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Team Building
Trainers Warehouse has everything you need to make corporate team building effective and fun! We carry an assortment of innovative team building training games, books, assessments, and so much more. Whether you’re seeking detailed feedback, working on collaborative visioning, or simply getting a conversation started, we have many resources with a proven track record for success. We source the best products from all over the world. Discover your new go-to team building materials!
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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.
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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
Look under your thumb and share your reaction to whatever prompt lies under beneath it. Thumball is a soft 6" stuffed ball with loads of applications!
The Common Ground Thumball looks like a cool soccer ball and has 32 panels pre-printed with fun icebreaker phrases suited for adults and teens. Use it to stimulate conversation, promote team spirit, and boost flagging energy.
As you try to generate conversation and build new friendships and relationships, a key challenge is finding “common ground” experiences and interests that you share with others. This Thumball helps to uncover these commonalities.
COMMON GROUND THUMBALL PROMPTS
Prompts will help players to delve into new topics that draw out commonalities and shared experiences, for instance:
- Time: Ways to spend free time, weekends, vacations, etc.
- Favorites: Favorite foods, activities, apps, show, books
- People: Family and friends who impact your life
- Growth: Goals, talents, or skills you'd like to develop
- Moolah: What you'd spend money on
- You: claims to fame and more...
[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]
©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.
MORE RESOURCES
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
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 |
TeamWRITER® is a patented, collaborative team-building game that gets groups communicating, problem-solving, and laughing together. Teams assemble the device, attach strings to the TeamWRITER “gizmo,” then work together to guide a single pen and produce legible writing or simple drawings.
WHAT IT BUILDS
- Communication & listening: groups must coordinate hand tension and verbal cues
- Problem-solving: agree on what to write, then figure out how to do it together
- Role clarity & leadership: natural roles emerge (caller, steady hands, strategist)
- Psychological safety: low-risk, high-fun activity that levels the playing field
HOW IT WORKS
- Assemble the TeamWRITER and connect the strings to the central holder.
- Choose a word, phrase, picture, or logo to write.
- Coordinate pulls and slack on the strings to steer the pen together.
- Debrief: What helped or hindered clarity, trust, and execution?
Patented design: TeamWRITER is protected under US Patent D1,037,355 S. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
WHEN TO USE
- Kickoffs and icebreakers for new or cross-functional teams
- Workshops on collaboration, communication, or Agile teamwork
- Leadership retreats and off-sites as a fast, hands-on challenge
AUDIENCE
TeamWriter is best played with 4 to 10 participants
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- TeamWRITER device (string-guided writing “gizmo”)
- 2 guide plates to hold the player ropes
- 1 stem that holds the guide plates and marker in place
- 10 light-weight ropes
- 1 Sharpie brand marker. NOTE: the marker holder is sized to hold a Sharpie(TM) brand marker. If using a different marker, you may need to wrap some duct tape around the barrel of the marker for a snug fit. You will also need to secure a large sheet of paper (flip chart paper works great) or cardboard to the ground.
- Bag to hold the game parts
- Setup and usage instructions
- Facitlitation notes containing game ideas and tips
FACILITATION TIPS
- Encourage groups to "start small" (initials, simple shapes) before attempting words or logos
- Assign roles: navigator (caller), timekeeper, and quality checker
- Run two rounds: first without strategy, second with agreed signals—then compare outcomes
FAQS
Q: What exactly do participants do?
A: Teams connect strings to the central holder and collectively steer a pen to write or draw, using coordinated pulls and clear communication.
Q: How long does the exercise take?
A: Many facilitators play the whole game in about 20-30 minutes. Depending on the complexity of the challenge, expect 5-10 minutes to ASSEMBLE the device and DRAW, and 10-25 minutes to DEBREIEF.
Q: What makes TeamWRITER different?
A: This activity requires genuine interdependence and collaboration—no one person can “win” alone—so listening becomes the only path to success.
TeamWriter® is a patented, easy-to-use, collaborative team-building game. Fit the pieces together, connect a set of strings to the TeamWriter gismo, and work as a team to write something that's actually legible. (PAT. US D1,037,355 S )
SUPER FUN CHALLENGES
Facilitators can easily adapt this game to a myriad of applications. For instance, you could have groups:
- Write the answer to topical question
- Draw an icon that represents a key learning point
- Write out a meaningful question or phrase
Once the group figures out WHAT they will write, the next challenge is HOW they will do it. Together they'll have to coordinate:
- Where is the top of the page?
- Into which holes should they connect the strings for maximum control?
- Who will be the group leader?
- How will you communicate effectively and listen to each other respectfully?
To add difficulty, facilitators can limit the time available to complete the task, limit communication to non-verbal cues only, or blindfold one more players.
SEE IT IN ACTION!
DEVELOP A BROAD RANGE OF TEAM BUILDING SKILLS
The TeamWriter exercise is excellent whether your team is forming, storming, norming or performing! Adapt the dynamic team building activity to any of these important team development goals:
- Improve team dynamics
- Solve challenging problems together
- Break the Ice
- Improve Communication
- Build Trust
- Develop strong leadership
Patent No.: US D1,037,355 S
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 |
Energize your group with your very own Pipeline Game. Give each participant one short length of half pipe and challenge the group to deliver a ball down the pipes from the starting point to the finish line. A successful pipeline team building activity requires participating groups to exercise excellent communication, creativity and teamwork.
TRANSFORM GROUPS INTO WELL-FUNCTIONING TEAMS WITH A PIPELINE CHALLENGE
- Energize a group
- Build communication skills
- Practice group problem solving
- Practice goal setting
Pipeline Game -- also known as Pipeline Challenge or Gutter Ball - is effective with kids, teenagers and adults, and can be played indoors or out. Choose this activity when you need to energize the group into a team, or to emphasize the importance of each member's actions in a team.
FEATURES
- 12 high-quality, sturdy 15.25" half-pipes; Each pipe has an inside diameter of 2-1/2 inches
- 3 balls (marble, ball bearing, golf ball)
- Handy nylon storage bag
- Facilitation notes on how to play and process the exercise
DEBRIEFING SUGGESTIONS
As with most team building games, the Pipeline Game will be most effective if you take the time fully debrief the experience. Start with questions that specifically address the dynamics that played out during the game. Understand what happened and how the experience made each player feel. After that, shift your questions and conversation to the real-world learning that can be applied from the game. Consider handful of questions to debrief the pipeline team building activity, such as:
- How well did the group cope with this challenge?
- What, if any, goals did your group set? How? Did you succeed?
- What skills did it take to be successful as a group?
- What creative solutions were suggested and how were they received
- How can you compare this challenge to other situations (e.g., at school, home or work)?
Group Size: 8 to 12 ideal, but can be done with 6 to 14
Time: ~15-60 mins
FAQs for Pipeline Game (Pipeline Challenge / Gutter Ball)
Q: What do participants do in the Pipeline Game?
A: Each person holds a short half-pipe and the group works together to roll a ball from a start point to a finish line—without dropping it—by coordinating movement, spacing, and handoffs.
Q: What’s the ideal group size?
A: Ideal for 8–12 participants, but it can work well with 6–14 depending on space and how challenging you make the course.
Q: How long does it take to run?
A: Plan for 15–60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the challenge and how much time you spend debriefing.
Q: What skills does this activity build?
A: Communication, teamwork, creativity, problem solving, and goal setting—plus the big takeaway that every person’s actions affect the whole team’s success.
Q: What’s included in the kit?
A: 12 sturdy 15.25" half-pipes (inside diameter 2.5"), 3 balls (marble, ball bearing, and golf ball), a nylon storage bag, and facilitation notes with instructions and debrief suggestions.
Q: Can it be played indoors or outdoors?
A: Yes. It works well indoors or outdoors—just adjust the course and spacing for the environment.
Q: How should I debrief the exercise?
A: Start with what happened (team dynamics, emotions, communication), then connect it to real work/school life. Helpful prompts include goals set, coping strategies, skills used, creative ideas tried, and parallels to real situations.
Kudos for Teams, a.k.a. Kudos GOLD, lets teammates share positive thoughts with one another. If you're not on location, at the same time, leave a friendly handwritten note.. Use these clever notes liberally to boost learners' and colleagues' spirits, recognize large or small contributions, and inspire continued effort.
Kudos Note Pad Set (25 sheets/pad; 10 pads/set). Each pad is approx. 4" x 5.5".
Volume discounts available. Unit Prices shown refer to 1 pack of 10 pads.
Success Through Teamwork Lapel Pins -- 10 PINS IN ONE SET
Ramp up team spirit with this one-of-a-kind lapel pin. Give one to each a "winning" team or one to everyone in your group, to inspire team collaboration and success.
Pins are enamel on metal and measure about 1" in diameter.
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
7 Tips to formulate great questions
More tools for great conversations
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
Emotional Intelligence is a skill that allows people to be more effective in their roles at work and at home. It’s not just touchy-feely stuff and being able to name your feelings. Rather, it enhances employee retention and engagement, customer service, collaboration, and crisis management.
5 SKILLS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Emotional Intelligence (a.k.a. EQ) is associated with five skills. 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 in empathy and social acumen. The five skills are:
- Self-Awareness [SA]
- Motivation [MO]
- Self-Regulation [SR]
- Empathy [EM]
- Social Skills [SS]
EQ THUMBALL PROMPTS
Each conversation prompt on the Emotional Intelligence Thumball indicates the skill with which it is associated. Use the two-letter EQ skill codes (MO, SA, SR, EM, and SS), to build awareness of the skills, while building the skills themselves!
For example:
- "What contributes to distrust?" is followed by [EM] for Empathy
- "How could someone regain composure after snapping?" lists [SR] for Self-Regulation
- "What holds you back from being your best YOU?" has [SA] for Self-Awareness
30 prompts are listed on the Thumball, specifically:
- Self-Awareness [SA] - 7 prompts
- Motivation [MO] - 5 prompts
- Self-Regulation [SR] - 5 prompts
- Empathy [EM] - 6 prompts
- Social Skills [SS] - 7 prompts
FROM A DELIGHTED TRAINER, WINSOME CULLEY
MULTIPLE WAYS TO FACILITATE THE GAME
Adjust your play to make more or less of those skill areas:
- Have recipients of the ball read the question aloud before answering.
- Ask other players to guess which skill is referenced by conversation prompt.
- Discuss why that prompt is categorized that way and what other skills might be addressed
- Answer the question for yourself
- Have other players answer the same question
- Discuss differences among the answers
- If a player isn't sure how to answer, invite them "take a pass," consult a colleague, or choose another prompt
- Don't rush! Remember that thoughtful answers sometimes take a moment to think about. Offer to come back to the person for their answer after they've had time to consider it.
©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 a range of other products to help build relationships, draw out learning, and inspire conversation about meaningful topics. Such products include 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.
Create good vibes! Don't wait for momentous events to give positive feedback. Get peace of mind -- you'll never miss a chance to say Thanks! Good Job! whenever the occasion arises.
Set up your own Appreciation Station, so that managers, team leaders, trainers and teachers can easily dash off a note of recognition and appreciation.
5 THEMES ENSURE YOU HAVE THE MESSAGE YOU NEED, WHEN YOU NEED IT!
Buy an assortment of all 5 styles -- you'll get 8 pads in each style.
- Kudos for Work (Orange) Use these clever notes liberally to boost learners' and colleagues' spirits, recognize large or small contributions, and inspire continued effort.
- Kudos for Colleagues (Blue) When groups are learning and growing together, they have a keen appreciation for where each team member started, and what they've accomplished. These pads give team members a tool to recognize one another's contributions to the group.
- KUDOS for Growth and Learning (Green) Support a "Growth Mindset" by giving KUDOS when people take a risk, stick with a problem, make great contributions, show improvement, take the time to do things right, and more. KUDOS Green notes are perfect for long-term projects, processes, and learning. They'll help you recognize the effort your group is making and encourage recipients to keep up their good work.
- Kudos for Values (Red) Let your teammates or employees know when they are exemplifying your organizational values and mission. Use these clever notes liberally to "Walk the Talk" with employees and colleagues. Recognition for matching or exceeding corporate values and goals will lift their spirits and inspire continued effort.
- Kudos for Teams (Gold) Lets teammates share positive thoughts with one another. If you're not on location, at the same time, leave a friendly handwritten note.
Kudos Note Pads -- Set of 40 Pads (25 sheets/pad; Each pad is approx. 4" x 5.5".)
MORE WAYS TO USE KUDOS NOTES!
Kudos notes don't only need to be written by teacheres or trainers. Trainer Nora Gerber was kind enough to share her facilitation notes with us, explaining how to use them as "task cards," whereby participants can:
- Learn about positive behaviors
- Self-assess their own strengths
- Look for opportunities to grow
5 TIPS FOR USING KUDOS NOTES, INCLUDING TO TEACH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EQ)
PuzzleBlind® Team-Building Game is an immersive corporate training activity designed to strengthen communication, trust, and role clarity. In this exercise, blindfolded builders must assemble a puzzle while coaches provide verbal instructions. The challenge highlights teamwork, leadership, and the importance of clear communication—making it a favorite for leadership retreats, manager training, conflict resolution workshops, and corporate team-building events.
WHY FACILITATORS LOVE IT
- High-impact learning: Teams immediately see how poor communication creates misalignment and how clarity builds success.
- Versatile: Works as a leadership exercise, energizer, or corporate icebreaker.
- Memorable experience: Blindfolds and timed construction create an engaging challenge with lasting lessons.
- Practical debrief: Surfaces real workplace issues like unclear directions, assumptions, and role confusion.
- Role clarity: Teams shift between strategists (coaches) and executors (builders), exploring leadership styles and decision-making dynamics.
- Trust under pressure: Without sight, participants must trust instructions and each other—trust becomes both the method and the lesson.
- Adjustable difficulty: Add or remove rules (e.g., only coaches speak, all blindfolded, one question per turn) to scale challenge and insights.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
This game is a useful tool to discuss the following interteam-dynamics:
- Improve communication and listening skills
- Build trust and team alignment when solving problems
- Clarify roles and responsibilities, including choosing and developing leaders
- Practice conflict resolution and problem-solving
- Increase confidence in leading and coaching others
- Listening to multiple speakers and perspectives and addressing when teammates talk over each other
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Puzzle pieces set -- Oversized puzzle have texture on one side
- Durable blindfolds for team members
- Facilitator guide with setup, instructions, and debrief prompts
- Reusable tote bag for easy storage and transport
BEST USES
- Corporate training and leadership development programs
- Team-building workshops and offsite retreats
- Conflict resolution or communication skills training
- Energizer or icebreaker at the start of a meeting
- Hybrid or remote team sessions (with creative adaptation)
- Leadership development by rotating roles and debriefing leadership behavior
FAQS
Q: What’s the ideal group size?
A: Flexible—typically 4–8 players per puzzle, but works well with parallel teams for larger groups.
Q: What skills do participants develop?
A: Teams practice communication, trust, listening, coaching, and conflict resolution—all under realistic workplace-like conditions.
Q: What materials are included?
A: Each kit comes with puzzle pieces, blindfolds, a facilitator guide, and a tote bag. All materials are durable, safe, and reusable.
Q: Who benefits most from this activity?
A: Trainers, HR teams, managers, and leaders running workshops on communication, collaboration, and team trust.
Q: How long does it take?
A: Plan for a 30+ minute activity—15 minutes to strategize and play, plus debrief time.
FACILITATING PUZZLEBLIND
Before you begin:
- Scatter the puzzle pieces on the ground with the textured side up (the other side is smooth).
- Assemble your team around the puzzle
- Let them know that some portion of their team will need to assemble the puzzle blindfolded.
- 1 RULE: Only blindfolded players can touch the puzzle pieces
- Give teams up to 10 minutes to strategize -- to choose a leader(s), decide how many players (and who) will be blindfolded, etc.
- NOTE: see below for additional facilitation choices that will increase the challenge.
Expect the game to take 30+ minutes depending on your group and the depth of your debrief.
PUZZLEBLIND AS A TEAM BUILDING GAME
When playing PuzzleBlind, facilitators can adjust the experience to focus on a range of communication and teambuilding challenges. Consider some of these options:
- One coach & many builders - See what happens when only one team member is sighted, and all the others are blindfolded. While the coach is directing one builder, what do the others do? How do they communicate with each other? Are they talking over each other? Do they wait for the leadership of the only one with vision?
- Two coaches & one builder - Explore how the two coaches interact. Are they both shouting instructions? Is one determining which pieces should fit together, and the other focused on communicating to the builder?
- Multiple coaches & multiple builders - Watch to see how they organize themselves and communicate with one another as you add more people to the challenge. Do they include everyone in the group or are just a few interacting?
Increase the difficulty by adding these rules:
- Only the coaches can speak; builders must be silent.
- All players are blindfolded... no sighted coaches.
- Each builder can ask only one question of the coach.
- Only one person can speak at a time.
PUZZLEBLIND PUZZLE PIECES
The game was designed to optimize the team building experience:
- Each of the 12 pieces are shaped so that each can be uniquely described.
- Every piece is recognizably different from every other piece.
- Foam material is extremely light weight so players can move pieces around easily.
- Giant size makes the activity suitable for groups of 2-6 adults.
- Multiple completed puzzles fit together, extending the application of the game to inter-group collaboration.
- Finished puzzle measures 4.5' x 6' / Individual pieces measure approximately 20" x 20"
- One side of the pieces has a texture, the other is smooth.
- 6 Blindfolds are included
SPACE & SET UP
Be sure you have ample space for the players and the puzzle. The completed puzzle measures approximately 6' x 4.5'.
Depending on the number of coaches and builders you choose, you might opt to keep all the puzzle pieces stacked in a pile or laid out on the ground.
ADDITIONAL FACILITATION NOTES ARE INCLUDED WITH THE GAME
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 |
Colourblind® Communication Team Building Kit is communication team building exercise. It's a proven experiential learning activity that builds communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Originally developed in 1991 to train Air Traffic Controllers in Great Britain—where zero margin for error is acceptable—Colourblind® has since been used worldwide across industries, languages, and cultures. Today, it is recognized by the ILM (Institute for Leadership and Management) as a Preferred Learning Material for leadership and management training.
GAME OVERVIEW
Wearing blindfolds to ensure total dependence on verbal communication, participants work together with a set of small, irregular, colored plastic shapes. The challenge: identify two missing pieces from a complete set of 30. Success requires clear descriptive language, active listening, questioning, summarizing, and feedback to achieve a shared understanding. The exercise can run 20–40 minutes and is highly adaptable for both in-person and remote teams, making it especially valuable for customer service and support roles where clarity matters most.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Develop effective two-way communication skills under challenging conditions
- Strengthen team problem-solving and collaboration
- Practice listening, questioning, and feedback for clarity
- Adapt communication styles to meet the needs of diverse teammates
- Build a common vocabulary and shared meaning around abstract concepts
- Understand cultural nuances in communication and teamwork
- Apply lessons to remote communication channels (phone, email, virtual meetings)
WHY FACILITATORS USE COLOURBLIND®
- Proven history: From Air Traffic Control training to Fortune 500 workshops, trusted for over 30 years.
- Universal relevance: Used in leadership, customer service, cross-cultural, and team development programs worldwide.
- Engaging format: Blindfolds and tactile pieces create just enough challenge to make the learning memorable.
- Scalable: Works with groups of 4–28; larger groups can assign observers to enrich the debrief.
FAQS
Q: What group size is recommended for Colourblind®?
A: The blindfolded problem-solving activity works best with groups of up to 14 participants. Larger groups can be included by assigning observer roles to watch communication patterns and contribute insights during the debrief.
Q: How much space do we need?
A: Allow enough space for everyone to sit comfortably and communicate clearly. A horseshoe-shaped arrangement of chairs is ideal, so blindfolded participants can easily receive the plastic pieces and share feedback with teammates.
Q: How does the Colourblind® game work?
A: Each participant is blindfolded and given a selection of plastic pieces. Working only with verbal communication, the group must collaborate to identify two missing shapes from a complete set of 30. The challenge highlights how complex communication becomes when visual cues are removed—and how much teams rely on clarity, feedback, and shared understanding to solve problems.
Q: How much time is needed to run the exercise?
A: Most groups complete Colourblind® in 20–30 minutes. The exact timing depends on group size, problem-solving approaches, and how effectively the team develops clear communication strategies.
Q: Why is this team building exercise valuable?
A: Colourblind® is designed to simulate real workplace communication challenges, where teams often rely on verbal channels like phone, email, or chat without shared visual context. The activity creates ambiguity and mild frustration that mirror everyday miscommunication. To succeed, participants must practice precise language, active listening, feedback, and clarification—essential skills for reducing conflict and building effective collaboration at work.
GAME ORIGINS: Colourblind® was developed in 1991 when our colleague, Dr. Geoff Cox, designed and delivered the first week of an induction training programme for Air Traffic Control cadets. Each cadet facing an intensive, demanding training programme in which teamwork and communication skills would be fundamental to success. Each, ultimately, would accept professional responsibilities which allow absolutely no margin for communication error, misunderstanding or ambiguity.
Colourblind® enabled participants to rehearse every communication skill which Air Traffic Controllers need and to highlight the problems and pitfalls which communication breakdown inevitably brings when there is no visual common ground
Since 1991 Colourblind® has been used worldwide across languages, cultures and business backgrounds, to focus on the fundamental skills of great communication.
Colourblind is also part of our Education Sector Package for those who wish to use it with students or young people in an educational setting.
SAMPLE CHALLENGE
Which are the two components that are missing from the set of shapes we have in our possession?
" I have a piece that is like a rectangle with points and a hole in the middle."
"Yes, I have one too...two points and a circular hole."
"Yes, I think I have one...does it look like a Capital A?"
"No, not an A...like a rectangle with a diamond shape lying over it..."
"Would you describe it as an arrowhead?"
"Like a triangle, but instead of having three flat sides one is an arc..."
"Does anyone know what an arrowhead is in Italian?.."
VIEW THE DEMO
INCLUDES
- 20 blindfolds (re-usable)6 puzzle pieces in each of 5 colors (total of 30 pieces)
- Facilitator Manual - full guide with set-up, delivery and review suggestions
Package Weight: 2 lbs
Colourblind is designed by RSVP Design Ltd, now validated by ILM.
WATCH THE SHOW & SHARE DEMO AND DISCUSSION
DaBridge brings Leonardo DaVinci's simple but ingenious bridge idea to life. It is made with beautiful and sturdy notched wooden stick and dowel pieces. The ingenuity of the bridge is that it doesn’t need nails or fasteners to hold it together. If built to Leonardo’s design, it gets stronger the more weight is added.
LEONARDO DAVINCI BRIDGE - INCLUDES
The DaVinci Bridge Kit includes legs and dowels to create a 6.5-foot long structure -- plenty long enough for several adults to collaborate in the building process!
- 16 square wooden legs - 24" long x 1" square
- 8 wooden dowels - 24" long x 3/4" diameter
- Convenient carry bag
ADAPTABLE FACILITATION NOTES
Robust facilitation notes provide plenty of options to make the classic DaVinci's Bridge a successful team building experience for all sorts of teams. In the basic game, a "designer" is equipped with a picture of the finished product, but isn't allowed to show the picture to the builders. Designers can only communicate building tips verbally. With limited team meetings, how well will your groups work together to get it built? Adapt the team building game to the needs of your group by adding in new challenges -- an earthquake hits; time pressure is added; intergroup colloboration is required.
- Complete notes for Architects/Builders Game
- 4 additional game variations
- Debriefing and review questions
VIEW THE VIDEO
NOTE: When completed, DaBridge measures 6.5' Long by 2' Wide and 2' High, so make sure your team has ample space to build
Hand-made in the USA.
Blocked Perspective helps to improve communication and allows the practice of healthy conflict by group discovery of the value of differing perspectives. Participants are challenged to accurately re-create block structures depicted on Photo cards.
This fun activity, created by High 5 Adventure, is fun, engaging and helps all team members see how their perspective is not necessarily the correct one or the only one of value. As participants engage and work together to solve the initiative they soon come to realize that by taking time to gather and consider all perspectives they are better able to be successful.
Group size: 6-30, depending on game variation
Each kit includes:
- 50 high-quality wooden blocks of difference shapes and sizes
- 25 photographs
- Instructions for how to play the games, and debrief 5 game variations for level of challenge
- Instructions on how to adapt games, allowing your groups to have multiple experiences with same initiative.
Kit Weight: 4 lbs
MORE RESOURCES
Challenging Assumptions: Creative Problem-Solving Game is a deceptively simple yet powerful 10–20 minute innovation training activity that reveals how our assumptions can limit creative thinking. Using four color-coded puzzles (red, blue, green, orange), this activity accommodates up to 16 participants in small groups of 3–4—sparking "aha!" moments as learners confront and question their mental models.
Learners working with this activity, aware that it is being used on programs with an element of creative thinking or innovation, often say things such as, “I'm going into this with a really open mind” or “I'm not going to make any assumptions about this.” However, these words are often uttered as they are making those very assumptions! As they realize this, the response is often laughter, surprise and a genuine recognition of the strength of some of our personal mental models. SPOILER ALERT: The "big assumption" in this activity is that all of the puzzle pieces should NOT be turned "face up" with the color showing!
Use this exercise at the start of any creative thinking or problem-solving process or to illustrate the need to make a significant change in strategy!
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Four differently colored puzzles designed for breakout use (up to four groups)
- Facilitator manual with step-by-step instructions, debrief guides, and reflection prompts
WHY IT WORKS
- Quick impact: Fits into tight agendas—ideal as an intro or energizer
- Builds awareness: Exposes how unconscious assumptions shape (and limit) our thinking
- Highly social: Small groups foster collaboration and insight through shared reflection
- Scalable and versatile: Use as an icebreaker or as a catalyst for deeper innovation labs and strategy session
NOTE. It's even received an award! It was the Winner of Camp Gamicon's "Best Use of Surprise & Delight in Gamification" and "Outstanding Gamification for Learning" in 2022.
HOW TO FACILITATE
- Divide learners into groups of 3–4, each receiving one puzzle box (by color: red, blue, green, orange).
- Allow 10–20 minutes for teams to solve the puzzle without instructions—then pause interaction.
- Debrief: Ask participants to reflect out loud where assumptions got in the way: “What did you assume that slowed you down?”
- Use guided follow-up questions to explore how assumptions influence problem-solving and how to break mental patterns.
FAQS
Q: How many people can participate in this innovation training activity?
A: The set supports up to 16 participants across four simultaneous sub-groups—ideal for small group dynamics and reflections.
Q: What experience does this create?
A: Expect laughter, surprise, and that lightbulb moment when teams realize how deeply personal assumptions shape their approach—often in ways they didn’t notice.
Q: How should I structure the debrief?
A: Prompt groups to share where they assumed too much. Ask: “What past experience blocked you? How did you adapt?” This opens awareness of self-limiting thoughts.
Q: What makes this activity unique?
A: Its simplicity belies its power—no complex materials, yet it reveals entrenched thinking patterns. Plus, it’s award-winning for its ability to surprise and delight learners.
Q: Are translations available?
A: Yes—the facilitator guide includes versions in other languages, including Latvian and Spanish.
Breaking Patterns to build Innovation Skills
So simple but such a powerful message! This activity lasts between 10 and 20 minutes and is an ideal way of raising the awareness of a group of learners about the preconceptions and assumptions we bring into new situations. This is very valuable in problem-solving or innovative thinking processes as it highlights how we can limit our thinking and reject new possibilities if they do not fit with our existing patterns.
This activity works particularly well in small groups (3 or 4 people) with a number of observers. If the players are asked to ‘think aloud' and describe what they are doing and thinking, observers can note the patterns that either limit or progress their problem-solving. It is illuminating to see how often people will identify new approaches and then reject them as being stupid, or hold on to past experiences, such as looking for corners amongst the pieces. With little facilitation, they soon recognize the need to be confident, bold and creative when tackling an unknown task!Each toolbox contains 4 puzzles of different colors (red, blue, green and orange) designed to work with a group of up to 16 people, in up to four independent sets of up to 4 people per set, comparing and contrasting approaches to 'Challenging Assumptions'.
Challenging Assumptions is a carefully researched and designed group learning activity from RSVP Design.
Improve communications skills with the Murder Mystery Deck v3
Use this popular 30-minute Murder Mystery game to improve communication skills, team building, problem solving, leadership, and more. Simply distribute the 27 clues among the participants. By sharing information, your group should be able to identify the victim, murder weapon, time and place of the murder, and motive.
As with any team building game, the true learning comes when they discuss the techniques that helped or hindered their process. Facilitation Notes included.
OBJECTIVES for MURDER MYSTERY Communication Game
- Make discussions more productive
- Enhance problem solving skills
- Differentiate "task-related" and "process-related" comments
- Discover productive team behaviors
- Increase clarity of communications
- Improve listening and questioning skills
- Aid participation and involvement
- Increase critical thinking skills
- Increase awareness of the contributions of others
APPLICATIONS
- Discussion Skills
- Facilitation Skills
- Train-the-Trainer
- Problem Solving
- Team Work
- Communication Skills
- Collaboration
- Leadership/Supervision
- Interpersonal Skills
- Empowerment Group Dynamics
Working remotely? Email a few clues to each player and try to sort it out over the phone--maybe with a shared online whiteboard! After all clear phone communication is more important now than ever!
Cards measure 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches
A great giveaway for all who contributed to a GREAT TEAM EFFORT!
Working together for a common purpose can take a lot out of everyone, as each individual sets aside their personal needs for a collective goal. When it's all over -- whether it's a new project launched or a sales target reached -- it's time to celebrate and let the team members know their efforts really mattered.
Each token is inscribed with "T.E.A.M. POWER" on one side; the reverse says "Together Everyone Achieves More."
Tokens measure 1" diameter.
Solid medium-weight metal feels great in your hand!
Sold in sets of 10 tokens. NOTE: quantity discounts shown above refer to a unit (bag of 10 tokens).
A great giveaway for all who contributed to a GREAT TEAM EFFORT!
Working together for a common purpose can take a lot out of everyone, as each individual sets aside their personal needs for a collective goal. When it's all over -- whether it's a new project launched or a sales target reached -- it's time to celebrate and let the team members know their efforts really mattered.
Each colorful 3.5" x 2" card is printed on one side with this motivational message: GO T.E.A.M. TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE.
Attached to each card is a beautiful one-of-a kind TEAM lapel pin, 1 in. diam.
Sold in sets of 10 cards/ lapel pins.
Create good vibes! Don't wait for momentous events to give positive feedback.
When groups are learning and growing together, they have a keen appreciation for where each team member started, and what they've accomplished. These pads give team members a tool to recognize one another's contributions to the group.
Use these clever notes liberally to boost learners' and colleagues' spirits, recognize large or small contributions, and inspire continued effort.
Kudos Note Pad Set (25 sheets/pad; 10 pads/set). Each pad is approx. 4" x 5.5".
Volume discounts available. Unit Prices shown refer to 1 pack of 10 pads.
A team challenge for innovation and prototyping!
The Marshmallow Challenge is a remarkably fun and instructive design exercise that encourages teams to experience simple but profound lessons in collaboration, innovation and creativity.
If you need to kickstart a meeting, get a team into a creative frame of mind, or simply want to encourage your organization to think about what it takes to dramatically increase innovation, invest 45 minutes to run a marshmallow challenge.
This broadly circulated team building experience was recently popularized by Tom Wujec, who presented a TED Talk on the subject. The Marshmallow Challenge is to build the tallest possible free-standing structure, which will support one marshmallow on the top, using only 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape and one yard of string -- in exactly 18 minutes!
ALL IN ONE CONVENIENT KIT
We've assembled all the parts into one convenient kit!
- bag of marshmallows
- box of spaghetti
- roll of masking tape
- roll of cotton twine
- tape measure
- 5 scissors
- 5 paper lunch bags
- Facilitation Notes for how to run the exercise
- 1 see-through vinyl tote to carry it all!
Surprising lessons emerge when you compare teams' performance. Who tends to do the worst? Why? Who tends to do the best? Why? What improves performance? What kills it?
The Marshmallow Challenge team building game is among the fastest and most powerful techniques for improving a team's capacity to generate fresh ideas, build rapport and incorporate prototyping -- all of which lie at the heart of effective innovation.
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.
Help speed up interactions and conversation in groups that need a spark to ignite them!
ExpressPack is an image/metaphor-based tool in the form of a pack of 53 playing cards. The wide range of photo images included provides an excellent resource to help trainers and coaches help individuals and groups to truly "Express" themselves and engage in stimulating conversations. Pictures allow individuals to express their needs and viewpoints more openly and quickly.
USES for this versatile pack are limited only by your imagination, but here are some suggestions:
Personal Development / Coaching
Cards can be used to assist individuals in their personal development. This may be in a coaching scenario, in a mentoring role, as a Manager in business, as a Youth or Community Worker or simply with someone you would like to help. A sample question might be: "Identify one card which represents where you are now, and one where you would like to be in the future." Once they have chosen their cards, ask them to express their thoughts and feelings about the cards. Once this has been done, you could ask the individual to identify a card which represents the first step on this journey.
Introductions/Getting groups started
Facilitators and trainers know what it's like to be in a room with a group where the conversations are not flowing! Often this happens at the start of a day, when the individuals are just scoping out the group and how they will contribute. ExpressPack is a great way of starting the day and helping a natural flow into other ideas you may want to introduce. For example, lay out a pack of cards and get individuals to pick a card which they think relates to them in some way and use it to introduce themselves.
Change
Change is happening all the time, individuals are developing, organizations are changing, global issues are affecting us all. Change, therefore, is part of life and a subject which can be explored using ExpressPack. Ask an individual or team, prior to a change initiative, to identify a card which represents the state of the organization now and another to show how they would like it to be in the future.
Leadership and Management Development
Leaders and Managers need to help bring clarity to situations. Some useful starting questions might include: "Pick 5 cards which represent your vision of what is important to you in your role?"
Teams
Any work with teams usually needs to focus initially on a clarity of joint understanding. A useful question dependent upon the stage of team development might be: "Pick a number of cards which illustrate your expectations of this team."
View Video Demo!
Ideal group size: 2-8
Boxed set of 53 playing cards 2 inches x 3.5 inches. A carefully researched and designed group learning activity from RSVP Design. The images were created by talented photographers and trainers Simon Whalley and Tony Wright.
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