Thumballs

Get ready for fun, laughter, and lively debates with the Would You Rather... Thumball! This engaging and interactive conversation game features a collection of thought-provoking and hilarious "Would you rather..." questions designed to spark creativity, encourage storytelling, and reveal surprising opinions. The Would You Rather Thumball takes players through a playful activity that explores their personality and preferences on a range of topics. It's a creative way to get to know each other a bit better.

On this Thumball, you'll find two preferences on each of the 32 panels. They represent divergent preferences for technology, pampering, work, strengths, superpowers, and more. This Thumball is fun, fun, fun! Use it ball to learn more about friends or colleagues. It's great for work, school, family gatherings, team functions, parties, and more!

** FACILITATION TIPS **

While some may find it easy to choose which they'd rather, others may be stumped. Welcome players to discuss the choices and why it's a hard decision for them. After all, the goal is to encourage conversation and get to know each other better!

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

1. When you're playing feel free to frame any prompt to a specific time of life, situation or objective.
2. Specify that answers should relate specifically to personal or workplace experiences.
3. Ask first recipient to select an answer panel to which all players must respond or contribute.
4. 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

• 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

Effective time management is critical for efficiency, productivity, stress reductions, achievement, and work-life balance. While it allows organization to reap the benefits of greater productivity, it takes more than simple reminders to "stop procrastinating."

The Time Management Thumball is a dynamic tool designed to facilitate conversation and understanding. Featuring 31 thought-provoking conversation prompts, it empowers players to explore their individual time management challenges and opportunities. Cover topics such as procrastination, technology, sleep, priorities, urgency, importance, planning, delegation, and more.

BUILDING TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Typically, time management curriculums cover these business skills:

• Avoiding procrastination
• Digital time management (time spent on devices)
• Ways to improve focus and productivity
• Sorting and prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance

TIME MANAGEMENT THUMBALL PROMPTS

Each conversation prompt on the Time Management Thumball encourages reflection and discussion about personal time management, including:

• Topics for Reflection
  • Typical time thieves
  • Understanding when and why you lose track of time
  • Feelings about planning, to-do lists, and deadlines
  • Personal priorities
• Strategies for Better Managing Time
  • Managing interruptions
  • Delegation
  • Structuring time and breaks
  • Time saver tips
• Use of down time
  • Favorite time-wasters
  • Routine activities
  • Sleep

FACILITATING THUMBALL ACTIVITIES

Playing with Trainers Warehouse Silver Series Thumballs couldn't be easier. Just toss the ball and ask the recipient to respond to the prompt under their thumb. Beyond that, remember that your goal is to make conversations about time management interesting and productive. Remind your group that there are no "right answers. The goal is to understand yourself and each person's pitfalls, opportunities for improvement, and pick up a few new strategies.

TIPS

1. Explain your goal. Be transparent in communicating the purpose of the game.
2. Don't rush. Appreciate that some many not be able to give quick answers; others might want to take time to discuss their thoughts.
3. Give players a "pass." If a player finds a prompt particularly difficult, invite them to take a pass, ask a friend, or toss again.

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

MORE CONVERSATION STARTERS BY TRAINERS WAREHOUSE

In addition to Silver Series Thumballs, Trainers Warehouse offers many other tools to build relationships, inspire conversation, and enhance learning about meaningful topics. Explore products such as Conversation Cards and UNZIP-IT Decks. Some facilitators prefer decks because they enable players to have small group conversation with 1 or 2 other participants before sharing with a larger group of players.

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

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 2023

©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.

©Trainers Warehouse 2023

MORE RESOURCES

• Tips & Suggestions 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

Look under your thumb and share! This Session Thumball Set has all the prompts you need to Open, Debrief and Close your learning event.

Trainers Warehouse's Silver Series Session Thumball Set is perfect for running an entire meeting focused on getting to know your participants, helping them learn from the session and closing out with key takeaways. As with any Thumball it's super-easy to play. Simply, toss the ball and ask recipients to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their (right) thumb. Thumballs are soft 6" stuffed balls with loads of applications!

THE "SESSIONS SET" INCLUDES...

• Session Openers Thumball -- more than your standard ice-breaker, this one offers somewhat deeper prompts that explore participants' motivations, goals for the event or session that lies ahead.
• Session Debrief Thumball -- use this one reflect on experiential learning activities.
• Session Closers Thumball -- end the learning day by taking a moment to highlight key take-aways.
• Clear plastic tote - tote color varies and chosen randomly based on in-house stock

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

SESSION DEBRIEF THUMBALL

For experiences to stick -- for them to move to long-term memory -- individuals must take time to think about what happened. They have to talk about it, relate it to something they already know, understand its importance, and consider when they might need to retrieve that learning down the road. After all, we only remember what we take time to think about (otherwise it's quickly in and out of our brains). That's the importance of a DEBRIEF!

You'll find the Session Debriefs Thumball useful for games focusing on:

• Team building
• Communication
• Leadership
• Process improvement
• Negotiations

SESSION CLOSER THUMBALL

End a 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.

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

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.

The Developing Mentors & Coaches Thumball takes players through a playful activity that explores their personality and preferences on a range of topics. It's a creative way to get to know each other a bit better.

Many are called upon to coach or mentor a colleague, friend, or “newbie,” with little understanding of what effective coaching and mentoring look like. The task of developing others and helping them grow can be critical to organizational success. It can also be richly fulfilling and energizing to the coach or mentor.

This developmental Thumball focuses on improving the skills of coaches and mentors themselves, not the individuals they seek to help. The 31 prompts on the ball will help them better understand their role, the benefits of helping others grow, and effective coaching/mentoring techniques at their disposal.

It's easy to play! Catch the ball, look under your thumb, and share your reaction to the prompt.Thumballs look like soccer balls but are are soft and safe for indoor use at work, school, and home.

MENTORING AND COACHING THUMBALL PROMPTS

This ball is designed to help build the skill of new and seasoned coaches and mentors. Understandably, the roles and techniques used by coaches and mentors differ, as you will likely discuss when facilitating this activity. Nonetheless, the skills needed to help others grow, the self-awareness required to be good at it, and the challenges faced when coaching and mentoring others are similar and complementary. As such, players are encouraged to adapt the prompts to their specific role and needs.

FACILITATION TIPS

1. Explain the goal. To become better mentors and/or coaches. Explain that the ball has questions for both roles and the player can adapt their question and answer to their needs.
2. Don’t rush. Appreciate that some may not be able to give quick answers; others might want to take some time to discuss their thoughts.
3. Give players a “pass.” If a player finds a prompt particularly difficult, invite them to take a PASS, ASK A FRIEND, or TOSS AGAIN.

A VARIETY OF GAME FORMATS

• Have everyone reply to the same prompt.
• Toss the ball from player to player, so each participant can reply to a different prompt.
• Take a deep dive and have players jot their own answer before discussing the topic with a partner or small group.
• Add-in other Thumballs for more variety.

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

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

The point of any learning game is the debrief—the conversation at the end of the experience when facilitators tease out observations and learning points.

LEARNING GAMES ARE WORTH THE BOTHER!

Make the most of any learning game! Learners don't want to be in training sessions that they feel are a waste of time. Similarly, facilitators want to use their time well. Skilled trainers, teachers, and facilitators know that learning becomes more "sticky" if they can create experiences that draw out emotions, incorporate physical movement, include surprise, and help learners stay focused. It's why games are the perfect conduit for growth and learning, and the reason trainers take time to find the perfect experiences.

One more benefit of games is that they remove you from the real world. If facing a challenge that differs from their real job, players often feel safer trying new things, take risks, and assume different roles. They get to see how normal tendencies, ways of thinking, and manners of behaving play out and intersect with others.

DEBRIEF LEARNING GAMES, EXERCISES, AND ACTIVITIES

But that's just the start. For experiences to stick -- for them to move to long-term memory -- individuals must take time to think about what happened. They have to talk about it, relate it to something they already know, understand its importance, and consider when they might need to retrieve that learning down the road. After all, we only remember what we take time to think about (otherwise it's quickly in and out of our brains). That's the importance of a DEBRIEF!

You'll find the Session Debriefs Thumball useful for games focusing on:

• Team building
• Communication
• Leadership
• Process improvement
• Negotiations
• ... and more

SESSION DEBRIEF PROMPTS BASED ON BRAIN SCIENCE

I realize that may have sounded like a lot of memory and brain gobbledy gook above, but it's all applied in the Session Debrief Thumball.

This unique Silver Series Thumball offers a variety of conversation prompts that will help players consider the behaviors, strategies, and communication techniques that helped and hindered their success. Among the 32 prompts, you’ll find discussion starters that help players think about and process their experience and focus on the learning points worthy of long-term memory. For instance:

• Home in on feelings experienced during the game
• Consider roles assumed by various players and how those emerged
• Observe the strategies that help divide the group or build consensus
• Think about the means by which leaders emerged
• Understand communication strategies that helped or hindered the group's efforts
• Apply lessons to real world challenges

©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.]

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:

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

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

The 30-inch "Big Tube" is large enough to carry 6 Thumballs. Its internal diameter is an ample 7". It's made of sturdy codura nylon. Plus, it's light, fashionable and a pleasure to carry.

Includes detachable shoulder strap.

THUMBALLS NOT INCLUDED!

Just for Fun Thumball® Set is your go-to for energizing training sessions, breaking tension, and bringing out laughter. With 6 soft, tossable balls filled with fun prompts—favorites, "Would you rather?", “Which are you & why?”, and more—this set is perfect for warming up audiences, re-energizing after breaks, or injecting personality into virtual or in-person workshops. These brain-friendly Thumballs seamlessly integrate science-backed learning principles to maximize retention, energy, and connection.

HOW THESE THUMBALLS ENHANCE LEARNING

1. Stay ACTIVE – Physical movement increases blood flow to the brain, enhancing focus and cognitive function.
2. Boost ENDORPHINS – Laughter and fun reduce stress, improve memory, and promote learning.
3. Strengthen RELATIONSHIPS – Creating a safe and welcoming environment allows for deeper conversations and learning.
4. Encourage BREAKS – Strategic pauses help learners better retain key information.
5. Drive PARTICIPATION – Engaging activities activate multiple areas of the brain, making learning stick!

WHY FACILITATORS LOVE IT

• Instant energy boost: Laughter and simple fun lift mood and engagement.
• Low risk, high camaraderie: Prompts are light and inclusive—great for mixed groups.
• Warm-up stage-set: Ideal icebreaker, middle-of-day energizer, or transition tool.
• Mix & matchup: Works alone or paired with more serious themes (EQ, Diversity) to balance tone.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

These 6" stuffed vinyl balls looks like a cool soccer ball but is pre-printed with 32 questions/discussion prompts. This set is suited for adults and teens alike! Following are more details about each of the popular Silver Series Thumballs in the Team Development set:

• Favorites: Share favorite place, preferences, pastimes, and more.
• Would you Rather?: Playfully explore personality and preferences by choosing between too likely options.
• What Makes You YOU?: Discover fascinating facts that make each person unique.
• Shaped by Our Past: Discuss the experiences from your past that shape who you are today.
• Energy Break: Keep their blood flowing with prompts that inspire physical movement, meditation, and mental exercise?
• Which are you and Why?: Identify where you fall on a variety of spectrums.

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

WHEN TO USE

• Introductions and icebreakers in new teams
• After lunch or breaks to refuel energy
• Virtual meeting warm-ups to shift tone
• Team building days to create shared laughter and connection

COMPARE THUMBALL® SETS

If you’re deciding between Thumball® sets, here’s how Just for Fun compares with others:

FAQS

Q: What makes this set different from other Thumball® sets?
A: The Just for Fun set focuses purely on enjoyment and energy—it’s not about deep reflection or serious topics. Use this when you want participants to laugh, loosen up, energize groups, and connect lightly.

Q: How many people can use one set?
A: Ideal for groups of 4+; works well in both small groups and larger audiences via circle tosses or breakout sets.

Q: When’s the best time to use it?
A: Right at session start, after breaks, or any moment when energy dips and you want to revive engagement.

Q: Can I mix it with more serious sets?
A: Definitely! Many facilitators alternate Just for Fun with EQ, Diversity, or Getting Acquainted sets to balance tone and learning depth.

Q: How durable is the set?
A: Each ball is made with soft material and stitched panels, built to withstand repeated use in training, virtual or in-person settings.

The Discovering Styles Thumball takes players through an activity that explores their work and management styles. It's a creative way to get to know each other a bit better. Thumballs look like soccer balls but are soft and safe for indoor use at work, school, and home. Catch the ball, look under your thumb, and share your reaction to the prompt.

ADAPTABLE FOR YOUR FAVORITE STYLE ASSESSMENT

With so many personality-type tools out there (DiSC, DISC, Meyers Briggs, Real Colors, True Colors, What’s your Style, etc.), this tool focuses on personality characteristics in general. It can be used with any of these common frameworks, to deepen learning while having some fun. Help players understand different styles, grow familiar with new terminology, practice categorizing qualities and characteristics as personality types, and consider how to draw out the benefits of each.

In fact, the ball was made silver and white so that it can align with ANY COLOR-TYPE FRAMEWORK!

EXPLORE A RANGE OF QUALITIES

You'll find personality qualities that correlate with a variety of "types"

• DECISIVE, COMPETITIVE, PERSISTENT, ASSERTIVE, GOAL-ORIENTED, EXTRAVERTED
• CHARISMATIC, OPTIMISTIC, PURSUASIVE, AFFABLE, INVENTIVE, TALKATIVE
• RELIABLE, STEADY, EMPATHETIC, COOPERATIVE, FRIENDLY, INTROVERTED
• DATA-DRIVEN, ANALYTICAL, FUTURISTIC, ORGANIZED, OBJECTIVE, THOROUGH
• CREATIVE, RESILIENT, SWIFT, VISIONARY, JUGGLER

FACILITATION SUGGESTIONS

Download a slide deck from our recent Show and Share event for more facilitation notes

Set up the experience by explaining that “similarity bias” is an unconscious bias that causes us to show preference for people who are like us. However, teams with a broad spectrum of perspectives and characteristics have been shown to outperform more homogeneous groups. By using the Profiles and Styles Thumball, you hope to expand the group’s understanding of different personality characteristics and types. Together you’ll explore how individuals with different qualities can intersect, balance each other, and improve team performance.

GAME 1: FOCUS ON ONE SINGLE QUESTION

Choose one question for players to answer when they catch the ball and look at the quality under their thumb. For instance, you might have them answer:

• How could you use this quality in a positive way?
• How can you support or encourage this quality?
• How can you best work with someone with this quality?
• Why is this quality important to our organization?
• Which of our personality type(s)/styles encompasses this quality?
• In what situations might this quality/characteristic be most effective?
• What happens if this quality is exaggerated…
• How might someone with this quality manage conflict?

GAME 2: ROUND ROBIN

In each round of play, answer a different question regarding the qualities on the Thumball. i.e.

• Round 1: “Catch the ball, look under your thumb, read the prompt aloud and answer: How could this quality be used in a positive way?”
• Round 2: “Catch the ball, look under your thumb, read the prompt aloud and answer: What happens if this quality is exaggerated…”

GAME 3: TEAM PLAY

Line up 2 teams opposite each other. The receiving team will catch the ball, read the QUALITY (the word in all caps) and quiz the other team on any one of these:

• A description or example of what that quality might look like at work.
• With which style “type(s)” might the quality be associated (i.e. “dominant”; “intuitive”; “spirited,” etc.) NOTE: the “type” should correspond with the specific assessment tool the facilitator has introduced.
• A colleague/teammate or famous person who is strong in this style

GAME 4: STYLE PAIRS

Look under both thumbs and consider how those two qualities might interact. Answer:

1. How might those characteristics balance or complement each other?
2. What challenges might arise when these two qualities merge?

FACILITATOR SUGGESTIONS

Our customer, CPTD-certified Kimberly Robinson, shared these facilitation notes:

For the first activity, I gave these instructions: 

• • Person #1 (Person holding the ball): Looks at where their thumb is placed. Shares the quality and description on the ball.
  • Person #2 (to the right): Gives an example of what that quality might look like at work.
  • Person #3 (next person): Identifies with which style type this quality might be associated (Drive, Influence, Support, Clarity).
  • Person #4 (final person): Identifies a colleague/teammate (or famous person) who is strong in this style.
  • Bonus: If someone else is strong in this style, speak up, so others know about another one of your gifts!

For the Style Pairs activity, after each person caught the ball and shared the qualities, the answered both questions: 

• • How might those characteristics balance or complement each other?
  • What challenges might arise when these two qualities merge?

©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

• 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