Drawing Toast

Drawing Toast: A Creative Icebreaker for Engaging Workshops

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Workshops are an essential tool for fostering creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving within organisations. However, getting participants into the right mindset can be a challenge. That's where I’ve found great success with "Drawing Toast" - a simple yet effective icebreaker that levels the playing field and gets everyone's creative juices flowing.

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What is "Drawing Toast"?

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"Drawing Toast" is an icebreaker exercise where participants are asked to draw the process of making toast, without using any words. The catch is that everyone has a different way of making toast, leading to a variety of creative and often humorous interpretations. It's about getting the juices flowing. Workshops need a little bit of energy inserted into it before you kick things off.

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Benefits of the Activity:

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One of the key benefits of "Drawing Toast" is that it levels the playing field, because everyone can relate to the simple task of making toast. It removes what sort of role you're in or level you are in the company, and creates a more inclusive and comfortable atmosphere for participants to engage in the workshop.

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Additionally, the activity highlights the fact that everyone thinks differently. As participants share their drawings, it becomes clear that there are many ways to approach a problem or task. This sets the stage for the rest of the workshop, encouraging participants to embrace diverse perspectives and ideas.

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We know firsthand at RUSH how successful this activity is, but have been pleased to have positive feedback from other organisations using it:

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“I used the 'drawing toast' exercise and it was a total hit. Honestly, the entire mood changed and everyone chilled out and opened up. Also, super interesting to see how everyone had a unique way of making toast (attached). I love the fact that some started as far back as growing the grain in the field, while others held true to brand and even labelled their toaster as a SMEG.”
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Carmen Hogan, Senior Digital Marketer, Blue Ocean

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Implementing "Drawing Toast" in Your Workshops:

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To run the "Drawing Toast" activity, simply provide participants with paper and drawing materials. Give them a set amount of time (usually around 3 minutes) to draw the process of making toast, emphasising that they should not use any words. Once everyone has finished, have each participant share their drawing and explain their process.

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It's important to frame the activity in a way that encourages creativity and participation. Remind participants that there are no wrong answers and that the exercise is meant to showcase how everyone thinks differently.

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Conclusion:

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"Drawing Toast" may seem like a simple activity, but its impact on workshop participation and creativity can be significant. By breaking down barriers, encouraging diverse perspectives, and injecting a bit of humour into the process, this icebreaker sets the stage for a more engaging and productive workshop. So the next time you're planning a workshop, consider starting with a slice of creativity and a side of toast.

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