Tools for L&D

Name: Tools for L&D
Brand: Trainers Warehouse
Rating: 4.9 (31 reviews)

Marshmallow Challenge

A team challenge for innovation and prototyping!

$42.95

Loopeez®

Swivel the Loopeez loops endlessly.

$3.95

Set of 30 Reusable SMALL Tent Cards, plus Markers, Mini-Erasers; with writing on tent

Set of 30 Reusable SMALL Tent Cards, plus Markers, Mini-Erasers

Reusable Name Tents (Space Saver - 30/set)

Stack & store 30 tent cards, plus markers and erasers

$127.95

Set of 30 Small Reusable Tent Cards with markers and mini erasers offers a durable, space-saving solution for name displays at trainings, classrooms, and events. Unlike foldable name tents, these stackable dry-erase tent cards are molded from sturdy plastic, which means they erase cleanly, stack neatly, and last for years of repeated use. You'll save time printing formal name cards and instead ask participants to write their names on the Space Saver Reusable Name Cards.

The tents make your life easier and increase participant's comfort because they can write in a nickname, and be called by the name they prefer! Molded construction makes stacking and storage easier than ever. Use them again and again with dry-erase markers.

Enjoy so many benefits of space-saving name tents for training rooms:

Save time
Re-use tents
Write on nicknames
See names from the front and back of the room
Easy stacking and storage

These two-sided molded plastic whiteboard tents let you see names from the front or the back of the room.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

30 molded plastic reusable dry-erase tent cards (space-saver size: 3" H x 8.75" L x 2" D)
25 bullte-tip black dry-erase markers (2.5" x 1.25" x .65")
15 mini erasers
1 durable tote bag for organized storage and transport
(12" H x 12" W x 6" D)

Also available as a set of 24 in a larger size (4" H x 11") -- See #TCLSET

KEY FEATURES

Molded plastic design: more durable than paper or laminated tents
Space-saving size: compact footprint makes them ideal for crowded tables and classrooms
Clean erasing surface: smoother plastic finish resists ghosting and cleans easily
Stackable storage: cards nest neatly together for easy packing and transport
Complete kit: includes cards, markers, erasers, and tote bag
Eco-friendly & reusable: cut down on paper waste and printing costs

COMMON USES

Space-saving name tents for training rooms and professional workshops
Classroom student desk tents
Meetings, conferences, and events
Team-building activities and group sessions

FAQS

Q: How are these different from regular foldable tent cards?
A: These are molded plastic, not foldable, so they’re sturdier, erase more cleanly, and can be stacked neatly for storage.

Q: Do they erase better than paper-based tents?
A: Yes. The smooth plastic surface erases completely without ghosting, unlike laminated or coated paper.

Q: How do they store between sessions?
A: The molded design allows them to stack flat in the tote bag for compact storage and transport.

Q: Are the markers and erasers included?
A: Yes. Each kit comes with 15 bullet-tip markers and 15 mini erasers, so every participant has their own.

Q: Where are these most useful?
A: They’re perfect for classrooms, corporate training, conferences, and events where reusable, professional-looking name tents are needed.

SPECIFICATIONS

Quantity: 30 tent cards, 15 markers, 15 mini erasers
Material: molded plastic with dry-erase surface
Design: solid stand, stackable for storage
Accessories: tote bag for portability

View Video Demo!

** TIPS **

Reusable Name Tents don't just save you from printing and folding paper cards, they allow users to write in nick names, answer questions, or even share a favorite quote. They're great for:

Executive session name plates – save meeting participants the embarrassment of forgetting a name. Encourage them to write their nickname on the name tent.
Icebreaker activities – Instead of just a name or nickname, ask meeting or training participants to draw an icon that represents something important to them. Or, have them share a favorite quote. Even ask them to write down a goal for the day.
Table signage – No time print out signage? Write something out on a write-on / wipe-off table sign.

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Set of 24 Reusable Tent Cards, plus Markers, Mini-Erasers

Set of 24 Reusable Tent Cards, plus Markers, Mini-Erasers in Tote Bag

Reusable Tent Cards (LARGE, 24/set)

Carry 24 large tent cards, plus markers & erasers in a tote!

$101.95

Set of 24 Reusable Dry-Erase Tent Cards with markers and mini-erasers is the eco-friendly, professional solution for name tents at trainings, workshops, and classrooms. Each sturdy, molded table tent can be written on, again and again—no more wasting paper or printing new signs for every event. Large dry-erase tent cards for conferences are high-quality, two-sided, 4" H x 11" L x 3"D molded plastic whiteboard tents that let groups see names from the front or the back of the room. Their molded construction makes stacking and storage easier than ever. Use them again and again with any dry-erase markers. They clean up instantly and completely! Moreover, participants can be called by their preferred name, not the name that happens to be on your roster!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

24 reusable dry-erase tent cards (4" H x 11" L x 3"D )
12 bold, bullet-tip black dry-erase markers
12 mini-erasers (2.5" x 1.25" x .65")
Durable see-through tote* bag for organized storage and easy transport (12" H x 12" W x 6" D)

KEY FEATURES - SAVE TIME & MONEY!

Reusable & eco-friendly: write, wipe, and reuse—saves money and reduces paper waste
Professional look: clean white surface for clear, visible names
Dry-erase ready: includes markers & erasers sized for quick use
Portable & organized: tote bag keeps the full set together for hassle-free setup
Versatile use: ideal for learning events, meetings, classrooms, workshops, conferences, and more
Create a warm welcome: increase participants' comfort by inviting them to write on their preferred name
Two-sided: See names from the front and back of the room
Easy stacking and storage

SPECIFICATIONS

Quantity: 24 tent cards, 12 markers, 12 mini erasers
Material: reusable dry-erase surface
Format: foldable tent card stands upright on desks/tables
Accessories: tote bag for storage & portability

COMMON USES

Corporate training sessions & workshops
Classroom student desk name tents
Conference and meeting name displays
Team-building and group activities
Events, seminars, and professional development programs

FAQS

Q: How do reusable name tents for corporate training compare to paper tent cards?
A: Unlike disposable paper tents, these reusable dry-erase cards save printing costs and reduce waste while looking professional.

Q: Are the markers and erasers included?
A: Yes. Each set comes with 24 fine-tip dry-erase markers and 24 mini erasers for quick, individual use.

Q: How do I clean the tent cards?
A: Wipe with the included mini erasers for quick changes, or use a dry cloth/tissue for a full reset.

Q: Are they durable for repeated use?
A: Yes. The cards are built with a sturdy fold and dry-erase surface designed for training and classroom environments.

Q: What’s included in the tote bag?
A: All 24 tent cards, plus 12 markers, and erasers fit neatly into the bag for easy transport and organized storage.

Q: Is the tote bag imprinted with a logo?
A: *The Tote bag is printed on the front with this text:

"This bag is not a toy. Putting it over your head could cause suffocation, which would really ruin your day. Better to put all your great stuff in it so that people look at you with envy as you walk by, wondering both where you got all your things and where you got your awesome see-through bag, to which you can reply, "You can get one, too, at Trainers Warehouse or Office Oxygen, and they're a 'baahgin.' That's New England-speak for 'bargain'." And by the way, it's true that objects in the side view mirror are closer than they appear, but the wonderful items in your beautiful, clear bag really are just as they appear!"

** TIPS **

Reusable Name Tents don't just save you from printing and folding paper cards, they allow users to write in nicknames, answer questions, or even share a favorite quote. They're great for:

Executive session name plates – save meeting participants the embarrassment of forgetting a name. Encourage participants to write their nickname on the name tent.
Icebreaker activities – Instead of just a name or nickname, ask meeting or training participants to draw an icon that represents something important to them. Or, have them share a favorite quote. Even ask them to write down a goal for the day.
Table signage – No time print out signage? Write something out on a write-on / wipe-off table sign.

MORE RESOURCES

Moody Face Fiddle

Squeeze and squish these pliable heads!

$5.50

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.

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Helium Stick

Make a point about teamwork and cooperation -- instantly!

$44.95

Helium Stick® is a fast, high-impact team-building activity that strengthens communication, alignment, and collaboration. This lightweight, collapsible rod is built for facilitators—it packs small, sets up in minutes, and delivers memorable learning in a 20–30 minute session. The challenge is to lower a lightweight rod to the ground with your team—but it’s harder than it seems! As fingers press upward on the stick, it mysteriously “floats,” sparking laughter, frustration, and eventually insight. Trainers Warehouse’s finished version elevates this popular activity with a durable, travel-ready rod, making it easy to facilitate again and again.

WHY FACILITATORS LOVE IT

Big lessons from a simple challenge: Teams quickly see how assumptions, group dynamics, and communication affect outcomes.
Memorable metaphor: The floating stick represents how small forces and hidden resistance can derail teamwork if left unaddressed.
Low prep, high engagement: Set up in seconds, but provides rich material for 15–30 minutes of activity and debrief.
Professional build: Unlike homemade dowels, this lightweight, finished rod is balanced for consistency and built to last through years of workshops.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Discover how group assumptions can sabotage performance
Practice clear communication and active listening
Explore leadership, role clarity, and patience under pressure
Learn strategies to reset, regroup, and succeed together

HOW TO PLAY

Divide into two lines, facing each other, index fingers extended.
Balance the Helium Stick® across everyone’s fingers.
Challenge: lower the stick to the ground while keeping every finger in contact.
Debrief: What made it harder than expected? How did the team adjust to succeed?

WHAT’S INCLUDED

One professional-grade Helium Stick® (collapsible, lightweight rod). The 10-foot-long Helium Stick folds to 12 inches for easy transportation and assembly.
Facilitation guide with variations and debriefing questions

BEST USES

Team-building workshops
Leadership training
Onboarding activities
Conference energizers

PAIR WITH: For variation and comparative debriefs, try TeamWRITER (interdependence & listening) or PuzzleBlind (trust & role clarity). Add game-show energy with Me First wireless buzzers.

FAQS

Q: How is this version different from a homemade dowel?
A: Trainers Warehouse’s Helium Stick® is a finished, lightweight, collapsible rod designed for easy transport and reliable facilitation—no splinters, unwieldy length, or awkward storage.

Q: How long does it take?
A: Expect 5 minutes to set up the activity. A typical attempt takes 10–15 minutes, followed by a debrief. Total time: about 20–30 minutes.

Q: What’s the ideal group size?
A: Best for 8–12 participants per stick. Larger groups can divide into teams with multiple rods.

Q: What do teams learn from this?
A: Key lessons include the importance of communication, alignment, and overcoming group assumptions to achieve a shared goal.

HELIUM STICK TEAM BUILDING FACILITATION TIPS

Line up in two rows which face each other.
Introduce the Helium Stick game.
Ask participants to point their index fingers and hold their arms out.
Lay the stick down on their fingers. Get the group to adjust their finger heights until the Helium Stick is horizontal and everyone's index fingers are touching the stick. Explain that the challenge is to lower the Helium Stick to the ground.
The catch: Each person's fingers must be in contact with the Helium Stick at all times. Pinching or grabbing the pole is not allowed - it must rest on top of fingers.
Reiterate to the group that if anyone's finger is caught not touching the Helium Stick, the task will be restarted. Let the task begin....
Warning: Particularly in the early stages, the Helium Stick has a habit of mysteriously 'floating' up rather than coming down, causing much laughter. A bit of clever humoring can help - e.g., act surprised and ask what they are doing raising the Helium Stick instead of lowering it! For added drama, jump up and pull it down!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The stick does not contain helium. The secret is that the collective upwards pressure created by everyone's fingers tends to be greater than the weight of the Helium Stick. As a result, the more a group tries, the more the stick tends to 'float' upwards.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

As your group begins their challenge in the Helium Stick game, see how individuals react when the rod starts moving in the exactly opposite direction than they intended. What do they do? You may find that players start blaming each other. The more the stick rises, the more they point fingers and accuse one another by asking, “What are YOU doing?”

This observation can lead to an important learning point: that they won't find solutions without shifting from telling to asking and without assuming responsibility for and ownership of the results. For instance, they might ask: Why is this happening to US? What can WE do differently? How can WE come up with another strategy?

SOME HELIUM STICK TEAM BUILDING PROCESSING IDEAS:

What was the initial reaction of the group?
How well did the group cope with this challenge?
What skills did it take to be successful as a group?
What creative solutions were suggested and how were they received?
What would an outside observer have seen as the strengths and weaknesses of the group?

NOTE: to download the Helium Stick Facilitation Notes, refresh this webpage (or visit the page in an "incognito window"). Then, enter your info in the pop-up.

COMPARISON CHART

Not sure which team-building activity is right for your group? Trainers Warehouse offers a variety of experiential learning games that build skills in communication, collaboration, adaptability, leadership, and conflict resolution. Use the chart below to compare five of our most popular activities—PuzzleBlind®, Helium Stick®, TeamWRITER®, Shape Up!®, and Team 10®—and choose the one that best fits your training goals, group size, and workshop format.

Activity	Ideal Group Size	Core Skills Developed	Time Required	Key Dynamic	Best For
PuzzleBlind®	4–8 players per puzzle (parallel teams for larger groups)	Communication, trust, listening, coaching, conflict resolution	~30–40 minutes (play + debrief)	Builders are blindfolded, coaches give verbal instructions	Leadership training, conflict resolution, communication workshops
Helium Stick®	8–12 participants per stick	Communication, alignment, group focus, patience	~20–30 minutes (setup + play + debrief)	Teams must lower a lightweight rod without it rising up	Quick energizer, communication warm-up, leadership retreats
TeamWRITER®	6–12 participants (expandable with multiple pens/strings)	Collaboration, interdependence, coordination, listening	~20–30 minutes (assembly + play + debrief)	Teams collectively pull strings to guide a pen and write/draw	Collaboration workshops, leadership development, trust building
Shape Up!®	Small teams of 4–6 per set (multiple sets scale up)	Problem-solving, communication, collaboration,	~20-30 minutes (multiple rounds + debrief)	Players must figure out which of their pieces is a duplicate	Problem-solving workshops, collaboration training, communication skill-building
Team 10®	Groups of 4–8 players	Adaptability, resilience, dealing with disruption, collaborative planning	~20–30 minutes (play + debrief)	Teams search for 10 matching cards until a “Scramble” card forces to begin again	Change management workshops, adaptability training, and teamwork energizer

Community Puzzle; example of colored pieces

Community Puzzle (56 pieces /set)

Build community one piece at a time!

$24.99

Ultimate Training Kit

Ready-to-go Training Kits. NOTE: Allow 3-4 weeks delivery time

$4,999.99

NOTE: Allow 3-4 weeks delivery time

Ready-to-go Training Kits!

These extraordinary kits by Training Wheels Inc., experts in team building, are filled with a variety of portable team-building games, which utilize a wide range of props and simulations that can be tailored to challenge, energize and re-focus any team.

The kits are great for indoor or outdoor use. Each comes in a high-quality wheeled duffle with all activities stored in their own grab bag, keeping props organized and easy to find. The Field Guide has concise, easy-to-read instructions for all activities.

The Ultimate Kit is a trainer's favorite, a hearty collection of over 445 activities -- name games, icebreakers, consensus tools, energizers, diversity activities, problem solving initiatives, trust activities, debriefing tools, and more!

The Teambuilding Kits are bags full of portable teambuilding initiatives. Each kit includes a wide range of props and simulations for anywhere from 300-450 activities designed to challenge, energize, and re-focus any team. The activities inside can be tailored to the desired learning outcome of any group--from corporate to youth groups. The activities can reinforce a variety of common teambuilding goals such as communication, problem solving, decision making, cooperation, creativity, trust building, conflict resolution, and community building.

Each initiative is stored in its own separate grab bag that keep props organized and easy to find. The kit is equipped with a Field Guide that has concise, easy to read instructions for each activity. Each activity lists the type of activity it is, such as an Energizer, Problem-Solving, Trust Building, etc. It also gives suggestions for basic set up and goes over any safety concerns. Each page of the Field Guide has a picture on it. That same picture is on a tag that is attached to the stuff sack that contains all the props you would need to facilitate that activity. It is very user friendly and helps to keep staff and the kit well organized. It is easy to keep track of inventory as the tag also describes what should be in that stuff sack.

Most of the teambuilding activities are designed for groups of 12-15. However, there are also some big group games included that can be done with groups of 300 or more. You can increase the number of participants by adding more facilitators. For example, if you have a group of 100 people and you have the Ultimate Kit, you can have 10 groups of 10 working out of the same bag, using the same activities at different times.

International customers, please note: We regret that we are unable to ship this item outside of the U.S.

View Contents of Ultimate Training Kit

Tokens of Appreciation and Cards and Tokens

Tokens of Appreciation and Cards Combo (10/set)

Encourage a culture of shared appreciation!

$19.95

You Got Caught! -- Tokens and Cards Combo

You Got Caught! Tokens/Cards Combo

Spread the appreciation around!

$19.95

Bundle o' Koosh (set of 10)

Signal that 'play' is an essential part of 'learn'

$66.00

Certified Trainer Lapel Pins with Laurel; back

Certified Trainer Lapel Pins Laurel (10/set)

New trainers will proudly show off these lapel pins!

$16.95

Use the Create-Your-Own Thumball with Permanent Marker from Trainers Warehouse to design your personalized conversation starter on 32 blank panels

The Create-Your-Own Thumball from Trainers Warehouse lets you customize your own learning reinforcement

Create-your-own Thumball 6" w/ Permanent Marker

Customize this Thumball to suit your own needs!

$32.95

Create Your Own Thumball® (6″) is a customizable team-building ball that lets facilitators design unique icebreaker questions, coaching prompts, or review games. With 32 blank panels, this DIY icebreaker activity becomes a personalized conversation starter for training workshops, classrooms, or team meetings. Use the included permanent marker to create an interactive training tool tailored to your content and audience. This DIY Thumball® lets you tailor the game to any learning goal.

WHY FACILITATORS LOVE IT

Unlimited flexibility: Build your own prompts for leadership training, icebreakers, coaching sessions, wellness checks, or just-for-fun games.
Interactive engagement: Toss the ball, answer the question under your thumb, and keep the group energized and involved.
Reusable and durable: Soft, stitched 6″ fabric ball designed to last through countless training sessions.
Personalized learning: Helps trainers align activities directly to their content, participants, or organizational culture.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

One 6″ Thumball® with 32 blank panels
Permanent marker included for writing prompts

BEST USES

Corporate training workshops
Team building and icebreakers
Leadership coaching and mentoring
Classroom learning and student engagement
Wellness, DEI, or custom content programs

FAQS

Q: Can I erase and reuse the panels?
A: No. While this is a customizable team building ball, the panels are not erasable. This design prevents smudging during play and ensures the prompts stay visible long-term.

Q: What kind of marker should I use?
A: To create your personalized conversation starter, be sure to use a fine-tip permanent marker works best. The ball ships with one marker included. Avoid washable or erasable markers as they will smear.

Q: Any tips for writing on the panels?
A: Yes! Use a fine-point permanent marker and take your time to write clearly. Practicing your prompts on paper first is a good way to ensure legibility and fit.

Q: What makes this different from other Thumballs®?
A: Unlike pre-printed Thumballs®, this DIY version gives facilitators total creative freedom to tailor questions and activities to their specific training content and audience.

Q: Who uses Create Your Own Thumball® most?
A: Trainers, teachers, facilitators, HR professionals, coaches, and team leaders who want a versatile tool for engagement and customized learning.

Image above shows suggested use only. You'll get a ball with 30 BLANK panels!

** TIPS **

How to customize your Thumball™

Use a permanent, fine-tip marker so it's easy to write and doesn't smudge.
Plan before your write! You have 30 panels to fill up (10 blue; 20 silver). The two pre-printed panels on the top and bottom say “You Choose,” allowing players to respond to any panel on the ball.
Practice your writing! Be sure your handwriting is big, bold and legible.
Fill all the spaces! Write in vocabulary words, questions, key words, and more. If you still have empty spaces, consider one or more of these ideas:

- Repeat a prompt twice. Repetition can be good (if you put the same words on two panels – simply let players know that they need to build upon a previous answer).
- “Pass to the right” – player passes the ball to the person directly to the right.
- “Stump the Leader” – player chooses which panel the facilitator must answer.
- “Toss Again” – player tosses ball up and re-catches it.
- “Share 5” or “Group Share”– player gets topic from facilitator and 5 or more players must all offer answers.

Facilitation Suggestions

Depending on your group, roll, pass, toss, or kick Thumball™ among players.
Circulate the ball clockwise, counterclockwise or random direction.
Specify which thumb to look under for the prompt -- right thumb, left thumb or the finger of your choice.
Ask players to respond to the prompt. Or, to kick it up a notch, invite them to ask another player to respond.
Select time limits for responses and length of game.
Add point values to each prompt/question and let players know that will earn and/or lose points for each response.

NOTE: This ball is part of our exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

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What Makes You You Thumball

Build rapport, camaraderie, and understanding

$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.

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Round Smile Mirror imprinted with "SMILE. They can hear it in your voice."

Mini Round Smile Mirrors (10/set)

great desktop reminder!

$24.95

Mini Round Smile Mirrors – 10-Pack are small but powerful tools to remind employees that a smile can be heard in their voice and felt in their energy. Each 3.5″ round mirror is imprinted with a cheerful smile face and the phrase “Smile—they can hear it in your voice.” The back includes a convenient adhesive tab, so the mirrors can be placed on a computer monitor, phone station, or wall. Perfect for call centers, customer service teams, and anyone who wants to project positivity to both colleagues and customers.

WHY MANAGERS & TEAMS LOVE THEM

Customer service boost: Smiles change tone—clients and callers can “hear” the difference, making interactions warmer and more effective.
Positive culture cue: Mirrors serve as daily reminders to bring energy, empathy, and approachability to every interaction—inside or outside the organization.
Easy placement: Adhesive tab on the back makes it simple to stick to a monitor, cubicle wall, or shared space.
Affordable team handout: Great for distributing across customer service departments, sales teams, and training events.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

10 mini round smile mirrors (approx. 2.25″ diameter)
Printed smile face + motivational phrase on the front
Adhesive tab on the back for quick placement

BEST USES

Customer service desks and call centers
Sales teams who want to project energy and confidence
Employee training workshops and onboarding programs
Team morale boosters and recognition gifts

FAQS

Q: How are these different from the larger Class Smile Mirrors?
A: These minis are smaller, designed for individual use at desks, phones, and monitors. Class Smile Mirrors are larger and have more space on the mirror that is not imprinted.

Q: What message do they reinforce?
A: They remind staff that smiles don’t just show on faces—they come through in tone of voice, presence, and energy, improving interactions with colleagues and customers.

Q: Where should I place them?
A: The adhesive tab makes it easy to stick them to computer monitors, cubicle walls, phones, or shared workstations.

Q: Who benefits most from these?
A: Customer service reps, sales staff, HR teams, and managers who want to encourage positivity and engagement throughout the organization.

Q: Are they reusable?
A: Yes. While the adhesive is designed for a firm hold, mirrors can be gently repositioned if needed and reused in different settings.

NOTE: Quantity discounts shown above refer to a unit (set of 10 mirrors).

NOTE: Each mirror has a protective see-through film that should be removed before use.

Start/Stop/Continue/Change - Sticky Notes; set of 24

Start/Stop/Continue/Change Sticky Notes (20 pads)

Help participants identify and follow through on key learning points.

$32.50

Laughable Lyrics for Meetings

Ease transitions and warm up the crowd with original songs for meetings or trainings!

$9.95

Listen to song samples below! Each tune was written just for trainers and promises to engage your group... and get you a few laughs!

Create a playful ambience
Ease transitions
Introduce breaks
Warm up the crowd

Get laughs and ease learners through challenging transitions between content segments with this brand new CD of 21 original classroom jingles by a NY song writer and Broadway musicians.

Songs range in style from classic Broadway to Rock 'n Roll, Calypso to Hora, Tin Pan Alley to Rap, Blues to Country -- appealing to all ages and musical tastes. Each song was written specifically with classroom trainers and their trainees in mind. Running time: 20 minutes. The lyrics are 100% guaranteed to bring laughter to your classroom.

These original tunes can be played royalty-free in classroom settings on a conventional CD player or your computer. You can also import the tunes as MP3 audio files and import into your PowerPoint presentations.

CHECK THEM OUT!

Listen to a few samples:

Track 3 Hello
Track 4 Come to da Meetin', Mon
Track 7 Turn Off Your Cell Phone
Track 8 Make the Most of It
Track 9 Keep an Open Mind
Track 10 Meetin' Rap
Track 13 Bathroom Hora
Track 16 Hallelujah Lunchtime
Track 20 Break's Over
Track 21 Goodbye

SONG TITLES

Songs of Welcome

Thanks for Coming 0:55
Meet & Greet 0:42
Hello 0:36
Come to da Meetin', Mon 0:58
Sit Down 0:30

Warming Up the Crowd

Fill It In 0:34
Turn Off Your Cell Phone 1:00
Make the Most of It 1:03
Keep an Open Mind 0:43
Meetin' Rap 1:12
Think Outside the Box 1:05
Part of the Team 1:00

Breaktime Tunes

The Bathroom Hora 0:52
Take a Break 1:00
Time to Munch 0:17
Hallelujah Lunchtime 0:35
"After Lunchtime" Blues 1:00
Exercisin' 1:00
Come In 0:36
Break's Over 0:36

Saying "So long"

Goodbye 0:40

Bonus Tracks:

Laugh Track 0:05
Applause track 0:05
Songwriter's Extras 2:24

This is a downloadable product (CD no longer available). After you've placed your order, you will be given a link where you can download the MP3 audio files.

Kudos for Colleagues Note Pad Set; 10 pads

Kudos for Colleagues Note Pad Set; close-up

Kudos for Colleagues - Set of 10 Note Pads (BLUE)

Catch teammates and colleagues succeeding -- show your appreciation

$16.95

Tokens of Appreciation (10/set)

Let students know you appreciate their efforts to learn and grow.

$13.95

CREATE A CULTURE OF APPRECIATION WITH SMALL TOKENS OF APPRECIATION

Tokens of Appreciation are a fun way to foster a culture of gratitude. Motivate your team and boost morale by giving each individual a gratitude token for a job well done! These high-quality, unique tokens of appreciation let employees, trainees, students, and event participants know how much they’re valued, giving them a tangible item they can hold onto or pass along.

Even small, thoughtful gestures can make a big impact. While expressing appreciation verbally is important, there’s something about a physical object that really shows you care. Hand them out anytime you notice someone going above and beyond, or use the Token of Appreciation as part of your Employee-of-the-Month program. To create a culture of appreciation, encourage recipients to pass along their positive thoughts to one another, as well.

FEATURES

Solid, medium-weight metal feels fantastic in your hand
Inscribed with “Token of Appreciation” on one side and “Pass it along” on the other
Sold in sets of 10 (buy in bulk to save)
Dimensions: 1” diameter

NOTE: quantity discounts shown above refer to a unit (bag of 10 tokens).

TRAINER TIP FROM "Deb the Trainer"

"We recently hosted an appreciation dinner/mixer for staff from 3 companies. A token was affixed to a place card printed with a poem about passing on appreciation. The cards were placed at each table setting. During dinner we read the poem and awarded the waitstaff with tokens too. By the end of dinner employees were passing coins to each other and our guests were planning to use them outside the institution too."

SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION

Trainers Warehouse is the ultimate resource for managers, teachers, trainers, and anyone looking for innovative solutions that engage, teach, incentivize, boost retention, and build relationships in fun and effective ways. Browse our recognition awards and employee engagement tools for more products that encourage a positive environment.

Like the Token of Appreciation, all Trainers Warehouse award products are backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee, so don’t hesitate to place your bulk order with full confidence. As a small, family-owned business, we’re so grateful for our customers — each and every one of you deserves a gratitude token like our small Tokens of Appreciation! Be sure to stock up on tokens to maximize your discount.

Situations, Scenarios & Simulations, v.2 Software

Role plays perfectly suited to your content!

$214.50

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.

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