RA's passing around a Flop Ball during a winter retreat.

Student spinning plates during training.

Students passing Flop Ball during first year experience.

Make Orientation Feel More Human

New students are taking in a lot: new names, new places, new expectations, and a whole new version of themselves. We help campuses create playful, low-pressure moments that make it easier for students to relax, connect, and feel like they belong.

Bring that to life through:

OL Training Pop-Up Play Breaks Team Building Custom Flop Balls Interactive Keynotes

OL Training: Equip OLs to Create Connection That Sticks

"Our Orientation Leaders (Leos) have struggled in the past to be silly or playful. Very quickly the Flop Ball became the tool of orientation! Our Leos used them in their first year groups and they helped break the ice. It was a low commitment way to engage students and made it easy for them to open up. Almost a year later, we've done the exercises with divisions across campus, the professional staff, and our colleagues now rent sets of Flop Balls from us. The premise is simple - it's ok to play!"

Melissa Dalrymple, Associate Director of Student Involvement
Lafayette College

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Team Building: Help Groups Connect Fast

Orientation brings together people who are expected to lead, live, or learn alongside each other. Often before they’ve had a chance to get comfortable. Our team-building workshops help OLs, student staff, first-year students, and campus groups loosen up, laugh together, and build trust fast.

Through playful, low-pressure challenges, participants practice communication, curiosity, and vulnerability without it feeling forced. They leave with shared energy, easier conversation, and a stronger sense that they belong in the room.

What campuses notice:

students relax and open up
trust builds without awkward icebreakers
quieter participants join in
groups leave with more energy and momentum

Students standing in a circle, smiling during Flop Ball exercise.

“Thank you again for elevating our programs into event experiences. Our attendees always end up more open, engaged, and willing to explore following their session with you. It’s something I’ve come to count on."

Margo Ginsberg, Assistant Director for Programming, Duke Quantum Center

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Interactive Keynote: Not A Sit-and-Listen Session

Orientation is full of information students are supposed to remember. Our interactive keynotes give them something they can actually feel: a shared experience that gets them laughing, moving, reflecting, and connecting with the people around them.

Through story, humor, and guided play, students explore ideas like starting, getting curious, and finding their flow. They leave with a memorable message, a little more courage, and a simple reminder that drops, mistakes, and awkward first attempts are part of finding their place.

‍What campuses notice:

students engage instead of just listening
big ideas become physical, playful, and memorable
the room feels more connected and energized
Students leave with language they can carry forward

"Extraordinary performer who knows how to engage an audience and create valuable learning experiences. Outstanding."

Dr. Qubein, President, High Point University

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Pop-Up Play Breaks: Add Energy Between the Big Moments

Orientation days can be long, full, and heavily scheduled. Our pop-up play breaks create quick, low-pressure moments where students can move, reset, laugh, and connect without adding another formal session to the agenda.

Students can stop by for 30 seconds or stay for 20 minutes. With Flop Balls, footbags, spinning plates, flower sticks, diabolos, yo-yos, and other skill toys, they get something active to try and an easy way to interact with the people around them.

‍What campuses notice:

students have something active to do while they wait
natural conversations happen without forcing them
Colorful setups spark curiosity and invite participation
students can join at their own comfort level

"We had a pop-up play break on our campus as a semester end de-stress event and our students loved it. Fun and engaging and the students loved participating.”

Kathy Matson, Director of Student Life, Mount Wachusett Community College

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Custom Flop Balls: Kept. Used. Shared.

Playable swag that gets tossed around, never tossed out. Add a QR code to the back for schedules, maps, apps, or support resources, and Flop Balls become a simple way to build campus identity, spark connection, and keep useful information close at hand.

Tactile & satisfying - students pick them up immediately
Quiet play - works in lines, lounges, and at tabling
Easy to pass around - easy to start conversations

Design Flop Balls with your:
‍ Logo • Colors • Messages • Campus Resources (QR/URL)

Every custom order also includes access to the Flop Ball Playbook with ready-to-use activities, challenges, and programming ideas for Orientation and beyond.

Additional custom options available including juggling balls and footbags. Email paul@playfulcampus.com to learn more.