5 Easy and Fun Ways to Get Kids Excited for VBS
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It’s that time of year again. Kids are out of school and need things to do. As a parent myself, I want my kids to have free time but with a little bit of structure. There are many options for things kids can do during the summer, and it can be hard to know what to sign them up for. I want their experiences to be well-rounded, including something faith-based. I love that VBS is an option for this.
I have been part of a church since I was a little kid. My dad was a pastor and now my husband is one too, so VBS was something I grew up going to and my kids have as well. It can be such a fun experience for kids, but with all the things fighting for their attention it can be hard to get them excited about it.
If we are able to bring some excitement, VBS can be something kids will remember for the rest of their lives. Here then are five ways to get kids excited for VBS:
1. Volunteer Yourself
I know when my kids were younger, they loved to have me present at certain activities. It seemed like it made the experience more fun for them. There is something about having a parent around that makes a kid more comfortable in certain environments.
It also can be fun for the parent to see their kid learning about Jesus and watching others pour into them. I am so grateful for the people who have poured into the lives of my kids and have cared for them. VBS is such a great activity for the whole family to be involved in, and kids will always remember that their parents were there for these important life events.
2. Invite Their Friends
What event isn’t more fun when you invite friends to join your kids? VBS is such a kid-friendly event that unless parents are completely against their kids learning about God, there really is no reason for them to say no. I remember going to camp or church activities, and it was the best thing if there were friends there. Going through experiences like this creates such a strong shared bond that only you and your friend will have. It’s so much fun to have that connection point with others.
If there is an issue trying to get your kids to attend VBS, I truly believe that getting a friend to go with them will change their answer from a no to a yes. It can be a bit scary to go to something when you don’t know others who are going. Having a friend join in brings a level of comfort that will hopefully lead to a bit more anticipation.
3. Pick a Fun Theme
Think of how many more things we could get our kids to go to if there was a little extra work to make an event more fun. With a little creative thinking, we can add that special touch to VBS. It really could be anything; have an ice cream truck come before it starts, have kids wear clothing that can get wet during water activities, if you have the funds, rent a bounce house. The options are endless.
Go outside of the box and see if there is a little touch you can add to your VBS so that kids will get excited about coming. It doesn’t have to be over the top, it just makes it more enjoyable so the kids will want to come back and learn more about Jesus.
4. Make Your Lessons Applicable to Kids
Something I really appreciate is when churches take Bible stories and make them more kid-friendly, incorporating it into daily life. If kids have a hard time understanding something, it makes it hard for them to get excited about it. If we can bring a Bible story down to their level, it will be more impactful. Kids will have so much more to take away from the experience when they learn something in a fun environment and when they can easily apply it to their own lives. It really is taking into consideration the crowd that you are ministering too and communicating your message in a way that resonates with them.
Have fun with it. Be a little silly even. Get the kids involved in the lessons. Again, bring the message down to their level so they can remember it. The more they can relate to it, the more memorable it will be. There are so many ways you can go with this.
5. Go All Out with Your Theme
Is there a fun theme you can add to grab the attention of people in your community? I know there are several curricula written for this specific purpose, so consider if one of these is right for your church. You could also be a little creative and try and come up with your own unique theme.
Are there some Bible stories that you can make come alive for the kids, and bring down to their level? Or are there situations that kids will face in everyday life that you can use a Bible story to address? It doesn’t all have to be serious, you can throw in characters and exciting storylines – there really is no limit to what you can come up with. Choose a theme, then have fun with it. It will be such a memorable time for the kids who attend.
You really can make VBS an exciting time for kids each year. It will take time and energy from a committed group of people, but you could make it something that everyone will remember. Use your imagination and put yourself in the kids’ position. What would get you excited about VBS? There are so many options, you could really do anything.
It will take some creativity, but it is possible to make VBS into something kids will love. Don’t just do it halfway, bring out all the bells and whistles. If you don’t have the time to make your own theme and curriculum, there are so many pre-prepared plans that are already created, it is just about finding the right one. Ask around and see what has worked and not worked for other churches. You can make it as much your own, just add a little flare to what you already have. It will be worth it to see the kids have a blast as their lives are being poured into.
It can take a lot of time and energy to plan, but it can be a life changing experience for a kid who hears about Jesus for the first time. It also can be a wonderful way to show some kids how much they are loved by Jesus. You never know what type of situation a kid is coming from. It may be the only time they feel like someone sees them. What an honor to be able to minister to kids in this way. You could be the person who tells a kid about Jesus, and it could change their lives forever.
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