Hey VBS Directors! Kudos to you for taking on this amazing (and incredibly time consuming) ministry! I’ve pulled together a few resources that some of you may find helpful. Peruse below to see if you find anything on this page that will make your job a bit easier. 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.
CLASS SIGNS
Like to give your classes catchy names? These signs can be used as posters outside classroom doors and/or attached to paint sticks or dowels. Sometimes color coding the various classes makes things easier, so various color options are provided too. A copy of the Grade signs in each color are included in the pdf below. Or you can access the Canva Template Link to make these your own.
To make “line-leader” signs, simply print the posters of your choice on card stock and then attach the Grade(s) side and the Alliterated Name side back-to-back on a painted paint stick. I love easy!
Need different grade combos or want to change one of the names? No problem! This Canva Template Link will allow you to make changes that better fit your church.
BREAKER ROCK BEACH FLYER TEMPLATES
Need a flyer starter? You are welcome to use the Canva template to edit these for your church.
NOT A CANVA USER? NO PROBLEM!
Right click any of the images below and save them to your computer as a jpg file. Then you can insert that image into your own program to make it the background for a flyer. Add some text boxes to include your dates and you are good to go!
BREAKER ROCK BEACH NAMETAG TEMPLATES
Here are a bunch of Breaker Rock Beach themed nametags. Different strokes for different folks, so a variety of styles.
Use the PDF file below if you would like to print the labels and then write in the names. Nametags are sized for Avery 5395 labels, but they can also be printed on cardstock and cut apart.
Prefer to order Lifeway’s official sticker nametags? These come in packs of 10 sheets (90 nametags total).
Lifeway Kids VBS 2024 Breaker Rock Beach Sticker Name Tags
Lifeway also has these beauties if you prefer easy lanyard nametags.
Lifeway Kids VBS 2024 Breaker Rock Beach Name Tags with Lanyard (Pack of 20)
Here’s one more easy and option that is pretty inexpensive.
180 PCS Ocean Animals Name Tags Stickers, Self Adhesive, 2×3 inch
DAILY NEWSLETTER TEMPLATE
Need a quick template for sending home info each day to parents? This format can be used to print a take-home paper … OR you can use this format for an email to send home. Each day has its own template with Today’s Point, Bible Verse, and Bible Story. There are 2 versions. The first has some headings filled in for you, while the second leaves those blank so you can insert what works best for you. Edit directly in Canva using the Template Link or download the Word document and edit using the provided text boxes.
Use this Canva Template Link to edit the newsletter pages directly in Canva.
Don’t have Canva? No problem! Just Download this Word Document and you can edit directly in the provided text boxes.
BREAKER ROCK BEACH BANNER STARTERS
Banners make a great splash for a small buck! We have one at the road (4′ x 8′) but we also use them inside for our registration area and sometimes elements of our decor. Walgreens and CVS (no, I’m not an affiliate) run unbelievable deals on 2′ x 6′ and 2′ x 8′ vinyl banners. Most weeks a sale is running, usually ranging from 40% off to 70% off. The 70% sales are few and far between, but it’s pretty common to catch 50% or 60% off. Depending on which size you want and which sale you catch, you can typically get a banner for $15 to $25. The vinyl isn’t as thick as some of the other companies offer, but lots of churches have shared that they use the vinyl banners outside for long periods of time with great success. Here are some sample banners that you can easily put together in Canva, Publisher, InDesign, etc.
Here’s some help starting a 2′ x 6′ banner. You can use the images below for a backdrop in any designing program. If you’re a Canva user, you are welcome to use the Template Link as a starting point and then you can make it your own!
Prefer a 2′ x 8′ banner? Here are a few starter backdrops for those as well.
4′ x 8′ BANNERS
While you can’t get these at CVS or Walgreens, sometimes you need a larger, better quality banner for outdoors. Here are some 4′ x 8′ ideas to get you started. Use this Canva Template Link to edit them…or download the jpg files below to edit them in your own design program (Publisher, InDesign, etc.).
We have been really happy with banners from BestofSigns.com (I am not an affiliate). They usually are about $40 including grommets and shipping.
The images below are samples of what you’ll find on the Canva Template Link above.
The images below can be used as backdrops in any design software. You can just add in your own dates and info.
EASY-UP LIGHTHOUSE (JUST MAKE A CHEAP BANNER)
While you are ordering banners, another great use for one is to have a 6′ lighthouse printed so you can just mount it on cardboard or foamboard.
BREAKER ROCK BEACH SUMMARY DOOR BANNER
Here is a fun little door banner I did to highlight the learning that will take place all week. I made several versions, including one with no days listed, since not everyone does a traditional Mon-Fri VBS. You are also welcome to use the Canva Template Link if you’d like to make any changes or use this as a starter to recreate something similar.
EASY UPLOADING TO CVS OR WALGREENS
I’ve heard from some of you that you had difficulty rotating the image on the store websites and/or that you got a low-resolution warning. Here are the same 3 images as above rotated 90 degrees and in a high enough resolution that you should not get the warning as long as you don’t use a device that reduces the resolution when you download. Hopefully these will make it easier for you to order your door banner.
DRESS-UP DAYS IDEAS
Not every church is up for getting t-shirts for all the kids. As fun as matching shirts can be, they are a big expense. Another option is to go with themed dress-up days. As a mom, I always prefer that dress-up days are kept relatively simple so we’re not running to Target at 10 p.m. the night before a camp day! And, of course, the simple themes should enhance the kids’ experience rather than distract them from what’s important. Here is a sample with some ideas.
Feel free to use the Canva Template Link to make it your own and change the dress up to the themes that work best in your context!
PRESCHOOL READINESS FORM
What is the youngest age we should allow to come to VBS? That’s a question many a director has grappled with…prayed about…discussed with their team and pastor…and then grappled with some more! We love our little ones and want them to be exposed to the message of Jesus as young as possible. We also know that families with multiple children want their preschoolers to be able to participate. Yet volunteer force and resources are a barrier for some churches to be able to provide VBS to younger children. Further, we all know that kids that aren’t ready physically, emotionally, or socially will struggle at VBS and can also hinder other children from learning. Bottom line…there is clearly no right or wrong answer to this question. Pray…consider…pray…discuss…pray some more…decide. You’ve got your answer for what’s right for your church!
For those of us who do run a preschool VBS—especially those of us who allow 3-year-olds to come—here is a form you might consider using or modifying. This kindly sets the standards for parents, making it clear what the expectations are in terms of a child’s social and physical readiness to come to VBS. Feel free to download it as is, access the Canva Template to change it, or simply to retype what works for you, changing what doesn’t. Helping parents to think through their child’s readiness can be a win-win for everyone.
VOLUNTEER ICEBREAKER
Looking for something fun to break the ice at your training meeting? Here is a Breaker Rock Beach version of the classic Signature Scavenger Hunt game. Give everyone a sheet of paper, set at timer (based on your schedule), and watch everyone mix and mingle as they try to find 12 people who have done something on their list. Have fewer than 12 people? No biggie! Just let people sign the sheet twice. There’s a fun, colorful version as well as a more printer-friendly version.
Need to make edits to fit your context and your volunteers? Here’s the Canva Template Link for you.
Like it as is? The pdf is downloadable below.
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