

VERSATILE DIVERSITY-EQUITY & INCLUSION PROMPTS include...

Identity - share aspects of your identity that affect your life

Experiences - discuss times you felt belonging, targeted, micro-aggression, etc.

Our community - consider organizational initiatives to promote inclusion

Us vs Them thinking - identify allies who are alike or different from yourself

Privilege and Power - explore concepts of power dynamics, privilege, and oppression

DEI Today - discuss current dynamics that influence people's participation in DEI efforts

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

FACILITATION TIPS

TIP 1: Create a safe environment – Beyond sharing your goals and wishes for open dialogue, discuss ways in which the group can create “psychological safety.”

Recognize that everyone joins the conversation with unique experiences and knowledge. Embrace players’ needs to pass on a question or ask for explanations.
Acknowledge the difficulty in sharing personal information and offer support. Use “OUCH” signs, to indicate personal hurt or express empathy.
Listen and ask questions to understand and empathize, not to defend, debate, or rationalize.

TIP 2: Set ground rules together – Players are more likely to abide by ground rules if they help define them. The group’s list will likely look something like this:

One person speaks at a time
Speak for yourself; Use “I” statements
Seek understanding by asking for clarification
Critique ideas, not people
Agree to disagree. Disagree without being disagreeable
Listen and validate other players
Be open to new ideas, not judgmental

TIP 3: Be prepared if conversations get sticky – Equip yourself with a few techniques to ease emotional situations

Revert to the ground rules, as needed
Express how situations make you feel
If parties disagree, suggest they switch roles and make the counter argument
Keep a “parking lot” of difficult topics to be addressed later
Share your own personal stories
Take a break and regroup later
Thank participants for sharing

TIP 4: Establish a shared vocabulary – Define common terms in the DEI world’s evolving lexicon.

Ally / Allyship: Someone who supports a group other than one’s own

Anti-Racist: a person who opposes racism and promotes racial equality.

BIPOC: An acronym used to refer to Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Conversation across difference: open discussions about peoples’ different beliefs and backgrounds.

Micro-Aggression: Verbal or nonverbal slights which communicate derogatory or negative messages to target persons. i.e. “You are a credit to your race.” “I jewed him down.” “Why are you so loud/quiet?”

Psychological safety: refers to an environment in which team players can take risks without fear of retribution or negative consequences.

Unconscious Bias: stereotypes about certain groups of people that form outside individuals’ conscious awareness. Common biases are based on gender, race, weight, ageism, beauty, name, height, etc.; i.e. consider this riddle: a father and son are in a horrible car crash that kills the dad. The son is rushed to the hospital; just as he’s about to go under the knife, the surgeon says, “I can’t operate—that boy is my son!” How can this be? The surgeon is the boy’s mother

NOTE: This ball is part of Trainers Warehouse's exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

MORE RESOURCES

Developing ResilienceThumball

Developing Resilience Thumball

$32.95

Look under your thumb and share! The Developing Resilience Thumball is a playful tool for serious discussions. Add this dynamic resilience game to your next Resillience Training event!

When life gives you lemons or worse, how do you get back on track? How do you muster optimism and compassion for yourself and others? Use the discussion prompts on the Developing Resistance Thumball to explore how individuals and teams can foster patience, acceptance, gratitude, kindness, forgiveness, and personal composure. Talk about the various ways that each person can find their sense of meaning and pursue it, bolstered by community support and interpersonal connections.

Resilience is a critical skill that helps people adapt to changing and difficult circumstances in both their personal and professional lives. Help your teams build resilience by engaging in conversations that encourage optimism, positive thinking, compassion, and growth mindsets. The discussion prompts on the ball are designed to develop community and shared understanding at any resilience training session.

FEATURES OF THE TRAINERS WAREHOUSE RESILIENCE GAME

32 prompts about Resilience, vetted by industry experts
6" diameter ball is safe to toss indoors
Facilitation notes included in packaging
Thumballs are made of foam, no inflation necessary

DEVELOPING RESILIENCE THUMBALL PROMPTS

Although you won't find these categories on the resilience game ball itself, we find it helpful to see what topics are addressed and how. Spice up your resilience training with this playful tool!

Patience - consider situations that test your patience and ways to calm yourself

Optimism - reflect on the future and opportunitites for happiness

Gratitude - share who and what are you grateful for

Acceptance - think about how you respond to bad news

Kindness - contemplate ways to spread happiness

Purpose - pause to consider goals and accomplishments

Forgiveness - when, why, and how can you forgive others

Connection - identify the people who give you joy and advice

Composure - consider when you lose composure and how you regain it

Listening - discuss ways to show you're listening.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

FACILITATION TIPS

Explain your goal. To maximize participation, explain that your goal is to promote shared understanding and build a happier, more supportive environment.
Don’t rush. Appreciate that some may not be able to give quick or pat answers to a prompt; others might want to take some time to discuss their thoughts. Feel free to linger before moving to the next question, giving people ample time to discuss what’s on their mind.
Take notes. Thumballs have a great way to tease out important information. Keep a notepad handy in case you hit a topic you’d like to revisit later.
Give each player a “pass.” If a player finds a prompt particularly difficult, invite them to take a PASS, ASK A FRIEND, or TOSS AGAIN.

Diversity and DEI Thumball Set

A playful tool for a serious discussions about diversity & inclusion

$65.90

Look under your thumb and share! Use the Diversity and DEI Thumballs to playful explore serious topics.

We live in a diverse world. Some differences are visible, like skin color, gender, height or weight, physical challenges, and age. Others may not be visually apparent, but still affect how individuals feel or are treated: ethnicity, socio-economic position, sexual orientation, use or non-use of alcohol, allergies, intellect, depression, and other emotional diseases. Trainers Warehouse's Silver Series Thumballs focusing on DEI explore both personal connections to the topic and organizational initiatives.

VETTED BY EXPERTS

Every prompt in our Diversity and DEI Thumballs has been reviewed by seasoned diversity trainers, with the understanding that not everyone using these balls will be an expert facilitator in this topic. Each prompt was designed with the goal of enabling individuals to:

Speak for themselves
Think about their own identity
Consider their own experiences in feeling like an outsider
Explore the origins of their thoughts about diversity
Consider ways they can show empathy and create a welcoming environment

DIVERSITY THUMBALL

Diversity Thumball, originally introduced by Trainers Warehouse in 2015, has gone through a few revisions since its inception. It tackles a difficult topic with smarts and sensitivity. Use the prompts to explore the topic of diversity by chatting about these topics:

Sources of your attitudes towards people unlike yourself
Experiences in which you felt like an outsider or shared an unpopular idea
Important aspects of your identity that feel important
Origins and experiences with prejudice
Ways to combat discrimination and make others feel included
Bias based on gender, disabilities, age, race, sexual identity...

D-E-I THUMBALL

The D-E-I Thumball has a bit of a different bent. We wanted to push a little further to enable team leaders, teachers, and managers to have safe and constructive conversations about identity, experiences with racism, community challenges, privilege and power. We wanted to expand the set of discussion prompts to promote greater tolerance and feelings of belonging. Ultimately, we decided there was "room" for two complementary diversity-focused Thumballs.

What's on the ball? Many people worry about saying the wrong thing during DEI conversations. As a result, these important conversations often don’t happen. Each prompt on this Thumball is phrased to promote positive conversation and shared understanding.

Identity - share aspects of your identity that affect your life
Experiences - discuss times you felt belonging, targeted, micro-aggression, etc.
Our community - consider organizational initiatives to promote inclusion
Us vs Them thinking - identify allies who are alike or different from yourself
Privilege and Power - explore concepts of power dynamics, privilege, and oppression
DEI Today - discuss current dynamics that influence people's participation in DEI efforts

THUMBALL FEATURES

Each Thumball™ is a soft 6" stuffed vinyl ball that looks like a cool soccer ball and has 31 panels pre-printed with questions suited for adults and teens. Safely toss it around in a group and ask participants to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their thumb.

PHYSICALLY SAFE: 6" ball is safe to toss indoors
31 PROMPTS: With so much content, if someone wants to choose a favorite question... why not?
EMOTIONALLY SAFE: Conversation prompts are vetted by industry experts.
TIPS: The packaging includes facilitation notes to help ensure that the experience is positive for everyone. In addition to tips, ground rules, and what to do if situations get sticky, the DEI Thumball includes a glossary of common terminology.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

WATCH THEM IN ACTION

View these videos to see how to use our Thumballs and have a conversation about Diversity and Inclusion:

FACILITATION TIPS

FACILITATION TIP 1: EXPLAIN & SET GOALS

Introduce the activity by explaining: "We live in a diverse world. Some differences are visible, like skin color, gender, height or weight, physical challenges and age. Others may not be visually apparent, but still affect how individuals feel or are treated: ethnicity, socio-economic position, sexual orientation, addictions, abstinence, allergies, intellect, depression or other emotional disorders, etc. The goal is to understand each other better and start a dialogue."

FACILITATION TIP 2: SET GROUND RULES

Explain that conversations about diversity and bias can be emotionally charged. The goal is to share our experiences of feeling different or excluded and identify ways to create a more welcoming, diverse and compassionate community. So that everyone can feel safe, have the group set up their own Ground Rules. Here are some that you might want on the list:

Only one person speaks at a time
Speak only for yourself; use “I” statements
No personal attacks – critique ideas, not people
Agree to disagree; disagree without being disagreeable
Listen – make sure everyone feels heard and validated
Be positive and non-judgmental; open to new ideas

FACILITATION TIP 3: IF CONVERSATIONS GET STICKY

Expert diversity facilitators suggest these techniques to ease difficult or emotional situations:

Pause the conversation so you can review the ground rules with the group.
As the facilitator, share how an experience made you feel.
Ask others how an experience made them feel.
If two parties disagree, suggest that they switch roles and make the counter argument.
Keep a flip chart of difficult topics that can be addressed later.
Allow attendees to volunteer their participation as they feel comfortable.
Ask others for input on how they have handled similar situations.
Be ready to share some of your own personal stories.
Take a break. Stop for awhile and regroup.
Thank participants for sharing their personal stories.

NOTE: These balls are part of Trainers Warehouse's exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

Session Closers Thumball

Close your Session with Great Discussion Prompts

$32.95

End learning session by taking a beat -- a pause to let the learning settle in and allow learners' brains to organize the new information so it can be easily recalled. Take time at the end of class to draw our key learning points and ah-ha moments.

MEMORY-BUILDING CONVERSATION PROMPTS

The Session Closers Thumball offers a variety of memory-enhancing techniques. Understand that our brains aren't equipped to remember every single thought that enters. Instead, we remember what we take time to think about. Each of the prompts on this one-of-a-kind Thumball seeks to enhance retention by highlighting memorable points for participants, making them consider goals or challenges of implementation, heightening the emotional impact of the session, and more.

For instance, prompts help learners focus on ...

Information and observations learned
Top take-aways and AH-HA moments
Remaining questions
Ways to implement or use information going forward
People they can turn to for support and questions, or just to share what they learned.
Challenges that pushed their comfort zone

FACILITATION TIPS

To get the most out of your Thumball experience, consider these tips:

Be transparent about your goal. Help the group understand why review is import for memory and recall.
Don't rush. Remember that synthesis and retrieval of information takes time -- and a different amount of time for different players. Invite responders to consult with a colleague, or ask that you come back to them for a more thoughtful answer.
Move from small groups to bigger groups. Understand that some don't like sharing in a large group. Welcome players to discuss answers with one or two other participants, pool their answers, then share with the group. After that, check in with the whole group. See if all the groups come up with the same responses.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

Silver Series Thumballs

Product-Picker Infographic: HOW DEEP A CONVERSATION?

Related Collections.

STAY IN TOUCH!