Egypt VBS Craft: Joseph's Wristbands

Bring the feel of ancient Egypt to your VBS with this fun, decorated wristband craft.

Give each child two white paper cups. Cut off the bottom of each cup. Larger cups can be cut in half. Save the bottom for future craft projects. Cover the work area with newspapers. Provide paper towels and wet wipes for clean up.

If the child's hand will fit through the cup, slide it onto the child's wrist. If his hand is too big to fit through the cup, cut the cup in half so it will wrap onto his wrist like a bracelet. Help him trim it to the size he desires. Do this for both cups. Encourage older children to help younger ones.

Let the child paint the wristbands or decorate them with markers. He can glue or stick plastic gems and stones around the wristbands. (Point out the picture of Joseph on the cover of the "Joseph in Egypt Coloring Pages" posted on March 25 for wristband ideas.) Encourage creativity.

Another option is to have the child print the day’s memory verse or Bible point on one of the wristbands. Have the words preprinted onto stickers or mailing labels for younger children, and let them add the stickers to the wristbands.

The Bible point for the first day of  Joseph's Journey is "God gives us hope." As the children work, talk about how God gave Joseph hope during the tough times in his life. Explain that God gives us hope when we go through hard times, too.

Christian Ed. Publishers has created a new Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS to supplement your elementary VBS program from Group, Egypt: Joseph's Journey this summer. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day preschool VBS program includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals on CD-ROM. Order the spiral-bound book with CD-ROM or, if you need it tomorrow, order the download.

Egypt: Joseph's Journey VBS Decorating Ideas

Ask for the loan of large potted plants from your church members. Paint packing boxes to look like pyramid stones. Hang some sheets to use as dividers in your marketplace. Scatter a few throw pillows and rugs on the floor of some of the marketplace booths. Collect baskets for the Basket Weaver’s Shop. Hang some from the walls or display them on shelves. Low tables make great work areas for some of your shops (or lay an old door on top of a few two-by-fours). Toy desert animals add a fun touch, too. If you have outdoor areas, bring in clean sand or sandboxes with stones and rocks and potted trees and ferns.

To make your own fans, cut large cardboard circles in half. Tape on a long dowel rod handle. Glue feathers and feather boas to the semi-circle of cardboard in a rainbow pattern, alternating colors. Paint hieroglyphs on some boxes painted to look like stones. Don’t use anything with splinters or any sharp or rusty objects, however. Staple or tape the Giant Decorating Posters to your walls to give your hallways and rooms the feel of ancient Egypt.

Use the silver coins as rewards for kind, helpful behavior during each day of your VBS. Explain to the children that those who are caught being helpful each day will receive an extra coin that day. Then encourage family leaders and shopkeepers to reward thoughtful behavior with a coin (one extra coin for each child each day). Coins can be used in the marketplace—children give each shopkeeper a coin as they enter the shop. Have shopkeepers recycle the coins back to family leaders at the end of each day so they have plenty for the next day.

Draw a large pyramid or triangle shape on poster paper so the bottom is about 77 inches wide. Children can add their God Sighting Stones to the pyramid each day during your VBS program. Have them start at the bottom of the pyramid, forming one row of stones at a time. Younger children can draw their God sightings on the stones or have an older child or adult helper write the sightings for them.

Create a photo area with some large potted plants. Old sheets make wonderful backdrops and room dividers. Post some of the Giant Decorating Posters in the background or hang a large sheet on the wall with pillars on each side to resemble a palace. Place a colorful fan, a spear, and a shield nearby. Take a picture of each child wearing his family belt along with his Egyptian wristband, collar, necklace, and/or headband. Send the picture to him or her the week after VBS. (A Egyptian wristband craft will be posted on this blog next week.) Include an invitation to your next children’s ministry event (Bible club, fall festival, or Sunday school kick-off) and a note reminding the child (and his parents) about the fun time they had at VBS.

Need more decorating ideas? Take a look at the Egypt Clip Art and Resources CD for signs, pictures, publicity pieces, and costume patterns. Also watch the exciting decorating options on the Decorating Places DVD.

Use the new Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS from Christian Ed Warehouse this summer to supplement your elementary VBS program from Group, Egypt: Joseph's Journey. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day preschool VBS program includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals on CD-ROM. You can view samples and take a look at the contents and course overview for the Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS. Order the spiral-bound book with CD or, if you need it tomorrow, order the download version.

Now you’re ready to travel back to ancient Egypt for the VBS journey of a lifetime!

Egypt: Joseph's Journey Coloring Pages

Here are some coloring pages we’ve created for the Egypt: Joseph’s Journey VBS. There is a coloring page for each day plus a cover page with a picture of Joseph and his brothers—a total of six pages. Each coloring page after the cover has the daily memory verse and the Bible theme. There is a set of coloring pages for the New Living Translation and a separate set for the New International Version. (The NLT is the version used on the Bible memory makers.) In most cases, we included the entire NIV verse. You can feel free to shorten the verse by whiting out the final phrase before copying the coloring page.

If you use a different Bible version than the ones given, feel free to cut off or white out the verse and replace it with the version you prefer. Each coloring page shows a picture to complement the Bible memory verse for that day. The coloring pages come in sets of 6 pages for just $1.99 for the set. The best part is, you can make as many copies as you need!

Check back each week for additional coloring pages—we’re working on a set for SonRock Kids Camp. (Rainforest VBS coloring pages are included in the post from February 22, Hero Headquarters pages were posted on March 4, Kingdom of the Son were poster on March 11, and High Seas pages were posted on March 18.) If you have another VBS program for which you’d like coloring pages, just leave a comment.

If you’d like to take a look at any of these VBS Starter Kits, visit Shop VBS for more information and to order your starter kits.

Christian Ed. Publishers has created a new Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS to supplement your elementary VBS program from Group, Egypt: Joseph's Journey this summer. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day preschool VBS program includes a spiral-bound Leader's Guide plus Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals on CD-ROM. Or, if you need it tomorrow, order the download version. May God bless you as you begin your VBS adventure and teach children (and families) about God's constant care!

 

(Click on the images above to go to the coloring pages.
NLT is on the left and NIV is on the right.)

High Seas Craft: Spyglass Telescope

Set sail for your High Seas Expedition VBS with this fun telescope craft.

Give each child one piece of construction paper, a blank mailing label, and one empty paper towel tube. (Clear plastic lids are optional. Clear lids from chip cans and yogurt cups work well.) Have the child paint the paper towel tube and decorate it to look like a spyglass or telescope.

While the tube dries, have him print the day’s memory verse or Bible point on a mailing label. Have the words preprinted for younger children. Say the memory verse together while the children work.

When the tube is dry, help each child roll a sheet of construction paper into a tube that will just fit inside the painted tube. Have him place the paper roll in the tube and tape it together so the paper roll is as large as possible. Encourage older children to help younger ones.

Show the child how to twist the tubes so the paper roll slides in and out of the cardboard tube to form the scope. Have the child say a silent prayer of thanks for each classmate as he looks at him or her through the telescope.

To cover the end of the telescope, give each child a clear plastic lid or a piece of clear plastic. Have him trace the end of the paper roll onto the lid or plastic and cut out a circle slightly larger than the opening of the roll. Let him glue or tape the plastic circle to the end of the paper roll.

The Bible point for Day 2 of the High Seas Expedition VBS is that God’s Word is comforting. As the children work, talk about how God comforted Paul in a storm and how God comforts us when we go through hard times.

High Seas Decorating Ideas

Hang netting from the walls (soccer nets can be used as fishing nets) and place sea stars and shells in the netting and on the floor beneath it. Toy sea animals add a fun touch, too. If you have outdoor areas, bring in clean sand or sandboxes with shovels, pails, and more shells. Paint a large box to look like an open treasure chest (or use a large trunk) and fill it with gold paper or newspaper spray-painted gold. Then place gold and silver coins, colorful beaded necklaces, and other fun “treasures” on top so they spill out. Seat a toy parrot on top of the chest. You can also place several smaller treasure chests around your VBS area.

Hang some life preservers on your walls. Ask church members for old trunks, compasses, large bells, small sailor’s hats, camping equipment, old ship’s wheels, barrels, and anything else nautical you can use to decorate your rooms. Don’t use anything with splinters or any sharp or rusty objects, however. Staple ocean wave borders or blue fabric to your walls for an ocean effect. An old mop and a bucket also make wonderful props.

Fish squirts are fun decorations that can be placed in a tub of water for a wet play area. This also makes a great place for cooling off the children on a hot day. Give your student leaders and adult helpers spray bottles of water to squirt children who get warm during your game time and need a way to cool off.

Create a photo area with a large barrel, rope, old maps, a sail, an anchor, and anything nautical you can find. Old sheets make wonderful sails. Hang a High Seas Banner in the background. Take a picture of each child holding a spyglass and send it to him or her the week after VBS. (A spyglass telescope craft will be posted on this blog next week.) Include an invitation to your next children’s ministry event (Bible club, fall festival, or Sunday school kick-off) and a note reminding the child (and his parents) about the fun time they had at VBS.

Now you’re ready to set sail for an exciting VBS ocean adventure!

High Seas VBS Coloring Pages

Here are some coloring pages we’ve created for the High Seas VBS. There is a coloring page for each day—a total of five. Each coloring page has the daily memory verse and the Bible point. There is a set of coloring pages for the New Living Translation and a separate set for the  New International Version. (The NLT is the version used on the Bible memory posters.) Each set of five coloring pages is just $4.99 for the set. If you use a different Bible version than the ones given, feel free to cut off or white out the verse and replace it with the version you prefer. Each coloring page shows a picture from the Bible story for that day of VBS.

Check back each week for additional coloring pages—we’re working on a set for Egypt: Joseph’s Journey and SonRock Kids Camp. (Rainforest VBS coloring pages are included in the post from February 22, Hero Headquarters were posted March 4, and Kingdom of the Son were posted March 11.) If you have another VBS program for which you’d like coloring pages, just leave a comment.

If you’d like to take a look at any of these VBS Starter Kits, visit Shop VBS for more information and to order your starter kits.

May God bless you as you prepare to teach children (and families) about God's love!

(Click on the images above to download the pages—
NLT is on the left and NIV is on the right)

Kingdom of the Son Craft: Loaves & Fishes

Day 2 of the Kingdom of the Son VBS features the Bible story of Jesus’ miracle with the loaves and fishes and the left-over baskets of food. Here’s a craft you can use to help your students remember the Bible story and the memory verse. Copy the craft pattern for each child. This pattern is a download you can purchase for just $1.99. Then print as many patterns with instructions as you need.

Hand out scissors, markers, and tape. Also give each child a 2-inch square of construction paper. Let each child cut out a boy and the rectangle of baskets from the craft page. Have each child print the memory verse (or the Lord’s Prayer) on the back of the rectangle. Continue by following the directions on the craft page.

Encourage the children to show the craft to their friends and tell them about the miracle Jesus did and all the food that was left over. Show the students how to unfold the baskets as they tell the story, then turn the baskets over to show the memory verse or Lord’s Prayer.

Click on the image above to download the Loaves and Fishes Craft.

Kingdom of the Son Coloring Pages

Here are some coloring pages we’ve created for the Kingdom of the Son VBS. There is a coloring page for each day—a total of five. Each coloring page has the daily memory verse and the lesson focus. There is a set of coloring pages for the New International Version and a separate set for the King James Version. (The King James Version is used on the teaching visuals, bookmarks, and other Kingdom of the Son printed materials.) Best of all, each set of five coloring pages is just $1.99 for the set! If you use a different Bible version than the ones given, feel free to cut off or white out the verse and replace it with the version you prefer. Each coloring page shows a picture of the Bible story or children learning about God's Word.

In addition, Gospel Light has a Coloring Poster you can print and copy for your students. It has a place for them to put their name and age and it features the Kingdom of the Son logo. You may want to make a coloring booklet for each child with the Coloring Poster on top, followed by the coloring pages for each day. At the end of your VBS week, your students will have a booklet with the entire Lord's Prayer—a fun keepsake reminder of their week at vacation Bible school.

Check back each week for additional coloring pages—we’re working on a set for High Seas Expedition; SonRock Kids Camp; and Egypt: Joseph’s Journey. (Rainforest VBS coloring pages are included in the post from February 22, and Hero Headquarters were posted March 4.) If you have another VBS program for which you’d like coloring pages, just leave a comment.

If you’d like to take a look at any of these VBS Starter Kits, visit Shop VBS for more information and to order your Starter Kits.

You can make as many copies of these coloring pages as you need for your VBS program. May God bless you as you prepare to teach children (and their families) about how much God loves them!

(Click on the images above to download the pages—
KJV is on the left and NIV is on the right)

Hero Headquarters Craft: Naaman Puppet

Let your students make a Naaman puppet craft for your Hero Headquarters VBS program this summer. The Bible story the first day is about the servant girl who told Naaman's wife that God's prophet would be able to heal him of his leprosy.

Before your first day of VBS, print the Bible memory verse (I Timothy 4:12) onto stickers or labels. Make one sticker for each child.

Give each child a craft stick, some small white hole punch dots (optional), glue, tape, blue construction paper, a paper cup, scissors, and markers. Copy the Naaman puppet pattern for each child. (There are two puppets per page.) This pattern is a download you can purchase for just $1.99. Then print as many patterns with instructions as you need. 


Let the child cut out the Naaman puppet and fold it in half. Have the child glue the figure around the craft stick so the stick becomes a long handle for the puppet. Have him add some round white stickers or hole punch dots (if you wish) to Naaman’s arms and legs on just the leprosy side of the puppet.

Help the child cut a slit in the bottom of the paper cup so the craft stick can fit into it. Let him cover the outside of the cup with blue construction paper or decorate it with blue markers so it looks like the Jordan River. Show the child how to put the end of the craft stick into the cup and poke it through the bottom of the cup. Let him pull the craft stick until the puppet is completely inside the cup.

If he wishes, the child can glue a small amount of tissue paper around the inside bottom of the cup around the puppet to give the effect of water. Push the craft stick up and down as if Naaman (with leprosy spots) is dipping himself in the river seven times. After the seventh time, turn the cup so Namaan comes out of the water without spots, cleansed of his leprosy.

Make sure names are on the cups. Let each child add a memory verse sticker to the craft. Kids can also print the Scripture reference, 2 Kings 5:1-14, on the cup as a reminder of Naaman’s story and where the story is found in the Bible.

As the children work, talk about ways they can tell others about Jesus this week. Say the memory verse together a few times.

Click on the image above to download the Naaman Puppet and craft instructions.

Hero Headquarters VBS Ideas

The large Color-It Mural  for Hero Headquarters is a great way to involve all your kids! Let children color it before VBS to introduce them to the theme (and help decorate your VBS rooms). Or you can hang it during VBS and have students color it as they arrive. Tape one to the wall in your preschool room (at the children’s eye level) and let your little ones add HHQ Stickers and color the mural during their free play times.

Kids will love collecting the Bible Pin Pals to wear on their lanyards. There is a pin for each day of your 5-day VBS program. Each pin includes the Scripture reference for the day and a fun logo to help the kids remember the daily Bible story. Pin Pals come in sets of 5 different pins. Order one set for each child. Each day, have a leader show the children the pin for that day and help them review the Bible story (and memory verse portion) that goes with it. 

Before VBS begins, gather additional pins for each of your leaders to wear. (Ask church families to donate old pins; make sure none have sharp edges.) Watch for kids who are being kind and helpful each day during your VBS. Then let the kind child choose a pin from those his leader is wearing. Some children may want to trade pins with VBS leaders during the week. Build excitement by featuring a pin trading post that children can visit during their snack time or before and after VBS each day. Kids love to collect pins to wear on their lanyards during the week. 

Hero VBS Coloring Pages

Here are some coloring pages we’ve created for the Hero Headquarters VBS. There is a coloring page for each day—a total of five. Every page has a portion of the daily memory verse, I Timothy 4:12. Each day we've added a few more words to the verse so by Day 5 the entire verse is shown. There is a set of coloring pages for the New International Version and a separate set for the King James Version. (These are the versions used on the Bible memory posters.)  If you use a different Bible version than the ones given, feel free to cut off or white out the verse and replace it with the version you prefer. Each coloring page shows a picture of children sharing or being kind or talking about God's Word in addition to the daily Bible verse. Best of all, each set of five coloring pages is just $4.99 for all five pages!

Check the Coloring Pages label for additional coloring pages—we have a set for High Seas Expedition; Egypt: Joseph’s Journey; and Kingdom of the Son. (Rainforest VBS coloring pages are included in the post from February 22.) If you have another VBS program for which you’d like coloring pages, just leave a comment.

If you’d like to take a look at any of these VBS Starter Kits, visit Shop VBS for more information and to order your starter kits.

You can copy as many of these coloring pages as you need for your VBS program. May God bless you as you teach children (and families) about Jesus—the greatest hero of all!

(Click the images above to download the pages—
KJV is on the left and the NIV is on the right)

Rainforest VBS Craft: Flowerpot Plants

Let your students make flowerpot plants for your Rainforest VBS program this summer. The Bible story the first day is the story of the sower. Give your kids a chance to be sowers during your craft time.

Collect a small flower pot for each child. Also provide potting soil, a craft stick and a few small stones for each child, permanent markers, stickers, construction paper, glue, tape, paint, paintbrushes, paint shirts, water, paper towels, wet wipes, grass seeds (or bean or flower seeds), and plastic spoons or small scoops.

Cover the work area with newspapers or do this craft outside. Have each child put on a paint shirt. Old VBS T-shirts or small, short-sleeved adult shirts work well for paint shirts.

Before your first day of VBS, print the Bible memory verse (Psalm 119:11) onto stickers or labels. Make two for each child.

Have each child print his name on the bottom of his flowerpot and then paint it. Encourage the children to be creative, painting swirls, stripes, dots, flowers, or whatever they choose on their pots. Let each child put a few small stones in the bottom of his pot and then just cover the stones with potting soil. Have him sprinkle some seeds on top and fill the pot with soil. Let him water the soil. (Eyedroppers work well for preschoolers so the plants aren't over watered.)

Give each child a craft stick and let him decorate it as a "garden marker." Let him decorate it with markers and stickers. Have him add the two Bible verse stickers to the top of the craft stick (placing the stickers back to back) to complete the marker.

As the children work, talk about ways they can "sow God's Word" or tell others about Jesus this week.  Say the memory verse together a few times.

SonQuest Rainforest Decorating Ideas

Dye old bed sheets shades of green. Ask your church members…they may have old sheets with rips or stains they no longer use. Staple or pin the washed and dyed sheets to the ceiling for a rainforest canopy effect. Tape some of the sheets to your walls (about waist high) to resemble tall grass.


Twist green and black or brown streamers to look like vines. Drape them around the room. Tuck plush rainforest animals among the vines. Scatter a few green or brown shag area rugs around the room. Use Rainforest Mural Posters to decorate your hallways and classroom walls.


Mosquito netting can hang from a wall or corner of the room with a few plush animals tucked in it. Bring in a hammock or two for children (or volunteers) to relax in during their free time.


Hang the Rainforest Coloring Mural at the children's eye level in one of your hallways. Encourage the kids to color it during their free time. Let the children add Rainforest Wall Clings to your windows and walls and rearrange them each day of your VBS program.


Need more decorating ideas? Take a look at Rainforest bulletin board sets and other classroom decorations. Also read through the three levels of decorating options on the Rainforest Decor and More CD.


Read creative VBS ideas for High Seas Expedition; Hero Headquarters; SonRock Kids Camp; Egypt: Joseph's Journey; Kingdom of the Son; and Wildwood Forest.

Rainforest Animal Fun for Preschoolers

Help your preschoolers develop their imagination and motor coordination by imitating God's creatures during your Rainforest (or Wildwood Forest) VBS this summer:

• Gorilla or Chimpanzee: Scratch your sides as you bend your knees, jump or walk, and make appropriate noises.
• Flamingo: Stand straight and lift one foot, raising the foot as high as you can. Spread your arms as wings, and then tuck them in close to your body.
• Wildcat: Arch your back, reaching down to the floor with your hands. Then scratch the air with your claws and leap around the room. 
• Elephant: Hold your hands together, bend at the waist, and extend your arms down to the floor, swinging your arms back and forth as your trunk. Take large steps.
• Bird: Flap your arms as wings while running around the room.
• Alligator: Hold your palms together, arms stretched out in front of you, and move your arms apart then together, pretending they're an alligator's mouth.
• Snake: Wiggle on the ground on your tummy then curl up, next uncurl and stretch out, finally slither along the ground.
• Bear: Start on all fours, growl, then straighten up on two feet, pretend your hands are paws, and claw the air as you growl once more.
• Frog: Squat down with your hands touching the ground. Leap up quickly, then return to a squat as you hop around the room. Catch a fly for lunch by quickly sticking out your tongue then pulling it back in.
• Butterfly: Begin as a caterpillar crawling on the ground. Wrap yourself into a chrysalis by turning around and around. Now begin to flap your wings to break out of your cocoon. Flap a bit faster as you break out of the cocoon as a beautiful butterfly and fly (run or tiptoe) around the room.