This or That Ball

Name and Purpose

• This or That Ball is a simple, playful ice breaker that sparks conversation and helps people learn about each other.
• Players practise speaking in front of a group and making quick decisions.

a.k.a.

• Choice Ball, Question Toss

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 6-30 players | 10-15 minutes | Any space for a standing or seated circle

Materials

• 1 beach ball with A/B choice questions written on it (do not use a balloon)
• Marker for writing questions
• Optional: backup beach ball

Quick-Run Card

1. Write A/B choice questions all over a beach ball.
2. Group stands in a circle.
3. Toss the ball to a player. They read the question closest to their left thumb.
4. They share their answer, then toss to someone new.
5. Continue until everyone has had at least one turn.

Setup and Boundaries

• Pre-write questions on the beach ball before the activity (or have the group write them as part of setup)
• Form a circle, standing or seated
• Signal: facilitator manages pacing; 1 whistle = pause; 2 whistles = wrap up
• Sample questions: Bath or Shower? Dog or Cat? Book or TV? Morning or Night?

How to Play

1. The facilitator (or group) writes fun A/B choice questions all over a beach ball.
2. The group stands in a circle.
3. The leader tosses the ball to someone. That player reads the question closest to their left thumb.
4. They share their answer with the group, adding a quick “because…” if they want.
5. They toss the ball to someone who hasn’t had a turn yet.
6. Continue until everyone has had at least one turn. Go for a second round if energy is high.
7. Variation: the group can add their own questions between rounds.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Catch the ball, answer enthusiastically, toss to others
• S (Support): Help read questions for someone who needs it, track who hasn’t had a turn
• Q (Quiet): Catch the ball, give a short answer, toss on
• O (Observer): Watch and listen, join the circle when comfortable

Inclusion Adaptations

• Roll the ball instead of toss for players in wheelchairs or seated
• “Phone a friend” option: if a player doesn’t want to answer, they can ask someone to answer the same question instead

Stewardship Moment

• “We made our own game prop. Let’s take care of it so the next group can use it too.”
• Store the beach ball safely after play. Beach balls are reusable for many sessions.

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game is about quick, fun choices. There’s no wrong answer. If you get a question you’d rather skip, just spin the ball and read a different one.”
• For those not comfortable with any part of this activity, sitting out or joining as an observer is another option.
• Mid-game check: “Everyone had a turn? Want to go around again?”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Pass the ball to the next person without answering. Rejoin any time.

Risks and Mitigation

• Beach ball deflating: have a backup beach ball ready
• Inappropriate questions written by players: facilitator reviews all questions before play
• Player feels put on the spot: normalise the “spin and pick another question” option

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Quick round: toss the ball around the circle just saying names, no questions yet
• “Rapid Fire”: facilitator asks 3 quick “this or that” questions to the whole group with thumbs up/down

Debrief Questions

• What? “What was the most interesting answer you heard?”
• So What? “Did anyone’s answer surprise you? What did you learn?”
• Now What? “How does hearing people’s small preferences help you get to know them?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Store the beach ball for reuse
• Quick space check