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
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.
The mix of physical activity and conversation helps people stay engaged and attentive.
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
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.
