Library Professional Development and Kinetic Play Integration for Teens

That missing piece

Have you been feeling that extra level of stress rising among your staff, the teens, or other groups in your community? You know what’s been missing? Play. There’s no time for it in school, no time in people’s busy schedules, and definitely no time when surrounded by screens.

Now, imagine teens putting down their phones and taking a study break together laughing and tossing Flop Balls back and forth. Or your staff starting a staff meeting with a quick energizer that involves tossing the Flop Ball and sharing something they're working on. The energy is different, the connection authentic, and the mood shifted. That is the power of play.

"It was fun to laugh with coworkers, especially ones I don't work with directly on a regular basis. I have already found myself playing with the flop ball a few times since the training. It makes for a great mental break and mood booster."

Betsy Gravenor-Stacey, Branch Manager, Worcester County Library

Create a more playful learning community with one or more of these:

Librarians smiling during balloon twisting teambuilding event.

Staff team building

Bring together your seasoned staff and newer hires through a shared new experience. As they learn new skills, we share our Flop-osophy which encourages a mindful approach to learning, work, and collaboration.

Train-the-trainer

Train programming staff to be able to integrate Flop Balls and other skill toys in your community. Great for teens, but also popular for adult, intergenerational, STEM, and other programs.

Librarians laughing while sharing their Fundama DIY skill toy for summer reading program.

Image of skill toy kits delivered to library professional development program.

Kinetic play kits

Make kinetic play an on-going part of your community with our conveniently packaged and easy to store Flop Ball and Skill Toy Kits. Programming resources included.

Check out our kits and other products in our shop.

"Flow Circus offers an energetic training that balances playfulness with deeper lessons of mindfulness and mental flexibility. Library staff came away with new tools, not only in how to engage with teens, but also ways to apply mindfulness techniques to their own professional development. By lessening the pressure on themselves, librarians can better serve their communities with the tips and tricks taught by Dawn and Paul."

Cathy Lancaster, Youth Services Coordinator, Library of Michigan

Custom Flop Balls

Looking for a new tool to engage your groups? The Flop Ball has you covered. Accessible and engaging, opening the door to conversations about setting goals, managing stress, and practicing mindfulness while learning new things.

Customize it with your library name, SRP theme, or sponsor logo. Get a mock-up of your custom Flop Ball here.

South Carolina State Library custom Flop Ball

A selection of custom Flop Balls created for community libraries.

Custom Flop Balls for Summer Reading Program prizes.

The reviews are in...

Thank you for an energizing and inspiring training this afternoon for our Maryland library staff. It was the perfect blend of fun and personal and professional learning and growing...so many things applicable for our personal care as well as our work with colleagues and teens. I think this training came at a perfect time for them.

Carrie Sanders, Youth Services Coordinator, Maryland State Library

Paul and Dawn are tremendous! The combination of the skill toys and the principles behind the exercises they lead you through is a perfect learning pairing. Not only are workshop participants implementing the program at their own public libraries, my supervisor has asked me to lead our Library Development team through a few of the exercises for team building!

Jasmine Rockwell, Youth Services Consultant, State Library of North Carolina

Custom Flop Ball for Island Park Public Library.

We got the Flop Balls and they are absolutely wonderful! So high quality and beautiful! They feel great! We can't wait to give them away for summer reading prizes!

Jessica Koenig, Library Director, Island Park Public Library

The team building results from engaging with Flow Circus proved to be more long lasting than studying a DISC profile, and a lot more fun!!

Michael Crumpton, Conference Chair, North Carolina Library Association

I always enjoy the challenges that are associated with the FLOP and the encouragement to practice mindfulness in such a fun way. By far the best staff development activities!!!!

Jennifer Sackett, Director, Lincoln County Public Library

Flow Circus created a fun atmosphere for staff training. Teamwork, achieving success, celebrating accomplishments were all highlighted in a fantastic way - through play! It was satisfying to see coworkers encourage each other and celebrate achievement as plates twirled, yo-yos spun, knots magically twisted and juggling balls in the air was not just an adage but a reality. This was truly a team-building experience!

Sarah Miller, Branch Services Supervisor, Gaston County Public Library

Carrie Sanders, Youth Services Coordinator

Maryland State Library

State Library of North Carolina

Jasmine Rockwell, Youth Services Consultant

I always enjoy the challenges that are associated with the FLOP and the encouragement to practice mindfulness in such a fun way. By far the best staff development activities!!!!

Jennifer Sackett, Director

Lincoln County Public Library

The team building results from engaging with Flow Circus proved to be more long lasting than studying a DISC profile, and a lot more fun!!

Michael Crumpton, Conference Chair

North Carolina Library Association