Should You Include Preschoolers in Your VBS Program?

If you've been debating whether or not you should include preschoolers in your VBS program—you're not alone! If you do include preschoolers, you'll want to be sure they have their own age-appropriate programming.

Some VBS programs include preschool, but for those that don't, you'll need to figure out how to include these precious little ones.

Preschoolers are wiggly, giggly, and filled with enthusiasm. We've created 3 VBS preschool programs with all of these characteristics in mind. Each one will work as a stand-alone program, or along with whatever VBS program you're using. They're buzzing with fun for little ones, helpers, and everyone involved. Children will explore God's Word and learn how to apply it to their lives.

The special summer edition of the Preschool All-in-One Kit includes a VBS option. Each quarter of this preschool curriculum can also be used for any time you have preschoolers (children's church, midweek, MOPS, or more). The curriculum contains a full quarter (13 weeks) of lessons, with instructions on how to adapt for a 5-day or 10-day vacation Bible school program. Plus, there's an optional Awards Program available if you'd like to supplement your kids' Bible learning. It is totally flexible and designed to work with whichever elementary program you choose.
Each day, preschoolers will:

• Participate in age-appropriate, hands-on learning centers 
• Watch a brief puppet show that introduces them to the Bible theme of the day 
• Do a finger play or action rhyme to help get the wiggles out before the Bible story 
• Hear a Bible story written for their age level 
• Learn short Bible memory words 
• Do coloring activities 
• Play games 
• Make a simple craft to take home 
• Have yummy snacks (suggestions are given in the Leader's Guide, or you may choose to use some of the snack ideas from your elementary VBS program) 

The Preschool All-in-One Kit includes everything you need to teach children ages 2-5 in one classroom! More information & samples >

The Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS is designed to supplement your elementary VBS program. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day VBS program includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals. Your little ones can travel to the Marketplace before the older children but can also enjoy the stories of Jesus written at their own level. Crafts and games in the Preschool Leader’s Guide are preschool-friendly. The preschool VBS program is completely flexible.

This VBS is available with a Preschool Leader’s Guide plus CD-ROM. This is a great way to include your younger children with activities written just for them.

Each day, preschoolers will:

• Hear a Bible story about Jesus written for their age level 
• Learn short Bible memory words 
• Do coloring activities 
• Play games 
• Make a simple craft to take home 
• Have yummy snacks (suggestions are given in the Snack Leader's Guide, or you may choose to use some of the snack ideas from the marketplace in your elementary VBS program)

The Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS includes everything you need to give children ages 2-5 their own VBS. More information & samples >

This Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS is also a great program to supplement your elementary VBS program this summer. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day VBS program includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals. Your little ones can travel to the Marketplace before the older children but can also enjoy the stories of Joseph written at their own level.

The Preschool Leader’s Guide includes decorating ideas, tips for working with preschoolers, a suggested rotation schedule, and a preschool sign-in sheet. The download contains separate job descriptions for your Snack Leader, Bible Story Leader, Games Leader, and Crafts Leader. You can print instructions for the leaders each day of your VBS so they can collect any needed supplies and decide which options to use. The download also includes registration cards, safety tips, a course overview, coloring pages with NLT and NIV memory verses, “How to Lead a Child to Christ,” recruiting tips, and lots more.

The Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS includes everything you need to give children ages 2-5 their own VBS. More information & samples >

Whichever program(s) you decide to use, you may want to begin each day of your VBS with elementary children and preschoolers together for a time of opening music. Be prepared to have one or two helpers take the two-year-olds to your preschool classroom for free play if the large group setting becomes overwhelming. We recommend ending each day with a prayer time especially for your preschoolers and then letting the preschool children have free play until their parents arrive.

So, our answer to the question, "Should we include Preschoolers in our VBS?" Yes. If you can recruit the volunteers to do so (more on that tomorrow)...you'll be glad you did when you see their eyes light up throughout the week. You'll be planting seeds in those precious little hearts, and if even one of those children comes to know Christ, it's all worth it for His kingdom.