I personally love bringing the church together to create decorations and transform our building into an undersea adventure! But sometimes a quick purchase can save boatloads of time and effort. The Easy Button! Finding that balance is something that each director and church figures out based on their own needs (and budget!). Here are some of the items that VBS directors have posted that have helped them make decorating easy.
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BACKDROPS
BIBLE STUDY DECORATING ITEMS
WALLS, HALLWAYS, & CEILINGS
INFLATABLES AND BALLOON ARCHES
MISCELLANEOUS STUFF TO MAKE DECORATING EASIER
REGARDING AFFILIATE LINKS…
As I’ve said, I am 100% committed to freely sharing every resource on this site. I want anyone sharing Jesus with kiddos to be able to use whatever they find helpful here. But the question has been looming for me—Do I add affiliate links or not? After prayerful consideration, I did decide to add links with the hope that eventually they may help to cover some of the costs associated with having a website. So, if you decide to make a purchase of a product I’ve highlighted, please know that I am not shamelessly advertising random things for my personal benefit. Any commission I receive is going to a good cause! With that in mind, if you do decide to purchase something mentioned on my site, I’d sure appreciate if you’d connect through these links. It’s a way to support this ministry at no cost to you.
Now for the official disclosure…
Full Disclosure: I don’t charge for anything on this site, but as an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases (at no cost to you).
BACKDROPS
Yep, we can line halls with tablecloths, seaweed, and plates and make it look amazing! But if you need a quick splash for one of your spaces, shower curtains and tapestries can be a gift! Amazon has a bunch if you need them quickly. Temu also has some great deals if you can wait a bit longer for their shipping.
There’s nothing like the real deal! Lifeway’s backdrop is beautiful and assembles to 18′ x 6′.
Lifeway Kids VBS 2024 Breaker Rock Beach Super Duper Sized Backdrop
Here is another Lifeway option that assembles to 9′ x 6′.
Lifeway Kids VBS 2024 Breaker Rock Beach Supersized Backdrop
I personally love this backdrop with the lighthouse imagery and symbolism! It comes in a variety of sizes.
AOFOTO 10x7ft Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse Backdrops for Trip Seaside Rock Ocean Scene
And isn’t this one another perfect fit for Breaker Rock Beach (also comes in multiple sizes)?!
CORFOTO 7x5ft Fabric Tropical Rocky Beach Backdrop Seychelles Island Seascape Backdrop
BIBLE STUDY DECORATING SUPPLIES
Full Disclosure: I don’t charge for anything on this site, but as an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
For those who like to act out their Bible Stories, covering boxes in these stones becomes a totally versatile prop that fits in indoor and outdoor Bible settings.
3 Packs Cobblestone Tablecloth Stone Printed Table Cover
This tomb backdrop can be used over and over again from year to year (and beyond VBS) to set the stage for the story of the glorious Resurrection of Christ!
Leowefowa 10x8ft Resurrection of Jesus Backdrop Sunrise Jesus Tomb
WALLS, HALLWAYS, AND CEILINGS
Full Disclosure: I don’t charge for anything on this site, but as an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Some churches have created a dazzling effect with waves projected on the walls and ceilings.
The wave effect can be done relatively inexpensively in smaller spaces with small projectors like this one.
Ocean Wave Projector, Projector Wave Lights for Kids Room, Remote and Timer, 8 Color Changing Modes LED Night Light
Want waves throughout your entire sanctuary? This projector is defintely an investment, but it will light up an entire sanctuary. If it’s in your budget, it’s a one-time purchase that can be used for many events to come. This video shows the various effects it can create: Go to YouTube,
CHAUVET DJ LED Lighting (Abyss 2)
No time to cut out sea animals? These are ready to pop up on any wall.
72 Pcs Sea Life Cut Outs Ocean Fish Cutouts Colorful Under The Sea Decorations Sea Animal Fish Accents Cutouts
With this theme can we really get enough blue tablecloths? Dollar Tree seems to be the go-to, but I’ve discovered that Walmart and Amazon both have even less expensive options if you buy in bulk.
24 Pack Blue Plastic Table Cloths Disposable，54 x 108 Inches
Plan to line the hallways with blue or put ocean waves overhead? Rolls of plastic tablecover work great for this.
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.
54 Inch X 100 Feet Plastic Table Cover Roll Disposable Tablecloth with Slide Cutter
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 are using them to hang things along the walls, hang jellyfish in the middle of a room, hang the blue tablecloths overhead…you get the idea. They are SO versatile and super quick and easy to use.
This is what we are using to make our silhouettes for our overhead ocean.
Kraft Black Wrapping Paper Roll – 24 Inch x 200 Feet – 100% Recyclable Craft Construction and Packing Paper
Want the really cool water effect on the walls? These tablecloths come in 10-packs for about $2.40 each (at the time of posting).
10 Packs Ocean Wave Tablecloth 54 x 108 Inch Water Print Plastic Table Cloths Waterproof
INFLATABLES AND BALLOON ARCHES
Kids LOVE items overhead! There are so many fun fish and inflatables available to make decorating super easy. Dollar Tree has some, but I discovered that Amazon is even cheaper. Balloon arches take a bit of time and finesse to put together, but they sure have a WOW effect! Here are a few that I’ve seen posted by other Scuba directors…
Full Disclosure: I don’t charge for anything on this site, but as an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Check out the size of some of these balloons (the Whale is 32″ x 30″!).
20 Pack Ocean Balloons for Under The Sea Decorations
These are even bigger overall!
KatchOn, Ocean Balloons for Under The Sea Decorations – 43 Inch, Pack of 15
Balloon arches can make a big splash for not too much $$. Just keep in mind that the frames don’t come with them, so you’ll want to think through how you’ll display it. The pictures above the product reviews on Amazon give a bunch of ideas.
Ocean Themed Party Decorations 165pcs Blue Balloon Arch Garland Kit
Here’s another cute arch…
PageebO Ocean Animals Balloon Arch Kit-120pcs Midnight Blue Light Blue Metallic Blue
Want to hang some bubbles in your displays? You can buy round balloons, but they’re a bit pricier. Clear latex balloons look pretty round if you underinflate them.
Bezente Clear Balloons Latex Party Balloons – 100 Pack 12 inch
MISCELLANEOUS STUFF TO MAKE VBS DECORATING EASIER!
MAVALUS TAPE
It’s on the pricey side for sure, but VBS Directors and teachers insist that it will not damage your walls and will hold up to summer humidity.
Mavalus Tape 1″ X 45 YDS White
(Large)
These little doohickeys will make your coral creations a breeze. You can attach just about anything to your foam blocks or cardboard boxes by sticking these in.
2 Inch Greening Pins (600 Pieces) – Floral Fern Pins for Straw Wreaths, Holiday Arrangements, & Craft Projects.
This simple tool glides through pool noodles and cardboard. It can even be used on foam boards.
CANARY Cardboard Cutter with Sheath 7.5″ Safety Box Cutter
If you’re using foam insulation for any of your props, your life will be SO much easier if you have a hot knife. There are many options out there, but this one comes highly recommended from VBS directors who say that it has withstood the test of time.
EROMECH Foam Cutter Pro Electric Hot Knife, 200W Air Cooled Styrofoam Cutting Tool Kit
BEYOND DECORATING: OTHER FUN AND THEMATIC ITEMS
OK, so we love to make people laugh at VBS and what isn’t fun about this inflatable costume?!
Inflatable Shark Costume for Adult Funny Halloween Costumes Fantasy Cosplay Blow up Costume
Here’s another fun inflatable for less $$.
Inflatable Shark Costumes for Halloween Show Cosplay Jumpsuit Fantasy Inflatable Suit for Adult Male and Female Blue shark
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