Want an easy way to get everyone involved in decorating for Rainforest VBS? Try Adopt-a-Prop! It’s been a total game-changer for us the past couple of years. People love choosing a prop to “adopt,” and before you know it, the whole church will be helping turn the building into a colorful rainforest adventure.
Wondering how to roll this out at your church? There are lots of approaches, but here’s what we do at our church…
Feel free to edit any of these instruction sheets right in Canva so you make them your own!
You can also use the Canva template to create additional instruction sheets for whatever décor you need for your rainforest setting. There are so many fun ways to bring a jungle adventure to life!
As always, Group has a bunch of great ideas on their Tools page, so if you haven’t checked that out yet, it’s definitely worth a look. I did not include their directions in these Adopt-a-Prop files, but there are some great possibilities for Adopt-a-Prop at the link below.
Also, I have to say a huge THANK YOU to all the amazingly creative people from the Rainforest Falls VBS 2026 Facebook Group who shared their fantastic ideas and creations. This year, several of us teamed up to create these Adopt-a-Prop pages. I’d especially like to thank Victoria Hoppes and Jan Eide for generously sharing their project sheets with everyone. I just love the spirit of collaboration that VBS brings!
These are the 28 projects that are already complete. Keep an eye out throughout the coming months as I am hoping to add more projects. On that note, if you have a great project already created, send me a message so we can get it added for others to use!
ADOPT-A-PROP INSTRUCTION SHEETS
PDF FILE OF ALL THE INSTRUCTION SHEETS
Need a blank template to use in another design program? Here ya go!
HOW DOES ADOPT-A-PROP WORK AT OUR CHURCH?
- 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, “Rainforest Falls VBS 2026”). 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!
- 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.
- We create any files that are needed to go with the projects (pictures to cut out, leaf template to be traced, Bible Buddies to be assembled, etc.).
- 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.
- 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.
- Now we begin the promotion. Our church newsletter invites the congregation to Adopt-a-Prop. There we include the link to the SignUpGenius.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
Here’s my SignUpGenius.com description from 2024’s Scuba that invites people to sign up for Adopt-a-Prop. Below is an example of how I simply list each project and how many volunteers are needed. When I finish rolling out the rainforest theme for my church, I’ll try to remember to update these images for this year.
DOWNLOADABLE FILES AND NOTES NEEDED FOR SOME PROJECTS
More to come…
PROJECT #3 BIBLE BUDDIES ON FOAM BOARD
We always order Group’s giant Bible Buddies, but I like to have them around in lots of places. Publisher has been my go-to for printing out tiled prints (part of the buddy prints on each page like a giant puzzle). I’m so bummed that Publisher is going away this year! There are actually lots of programs out there that will do the same thing. You can also find a bunch of sites online that will allow you to upload an image, designate the size or number of pages you want, and then they’ll give you a printable file that tiles the image. Rasterbator is one of those sites that has good options for paper size and is easy to use. Once we put our “puzzle” together, we mount it on Dollar Tree foam board.
PROJECT #6 CREW SIGNS
Truth be told, I typically do this project as a craft day with several ladies from the church. That way we can make sure there are no mistakes with which crew number goes with which crew name. Plus, it avoids any wear and tear from transporting the signs.
PROJECTS #7 & 8 CRICUT LEAVES & FLOWERS
Got someone in your congregation with a Cricut machine? Oh, how they can save you time! This year’s theme needs leaves galore and lots of tropical flowers too! So I say it’s time to put those Cricuteers to work! There are all kinds of SVG files out there for tropical embellishments, but here are some that you are welcome to use. Just click on the image to enlarge it, and then right click to save it to your device.
PROJECT #10 CLIP-ART CUT-OUTS
As much as I love all the trees and vines, I truly believe that it’s the animals that capture the attention of the kiddos. We plan to have stuffed animals and craft animals for some fun 3-D effects, but I can never seem to get enough animals. So, I’m creating a bunch more as an Adopt-a-Prop! These are simply cute pictures of animals that can be cut out and taped to a wall, hung from a fine, attached to a rock etc. I am uploading what I have so far, but this is definitely a work-in-progress. I will add lots more to the file soon.
PROJECT #11 HANGING MONKEYS These guys just might be my favorite adopt-a-prop this year! The file below has the complete template to print on cardstock to give to your volunteers. These can also be used as a template to trace on construction paper if you prefer that method.
PROJECT #12 HEARTS FOR BIBLE STORY
The Day 2 Bible Lesson requires a white heart for every child. Let a volunteer bless you by getting these prepped at home. There are two templates in the PDF file. One has 4 to a page to save paper. The other has larger hearts, but will use more paper with 2 to a page.
Note: If you have a willing volunteer with a Cricut, download the SVG hearts below instead (the black ones).
PROJECTS #18 LEAF TEMPLATES Fold some papers, stack ’em on top of each other, trace half a leaf, and voila! You have jungle leaves!
PROJECTS #21 PAPER TREE FROGS
Such a cute little craft to add frogs throughout the decór!
EASY ORDER SUPPLIES FOR ADOPT-A-PROP
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16″ is a nice length for a lot of the wildflower projects, palm leaves, and the Poly-fil clouds.
100pcs 16″ long Bamboo Skewers Sticks for Grilling BBQ Kabob Barbecue Marshmallow Roasting Stick 4mm Thick Natural Wooden Smore Sticks Craft (16 inch)
I’ve highlighted the dark green here, but if you have the budget for it, 2 or 3 shades of green makes for some beautiful rainforest displays.
Vanhench 36″ x 2400″ (200′) Green Wrapping Paper Jumbo Roll for Fathers Day/Birthday Bouquet Flower Crafts Moving Supplies, Solid Color Bulletin Board Paper
Your river rocks don’t need paper that’s quite so wide. Here’s an option if you don’t already have a stash.
PerkHomy 24″ x 1,440″ (120′) Light Grey Kraft Paper Roll for Craft Bulletin Board Paper Kids Art Table Covering Crafting Gift Wrapping Bouquet Packing Parcel 80GSM 55LB (Light Grey, 24″ x 120′)
Perfect color for bamboo stalks!
Funtery 100 Pcs Sage Green Cups 16 oz Sage Disposable Paper Cups for Baby Shower Bridal Shower Wedding Party Green Paper Cup for Easter Party Supplies Coffee Tea Hot Cold Beverage
These will come in handy throughout the decor (and they’re needed for the butterflies). For a pack of 180, this is a great deal.
180 Pieces Pipe Cleaners Chenille Stem, Green Pipe Cleaners,Craft Pipe Cleaners, 11.8inch Christmas Pipe Cleaners Chenille Stems for Mother’s Day DIY Art Crafts Decorations Supplies (Green)
Sometimes you can get Home Depot or Lowes to donate the 5-gallon size paint sticks, but if not, these are a great size for the hand-held crew signs.
5 Gallon Paint Stir Sticks Bulk 17 inch, 10pc Wooden Paint Stirrers Mixing Paint, Large Popsicle Sticks for Crafts
If you are making cardboard decor, these are a must have! They will change your life (or at least save your fingers!)…really! I love mine and truly believe they are well worth the initial investment since I reuse them every VBS (and a whole lot of times in between).
SnapFresh Cordless Electric Scissors, 4V Electric Mini Box Cutter, Carpet & Cardboard Cutter Tool with a Replacement Blade/Charger, Rotary Cutter for Cardboard Packages Leather Plastic （Green）
Easy flowers!
Luau Party Decorations, 36PCS Hawaiian Themed Leis Necklace Costume Accessories, Colorful Hawaiian Leis Tropical Theme Silk Flower Clothing Accessories Bulk, Hawaii Flower Lays Summer Pool Supplies
These are what I use for covering boxes for the Bible story room. If you cover them the right way, you can flatten them and reuse them for years!
Irenare Stone Wall Tablecloths, Medieval Themed Party Decorations Supplies Disposable Plastic Brick Stone Tablecloth Castle Brick Wall Table Covers for Halloween Birthday Party Favors(3 Pack)
Astrobrights/Neenah Bright White Cardstock, 8.5″ x 11″, 65 lb/176 gsm, White, 75 Sheets
This is the best deal I can find on Adhesive whiteboard paper for Bible Story Day 4. With 2 sheets cut hot dog style, it will be enough to cover the cross.
2 Pcs Dry Erase Board Sticker 8.3” x 11.7” Whiteboard Sticker Self-Stick Dry Erase Sheets Wallpaper Peel Stick New Stain Proof Dry Erase Stickers for Wall Desk Refrigerator Door Locker
I love these bronze brads to go with the brown hanging monkeys!
100 Pcs Brass Paper Fasteners, 8x17mm Plated Mini Brads for Scrapbooking Crafts DIY Projects (Bronze)
These eyes are bigger than the standard packs–perfect for the paper plate birds! And bonus: they’re self-adhesive. No gluing!
UPINS 300 Pcs Round Plastic Black Googly Wiggle Eyes Self-Adhesive Large Size 15 mm 18 mm 20 mm 25 mm
Tablecloth vines! I’m gonna need LOTS of tablecloths for my main hallway. These are the best deal I can find (way better than Walmart…and definitely better than Dollar Tree). They also have a sage green, which will make for nice contrast.
Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable 20 Pack, 54 x 108 Inch Table Cloths, St Patricks Day, Christmas Decorations, Tablecloths, Rectangle, Forest, Emerald, Plastic Cover, Leakproof & Sturdy, Green
Full Disclosure: I don’t charge for anything on this site, but as an Amazon Associate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases.
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