Each of the resources below is available for download as a pdf file and/or image. In many cases, I have also provided the Canva Template Link so that you may edit the file to make it better meet your needs.
Please give me feedback regarding any issues with these resources as well as any additional resources you would find helpful.
Here you’ll find instruction sheets for 30 different projects that volunteers can do at home. Many include step-by-step instructions, while others invite the volunteers to use their own creativity to come up with the plan for their project. A Canva Template Link is available so you can make changes, add new ideas, etc. If you’d like to read my post about Adopt-a-Prop, click here.
ROTATION SIGNS Here are some printable signs that you can pop up next to each of your Rotation areas so everyone knows where to go. The Canva Template links are below in case you want to change them up for your own context. You can download them below as png or pdf files. You can choose 8.5 x 11 or 11 x 17 depending on your space and needs.
Here is the Canva Template Link for the 11″ x 17″ version of the Station Signs.
Here is the Canva Template Link for the 8.5″ x 11″ version of the Station Signs.
BIBLE VERSE POSTERS Lifeway has some fabulous, oversized posters that I highly recommend if it’s in your budget. But if you’re like me and want to have God’s Word in front of the kids in as many places as possible, these printable Bible Verse posters might come in handy to supplement Lifeway’s posters. They are designed to print on 11″ x 17″ paper so you can just pop ’em up in hallways, classrooms, etc. They also can be kept up far beyond VBS. After all, God’s Word is timeless!
Ministering in Spanish? Here are some posters for you. These are in the traditional Reina Valera 1960 version. ¿Estás ministrando en español? Aquí hay algunos carteles para ti. Se trata de la versión tradicional del Reina Valera 1960.
I saw this image on Pinterest (this is not my own) and fell in love with the decorating idea! This is new decor for me, but after chatting with others who have done it previously, we plan to purchase blue plastic tablecloth in rolls. We’ll use magnets to drape it across our drop ceiling. For the silhouettes, I haven’t decided if we’ll use black trash bags or light posterboard. I’m afraid Kraft paper will curl in the summer humidity. I’ll post a picture of ours after our VBS!
To make it easier, I put together a file of sea animal silhouettes. These can be projected and traced if you want them larger than 11″ x 17″.
Full Disclosure: I don’t charge for anything on this site, but as an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
54 Inch X 100 Feet Plastic Table Cover Roll Disposable Tablecloth with Slide Cutter
This is the best deal around at the time of this post, but prices seem to fluctuate daily so be sure to check places like Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Party City, etc.
TRYMAG Magnetic Hooks Heavy Duty, 28Lbs Super Strong Magnet Hooks for Hanging, 25 pcs
If you have drop ceilings, magnets like these are a gift! We plan to use them to drape the tablecloths overhead. In places where we want to hang jellyfish or seaweed, we’ll attach the hooks. You can also use the magnet without the hook, so we’ll use those for spots where we just need to attach the tablecloth to the ceiling. Easy Peasy! My love language!
WHAT MATERIAL SHOULD BE USED FOR THE BLACK SILHOUETTES?
I’ve been polling people for the past couple months to find out what material they used. It turns out there is a wide variety of material that seems to work well (based on experienced VBS decorators). Here’s what I learned:
Black Kraft paper or bulletin board paper: This was the most common material used by those who have already created this effect. I worried it would curl in the summer humidity but was told that it didn’t. Some tacked it down with a glue stick or glue dots. One advantage is that it is easy to trace and cut. We bought this roll from Amazon for Stellar and still have a bunch leftover. Black paper comes in handy every year! I’m confident it will do the trick!
Landscaping Fabric Some found landscaping fabric to be less expensive than the paper. That might depend on the quantity you need. Tracing and cutting weren’t too hard of a challenge, but not quite as easy as the Kraft paper. Also, because the less expensive option comes folded, you’ll have best results if you leave your silhouettes lying flat on a table for a week or so before using them.
Light-weight Posterboard “Lightweight” seemed to be the key! This worked for many, but some felt it would be too heavy and stretch the tablecloths or pull them down. If you don’t have a way to hang the blue plastic securely (as in magnets, tucked under a drop ceiling tile, etc.), I wouldn’t go this route. I purchased this pack of 25 (amazing deal!) for some other projects, but I think it would fit the bill if you want to go the posterboard route.
Black Plastic Trash Bags There was definitely success with this route (and it’s probably the cheapest!), but tracing was trickier and cutting with precision was harder since the plastic wanted to move while cutting. These want to slide on the tablecloths, so you definitely want to adhere them with a glue stick, glue dots, or another tacky option. These are 30″ x 33″ and could be sliced on one side and opened if you needed any giant silhouettes.
Black Plastic Tablecloths were also the choice for some VBS decorators, but others said you could still see through those under the light so the silhouettes didn’t pop very much. It probably depends on the thickness of the plastic, but if you have some tablecloths lying around, you might want to give them a try!
FACE-IN-HOLE PORTHOLES (ADD YOUR FAVORITE LEADER’S FACE!)
Here’s one more fun porthole idea. Kids love to see the fun leaders mixed into the decor. If you’re a Canva user, these portholes are designed so you can upload photos of some of your leaders and pop their face right into one of the scuba divers.
Here’s the Canva Template Link for the Face-in-hole scuba divers if you want to give it a try.
EASY-UP LIGHTHOUSE (JUST MAKE A CHEAP BANNER)
When Walgreens and CVS run their killer sales, it includes both vinyl and nice-quality poster paper banners. Need a 6′ lighthouse? Just have one printed on a banner, attach it to some cardboard or foam board with spray adhesive, and cut it out (or not). Voila! Easy-up Lighthouse! (Although I must admit that the huge, 3-D lighthouses that some of you are making still blow my mind!) Here are 3 graphics that would work for a lighthouse banner. Be sure to click on the image to enlarge it and then save it to your computer in full resolution so it doesn’t come out grainy on your banner.
Here’s the Canva Template Link if you want to change anything.
If time is limited and your budget allows, check out the cardboard cut-outs of lighthouses on Amazon. There are several styles. They are a bit pricey, but they’ll definitely make a statement. This one is 90″ tall.
Full Disclosure: I don’t charge for anything on this site, but as an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
H20208 Brant Point Lighthouse Cardboard Cutout Standup
All the thematic decorating is so much fun! But in the end, what really matters is that our VBS week leads children closer in their relationship with Jesus. These posters go right along with the theme, but they also share the message of salvation. They’re sized to be printed as 11″ x 17″ posters. We also include these in a booklet we put together for each child.
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