Ball of thread is a collaborative activity designed to visually represent the connections between participants and their ideas. Using a ball of thread, participants build a symbolic network that highlights interdependencies, group strengths, and interpersonal relationships. This activity is ideal for fostering group cohesion, reflecting on collaboration, and visualizing how each person contributes to the collective.
Preparation
- Define the purpose:
- Foster collaboration and teamwork.
- Visualize the connections between group members.
- Promote mutual understanding and group cohesion.
- Prepare the materials:
- A ball of thread, thin rope, or yarn (one per group).
- A spacious area where participants can form a circle.
- Optional: Labels or cards to identify roles, ideas, or specific concepts.
- For conducting the activity virtually:
- Use collaborative platforms that allow participants to create visual connections, such as drawing lines between names or icons on an interactive board.
Step-by-step instructions
- Introduction:
- Explain the purpose of the activity: to build a visual representation of how ideas or people are connected within the group.
- Emphasize that the exercise requires attention, active listening, and collaboration.
- Forming the group:
- Ask participants to form a large circle so that everyone can see and hear each other easily.
- Starting the thread network:
- The first participant takes the ball of thread, holds onto the end, and shares something about themselves (e.g., a value, an idea, a goal, or an interest).
- They then pass the ball of thread to another person in the circle while explaining how they are connected (e.g., “I’m passing the thread to you because we share an interest in…”).
- The person receiving the ball repeats the process, holding onto part of the thread and passing the rest to another participant.
- Building the thread network:
- Continue the process until all participants are connected, forming a visible web of thread.
- Group reflection:
- Once the network is complete, guide the group in a reflective discussion:
- What does this network represent for the group?
- What did you discover about the connections between participants?
- How does it feel to be part of this network?
- Closing:
- Highlight collective learnings and the importance of working together as an interconnected system.
- Thank participants for their willingness and openness.
Variations or recommendations to make the activity more meaningful:
- Reversed connection role: Instead of throwing the ball of thread spontaneously, participants raise their hands to request the thread, indicating they have something specific to share or contribute. This encourages proactivity and reflects on the importance of seeking help or support.
- Using cards with prompts: Introduce cards with questions or themes to guide the connections, such as:
- What value do you share with someone else in the group?
- What personal skill do you bring to the group?
- What significant experience have you had that could inspire others?
- What have you learned today that changed your perspective?
- What positive emotion would you like to share with someone in the group?
- What group action has made you feel grateful?
- What meaningful connection have you made during this activity?
- What goal do you think the group should prioritize?
- What group success would you like to celebrate in the future?
- How do you plan to contribute to the group’s success?
- What skill or knowledge would you like to share with someone here?
- What joint project would you like to start with someone in this group?
- What do you admire in the person to whom you will throw the thread?
- What quality of someone here would you like to highlight?
- What recent action by a teammate did you find admirable?
- Thread by thematic colors: Provide balls of thread in different colors, with each color representing a theme or concept (e.g., leadership, empathy, innovation). Participants throw a thread of the corresponding color to what they want to share, creating a more detailed and structured visual network.
- Connection by roles: Assign specific role labels to participants (e.g., “leader,” “creator,” “mediator”). Participants must throw the thread to those roles with which they feel connected within the group context.
- Reverse symbolism: Start with a pre-formed network and progressively dismantle it, symbolizing how the group can break down barriers or resolve conflicts.
- Question-answer network: Each participant throws the thread while asking a question, and the person who receives the thread answers before throwing it to someone else with a new question.
- Connection by future actions: Instead of sharing something from the present, participants can express how they plan to collaborate or support the group in the future, creating a symbolic network of commitments.
- Incorporating symbolic objects: Instead of just using the thread, accompany the throw with a small object (e.g., a card with an inspirational phrase or a symbol related to the activity’s theme).
- Strategic throwing: Ask participants to throw the thread to someone who represents a strength or quality they admire in the group, encouraging mutual recognition.
- Reflective closure: After forming the network, ask participants to share what the connection or thread they threw represented to them, allowing for deeper reflection.
