When VBS is Over

Many of you have already had your VBS. We hope it was spectacular! Did you take lots of pictures? Maybe you have pictures of your kids proudly holding their crafts or playing a crazy game. Of course you have the precious photos of everyone gathered together praising our Lord! But what should you do with all of your pictures? An all-church slideshow, perhaps. But what about all the VBS memorabilia…the leader guides, the registration cards, posters, etc.? It would be heartbreaking to throw it all away, yet you don’t want it to just collect dust.

Make a VBS scrapbook!

“I’m not a scrapbooker,” you say. 

Well, anyone can make a scrapbook! (Plus, it’s such a popular thing to do these days…you’ll probably find many people in your church who would like to help!) With your VBS memories and some help from your kids, you have all the inspiration you need right at your fingertips! Use this idea for your VBS follow-up. Invite your kids back to sing songs from VBS and help put together a VBS scrapbook.

What to save:

• Flyers, posters, bulletin inserts, ads (any promotional material)
• Teaching visuals
• Tickets, registration cards, raffle tickets
• Two-dimensional crafts
• Stickers
• Fundraising materials
• Leader’s Guides
• Activity Sheets
• Anything else related to your VBS that will fit into your scrapbook!

Supplies you’ll need:

• Colored cardstock
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Patterned scrapbook paper (optional)
• Scrapbook(s) (see size options below)
• Page protectors (see below)
• Stencils (optional)
• Colored markers/pens
• Stickers

Make sure your supplies, such as paper and glue, are acid-free. Most come acid-free these days…this will ensure that it doesn’t ruin your photos! (Construction paper is not acid-free.)

Class Scrapbook

If you are making one scrapbook, we recommend a 12” x 12” scrapbook with plastic sheet protectors (available at your local craft store or we love Close to my Heart's albums available here). The bigger size makes it easier for you to fit more memorabilia on each page, especially since a lot of your items are bigger than a normal 8.5” x 11” page. And the sheet protectors are good since many items will not be completely flat. Some sheet protectors already come with white paper, so you can add them to your supplies.

Mini Books for Each Child

If you have each child make his own scrapbook, you may want to give him a smaller book. Mini-books are popular...you can give each child a few small (6" x 6" or so) sheets of chipboard to decorate and add pictures, then hold them together with ring clasps. If your budget is tight you can have the children provide their own chipboard pieces or small books/journals to decorate. You may still want to use a 12” x 12” book for your class scrapbook.

Oversize Items

If you have posters and other memorabilia that are too big for your book, cut them to use as your background paper. Cut the covers off your leader’s guides to add to your scrapbook, along with any inside pages you want to keep. You can also use them as background paper if you’d like. If you’re making one book, let your kids help by making borders, adding their crafts and stickers, and gluing photos. Cut out fun pictures from your teaching materials to help decorate. Use anything you have saved that has to do with your VBS!

Add Photo Borders

If you add a solid-colored frame around your photos it makes them really stand out. Glue your photo to a piece of cardstock, leaving some room around the edges. Cut around the picture, leaving a border (fancy-edged scissors add a fun effect). You may especially want to use this technique if you are gluing pictures on top of a patterned background so the solid border makes the photos pop!

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Here are some stickers for the various VBS 2012 themes that may help you decorate your scrapbooks...

  
     



   

  

Preschool VBS Programs

Many of you have most likely debated over whether or not you should include preschoolers in your VBS program—and you're not alone! If you do include preschoolers, you'll want to be sure they have their own age-appropriate programming, which some programs don't include.

Preschoolers are wiggly, giggly, and filled with enthusiasm. We've created 2 specially-designed VBS preschool programs with these characteristics in mind. Each one will work as a stand-alone program, or along with whatever VBS program you're using.

The Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS is a five-day VBS program including Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals. Your little ones can travel to the Marketplace and 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 program 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 (or use as a stand-alone Preschool 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 and 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.

This program 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.

You can shop all VBS programs in our VBS Store. We guarantee the lowest prices, plus you'll receive FREE SHIPPING on order of $99 or more. Shop now >

Go Fish Guys 2012: Praise VBS

Praise VBS: Where Kids Get Down And Lift God High

How do you give kids a high view of God? Go Fish believes it is by modeling a high view of Scripture. As churches have come to expect, the complete curriculum kit contains everything you need to run your VBS program, including all print and promotional materials on an easy to use CD-ROM.

This is the third curriculum from Go Fish and it is evident that churches have gravitated to their unique approach to VBS. Each day kids will focus on an attribute of God (Greatness, Authority, Providence, Power & Love) and then praise Him in response. Kids will be actively using their Bibles during Praise VBS. Through the daily skits, karaoke, crafts, snacks, games, and music, kids will have an awesome time while giving God the praise only He deserves. 

Featuring music from Go Fish along with Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, your kids will be movin’ and groovin’ to the praise music. Kids will love the animated character DJ Pray-Z as he leads them each day in learning some sweet new moves while learning that they exist to give God praise!

Praise VBS challenges kids to respond to God's sacrificial love with love, trust, and courageous obedience.

Praise VBS Starter Kit: $159.00 (Reg. $199.00) #794504182026 

Take a look at the  Praise VBS course overview below. Check back for VBS updates and new blog posts each week. Visit Shop VBS to see all of the 2012 VBS programs and special offers.

Praise VBS Course Overview

Day 1 - Praise God For His Greatness
Scripture Focus: Daniel 2-3, Isaiah 42:8
There is no object in heaven or on earth that is worthy of our praise. After studying the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, kids will see that even King Nebuchadnezzar ended up giving praise to the one true God.
Day 2: Praise God For His Authority
Scripture Focus: Daniel 6, 2 Chronicles 20:6
There is no man that is worthy of our praise. After studying the biblical account of Daniel and the lion’s den, kids will see that even King Darius ended up giving praise to the one true God.
Day 3: Praise God For His Providence
Scripture Focus: Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 121
Even evil spirits acknowledge that there is only one true God. After Paul and Silas are thrown into jail for confronting an evil spirit they were beaten, put into shackles, and imprisoned. Once again the result was praise to God by Paul, Silas, their jailer and even his family!
Day 4: Praise God For His Power
Scripture Focus: Luke 24:1-8, Romans 6:22-23
There is nobody else who has the power to save. We are all prisoners to sin, but just like Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Daniel, Paul, and Silas we can be rescued from our shackles and give God the praise only He deserves.
Day 5: Praise God For His Love
Scripture Focus: Romans 8:39, 1 John 4:9-10, Galatians 4:6-7
God is love. His ultimate demonstration of this was sending Jesus to earth to take the punishment we deserve for our sin. By providing a way for us to be forgiven, God’s love naturally results in our giving praise back to Him. The gospel will be clearly presented on this most important day.

Concordia Publishing 2012 VBS: Amazing Desert Journey

Take your students on an Amazing Desert Journey with Jesus in 2012. Together they will sing, pray, and play as they learn how Jesus leads and goes with them on the journey of life. These new materials from Concordia Publishing will help your volunteers plan, prepare, and produce a VBS with purpose—to teach children about their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Amazing Desert Journey Starter Kit includes everything you need to start your adventure, including sample student materials, leader materials, publicity, and crafts.

Director Materials

• Director Guide (includes CD)
• Preschool Leader Guide (includes CD)
• Publicity Sample Pack (includes Publicity Postcard, Publicity Poster, Caravan Name Tags)

Leader Materials

• Oasis Opening/Closing Leader Pack (with DVD)
• Tent of Meeting Storytelling Leader Pack
• Desert Travel Tunes Music Leader Guide
• Desert Journey Bible Challenge Leader Pack (with CD)
• Craft Bazaar Leader Pack
• Marketplace Munchies Snack Leader Pack
• Desert Games Leader Pack

Student Materials

• Student Sample Pack (includes Student Travel Journal: Preschool Leaflets, Student Travel Journal: Elementary Leaflets, Desert Doodads Student Identifiers, Caravan Collectibles)
• Craft Sample Pack (includes Share Jesus Flyer Craft, Light of Life Lantern Craft, Jesus Saves Me Sand Art Craft)

Amazing Desert Journey Starter Kit: $103.99
Take a look at the Amazing Desert Journey Starter Kit. Check back for VBS updates and sneak previews each week. Then visit Shop VBS to compare VBS programs, view details, and order your starter kits.

2012 VBS Timeline: 6-9 Months Before Your VBS

Begin your VBS planning with prayer. Pray with your ministry staff, organize a prayer team, and begin asking God to guide and direct your VBS planning. Next, choose your dates and time for your VBS program. If you do a VBS plus a sports camp, choose the dates for both. Put them on the church calendar and add them the church website.

Click on the VBS Timeline above to see the larger and expanded view. Visit Shop VBS to see the VBS overviews and Scripture themes for 2012.  At Shop VBS you can listen to music and video clips, see the daily Bible lessons, find VBS hints and tips, and read our report, "Seven Steps to a Succesful VBS." You can also download a VBS Comparison Chart we've put together to help you decide which program(s) you'd like to review.

Warehouse Sale This Week!

Visit ChristianEdWarehouse.com for 99¢ specials on last year's VBS materials plus curriculum, music, and books. You can save up to 80% on worship bulletins, music CDs, resource books, and lots more! These items are going fast, and many are limited in quantity.

Sale items are offered on a first-come, first served basis. So hurry on in to our warehouse and get some great deals. This is an awesome way to stock your resource room before the new year at incredible prices.

Please note: These items are offered on a final sale basis, no returns, credit card only. Expedited and Priority shipping are not available.

Standard Publishing 2012 VBS: Adventures on Promise Island

Each day on Promise Island, kids will see God at work in the lives of Old and New Testament Bible people and realize that God’s promises are for us, too!


Kick off your sandals, sit back in the sand and explore the resources below. God’s promises never change, but your life definitely will!


The Power Pak includes:

• Ultimate Decorating Pack & Guide
• Publicity & Recruiting CD
• God’s Promises Poster Pack
• Lifeguard Lagoon Bible Story Poster Pack
• Super Fun Activity Tablecloth
• Activity Pad
• Coconut Café Apron
• Art & Decorating CD
• Kid Views DVD

PLUS everything in the Starter Kit:

• Director’s Guide
• Preschool Director’s Guide
• Planning DVD
• Get Started Instructions
• Samples Pack
• All five site leader’s guides
• Seaside Celebration Dual CD Set (Music & More)
• Teacher guides for four age levels
• Student books for four age levels
• Exclusive Director’s Bible Pin Pal

Adventures on Promise Island: 

Power Pak $199.99

Starter Kit $69.99

Take a look at the overview:

Click on the image above for a larger view.

VBS Clearance Sale This Week

We're clearing out our warehouse and you'll save 30%-50% on leftover VBS items this week. Hurry! Quantities are extremely limited. We have Pandamania Memory Buddies, Bamboo Border Trim, Pal's Bible Play Pack, Gold Rush Super Starter Kits,   MegaSports Go the Distance Water Bottles with Gospel Balls, SonSurf Magnets, High Seas Outdoor Banners, and lots more!

These items will sell out quickly so don't miss the chance to save big. As our blog readers, we're giving you advance notice of the sale. For you, it begins today. Visit our VBS Sale now.

Go the Distance Coloring Pages

Here are some coloring pages we’ve created for Go the Distance, the Mega Sports Camp VBS. There is a coloring page for each day—a total of five plus a cover page. The coloring pages have the daily memory verse portion and the lesson focus and Scripture. Each day we've added a few more words to the verses so by Day 5 both verses, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, are shown in their entirety.

This set of coloring pages contains memory verses in the New International Version. 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 about Paul being taught that day. There are five coloring pages plus a cover page—all for just $4.99 per set. Best of all, you can make as many copies of these pages as you need!

You may want to make a coloring booklet for each child with coloring pages for each day stapled together. At the end of your VBS week, your students will have a booklet with the entire VBS Bible stories and memory verses—a fun keepsake reminder of their week at your Go the Distance Vacation Bible School.

If you have another VBS program for which you’d like  coloring pages, just leave a comment. (Hometown Nazareth coloring pages were posted October 11, SonSurf Beach Bash coloring pages were posted October 19, 2010, coloring pages for PandaMania were posted November 9, 2010, and Main Street coloring pages were posted April 11, 2011.) 

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. To view additional reproducible coloring pages, crafts, and puzzles, visit our VBS Downloads Store.

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 Jesus' love for them!

(Click on the image above to download the pages.)

Creating a Preschool-Friendly VBS

Setting up VBS for Preschoolers

Young children who have not attended VBS before may not be comfortable with some of the large group activities planned for your elementary VBS. You can help by setting up specific preschool areas for the Bible story, free play, crafts, games, and snacks. It may help to divide your preschoolers (or any of your young students from age two to five) into groups of 8-10, with an adult or youth leader for each group. The groups can rotate through each activity station, combining with other preschool groups for the Bible story, games, and snacks.

It may also help to have a "quiet room" with puzzles, coloring pages, and picture books for your toddlers and preschoolers. Children who finish the craft early or who tire of the large-group activity can spend time in the quiet room reading picture books or doing quiet activities with an adult or youth helper.

If your VBS begins with elementary children and preschoolers together for a time of opening music, be prepared to have one or two helpers take younger children to your preschool classroom for free play if the large group setting (or the loud music) becomes overwhelming.

Use similar VBS-themed decorations for your preschool rooms as you use for your elementary VBS. Just make sure to use decorations without small parts that your little ones can swallow. A good test is to use only those items that are too large to fit inside a cardboard paper towel tube.

Place an attendance chart in your preschool area(s). Give each child a sticker as he enters and help him place it in the appropriate square on the chart. (Some children may prefer not to do this, which is fine. A helper can add stickers for them instead.) An attendance chart can be a wonderful distraction for your twos and threes who may have difficulty saying goodbye to Mom. Greet the child by  name (stoop down so you can look him in the eye), help him say goodbye and give Mom a hug, then hand him a sticker and help him find his name on the chart. You can purchase themed VBS stickers as well as Bible stickers, cross stickers, glitter stickers, and colorful attendance and memory verse charts from eChurchDepot.com.

Free Play for Preschoolers

Provide the following toys and supplies for your preschool free play area(s). Ask church members and preschool leaders for donations. Make sure they label their items if they want them to be returned after VBS. Conclude your free-play time with a bathroom break.

• Blocks: Wooden, plastic, or cardboard blocks in different sizes, shapes, and colors; toy people and animals; toy vehicles; manipulative building toys; but nothing with sharp edges or small parts.

• Art: Crayons, washable markers, and chalk; white paper and construction paper; poster paper taped along a wall and over tables for murals; paper shapes for coloring and decorating; stickers; tape for hanging artwork from walls and ceiling.

• Disguises: Costumes, shoes, masks, scarves, capes, plastic sunglasses, purses and bags, and dress-up clothes for boys and girls.

• Dramatic Play: Dolls, doll clothes, plastic cell phones, toy cameras, stuffed animals, small chairs or large pillows, doll beds, dishes, toy food, doll strollers, plastic shopping carts.

• Books: Various picture books showing items familiar to young children such as nature, farm animals, pets, friends, family, church, preschool, etc. Include several VBS theme-related picture books, if available.

• Puzzles: Colorful cardboard and wooden framed puzzles with 25 pieces or less, some with knobs.

Use the new Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS from Christian Ed. Publishers this summer to supplement your elementary VBS program from Group, Hometown Nazareth. 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 Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS. Order the spiral-bound book with CD.

Now you're on your way to a fun-filled, stress-free VBS for your young toddlers and preschoolers!

SonSurf Beach Bash VBS Active Relay Game

Here's a fun, active relay for your SonSurf Beach Bash VBS. Divide the students into teams. Provide a sponge and a clear jar for each team. Mark a start line at one end of the play area. Place a bucket of water for each team at the start line. 


Place a clear jar for each team at the other end of the play area. Give the first player on each team a sponge. At your signal, the players, dip their sponges in the water, race to the clear jar, and squeeze out as much water as possible into the jar. 


The players then race back to the next player on their team and hand him the sponge. That player dips the sponge into the water, races to the clear jar, and squeezes out as much water as possible into the jar. The player then runs back and hands the sponge to the next player on the team. Play continues until one jar is filled to overflowing with water. That team wins the game. Pour out the water from the jars and play as many rounds as time allows.


Encourage good sportsmanship and teamwork as the children play. Compliment those who cheer on others and use kind words.

Jesus in Nazareth VBS Snack Ideas

We've created some snack suggestions for your Nazareth VBS. Feel free to modify them as you wish. Some of your creative volunteers may come up with additional snack ideas. Here are a few to get you started:

Day 1

Serve fruit such as apples, grapes, figs, berries, and dates. Give each child a paper bowl and spoon. Let the child choose which fruits to add to his bowl. The fruit can be accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt (optional). Explain that these fruits are similar to those Jesus and his family may have eaten in Nazareth.

Day 2

Serve birthday cake and ice cream. Let the children sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus before you serve the cake. As the children eat, talk about what a special snack this is. Remind them that God planned for Jesus to be born and God gave Him the name "Jesus." Explain that each child was given a name when he was born, too. Talk about how special each person is in God's sight. Say the Bible verse (Isaiah 43:1) together.

Day 3

Prepare small pita pockets cut in half. Let each child fill the pocket with cheese, ham, or turkey (or have them already filled). You may want to provide olives, tomatoes, and lettuce for condiments. As the children eat, talk about how God gave Jesus a home. Explain that these foods are things Jesus may have eaten at his home. Let the children thank God for their homes before eating.

Day 4

Today’s story is about how Jesus went to the temple-church. Provide flatbread with tomato sauce and melted cheese on top (or serve flatbread cheese pizza cut into small pieces). As the children eat, talk about how they can go to church just as Jesus did. Include an invitation to your church services for each child to take home.

Day 5

Cut cheese slices into fun shapes. Serve with crackers and grapes. Talk about the memory verse (Galatians 5:13) as the children help put out napkins and cups. Let the children take turns serving others crackers, cheese, and grapes before they eat their own snacks. Compliment those children who serve cheerfully.

TIP: Use registration cards when children sign up for your VBS to record any allergies they may have. See the previous post for registration cards you can print out for your VBS program. Include any allergy information on the child's name tag so all VBS helpers are aware of the allergy. You can substitute items or omit dairy products from the snacks if you have children who are allergic to milk or dairy.

PandaMania Ideas

Here's a fun decorating idea for your PandaMania VBS program. Have a creative member of your church or community paint a large mural backdrop. This one is from the San Diego Zoo. Then use the backdrop as a background for group photos during your VBS week. 


Bible Memory Buddies are definitely must-haves for your VBS week. Each child receives one buddy each day during your PandaMania VBS. You might give them out each day after the children attempt to say the daily memory verse. Kids love the fun shapes and bright colors of the buddies, plus the day's Bible verse helps them hide God's Word in their hearts. They often keep the buddies for years to come. The memory verse is included on the colorful Bible Memory Buddy, giving the children a Scripture reminder of what they learned during the day. The memory makers can be strung on a chenille stem half (pipe cleaner) so they can be taken home as a keepsake at the end of your VBS week.

VBS 2011 Coloring Pages

Here are some coloring pages we’ve created for the 2011 VBS programs.

For each program, there is a coloring page for every day of VBS—a total of five pages. Each coloring page has the daily memory verse and the Bible theme. If you have younger children, you can feel free to shorten the verse by whiting out (or taping over) the final phrase before copying the coloring page. Each coloring page shows a picture to complement the Bible memory verse or Bible point for that day. The coloring pages come in sets of five pages for just $4.99 per set. The best part is, you can make as many copies as you need!

For Nazareth, there is a set of coloring pages for the New Living Translation, a separate set for the New International Version, and a separate set for the King James Version. (The NLT is the version used on the Bible memory makers.) 

(Click on the images above to go to the download pages—NLT is on the left, NIV is on the right, and KJV is on the bottom.)

For your SonSurf VBS, there is a set of coloring pages for the New International Version and a separate set for the King James Version. (The NIV verses are used on the Connection Cards and other SonSurf printed materials.)

(Click on the images above to download the pages—

KJV is on the left and NIV is on the right)

For the Main Street VBS, every coloring 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.) 

(Click the images above to download the pages—

KJV is on the left and the NIV is on the right)

For the PandaMania VBS, there is a coloring page for the New International Version and one for the New Living Version. At the end of your VBS week, your students will have all five of the memory verses—a fun keepsake reminder of their week at vacation Bible school.

(Click images above to download the PandaMania coloring pages—

NLT is on the left and the NIV is on the right)

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. Watch for more coloring pages coming soon (Gold Rush, Mega Sports Camp: Go the Distance, and Kickin' It Old School).