Paper Plate Turtle Craft Instructions

by

Below you will find step by step instructions on how to make a Paper Plate Turtle Craft. Great for an easy decoration for VBS 2016 – Submerged or as an alternative craft. Remember to ask your congregation for donations of green paper plates and green construction paper.

What you Need:

  • Green Paper Plates
  • Scissors
  • Green Construction Paper
  • Double Sided Tape or Glue
  • Fast drying liquid glue

How to Make:

  1. First get all your supplies together. If you are using this as an alternative craft for your VBS week I would suggest that you have all your arms and legs cut out. If you go from room to room make ziplock baggies with arms and legs and googly eyes and paper clip to a plate. This will make being able to give instructions and handing out your craft to each participant quicker.
  2. Cut out your arms and legs from Green Construction Paper. Quick Tip – Fold your paper in half and half again and cut multiple at a time, this will save time and energy.
  3. Take your glue stick or double sided tape and adhere your arms and legs to the back side of the paper plate.
  4. Take your four hexagon shapes and glue to the face part of the plate.
  5. Next you will take your googly eyes and use fast drying glue to adhere to the paper plate. Let sit and dry. You can always just use a black marker to make the eyes but the googly eyes just make it so much more fun.

That is it! You are done!

Topic: Paper Plate Turtle Instructions

Journey off the Map Food Ideas

by

Very simple in deed! Take Pretzel sticks and simply place a sign in your snack tray or on the tables indicating them as Twigs. You can even refresh the kids memories that as they go about their Journey off the Map they may encounter Twigs along the way!

You can also add a handful to snack size bags with a label “Twig Snack” or variation of that. Be creative and enjoy.

Animal Crackers

Of course if you will be in the jungle or taking a journey through wilderness you might encounter Animals!!! Take a snack bag and fill with a handful of animal crackers. You can find the large bags at Wal-mart or buy them wholesale at Sam’s Club or even Costco.

Photo credit to thebananapolice.com

Strawberry/Banana Worms

So this might not be the best idea for really little ones, because of the stick and because they may not want to eat something that resembles a worm! Simply take strawberries and bananas and cut them in thin slices. Take cab-bob sticks and alternating from Strawberry to banana place them on until you get the length desired. To keep these fresh you will want to freeze them and take them out the morning of the day you want to use them. These are preferably done fresh the day off.

Cucumber Snakes

Again this is probably not the best snack for little ones. Simply take your Cucumber and cut into thin slices. Cut each slice in half. Lay them on the plates as shown above

Palm Trees – Crackers and Apples

These are fun and perhaps you will get some good eaters! Take the long thin crackers you can even use the Club crackers that typically go on sale 2 for $4 at most grocery stores. Lay those on the plate one above the other. Take and apple and slice it into pieces. Arrange them above the crackers to make a Palm Tree affect.

Photo from margaretdilloway.com

Butterfly Snacks

These are to be a sure hit with the little kids. You will need a clothes pins, snack bags, grapes and gold fish or any other little snacks the little ones will love. Fill one half with one snack and the other half with another. Place the clothes pin in the middle and add some eyes and your are done. you can add some antennas to make them extra cool!

Photo credit to cleanandscentsible.com

Apple Frogs

Topic: Journey off the Map Food Ideas

Lifeway Agency D3 VBS 2014 decoration ideas

by

This is going to be awesome!

Evidence/Confidential Folders/Envelopes

Take Manilla folders, Cut out the word “EVIDENCE” of “CONFIDENTIAL” or you can use a red marker and glue or write on your folder or envelope. Very cheap and easy to make. You can find a pack of ten Manilla folders or Envelopes at Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree also has red sharpie markers construction paper.

Security Check

Footprints – Agency D3

Take black cardstock and cut out shoe prints and place them on the wall or floor for detective effects to add to the theme.

Spyglass – Agency D3

Cut out several Spy glasses and add to the wall. You can cut out extra and use fishing wire to hang them from the ceiling in the classrooms as well as the hallways.

Secret Agent Wall Decoration

Simple. Take Yellow Paper and cover a wall. Cut out some foot prints and beakers. Use plastic tablecloths or plastic bags to fill the beakers! Cut out some spy glasses and use some of the the Agency D3 Posters. Great way to do a HUGE promotion.

Test Tube

Take clear wedding bubble tubes 8ct from Dollar Tree and empty with top removed. Make sure to dry them out. Take construction paper like neon green, blue, red, fusha or any colors you like. Roll the construction paper and cut to size and insert in the tube. Add some stuffing to the top to make the fissile over flowing look.

Magnify Glasses

Take Ce-ran wrap or window plastic sealer, Popsicle sticks, Black construction paper and black paint. First paint the popsicle sticks black on both sides. Cutout the circle for the magnify base and glue the end to the Popsicle stand. Use double sided tape to attach the plastic to the glass base. These are fun and easy. They are not meant to last longer than the week.

Lab Wall Design – Take Silver tablecloth from Dollar Tree and tape to the walls. Take black streamers and cut strips and tape to the backdrop and make the design. Simple and cheap.

Surveillance Cameras – Are these genius or what. Kuddos to the creator because I would not have thought of this. Take a black square shaped paper plate from Dollar Tree, Black Plant container and 2 stiro phone cups (large) and attach using black duck tape. Spray paint with black.

Paper Towel Clearance Centerpieces

I thought these were very clever and very easy. They got the tissue paper that you would use in fast food restraunts in bulk and then got a roll of paper towels and stood them up in the middle and then made an Agency D3 sign to place in the middle held by a clip. Printed confidential on yellow paper and taped around the paper towel roll.

Evidence Vault – Take Silver tablecloth outline with black streamer for the door. Take a Pie bowl small and 3 sheets of paper and roll each one and tape with duck tape. Staple in the middle and use black or silver ribbon and tie the paper rolls to the bowl to make the vault handle.

Bio Hazard Department

Can’t have a Agency headquarters without having a Bio Hazard Section. We took our Library that has a glass window door and added bright green paper and put it on the back and then made a bio hazard sign to place on the outside.

Now that you have taken a look at Agency D3 Pictures and almost done with your VBS week start planning on 2015 now. Think of ways to make it better and find ways to decorate on the cheap. Check out Lifeways 2015 Journey off the Map Theme.

Topic: Lifeway Agency D3 VBS 2014 decoration ideas

Shady Grove Craft Decoration Ideas – #VBS 2015

by

Here are some easy VBS craft ideas you can easily make for Shady Grove on your own for little cost. Your craft room should be just as fun as all the other Lifeway VBS rotations. If you would like to submit your VBS tutorials to be linked simply submit in the comments or by emailing to momssaving1 (@) gmail dot com.

Check out some of the Journey Off The Map Craft Ideas toward the bottom of this post.

Large Flowers and Mushrooms

%filemane%

Simply made from Green Pool Noodles, Chip and dip trays, Plastic serving bowl and green plastic tablecloth. All of these items can be found at Dollar Tree. Each flower is secured in a bucket filled with sand.

Step 1

Cut your pool noodle down to desired size and slant if desired.

Step 2

Place your pool noodle inside the bucket and add sand around the noodle. To keep it extra sturdy add sand in the tube.

Step 3

Take a hot glue gun and add desired amount of glue and attach bowl and chip dish to the pool noodle.

Step 4

For Mushrooms you will do the exact same thing as steps 1 – 3. Cut out white construction paper circles and used double sided take or tacky glue to attach to bowl.

More Journey off the Map Shady Grove Ideas below:

K Cups, Egg Cartons and Grass Skirts

The grass skirt can be purchased at Dollar Tree. This particular skirt I found at Goodwill for 10 cents. I used electric tape in the above picture to hold up the skirt because it is on cinder block. I do not recommend it, it will fall down! I do however recommend using painters tape whenever possible on cinder blocks. You may need to use something stronger but we have learned that duck tape and packaging tape will not work well.

You can also check out the K Cup Hanging Flowers Tutorial.

Cardboard Painted Ground Leaves

Simply take cardboard boxes and lay them flat. Draw using a pencil your grass/leaves. I found paint at church not being used and had my children paint with me. I then took a black permanent marker and retraced the lines and then cut out the tips of the bushes. These are easy Lifeway VBS decorations you can make with VERY little cost to you. You will spend more time than money but it is all worth it.

Foam Leaves and Streamers

You can purchase green streamers in a 2pk at Dollar Tree. Use this to make a droopy limbs hanging from the ceiling. Great for added greenery for trees. We are planning on lining our entire hallways with streamers and green table clothes swooped diagonally from one side to the other side.

Easy VBS Craft Ideas – Alternative Journey off the Map Crafts

Cotton Pocket Drawstring Bags

If your Church is looking for a cheaper alternative for the Drawstring bags you can find these ones on Amazon for around $.40 a piece. Purchase the Journey off the Map stamp and stamp them yourself. Save some money that can be spent elsewhere.

Day 1 Journey off the Map Crafts – Know your Guide (Galatians 4:4-5)

Day 2 Journey off the Map Crafts – Follow your Guide (Daniel 1)

I am a huge fan of Lifeway but every church can’t afford the pre-made kits for crafts so I am always looking for alternatives on how to create similar crafts but less expensive. Here is a dragonfly that can easily be made and you may even be able to get some of the items donated. Check out the Dragonfly Tutorial.

Just as dragonflies follow after their food for daily nourishment we to are to follow our daily nourishment.

How to cut costs on the Campfire Magnet

I am all about cutting costs but still have quality products. If your church has the ability and means to purchase the prepackaged crafts from Lifeway go for it. They are convenient. I on the other hand am looking for ways to expand what I can make for the least amount of money because I can use that money on something else or do more. I like to stretch a dollar as far as I can. Check out how you can make similar campfire magnets at a lower cost. Check out the Campfire Magnet Tutorial.

The campfire is a great way to teach kids

Day 3 Journey off the Map Crafts – Trust your Guide (Daniel 3)

Day 4 Journey off the Map Crafts – Stay on Track (Daniel 6)

Day 5 Journey off the Map Crafts – Keep Watching (Daniel 10)

Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

Fonts to use for Journey off the Map (FREE Fonts)

1. Wood Stamp

2. Shelton

3. Jawbones Condensed WF

4. Tiki Hut

5. Rough Typewriter

Please don’t hesitate to tell me about your VBS Ideas. I love adding more and more to these posts. You can submit your ideas in the comments or by emailing to momssaving1 (@) gmail dot com

Topic: Shady Grove Craft Decoration Ideas – #VBS 2015 Easy VBS Craft Ideas

K Cup Flowers – Journey off the Map Rebecca Autry Creations

by

Need an easy to make but impact-ful flower for your Journey off the Map theme. Add these easy to make flowers and hang them all around your hallways. The best part is you don’t have to spend much. Just get the word out you are looking for empty or already used K Cups. Chances are you will find many of them to donate to you. I have 2 ladies that in the past two months given me around 300 empty K Cups. They must be heavily addicted to coffee!!! I found some tempra paint in our childrens supply room and colored these flowers various colors.

What you Need:

– K Cups empty

– Paint

– Paintbrush

– Newspaper or plastic table cloth

– Small Paper clips

How to Make K Cup Flowers – Journey off the Map:

1. First place the plastic tablecloth down or newspaper to create your work space.

2. If you have not already done so you will need to do the dirty work. Clean out the K Cups. I recommend getting some plastic gloves on and use a double grocery bag to empty the coffee/tea grains into the bag. Rise them well and allow them to thoroughly dry.

3. Pick out the paint you want to use and pour just a little. I used a sponge to cover the k cups. Make sure to allow them to dry fully before adding a second coat.

4. Take Green balloon ribbon or any other color desired and measure around 1 yard. At one end tie a knot. This will be your bottom of the follower strand.

5. Thread your K Cups opening down. You can add 4-5 less or more desired. Allow the top string to be long so you can adjust when you go to hang them. I used 3 because we have low ceilings and to keep them up high enough that the tall people will not get as annoyed!

6. Tie the top of the string to a small paper clip to make it easier to hang from the panel ceiling.

That is it! You are done!

Be sure to ask friends and family for donations. It keeps them out of landfills and you are re-purposing them. These fit well inside each other with the ribbon that you can easily take them down and donate to another church or use for a future theme.

Topic: K Cup Flowers – Journey off the Map

DIY Canteen “Journey off the Map”

by

DIY Canteen “Journey off the Map”

What you Need:

– Cookie Tin

– Brown spray paint

– Small Water bottle – filled

– Drill or box cutter

– Duck Tape

– Leather strap or Duck Tape/Ribbon

– Glue Gun

How to Make:

1. Clean out your cookie tin very well. I got a dozen from a yard sale that they had been stored in a shed for atleast a year maybe more. I used vinegar and baking soda to clean out.

2. Trace the circle of the cap of the bottle on the side you decide to be the top. Use a Utility knife or drill to cut your circle.

3. Lay down either plastic or newspaper and slowly spray pint your tin. Make sure to follow the direction provided on the spray can. Let it air dry fully. And yes please do this outside on a non windy day.

4. Once the tin is completely dry you will want to line the inside with paper. I have tons of scrapbooking paper so I used a cool design and traced two circles to place inside. I used a glue stick to secure them. Cut strip to line the inner sides and glued them down.

5. Insert your water bottle from the inside of the canteen. Take a glue gun and secure around the neck of the bottle so it will not move.

6. Tape your strap on the side of your canteen. I used a thin utility string so I poked hole using a nail and inserted the string and tied a knot and tape them down.

7. Print out the Journey off the Map logo and cut to desired size and glue on the front of the canteen.

That is it! You re done!

Topic: DIY Canteen

What I learned about Vacation Bible School as a Teacher

by

This was the first year the hubby and I were able to plan ahead for VBS so this is what I learned about Vacation Bible School as a Teacher. However since we were not just given the material the day ahead we still found things that would make the future years run more smoothly.

What I learned:

– Have a paper handle bag with Kids names written on them for each day. This will help to keep their crafts, daily missions and any extra items they take home each day like parent notes and so forth. Easily identify the bags and transport them from one room to the next during rotations. If you get the going home parents ahead of time get each set of bags ready each day as soon as possible.

– Have a designated person to take pictures of all the classes each day and be responsible to make a VBS slide show for the closing program. You can also give Assistant Teachers or Youth helping in each class a disposable camera or even a digital camera (they are so much cheaper now) or you can assign someone with a camera phone to take pictures of their class.

– Have a VBS Closing program. I have been to churches that do this and others that don’t either way, I think its a good practice to have one so parents and teachers and kids are aware of what goes next in a program. This will help everything to keep moving on time.

– Be flexible. Most importantly be flexible. We had to rearrange our room a couple of times because our growing numbers. The highest we got was 19 and our room seemed so cramped, so we moved our tables around and made it more accessible to hold our class better. Always be flexible because you don’t know what you will have to change.

– Cut out all your material. If you saw our room you would have thought I spent hours on our room but actually I only spent 4 hrs on actual decorating our room and about 10 hrs reading the material and cutting out everything and putting all the projects together. We spent each night going over the next days lesson and even though we had gone through it the week before it was still time consuming each night. With work and VBS and cleaning our room each night it was a bit of a hassle.

– Plan for 10 more than you expect. We planned on having around 10 in our group but we were in for a surprise when we had 17 our first day. I had planned on more than 10 and had 12-14 of everything I made for our class including items for the lesson so we were scrambling to make additional copies and kits for our lessons. So next year I have no idea what age group the hubby and I will be doing but I will for now on plan on 10 more than I need.

– Hand out Flyers and post in stores. My Sunday School Class with our families went door to door the Monday before the VBS week and handed bags with flyers and candy and hanged them on the doors. I thought this was great but I felt like we could door more like putting it on both sides of our Church sign as well as asking some businesses if we can put them in the windows.

– Really get into the part. Make your VBS different than others so you will be remembered. Our class this year we played the part of secret agents and we were training cadets. It helped. We had a secret agent who was part of teaching the music for opening and closing and he would come around the rooms and give us secret missions. Anytime he came to our class we had the kids stand to attention and this really helped with the excitement.

–Pre-registration. I would recommend that any church that has pre-registration whether online or on paper before VBS to have a separate table for registration to have parents go to and have their paper check off. Give them an incentive to register early.

–Have your VBS Store Ticket/Bucks bags ready. Label them with the your class participants names as early as you can and designate an area of your room marked clearly, Kids love to see their tickets/bucks they have earned.

–Create your Daily Donation Reminders early. Whatever your theme might be create a shape that goes with the theme and write out each day what participants are to bring the following day. I unfortunately what to the day of to do this and time can be better spent if I had just prepared ahead of time.

This will be an ever growing list as I add more in the coming days as I mule over the week of VBS and what I learned and what will help me in the future.

Thanks for reading.

Topic: What I learned about Vacation Bible School as a Teacher
Check the play pokies online real money games at playpokiesonline.org>

Submerged Daily Lessons for Lifeway VBS 2016

by

Day 1  – Dive Deeper with an Overview of the Lesson

Jesus Saw Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10

Today’s Point: Jesus knows who I really am.

Bonus Verse: For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10

Check out the lesson for Day 1 – Jesus stays with Zacchaeus

Day 2

Jesus Saw the Woman at the Well – John 4:1–42

Today’s Point: Jesus knows my worth.

Bonus Verse: I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful,
 and I know this very well. Psalm 139:14

Check out the Bible Lesson for Day 2 – Women at the Well