Hey VBS friends! That wonderful, slightly chaotic time of year is almost here. We all know VBS is such a meaningful ministry… and also a huge investment of time and energy.
I’m gathering and sharing a bunch of resources that I hope will make planning Illumination VBS a little easier and a little lighter. Scroll through and see if anything here saves you time or sparks an idea.
I’ll keep adding more as we head into spring, so check back when you can. Everything below is available to download as a PDF and/or image, and in many cases I’ve also included a Canva template link so you can easily tweak things to fit your church and your crew.
Please give me feedback regarding any issues with these resources as well as any additional resources you would find helpful.
- Adopt-a-Prop
- Weekly Prayer Guide
- Glow-in-the-dark Bracelet Prayer Reminder (with tent card)
- Prayer Calendar (May, June, July)
- Rotation and Bible Study Signs
- The 5 P’s Poster
- Class Signs
- Class Signs – Animals
- Nametags
- Flyers
- Illuminating Jesus Coloring Page Flyers
- Banners and Banner Backgrounds
- Door Banners and Bookmarks (with daily themes)
- Daily Bookmarks
- Reasons to Volunteer
- Theme Dress-up Days
- “Light Post” Daily Newsletter Templates
- “Radiant Truth” Salvation Posters and Handouts (ABC’s)
- Preschool Readiness Flyer
- Easter Ideas: VBS Invitations, Coloring/Dot marker pages, and more!
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WEEKLY PRAYER GUIDE
We all know that covering VBS in prayer is key to its success. Inviting our church families to pray helps align our hearts with God’s plans and reminds us that he’s the one who changes lives. There are lots of wonderful prayer guides and calendars out there, so it’s really a matter of letting God lead you to the one that is right for your congregation. Here is a simple weekly prayer guide that allows people to pray for one aspect of VBS on each day of the week. This can be repeated until it’s time to launch VBS. The Canva Template link below will allow you to edit this according to the needs of your own church.
GLOW IN THE DARK PRAYER BRACELET REMINDERS
I saw these glow in the dark bracelets that say “Let your light shine,” and I couldn’t help but think they’d be a fabulous reminder for people to be praying for VBS. Their bright colors would pair perfectly with the prayer guide. Here’s a printable tent card that invites people to take a bracelet reminder.
Here are some glow-in-the-dark bracelets that would serve as a great reminder for folks to be praying for VBS. Best of all, they say “Let your light shine.”
100 Pcs Christian Bracelets Glow in Dark Let Your Light Shine Silicone Bracelets Religious Jesus Wristbands Bulk Inspirational Scripture Easter Party Gift for Baptism Church
PRAYER CALENDAR
Here’s another option for engaging your church family in prayer during the weeks/months leading up to VBS. This prayer calendar has a different prayer on each day for the months of May, June, and July. Our VBS is the last week of July, so this is designed with that date in mind. Using the Canva link, you can easily move prayers around to different dates, change them to be more specific for your congregation, etc.
ROTATION & BIBLE STUDY SIGNS
Lifeway offers some really beautiful Rotation Signs, printed on nice, sturdy paper and priced pretty reasonably. If they fit into your budget, I definitely recommend checking them out (links are below).
Of course, it’s also true that most of us have to be intentional about what we buy and what we DIY to keep costs under control. We’re fortunate to have a great printer at our church, which makes printing in-house a budget-friendly option for us. If you’re in the same situation, feel free to use these 8.5″ x 11″ or 11″ x 17″ Rotation and Bible Study Signs.
I’ve also included a Canva link so you can easily tweak the wording if you happen to call a rotation something different at your church.
Lifeway offers some really beautiful Rotation Signs, printed on nice, sturdy paper and priced pretty reasonably. If they fit into your budget, I definitely recommend checking them out (links are below).
Of course, it’s also true that most of us have to be intentional about what we buy and what we DIY to keep costs under control. We’re fortunate to have a great printer at our church, which makes printing in-house a budget-friendly option for us. If you’re in the same situation, feel free to use these 8.5″ x 11″ or 11″ x 17″ Rotation and Bible Study Signs.
I’ve also included a Canva link so you can easily tweak the wording if you happen to call a rotation something different at your church.
Here is the Canva Template Link for the 8.5″ x 11″ Signs. The PDF is below the images.
Want bigger signs? Here’s a Canva file (and pdf below) designed as 11″ x 17″ posters.
If you are able to order Lifeway’s signs rather than printing your own, the links are below.
Lifeway Kids VBS 2026 Illumination Station Rotation Signs (Set of 8)
Lifeway Kids VBS 2026 Illumination Station Bible Study Location Signs (Package of 6)
THE 5 P’S POSTER
This 11 x 17 poster highlights the Daily Points for all 5 days. I thought it would be a nice addition during VBS, but I’m also envisioning it up for a while after VBS as a reminder of all we learned about our amazing Jesus.
Staples and Office Depot are great go-to places for basic 11 x 17 paper, but if you are looking for glossy, heavier-weight paper for posters, I haven’t found a better deal than this.
Uinkit 11×17 100 Sheets Photo Paper Glossy Inkjet 48lb Single Side Print Poster Playbill Obituary Papers for Funerals Bulletin Gallery Show Photographic 11 x 17 Copy Printing A3 Value Packed
CLASS SIGNS
Need a quick, fun option for class signs? These play off alliterated names of bright and glowing things and add a little extra personality without extra work.
They work great as door signs outside classrooms or as handheld signs for teachers and crew leaders to carry along. Easy, flexible, and one less thing to think about!
If it’s still bothering you that there are no animals in the theme this year, look below these signs. I’ve also added some luminescent animals as an option for class names/signs.
Sometimes organizing by color makes things easier, so I’ve included a variety of colors for the grade level signs. All the signs are ready to go in the PDF below the images. Want to tweak the names or add your own flair? Use the Canva template link to customize!
Line-Leader Signs, the Easy Way:
Just print your favorite designs on cardstock, glue the Grade Level side and the Alliterated Name side back-to-back, and tape or staple them to a painted paint stick. Boom! An instant line-leader sign.
It took me awhile to embrace the idea of a VBS without a bunch of animal friends throughout the decor. So I did a little research and came up with 6 luminescent animals that could also be fun for class names. If that strikes a chord with you, then feel free to download or edit these. I designed these to be in 6 different colors so they can still pair with the grade-level signs above.
ILLUMINATION NAME TAGS
Here are some nametags that are designed to match the class signs above. Of course, they can also be used independently as well. You are welcome to edit them in Canva using the template link…or download the pdf or Word file below.
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.
This is a box of 200 sticker labels, enough for 40 kids for the week. These labels work with the Avery 5395 templates above.
Adhesive Name Tag Stickers, 8 Labels per Sheet, 3 3/8″ x 2 1/3″ – 25 Sheets / 200 Labels – White Matte Finish Printable Badges for Inkjet/Laser Printers
Prefer Lanyards? The nametags are a great fit for these name badges.
100 Pack Lanyards for ID Badges with Clear Name Tags, Reusable Lanyards Horizontal ID Card Badge Holders Plastic Name Badges for Men Women Kids Business School and Office Supplies (Green)
Lifeway also has some beautiful stickers that are bright and cheery.
Lifeway Kids VBS 2026 Illumination Station Sticker Name Tags (Pack of 90 Tags on 10 Sheets)
$10.50
Or check out these fun nametags!
Ctosree 50 Set Vbs 2026 Name Tags with Lanyards Christian Bible Name Badges Religious Theme Label with Activity Rope for Vacation Bible Church Summer Camp Supplies
$16.99
ILLUMINATION VBS FLYERS
Let your community know about VBS! Here are some half-page flyers that you are welcome to use/edit. Brighten the kiddos’ day even further by attaching a glow stick or disco ball!
If you are a Canva user, all of these flyers are accessible via the template link. You can update the info, add Lifeway’s official logo, and make any changes appropriate for your church.
But I know not everyone is comfortable with Canva, so you can also download the Word document below and use the text boxes (already inserted) to update your info.
Want to make your card even more memorable? Add a little glow with it! They are surprisingly affordable! Hand it out with the card, or you can cut 2 slits in your card and slide the glow stick right through the slits to attach it (of course, you don’t have to get that fancy…tape and glue dots work too!).
SpringFlower 100 PCS Glow Sticks Bulk Party Favors, 8″ Glow in the Dark Party Supplies, Light Sticks for Party Favors Glow Necklaces and Bracelets for Kids or Adults
For a little bit more, you can gift each kiddo a mirror ball to whet their appetite for summer 2026.
48 Pack Assorted Color Disco Ball Necklaces 70s Disco Party Necklaces 1.57 Inch Mirror Disco Ball Costume Necklaces For Birthday Parties, Festival Accessories Disco Party Favor Decoration
Astrobrights/Neenah Bright White Cardstock, 8.5″ x 11″, 65 lb/176 gsm, White, 75 Sheets
Full Disclosure: While I am committed to keep everything on this site completely free, as an Amazon associate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
SAVE-THE-DATE VBS FLYERS
These teasers and Save-the-date flyers were designed to give away after VBS last summer. I’m leaving them up for those of you who will be doing this somtime after the 2026 VBS season. You can also feel free to use the Canva Link to modify these to suit your needs.
Don’t have Canva? I’ve got your back! Just click on any of the images below and then right click to download the jpg file. You can then insert it in a program of your own to edit.
ILLUMINATING JESUS COLORING FLYERS
We are “Shining a light on who Jesus really is”! So what better way to remind kids that they are invited to VBS than to give them a coloring sheet all about Illuminating Jesus. You can use the Canva link to edit these. Not a Canva user? Just download the jpg images by right clicking on them. Then you can use your own program to add your church info.
BANNERS
Banners make a big impact for the price! We use one out by the road (4′ x 8′), but we also love using banners inside…especially in our registration area and sometimes as part of the décor.
Walgreens and CVS (nope, not an affiliate 😉) run crazy good deals on 2′ x 6′ and 2′ x 8′ vinyl banners. There’s usually some kind of sale going on—often 40%–70% off. The 70% deals are rare, but 50% or 60% off pops up pretty often. Depending on the size and the sale you catch, you can usually snag a banner for around $15–$25.
The vinyl isn’t the thickest out there, but plenty of churches have shared that they’ve used these banners outdoors for long stretches with great results. I often use them indoors for our volunteer and registration area.
Below you’ll find 12 different banner designs that you can edit in Canva (sized for 2′ x 8′). Not a Canva user? No worries! Scroll down for banner starter images you can download as PNG files and use in whatever program you prefer (InDesign, Publisher, Word, etc.).
Below are the images that can be used as banner backgrounds in order for you to customize them in the program of your choice. CANVA TIP FOR USERS WITH A FREE ACCOUNT: If you do not have a Canva Pro account, you can also upload the background image into a 12″ x 48″ Canva file and use it without contending with any water marks.
Prefer 6′ banners? Here are some 2′ x 6′ designs along with the Canva link. Not a Canva user? The banner starter images for these are below.
Below are the images that can be used as banner backgrounds in order for you to customize them in the program of your choice.
DOOR BANNERS
I made another banner to highlight the daily points and verses for the week. It’s sized for a 2′ x 6′ banner, which fits perfectly on a standard door. And if you catch one of those Walgreens or CVS banner sales, these are SO affordable!
Download whichever version works best for your church…Or if you’d like to tweak the wording or layout, you can jump into the Canva link and make your changes it there.
If you’re ordering through Walgreens or CVS, be sure to grab the “sideways” version below. Their banners are set up horizontally, so uploading the horizontal file makes the process a lot easier.
BOOKMARKS
These also make a great bookmark! Just print the page that matches your schedule on some cardstock and trim and slice to separate. You can laminate them if you’d like, and if you want to get real fancy, you could punch a hole and add a ribbon.
DAILY BOOKMARKS
Looking for a simple little giveaway each day that reminds kids of the big truths they explored? I made printable bookmarks for that. One for each day.
There are two back-side options included. One is completely ready to print with highlights from the day already added. The second version has a blank area that is ready for you to add your own church info. You can use this Canva link for that version or to make any edits to the bookmarks themselves. You may also want to swap out my “logo” for the official Lifeway logo.
Just scroll below the images to download the ready-to-print PDF with 4 bookmarks per page.
If you added your church info or made a few changes to the bookmarks, this Canva template makes it easy to set them up 4-to-a-page for printing. Once you open the project in Canva, just upload your updated bookmark designs and drag them over the ones you want to replace.
When you download the file as a PDF, the pages will already be lined up for double-sided printing. Super easy.
Just a heads-up though. Most printers shift things a tiny bit from page to page, so the fronts and backs may not line up perfectly every time. I left about a 1/4″ border around the bookmarks to give a little extra wiggle room for printing.
“REASONS TO VOLUNTEER” PAGE
Here’s a fun little boost for your volunteer recruitment table. There are so many great reasons to serve at VBS, and this flyer highlights just a handful of them. Bonus points, they spell out ILLUMINATE.
You can use the Canva link if you want to tweak anything to fit your church…or just download the ready-to-use versions as is.
If you’d like to pair it with a small giveaway, a light-up pen or led flashlight keychain would be fun options. That said, the flyer works just fine on its own too. No extra purchases required!
This little keychain is an inexpensive little light that would be a nice addition to the card if you are looking for a little giveaway for your volunteers.
Hicarer 42 Pcs Mini Keychain LED Flashlight Badge Lights for Nurses Key Ring Light with White Beam
These pens are another fun option to attach to the front of the card. They have an led light built in, so they go right along with the theme.
Thenshop 32 Pieces Lighted Pen LED Flashlight Writing Ballpoint Bulk Glow in The Dark Pen Colorful for Night Writing, Back to School Gifts, White, Red, Green, Blue Lights
Glue dots are the easiest way to adhere to attach the pen (and they work for the keychain too). Here are some with good reviews (since all glue dots are NOT created equal!).
UPINS Glue Points Dots, 3000Pcs Balloon Glue Adhesive Dots Double Sided Removable Glue Tape Dots for Balloons Crafts Decoration, 10 mm
Full Disclosure: While I am committed to keep everything on this site completely free, as an Amazon associate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
THEME DRESS-UP DAYS IDEAS
Not every church wants to (or can) do t-shirts for every kid. As fun as matching shirts are, they can get pricey fast. A great alternative is themed dress-up days.
Speaking as a mom, I’m always a fan of dress-up ideas that are simple—the kind that don’t require a last-minute Target run at 10 p.m. the night before camp. 😉 And of course, the goal is for the themes to add to the kids’ experience, not distract from what really matters.
Here’s a sample with some easy, kid-friendly ideas to get you started. (And yes—these can absolutely be used alongside VBS t-shirts. There’s no rule that says kids can’t have fun with both!)
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! (You can update the clipart with Lifeway’s logo while you’re at it!)
Since not everyone loves Canva like I do, here are some shareable flyers that you can download and use without the need to edit them. If these themes work for you, feel free to take the easy route and use these as is.
“LIGHT POST” DAILY NEWSLETTER
Looking for an easy way to send daily info home to parents? This template has you covered. You can print it as a take-home page or use the same format for a quick email at the end of the day.
To stay within copyright guidelines, I have left out Lifeway’s official logo. You’ll find two versions here: one with an alternate logo already included, and one with open space if you’d like to add Lifeway’s logo yourself. There’s also a 3rd version that does not include days of the week for those of you who follow a different scheduling format.
If you’re a Canva user, the Canva template link makes editing quick and painless. Not on Canva? No problem. You can download the Word document below the images and edit everything right in Word.
SALVATION POSTERS AND HANDOUTS
Decorating for VBS is such a blast! All the lights, colors, and fun little details really help bring the theme to life. But more than anything else, our prayer is that kids walk away knowing Jesus better and growing closer to Him.
These posters are an easy way to keep those truths front and center all week long. You can hang each poster on its own in different spots around your building or pair them together for a coordinated look.
There’s also a smaller handout version if you’d like to tuck them into take-home bags or include them in a booklet for each child. That’s what we do, and I love how the two sides look like they were made to go together.
The images below are sized for 11″ x 17″ posters. We are blessed to have a fabulous printer at our church, so we can print these inhouse on a dime. They can also be printed at local printers or places like Staples and Office Depot. The pdf is below the images.
The images and file below are designed to print 2-up on an 8.5″ x 11″ paper so they can be handed out or used in a half-sheet booklet.
SALVATION GIVEAWAYS/CRAFT
Bulk Plan of Salvation Wrist Band Wordless Silicone Bracelet Bible Salvation Bracelet Christian Wristbands
This simple “God’s Plan for Me” cut-and-paste page is available on the Activities page for Illumination VBS. Kids can cut out the picture squares and glue each one next to the matching point. Easy prep and great for helping the truths stick a little more. There are 3 versions that are all identical except for the amount of color on the page.
PRESCHOOL READINESS HANDOUT
What’s the youngest age we should allow for VBS?
It’s a question many VBS directors have wrestled with, prayed over, talked through with their team and pastor, and then wrestled with some more.
We love our littlest ones and want them introduced to Jesus as early as possible. We also understand that families with multiple children hope their preschoolers can participate. At the same time, volunteer capacity and resources can limit what a church is able to offer. And let’s be honest, when a child isn’t developmentally ready (physically, emotionally, or socially), VBS can be challenging for them and disruptive for others.
The truth is, there’s no single “right” answer. Pray. Consider. Discuss. Pray again. Then decide what’s best for your church.
For churches that do offer a preschool VBS—especially those welcoming 3-year-olds—this resource may be helpful. It clearly and kindly sets expectations for parents regarding a child’s readiness to attend VBS. You’re welcome to use it as-is or hop on the Canva template to adapt the wording to fit your needs. Helping families thoughtfully consider readiness can truly be a win for everyone.
40 responses to “Director Resources”
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Your link for the pens goes to something else.
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Oh no! I’m so sorry for that error. I just fixed it so it should take you to the right place now. Thank you for letting me know!
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Hi,
Last year for Magnified VBS you had dot to dot pages. The children really loved them. I used them for fillers when the children were done with their crafts. Will you be providing something similar for Illumination station? Thank you so much!!!-
Thanks for letting me know what you need! I will definitely do my best to create some dot-to-dots this year too.
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Thank you so much for all the wonderful items!
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You are very welcome! I’m grateful you can use some of the resources!
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Thank you for sharing!
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You are so welcome! I think VBS inspires us all to share!
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What a gold mine of material to share with us! This is amazing and so creative. Thank you so much!
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Aww, thank you! I love that you can use some of this!
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Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you!
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You are so welcome! And God bless YOU as you share Jesus with the kids in your community!
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Very excited about these “free” resources however Canva requests my credit card info in order to download once I added my church name, etc.
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Oh no! I’m sorry that happened! Canva itself is free, but I do have a Canva Pro account, which means my designs may include Pro elements. When that happens, Canva asks free users to upgrade before downloading (or to change the images to free options).
If you let me know which design you were trying to use, I’d be happy to take a look and see if there’s an easy workaround. Also, in case you’re not aware, Canva actually offers Canva Pro for free for non-profits (including churches!): https://www.canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits/ (Definitely worth a look!)
Whenever I can, I try to include PDF or JPG versions too, just in case Canva isn’t the best option. I hope one of those works for you!
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Wow! These are so helpful and generous to share with everyone. Do you have any daily posters with the Bible reference? Thank you so much! I will be checking back frequently.
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Thanks for your kind words! Yes, I do plan to make the Bible verse posters, so be sure to keep an eye out for them!
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Thank you for being so kind and helpful. I haven’t been the VBS director in a while and a lot has changed. Your materials and designs have been a life-saver! Bless you.
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You just made my day! I’m thrilled to hear that the resources are helpful! That’s exactly what I hope for when I post them. Thanks for taking on the critical role of VBS director…soooo challenging, but also soooo worth it!!!
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Hi
I love your work. I’m excited to use your resources. Would you be able to provide a link for the dot banner. I didn’t see a way to download them.-
Thank you, Stephanie! For the door banner, the images are provided (or the Canva link). If you plan to use the image as is, just click on the “sideways” image so it is large on your screen. Then you can right click it to save it to your device. Once that’s done, it’s all ready to upload to a site like Walgreens or CVS to make a banner. Hope that helps!
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These are amazing resources. Thank you soooo much for sharing! This saves a lot of time for busy ministry teams!
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Thanks so much! I love that you find the resources helpful!
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When I right clicked on the VBS save the date there was no option to save as jpeg – only a webp file . I was still able to bring into powerpoint but they were really low resolution.
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I’m so sorry that is happening. It appears to have changed after an update. I’m working on getting it fixed so the png or jpg files are all downloadable like they used to be.
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I used many of your items last year and the children (and adults) really enjoyed them. They especially liked the passport, carrying it from station to station to get a daily stamp. Will you be able to make a passport for this theme? Thanks for all you do!
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I’m so happy that you were able to use the resources last year! I will do my best to get an Illumination-themed passport done soon. They are a fun motivator for the kiddos!
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I see save the date but do you having any invite flyers for now? Helpful to make postcards or use for socials or TV ml monitors etc…place for qr code, church name etc…
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Well I suppose the time has come that we need to stop saving the date and start inviting! Sorry I never revisited and updated those. I’ll try to get on that! Thanks for the heads up.
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Done! I added the flyers to this page, so you are welcome to edit them in Canva or download the Word document to use the included text boxes.
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These resources are wonderful. Thank you so very much for sharing these! This is such a blessing as we prepare for our VBS.
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You are welcome! I love that this makes things a little easier for you!
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I don’t see any regular flyers. Will you be making some ?
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Yes, those somehow slipped through the cracks. Sorry about that. I’ll get on those and get them uploaded soon. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.
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Done! I added the flyers to this page, so you are welcome to edit them in Canva or download the Word document to use the included text boxes.
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This is awesome! I found many things that I can use.
Thank you so much,
Tammie-
Yay! That’s exactly why I post them. I’m so happy that the resources work for you!
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This is absolutely incredible and beautiful!!!!!!
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Thank you for such kind words, Jessie!
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Amazing! Do you have anything for the older VBS of concrete and cranes from 2020?
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Aw man, I’m afraid I’m no help there. I have never worked with Concrete and Cranes. So sorry!
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