Top Tips for Planning A Successful VBS

When planning VBS, the first step is to ensure that your vision aligns with the children's and volunteers' needs. Vacation Bible School (VBS) is an exciting event that helps children connect with their faith while learning important lessons fun and engagingly. With proper VBS planning, you can ensure the event runs smoothly and leaves lasting impressions.

VBS Planning Checklist: Key Steps to Follow

A solid vacation bible school checklist can guide you through the process, ensuring nothing is overlooked. Below are key steps that should be on your planning checklist:

• Set Clear Goals and Themes

Before diving into logistics, setting clear goals for your VBS is essential. Are you focusing on specific Bible stories, a particular theme, or overall character-building lessons? Decide on a theme that resonates with the children and the broader church community. Popular VBS themes include adventure, nature, and Bible heroes. Setting a theme helps shape decorations, activities, and even the lessons for the week.

• Organize Your Volunteers

Volunteers play a critical role in the success of your VBS. From teachers to group leaders and support staff, you’ll need a team excited to work with children and share their faith. VBS planning should include recruitment, training, and organizing volunteers for different roles. It's essential to guide them on what’s expected of them and ensure they are equipped to handle the responsibilities.

• Create a Schedule and Plan Activities

A well-thought-out schedule ensures the smooth flow of the event. Include time for worship, lessons, crafts, snacks, and games. A balance of activities keeps children engaged and allows for different types of learning experiences. Your vacation bible school checklist should also include a list of supplies for each activity, ensuring nothing is left behind.

• Promote the Event

To ensure a successful VBS, promoting the event within your church and community is crucial. Use church bulletins, social media, and word of mouth to get the word out. Ensure your VBS planning includes posters, flyers, and banners highlighting the dates, theme, and registration details. 

When designing church banners, keep the design clean and simple with large, bold fonts and contrasting colors for visibility. A large, eye-catching VBS planning checklist or event banner can be displayed in prominent areas to grab attention.

For custom, high-quality church banners that will make your event stand out, trust PraiseBanners. We specialize in creating durable, vibrant, and fully custom banners for churches designed to fit your specific needs.

• Decorate and Set Up

Decorating your church space is one of the most enjoyable aspects of planning VBS. A well-decorated environment enhances the theme and makes the event feel more immersive. 

Whether it’s jungle-themed vines or under-the-sea decorations, creating a visually engaging environment adds to the overall excitement for the children. Be sure to set up areas for worship, crafts, games, and snacks well beforehand.

• Plan for Safety and Supervision

Safety should always be a priority in your VBS planning. From ensuring enough volunteers to supervising children during activities, proper safety measures must be in place. 

Include a plan for first aid, child pick-up procedures, and any dietary restrictions for snacks or meals. Having a vacation bible school checklist with safety protocols helps avoid any mishaps during the event.

Wrapping Up Your VBS Planning for Success

Planning VBS can feel overwhelming, but it becomes a manageable task when broken down into clear steps. By preparing ahead of time, you ensure a meaningful experience for everyone involved, especially the children.

At PraiseBanners, we understand the importance of creating an engaging environment for church events like VBS. Since 1994, we’ve been providing churches with year-round church banners made in the USA that are designed to enhance your space and promote your event.