Vacation Bible School is a great summertime activity for kids. It teaches children Biblical lessons, makes an ideal evangelical tool and helps families connect with your church. Many individuals have noted that VBS has led them towards salvation and it’s a key part of a church’s youth ministry.
VBS is rewarding for churches, kids and families, but proper planning is essential. Church leaders need to determine goals and budget, assemble staff, promote the program and organize registration. They should also determine the themes, games and interactive VBS activities that will guide their curriculum.
This guide will take you through the various aspects of planning to ensure your VBS attracts kids and keeps them coming back each year.
Table of Contents
- Popular VBS Themes
- Games and Activities
- Essential Steps for VBS Directors in the Planning Process
- How Do I Choose the Best VBS Curriculum for My Church?
- FAQs
Popular VBS Themes
A VBS theme guides your weekly activities. For example, your theme could be:
- Week 1: Under the Sea
- Week 2: Wild West Roundup
- Week 3: Space Exploration
Each theme should have unique fun VBS crafts and games, decorations, snacks and music. You should also prepare Biblical scriptures that relate to the theme.
For a better idea, flesh out those three themes and VBS ideas as follows:
Under the Sea Adventure
With many Biblical stories connected to the sea, a water bodies study theme is a no-brainer. Discuss Noah's ark and Jonah and the Whale. Engage the children in role-playing to boost engagement.
Scripture
- The Flood (Genesis 6-8): “And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man and beast and the creeping thing and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” "
- Cross the Red Sea (Exodus 14): “Moses raised his hand over the Red Sea and the Lord caused a strong wind to blow from the east. The wind blew all night long. The sea split and the wind made the ground dry. The Israelites went through the sea on dry land. “
- "Jonah and the Whale (Jonah 1-2): "From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said, ‘I' my distress, I called to the Lord and He answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead, I called for help and you listened to my cry."
Decorations
- String blue and green streamers throughout the room to create a sea-like effect.
- Add props like small boats, life rafts and inflatable fish.
- Place seashells throughout the room to bring your theme to life.
Crafts
- Seashell jewelry
- Draw posters of seascapes
- Create sailboats from cardboard
Snacks
- Goldfish crackers
- Beach-themed cupcakes
- Swedish fish
Music Ideas
- Anything by the Beach Boys
- The Sponge Bob Theme Song
- Ambient sounds of waves crashing
Wild West Roundup
The Bible may not have much of a Wild West theme, but kids love to be cowboys and cowgirls. You can make the connection through the many passages that explore the wilderness. Think of Biblical shepherds and Jesus Christ and Moses guiding their people through unexplored acres.
Scripture
- Exodus 13:21-22: “By the day, the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light so they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night lifts its place in front of the people.”
- "Psalm 2: “Only ask and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. Submit to God’s loyal son or he will become angry and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities - for his anger flares in an instant.”
- "Luke 15:3-7: “Jesus told them this story, ‘If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.”
Decorations
- Cowboy hats
- Bandanas
- Cactus and horse cut-outs
Crafts
- Sheriff badges
- Popsicle stick horses
- Paper bag cowboys
Snacks
- Trail mix
- Cowboy cookies shaped like cowboy hats, sheriff badges, etc.
- Cowboy casserole featuring simple ingredients like meat, beans and potatoes
Music
- Any kid-friendly country music
- Billy the Kid - William Harold Dean, Jr.
- Home on the Range
Space Exploration
The Bible and space may not have the most obvious connection, but when you think about God's great universe, it makes sense. Here are some ways you can get your kids to make the connection.
Scripture
- Revelation 21:1-5: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling of God is with mankind; he will be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall mourning nor crying nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away.”
- "Corinthians 5:1-8: “Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
- "Thessalonians 4:16-18: For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
Decorations
- Hang moons and stars around the room
- Stick glow-in-the-dark stickers on surfaces
- Cut-out rocket ships
Crafts
- Drawings of space
- DIY space helmets
- Galaxy slime
Snacks
- Moon Pies
- Astronaut ice cream
- Galaxy bark
Music
- Space Oddity - David Bowie
- Rocket Man - Elton John
- Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
Games and Activities
Games and activities make up your daily curriculum. You can decide on various games and activities and adjust them to your theme. For example, if you play charades during Under the Sea week, you can ask children to act out scenes from the Great Flood or Exodus. If you play a memory game during Space Exploration week, play a memory game asking kids to match cards related to space or the Revelation passage.
Your games and activities should also adjust to align with quiet time, and outdoor and indoor settings and encourage kids to learn, develop social skills and present mental and physical challenges.
Here are some examples.
What are Some Engaging Water Games for VBS?
Water games are a great outdoor sport that offers physical stimulation and teaching moments. The sponge relay race is just one example.
Sponge Relay Race: A Refreshing Team Challenge
How to do it:
- The setup requires a full bucket of water on one side of a track and an empty bucket on the other.
- Each team member is given a dry sponge. Teams line up by the empty bucket. They run to the full bucket individually and dip their sponge in water. Then, they run back and squeeze it into the empty bucket.
- The first team to fill their bucket wins.
Why It’s Important
- Inspires a sense of teamwork and cooperation
- Offers a physical activity outlet that’s conducive to learning
- Provides a healthy activity for kids
How to Connect it to Biblical Learning
- Teach kids gospel lessons by requiring them to answer questions about the Bible before dipping the sponge
- Before or after the activity, tie it back to Biblical passages that relate to sports, water or teamwork
- Have kids explain how the social impact relates to the Bible
What are Some Fun Indoor VBS games for Rainy Days?
Beach Ball Bible is ideal for rainy days when kids are stuck indoors. It’s excellent for teaching kids about the Bible.
Beach Ball Bible Categories: A Bouncy Learning Game
How to do it:
- Use tape or markers to divide a beach ball into sections
- Write a different Bible-related category in each section (i.e., Bible character, place story, object, word, or theme)
- Have players stand in the circle and toss the ball around
- When a player catches the ball, they will be prompted to answer a question that is related to the category their thumb landed on
Why It’s Important
- Teaches kids about the Bible
- Demonstrates innovation, even on a rainy day
- Provides stimulating activity
What are Some Quiet Games for Winding Down?
Kids love excitement, but sometimes they want to, or should, wind down. For example, quiet VBS games for kids are ideal for the end of the day when they’re all tuckered out. Parents will also appreciate you for getting their child in a calm mood before pickup time.
Bible Story Pictionary is an ideal example.
Bible Story Pictionary: A Creative Drawing Game
How to do it:
- Make cards with various Bible themes.
- A player pulls a card when it's their turn. They then draw a picture that illustrates the Bible theme.
- Other kids try to guess the theme. The player is not permitted to use words or act out the theme in any way.
Why It's Important
- Inspires creativity
- Calms kids down
- Teaches kids about the Bible
Essential Steps for VBS Directors in the Planning Process
Two-thirds of American parents are eager to send their children to Bible school. With the proper planning process, you can attract and retain families that will continue to interact with your church for life. Here are some suggestions.
- Set Clear Goals: Your VBS likely has several goals, including promoting relationships between the kids, teaching them the Bible and providing valuable life lessons. Determine how to carry them out in a fun environment.
- Choose a VBS Theme: Your VBS should align with your goals, age group and group size. It should offer fun crafts and VBS activities that support your Vacation Bible School lesson plans.
- Build a Team: Your team may include a VBS director, various assistants, a team lead and more.
- Create a Budget: According to a Children's Ministry survey, a VBS budget can be as low as under $1,000 or as high as $10,000. Determine how much you can spend on your VBS and everything you need. If you run over budget, determine what to eliminate or how to save money.
- Promote the Event: Get the word out to your community through social media, emails and fliers that you can distribute in church, businesses and throughout your neighborhood, as well as through word of mouth.
- Prepare Materials: Determine all the materials you’ll need to teach your classes and prepare for your lessons.
- Train Volunteers: Host training sessions to ensure your volunteers are ready to assist you. Train them carefully, as every person trained in VBS results in 1.1 salvation decisions.
- Organize Registration: Make the registration as easy as possible to encourage kids to attend. Set up online registration for optimal convenience. You may also offer free swag like a t-shirt or pin to those who sign up early.
- Consider Versatility: Like any organization, a VBS program can easily be disrupted by a pandemic, a lack of available space and other factors. Get inspired by ECF Vital Practices and create a program that can be adapted to small and in-home settings.
- Follow Up After the Camp is Over: After camp is over, send out emails thanking families for attending and asking for their feedback so you can make improvements for next year. Give them a reason to come back. You may also thank your volunteers with a small gift.
How Do I Choose the Best VBS Curriculum for My Church?
Several VBS publishers provide guidelines for your VBS curriculum. This section will review the top choices to determine which is best for your Bible School.
Group
Group allows you to choose from create VBS themes like True North, Egypt and Yee-Haw. It reinforces Bible learning, offers high-quality Christian Music and promotes Bible exploration. Children learn how to apply Bible lessons in real life and families will find it easy to teach their children the Bible at home.
The organization is the largest child-to-child mission project in the country, trusted by thousands of churches. The program also offers helpful resources like online registration for the camp, community-building advice, decorating tips, inexpensive background checks for your staff and customer support.
Lifeway
Lifeway VBS Programs include Magnified, Backyard KidsClub and Go & Tell Kids. Each program offers seven distinctives providing trustworthy, gospel-centered content and in-depth study for all ages. The platform is flexible and customizable and equips parents to take over.
VBS directors may become members of the VBS Directors Club to gain access to exclusive content that will help them plan their best Bible study ever. The organization also offers tools like background checks, mailing lists, customized invitations, KidEvent Pro and a Backyard Kids Club.
Concordia VBS
Concordia VBS offers 11 different VBS themes for 2025, all of which are worth exploring. You can buy several supplies at its online store, including communion supplies, office supplies, candles, banners and bulletins. Its free tools include a planner pack, a registration and tools to help you plan and budget.
The organization offers free shipping on orders over $49 and hassle-free returns. You can also sign up for their rewards program.
Cokesbury
Cokesbury offers fun themes, including Road Trip, Camp Firelight, 3-Day VBS and One Room VBS. Their workshop guides you through all aspects of training, including Biblical backgrounds, music video previews, science experiments, crafts and snacks. Create an account to access the available tools.
The organization also offers free downloads to help you start your program, including simple lessons, music downloads and scheduling options for each vacation bible school theme. It will prepare you well for your VBS journey.
Orange
This organization provides a very intentional VBS kit that helps kids discover how to love like Jesus Christ. Each kit includes Director & leader plans, decorations, instructions for teaching large and small groups, rotation stations, home resources, marketing materials, worship and media. The director's suite will help you develop your VBS program planning ideas, while the leader recruitment and training will help you recruit and train your staff.
The program sets out a daily schedule for small and large groups of various ages from opening to closing. It offers multiple tools and free resources. You can also attend the Orange conference or training sessions to improve your teaching skills.
Aligning These Themes with Your Church's Values and Goals
Once you have identified the best publisher, you need to determine a VBS theme that aligns with your church's mission and vision. For example, a church focusing on spiritual growth may choose a theme that takes kids on a spiritual journey. A church that aims to transform the community may focus on a theme that discusses how a Biblical character's life was transformed through faith in God.
Here are some other factors to consider when choosing a theme:
- Group Age: Most publishers offer themes that can be adapted to different age groups. However, you should definitely consider which will best appeal to the age group you are teaching.
- Group Size: Choose a theme that can be adjusted for different group sizes.
- Inclusivity: Ensure the message you’re sending is inclusive to all ethnicities.
Evaluating Curriculum Components
Most curriculum offers components that can guide your choice. You can judge if the program is right for you based on the quality and type of component provided. Here are some to consider:
- Bible Stories: What Biblical stories does the curriculum focus on? Are the stories relatable considering your group's age and theme?
- Crafts and Decorations: Are the crafts and decorations easy to make? Do they require relatively inexpensive materials?
- Activities: Are the activities easy to orchestrate? Do they establish a connection between the Biblical message and the activity?
Free VBS Schedules
You may also want to download a VBS schedule to make planning easy. Recommended options include the following:
- Lifeway: Lifeway offers a complete schedule for all-day, one-day, weekend and two-week sessions, guiding you through the planning process.
- Ministry to Children: Ministry to Children offers more freedom, recommending an outline for picking your curriculum, organizing, building your team, promoting your VBS, training your team and following up.
- Cokesbury: Cokesbury offers a Food Truck Party VBS and recommends different ways it can be organized, including two-hour programs, two-and-a-half-hour programs and three-hour programs.
Once you plan your schedule, add it to our Vacation Bible School Schedule Template and share it with your team.
Free VBS Planning Templates
You can be even more organized by planning your camp schedule with these VBS planning templates.
- Concordia: This planning template has four essential tools to make planning stress-free: a Kickstarter Guide, a Volunteer Recruitment Sheet, a Directors' Checklist and a VBS Budget Planner.
- Process St.: This template takes you through the planning process, allowing you to choose and approve a theme, develop a schedule, coordinate volunteers and more.
Our event planning checklist will keep you on track, ensuring you take care of all necessary duties like planning, budgeting, staff coordination, registration, marketing, material allocation, logistics, food, health & safety, communication & follow-up and future planning. It even provides a planning timeline.
Event Ticketing Software Built for Churches
Event ticketing software can simplify the planning process for vacation bible schools. It allows for online registration so people can sign up while you focus on other responsibilities. You can also use it to manage events throughout the year.
Vanco's event ticketing software is recommended because it provides a secure payment processing system and allows you to create customizable event pages. Its reporting provides insights to determine what's working and what’s not, enabling you to manage attendees easily.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vacation Bible School Ideas
What is the purpose of VBS?
VBS helps children learn about the Bible and can attract families that don’t attend the church and convert them into members. It also helps children grow through learning experiences and build peer relationships.
Why is VBS So Important?
Recent statistics show VBS has helped 25,000 churches reach 2.5 million people, accounting for over 70,000 salvation decisions. It also supports roughly 25 percent of baptisms in Southern Baptist churches, increasing the odds that families will become long-term members.
How Long Does a Typical VBS Program Last?
VBS programs are typically held during the summer months. Children can attend the entire program or schedule weekly sessions.
Can We Run a VBS Program Without a Specific Theme?
Churches typically explore different engaging Bible School themes throughout their program. However, all Vacation Bible School theme ideas should align with the church’s mission.
