Creative Ideas and Helpful Tips for Your Upcoming VBS

Summer is just around the corner, and we’re looking forward to sunny days, swimming pools, and, of course, Vacation Bible School (VBS)! If you are a children’s ministry director or kid’s pastor, you’re likely knee-deep in the process of brainstorming and organizing all of the elements that will make this year’s VBS unforgettable. From choosing a captivating theme to designing fun games and engaging crafts, you have the opportunity to create a truly transformative experience for the children in your care.

As you move forward with planning VBS this year, here are a few practical tips to help you create an event that is not only organized but also a powerful and transformative experience for everyone involved.  

Remember the Main Goal 

While planning for VBS can be an exciting process, it can also feel a bit overwhelming. With registrations to manage, schedules to coordinate, budgets to consider, and constant communication with parents and students, the responsibilities can pile up! 

Still, it is important to remember that the goal isn’t solely about impressing kids or surpassing the excellence of previous years. The true goal of a VBS leader during the planning process should be to rely on the Holy Spirit as you share the Gospel with the children who attend! This may end up being the most important moment of their young lives – the moment they meet Jesus for the first time. VBS may also serve as a welcome respite for many children who are experiencing challenges in their home lives. At the end of the day, VBS is an important ministry that changes lives. Keep the main thing the main thing, and remember that the Holy Spirit can work through all of it – even the messy parts! 

Start Planning Early

While it is true that we can trust in God’s ability to work even when we don’t execute our plans perfectly, it is also important for us to be good stewards of our work by starting the VBS planning process early! By doing so, we can allow ample time for thoughtful preparation, organization, and collaboration. 

When we take proactive steps and initiate planning early on, we demonstrate our commitment to excellence. We are also setting ourselves up to create a meaningful and well-executed event that honors both God and the participants. 

Get Creative

One key element of the VBS planning process is creativity! Creativity may seem to come more naturally to some people than others, but it is important to remember that we are all creative because we are all created in the image of the Creator God! God’s creativity is imprinted in your very nature, and VBS planning is a great time to lean into that truth in order to bless others! 

Still, creative ruts can feel very real! Particularly if you have been leading VBS for a few years in a row, it may feel like you have nothing new to bring to the table this time around. This is where brainstorming with a team can be hugely beneficial. Gather a few of your key volunteers, ministry peers, or family members, and spend some time praying for creative inspiration. Next, bring out a whiteboard and have everyone pitch ideas. The key to a good brainstorming session is to avoid dismissing any ideas prematurely. Every idea, no matter how unconventional or initially impractical it may seem, has the potential to pave the way for new ideas. Brainstorming is a great way to get out of a creative rut through collaboration, and it is sure to spark impressive ideas for your upcoming VBS!

Stay Organized 

Planning a successful VBS takes a lot of administrative grit. From registrations and logistics to scheduling and communication, there are numerous details to manage. Start by making a to-do list of all of your responsibilities for the event, and break these tasks down into smaller, manageable steps. Then, make a list of every available volunteer and determine a delegation strategy. It may feel like you need to do most of the heavy lifting in order to ensure everything runs smoothly, but this mentality often leads to overextension, burnout, and mediocre results. Utilize and trust your team! 

Another helpful way to stay organized is to make use of technology tools such as a church management software system (ChMS). An effective ChMS can help you keep registration, scheduling, communication, and event structuring all in one place so you can streamline processes and improve efficiency.  

Communicate Effectively

Most event planners will agree that there is no such thing as over-communication! From the VBS registration page to email communication with parents and volunteers, ensure that everyone is well-informed and engaged through clear, enthusiastic, and consistent communication. You can even incorporate language from your theme into your communication to maintain the cohesiveness of the message. Parents will be grateful to have all of the details, and the event itself will run much more smoothly! It may feel like you are spending a lot of time on communication, but it is guaranteed to pay off!d

5 Theme Ideas for Your Upcoming VBS

Still stuck on a theme idea for your next Vacation Bible School? Here are a few potential themes for inspiration!

#1 Camping out in God’s Word: This theme combines the excitement of the outdoors with the study of the Bible. Set up tents around your church building, and encourage students to bring flashlights as an illustration of Psalm 119:105, which teaches: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

#2 Go Fish - for People: This fishing theme is connected to Matthew 4:19. “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” Set up fake fishing pools, serve goldfish and dirt and worms, and use phrases like “hooked on Jesus.” 

#3 Lego and let God: A fun play on the phrase “let go and let God,” this theme incorporates every kid’s favorite pastime – building legos! You can use large building blocks to teach children about trusting God with the outcomes and building their lives on a solid foundation (see Matthew 7:24-27).

#4 Superheroes of the Faith: Everyone loves a good superhero! This theme helps kids connect their favorite superheroes with the amazing heroes of the Bible (think Hebrews 11). It also helps them to see themselves as spiritual heroes in training. 

#5 Discovering the God of the Universe: This space-related theme provides a way to discuss the creation story and how God created the universe! Decorate your space with paper cutouts of stars and planets, and invite your “little astronauts” to discover more about God!

Make VBS Planning a Breeze

Ready to begin putting this all together? A Church Management Software (ChMS) can be a valuable tool to help you with the planning and execution of your VBS event! To learn more about how Breeze’s ChMS can help make your VBS experience even more seamless, click here!