Tutti Frutti is a classic participatory activity that promotes mental agility, creativity, and group interaction. Participants must write words that match previously selected categories, all starting with a specific letter. It’s ideal for breaking the ice, stimulating quick thinking, and strengthening group cohesion in a fun and competitive environment.
Preparation
- Define the purpose:
- Stimulate creativity and mental agility.
- Encourage group interaction in a relaxed environment.
- Strengthen categorization and memory skills.
- Prepare the materials:
- Sheets or boards for each participant or team (can be digital or physical).
- Pencils or pens.
- List of pre-selected categories.
- Timer to keep track of each round.
- Set up the space:
- Ensure all participants can write comfortably.
- To run the activity virtually:
- Use collaborative platforms with real-time sharing and writing features.
- Share the categories and letter via chat or shared slides.
Step-by-step instructions
- Introduction:
- Explain the purpose of the activity: to stimulate quick thinking and promote a fun, collaborative environment.
- Go over the basic rules: write words that match the given categories and begin with the selected letter.
- Organization:
- Divide participants into teams or have them play individually.
- Provide sheets or boards to each participant or team.
- Start the game:
- The facilitator randomly selects a letter and announces it to all participants.
- Participants have a limited time (e.g., 1 minute) to fill in the categories with words starting with that letter.
- Scoring:
- Give points for each valid word written in each category.
- Unique words (ones that no one else wrote) earn more points.
- The team or participant with the most points at the end wins.
- Closing:
- Reflect on the most creative or unusual words and how participants felt during the activity.
Additional example categories for different contexts:
- Education and Training:
- School subjects: math, biology, history, art, physics.
- School roles: teacher, student, principal, librarian, counselor.
- Educational tools: book, blackboard, calculator, map, projector.
- Types of learning: visual, kinesthetic, auditory, experiential, collaborative.
- Community Development:
- Social issues: poverty, unemployment, discrimination, insecurity, pollution.
- Organizations: NGO, volunteer group, foundation, cooperative, association.
- Community activities: recycling, workshops, cleanups, campaigns, meetings.
- Shared spaces: park, cultural center, library, community kitchen, sports court.
- Organizational Management:
- Departments: human resources, marketing, finance, sales, operations.
- Projects: launch, planning, audit, research, innovation.
- Workplace skills: leadership, communication, analysis, creativity, teamwork.
- Management tools: planner, calendar, software, report, diagram.
- Health and Social Wellbeing:
- Healthy foods: apple, broccoli, yogurt, nuts, carrot.
- Sports: soccer, yoga, swimming, cycling, running.
- Healthy habits: sleeping, hydrating, meditating, walking, cooking.
- Health professionals: doctor, nurse, psychologist, physical therapist, nutritionist.
- Art and Culture:
- Art genres: painting, sculpture, photography, music, theater.
- Musical instruments: guitar, piano, violin, drums, flute.
- Artists or authors: Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Mozart, Cervantes, Van Gogh.
- Cultural spaces: museum, gallery, theater, library, concert hall.
- Sustainability and Environment:
- Energy sources: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass.
- Endangered animals: polar bear, tiger, panda, dolphin, rhino.
- Recyclable waste: plastic, glass, paper, cardboard, metal.
- Sustainable actions: planting, recycling, reducing, reusing, composting.
Variations or tips to make the activity more meaningful:
- Thematic customization: Adapt categories to the group’s interests, such as technology or local culture.
- Collaborative rounds: Allow participants to work in pairs or small groups to share ideas.
- Increase difficulty: Introduce compound words or full phrases instead of single words.
- Gamification: Offer symbolic prizes for the most creative or unique words.
- Rotating leaders: Assign a different facilitator each round to encourage leadership.
- Group review: Set time aside to review the most creative or interesting answers at the end of each round.
- Cultural contextualization: Include categories related to traditions, customs, or typical foods.
- Digital integration: Use apps or collaborative tools to facilitate participation.
- Reflective dynamic: Ask participants to reflect on the most relevant words and their impact in the workshop context.
- Surprise categories: Introduce unexpected categories to keep the activity fresh and fun.
