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Team BuildingBeginner

Magic Box

The Magic Box is a fun ice-breaking activity that helps participants share something personal while connecting to the workshop's theme. Each participant picks an object randomly and explains its significance, deepening interpersonal connections and setting a collaborative tone.

Duration
1m–15m
Group size
1–16 people
CCBY-SA 4.0

How to run it

  1. 1

    Prepare a selection of images or objects for participants to choose from.

  2. 2

    As the facilitator, start by selecting an object and sharing your name.

  3. 3

    Explain why you chose the object and how it relates to the workshop topic.

  4. 4

    Invite each participant to pick an object and do the same, ensuring everyone shares.

Tips

  • Encourage participants to choose their objects instinctively without overthinking.

  • Be attentive and create a safe environment to foster openness.

  • If online, consider using a whiteboard tool to display images of objects.

Variations

For remote sessions, use a digital whiteboard to facilitate sharing and view multiple images in a collaborative way.

Where it fits

team kickoffretrospective icebreakerworkshop introductionproject kickoffgroup bonding session

Frequently asked questions

When should I use Magic Box?â–¾

Use Magic Box when you want to: team kickoff; retrospective icebreaker; workshop introduction; project kickoff; group bonding session.

How long does Magic Box take?â–¾

Magic Box typically takes 1–15 minutes.

How many participants does Magic Box work for?â–¾

Magic Box works best for groups of 1–16 participants.

What materials do I need for Magic Box?â–¾

Magic Box requires no special materials — just participants and a space.

How difficult is Magic Box to facilitate?â–¾

Magic Box is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.

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Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from SessionLab. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Magic Box — Facilitation Method | Workshop Weaver