No.274
Many Uses: Object Brainstorm
Japanese name: モノの使い道ブレスト
Materials
- 1 familiar, safe object, such as a paper cup, per group
- Large paper and a pen
- A timer
How to play
- Choose a facilitator and recorder in each group. Show a paper cup and ask, “What could this be used for besides drinking?” Nobody needs to test unsafe suggestions.
- Think individually for 1 minute. Then, for 3 minutes, everyone offers uses freely while the recorder writes down every idea.
- Do not criticise ideas while generating them. Welcome even unlikely suggestions, and build new ideas from other people’s contributions.
- Stop at the time limit and group similar ideas. Count the uses, then let each person choose one favourite idea.
- Share the thinking strategies used, such as changing what goes inside the cup or combining objects. To repeat, change the object, facilitator and recorder.
Ways to adapt
Primary children can point at the object and describe ideas aloud while an adult records everyone’s suggestions.