Do your kids go to VBS?

[Libby Pritchett]

I'm working on a VBS (Vacation Bible School) kit for next weekend, and I thought I'd come to the experts and ask what kinds of things you'd like to see in it! I know most VBS are themed, but I don't want to lean to any certain theme for the kit as I'd like it to be more versatile.

So, lay it on me! What do you want to see? If you have any pics to share, I'd love to see 'em, too!

[heathergw]

Oh... I'm so excited Moriah is going to her first VBS this coming week... woot!!!

hmm... a Bible, craft supplies... popsicle stick cross... umm... maybe some simple verses for memory verses like John 3:16

[nikkiARNGwife]

The Christian Flag
Cookies and Kool Aid

ETA - I'm teaching VBS in July...not sure of our theme or anything yet but I'd probably have better ideas once I start planning for that lol

[Darcy Baldwin]

Our VBS is huge every year (up to 1,000 kids). We don't have a huge church, but our VBS program is huge (helps that it's free). We then take the product we use for it and split it amongst other smaller churches who can't afford to purchase a 'canned' VBS theme, so it's wonderful to see it bless others down the road.

Crafts, Songs/music, the Christian flag, a Bible, name tags or those wrist bands, keychains, popsicle crafts, pony beads and string, outdoor games (simple ones for recreation), blackboards, basic Sunday School song hooks, etc.

[carriesmom]

My kids are too little right now but I went to VBS as a kid. Craft supplies, songbooks, snacks and lunchbags, risers for choir, and outdoor play stuff.

[emmasmommy]

oooh libby! i'm so excited for this! emma's going for the first time this week and she can't wait! i'll get back to you monday

[AmberK]

Yes my kids go to VBS and its actually coming up in 2 weeks. I know we do a theme every year but I don't have a clue what it is this year. LOL!

I like all of the ideas above. You could maybe do somethings like Noah's Ark, a whale for Jonah and the Whale, Lions for Daniel and the Lions Den, the Ten Commandments, the Lords Prayer, David and Goliath, the twelve apostles, the books of the bible, etc....

[SmallMoments]

Love the idea of doing snippets from different Bible stories!

Our church doesn't do VBS (which I'm not sure why b/c it's HUGE), but I went every year as a kid. I can't think of anything new that hasn't already been said. Great idea for a kit, Libby!

[pewtertm]

We just finished ours yesterday, thank goodness! I taught the 18-24 month olds and I'm beat

I think pretty much everything I'd have suggested has been mentioned already...can't wait to see your kit...it'll definitely find it's way into my cart I'm sure!

[SarahMD]

a few of the churches around here are doing panda themes. i put caliber in part time pre school for the summer because he needs it in my opinion and it gives him, "his" time away from his sisters in a constructive environment. they are also doing little lessons within the school for vbs and their theme is panda mania...

thinking back, we did crafts, sang songs, had contests on who brought the most visitors, colored, play outside, lots of stickers and doodads and things...

[pewtertm]

A nametag might be nice...everyone had to wear them on a daily basis.

Our theme this year was The Big Apple...so Libby, if you are looking for ideas on other kits...LOL...taxicabs, Lady Liberty, etc would be great

[Darcy Baldwin]

Stacy - that's the one we're doing this year, too!

[taracotta7]

Love this!!!!! All the suggestions are great! I really like the idea of bible stories mentioned above.

Ours was this week too.......Landon only got to attend one day because he got sick. We were so disappointed but I wanted to scrap the memory anyways.

Another suggestion.....offering plate. It seems like every VBS has an offering that is given to a mission or something. There are always tons of contest between the boys and girls (at least the ones I have been a part of).

[SmallMoments]

Pooh yes, a name tag! The kind on a string that hangs around your neck and you wear it daily.

[Kara]

I am so excited to see this kit, Libby!

[BrattyMeg]

we just finished ours...our theme was "Pandamonium" with a fun panda/lantern theme

[Jazz2000]

I try to get my kids into as many free VBS's while I can. While our church usually has some theme, I know the older grades always do some community project or something to send to needy kids.

Maybe some element along the lines of community service/mission work??
And there is always singing & dance moves to the songs the kids learn. Something like a CD or music element?

Also, our church does the VBS theme w/Chadder the chipmunk - Chadder Theatre it's called. They watch snippets of a video throughout the week to reinforce what they learn.

[MamaBee]

My kiddo just finished VBS last week! His was a jungle adventure theme...

Same ideas as above - name tag, crafts, drink cups (he had apple juice everyday), m&m's, pretzels, cheese, sang songs, guitar, read bible stories, offering envelope (This year $$ went to buy mosquito netting for Africa), notes to parents (we got a handout every day), backpack (he needed to bring his everyday to haul home everything... ), bowtie (he sings in church today).

These are the stories they had - (not the stories I remember from my days in VBS as a child)
Baby Moses
Crossing the Red Sea
Sermon on the Mount
Peter and John run to empty tomb
John's vision of Heaven

verses he had to memorize... they got a special treat if they did...
Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 1Peter 5:7
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. Psalm 18:2
The Lord has Risen Indeed! Luke 24:34
Let your light shine - Matthew 5:16
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelations 2:10

Crafts
whole paper plate with a half one cut in front with baby Moses in the "basket"
Pasta and bead necklace with the cross in the middle.
buttefly (gal size ziploc bag with cut up pieces of tissue paper in the "wings", pipe cleaner gathering in the middle of the bag to form the body.

Songs
Shine, Shine, Shine
This little Gospel Light of Mine
Jesus Loves Me, This I know

[scrappurple]

My kids are to old to go now. I ♥ VBS!! Everyone has given great ideas. I don't know if it was said, but you meet new friends and then usually see those same kids year after year. We also VBS hopped ... went to our church, then went to other churches throught the summber as well. They weren't always the same themed, but some were.

[Leah]

My girls went one year, the theme was Cosmic City and they loved it! They still listen to the CD. We haven't been able to attend or find one the last two years, but I'm really hoping that they can go again this year.