Creative Ministry with Kids

Engage your congregation in creating splashy decor as you set the scene for Breaker Rock Beach VBS or whatever ocean adventure you are creating. Each of these “props” are items that can be used in coral reefs or other ocean scenery. As I shared in my recent post, Adopt-a-Prop has been a real gamechanger at my church as the congregation has eagerly jumped on board to each play a role in VBS decorating.

Wondering how to roll this out at your church? There are lots of approaches, but here’s what we do at our church…

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I want to say a special THANK YOU to all the amazingly creative people from the Scuba VBS 2024 Facebook Group who shared their fabulous ideas and creations. Many of the pictures I was able to include in these instruction sheets were from their posts that they graciously allowed me to use and share. It’s the epitome of what this site is all about…all of us sharing our ideas and resources to support one another in sharing Christ in our communities! LOVE IT!!!

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ADOPT-A-PROP INSTRUCTION SHEETS

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PDF FILE OF ALL THE INSTRUCTION SHEETS

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Need a blank template to use in another design program? Here ya go!

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HOW DOES ADOPT-A-PROP WORK AT OUR CHURCH?

1. We decide which projects we want to include in our Adopt-a-Prop program. In addition to scouring Pinterest and Google, we pay close attention to all the amazing ideas that the Group VBS Facebook members contribute. If you aren’t familiar with this group, each year Group Publisher has a Private Facebook Group for those conducting their VBS program (this year it is, “Scuba VBS 2024”). If you haven’t asked to join, stop right now and do it! You will be blown away by all the amazing ideas and sharing that goes on there! Really…stop and join…NOW!
   
2. We make instruction sheets for those projects. In addition to printing the pages to hand out, these instructions are compiled into a single pdf document that can be shared in a Google Drive file. This comes in handy for those who want to peruse all of the projects before selecting one.
   
3. We create any files that are needed to go with the projects (pictures to cut out, silhouettes to be traced, porthole pictures, etc.).
   
4. We put bags together of the supplies that we need to include with any project (instructions stapled to bags). Do we supply everything needed for every craft? Nope! We used to. But we found that many folks want to use their creativity to select their own craft materials. Some projects, however, require hard-to-find materials, items that have already been donated, materials we are re-using from a previous VBS, or supplies we have on hand. Of course we include all of these materials. We also offer to supply other materials to those who want to do a project but prefer we give them what they need.
   
5. When we are ready to invite the congregation to participate, we create a sign-up on SignUpGenius.com. In our description/instructions for the sign-up, we include a link to a Google Drive file that has all of the directions sheets. We also include the dates when we want any projects returned to the church.
   
6. Now we begin the promotion. Our church newsletter invites the congregation to Adopt-a-Prop. There we include the link to the SignUpGenius.
   
7. Simultaneously, we set up an inviting, thematic display in our church atrium where we have a printed sign-up sheet, the instruction sheets for each project, and any needed bags of materials.
   
8. I usually hang out near our display before and after our services to invite people to participate. Not everyone is geared to sign up for things online, so the in-person sign up is important.
   
9. The rest takes care of itself! Other than making myself available if anyone has questions or needs additional supplies, most of the work at this point is being done in people’s homes.
   
10. We do ask for an email or phone number on the sign-up sheet. That way if there are any projects that don’t get turned in by the due date, we have a way to contact the volunteer to check on the progress. We’ve had great success with our volunteers keeping their promise to complete a project, but we always allow some wiggle room in the due date in case we need to finish a project that someone couldn’t complete. Life happens so we know this could always be a possibility.
    

Is this the only way to do Adopt-a-Prop? ABSOLUTELY NOT! You know your congregation! Make this work for you…in your setting…with your people. The main thing is that you are engaging your congregation in being a part of something amazing! You are inviting them to share in the blessing of ministering to kids through VBS…that’s pretty doggone awesome in and of itself!

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DOWNLOADABLE FILES NEEDED FOR SOME PROJECTS

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