I bet you like to sing, especially Vacation Bible School music, right? For our church the Worship Rally and Music is in the same area, our sanctuary. Below are just a few VBS 2018 Game On Music decoration ideas. You can get the entire DIY Step by Step Tutorials for all the Music decorations by purchasing the Game On eBook and SVG files.

FREE PDF Printable of Game On Theme Song Lyrics

1. Entry Way Silhouettes

I wrote about the large silhouettes of Sports Players and Band Members below for the Stage, but I also think these would be great for entry ways. Our church has two entry hallways that lead to our Sanctuary. You can purchase the Game On Decorations eBook with SVG, PNG, PDF Files for $14.99 and get over 30+ printables.

2. Large Sports Balls

Use plastic tablecloths from Dollar Tree to create these large sports balls. Make sure to buy the round tablecloths for the round balls.

• White – Soccer ball, Volleyball, Baseball
• Yellow – Volleyball
• Brown – Football
• Orange – Basketball
• Light Green – Tennis

For complete instructions with pictures on how to make the sports balls you can purchase the How to Decorate for Game On eBook with files.

3. Game On Music Notes

     What you Need:

• Music Notes SVG Cut table File
• Scissors or Cutting machine
• Black Cardstock
• Painters Tape
• Fishing Wire
• Hole Punch
• White crayon or pencil
• Paper clip or clear tape

    How to Make:

1. Print the Music Notes found in files folders.

2. Cut out the shapes and trace onto the black cardstock.

3. Cut out the shapes and use painters tape to place on the wall.

4. If using a cutting machine open the SVG file and cut out the shapes onto black cardstock.

5. Use a hole punch to puncture a hole in the notes to hang with finishing wire.

6. Tie on fishing wire through the punched hole. The other end use a paper clip to clip to a grid ceiling otherwise use clear tape to place on the ceiling.       

4. Band Instruments

     What you Need:

• Band Instrument SVG Cuttable Files
• Black Cardstock
• Hole Punch
• Fishing Wire
• Painters Tape

     How to Make:

1. Print Band Instruments or Open SVG file in a Cutting Machine.
2. Cut out Instrument Images
3. Hole punch on one end if hanging with fishing wire. Use painters tape to tape to wall.

5. Music Stands

You might be able to find some music stands around your church. If not, you make your own from tripods and some cardboard. Simply use a large piece of cardboard around the size of 11 x 17 inches and tape it to the tripod. Add a 1 – 2 inch width by 17 in long cardboard strip to the bottom of the larger piece sticking out so it looks more like a Locker.

#Lifeway VBS 2018 Game On Music Decoration Ideas

After a wonderful opening celebration in Worship Rally we are ready to get VBS started. Most likely they will be travelling through the hallways on their way to Bible Study (Field House). You may not know it but if you spend just even a few minutes to decorate the hallway you set the tone for the VBS week and helps your participants get excited and ready to learn. Your decorations also help them associate the theme with the lessons. Below you will find inspired Lifeway VBS 2018 Game On Hallway Decoration Ideas.

#Lifeway VBS 2018 Game On Hallway Decoration Ideas

SEE ALSO:

Simple and inexpensive decorations can be found at Dollar Tree. Keep in mind some of these items are seasonal so planning and starting early is best.

Game On Word Logo

You can download the Game On Word Logo for FREE just click on the link below.

Game On VBS 2018 SVG File

This is great to add to your walls or even to the front of folders. The possibilities are endless.

2. Dollar Tree Basketball Wall Hoops

These can be found in the toy section at Dollar Tree. They come with double sided adhesive so you can easily attach them to wall. Be careful that you check if it will ruin the wall before attaching them.

3. Large Sports Balls Wall Decoration

These are very simple made wall decorations. See the DIY Large balls tutorial. You can find complete detailed step by step picture directions in the Decoration Ideas eBook.

4. Lifeway’s Sport Balls Inflatables

Or if you can find them on clearance at Dollar General you can score the following sport ball inflatables

5. Sports Players and Band Members Silhouettes

Print these silhouettes from the Decoration Ideas eBook and files that can be purchased here. Project the images onto the wall and draw them larger onto black paper. They make great wall decorations.

Other hallway decorations you can find at Walmart or thrift stores.

If you have any suggestions on other Hallway Decorations feel free to list them in the comments.

Kindergarten VBS Day 1 Lifeway Submerged

So for the 3rd year in a row I will have the privileged of overseeing the Kindergarten class for Vacation Bible School. Sadden that I won’t have my best partner to help (My hubby =  Nursing School) I have to over prepare. I am all about decorations and creating an environment of excitement. That is what I am good at and God gave me that talent, however the most important aspect of VBS week is that the children really, really learn God’s Word and that they hide it in their hearts and know for themselves God’s Love.

I can teach but I am not the energetic man my hubby is. With that said I have to prepare and you might say over prepare. I am fully aware that no matter how much I prepare what I think will happen may not go as planned, but I can be grounded in the lessons and activities which will give me the ease to be flexible each day of VBS week.

With that said, Lets get started. Below you will find my Day 1 VBS planned out. This is the timeline of the lesson given in the Lifeway Leaders guide for Kindergarten. Can I just say, having taught kindergarten, my favorite age group, I am always disappointed that this age group gets placed with Preschool and not with the grade level kids. I personally think they are able to understand the worship rally theme video and learn those songs. I don’t think it is necessary for them to learn a different set of songs, that is just my two cents!

So as we bring our Deep Sea Divers to the classroom we are to explain to them that during the week we will be learning about Jesus and pretending to explore underwater in a submarine. Check our my submarine classroom and other decoration Ideas. Help set the mood and boost excitement by transforming your classroom (Bible Study) into a submarine.

Observation Window

You will invite your divers to look out the observation window and ask them to tell what they are observing. Use pack item 9 or create your own Observation window. This will be used all week so make sure you place it in a sturdy area.

Sea Movements

While playing Track 6 (Sea Exploration Music) have your divers stand and encourage them to move like the music sounds, Show them moves like the backstroke, walking with flippers, etc.

Time to Introduce the Bible Story – Fish Tall

Have your classroom setup and prepared as much as possible. Get the attention of your divers and invite them one at a time to stand next to the Fish Measuring Tape (Packet Item 16). Starting at the floor count how many fish tall each child is. Print out the Fish Cards I made here or make your own with the words ” I am ___ fish tall” and give to each child at their turn.

Tell the divers that “Each one of us is different. We are all different heights. We like different things and have different names. But Jesus knows each of us.”

As you hold the Bible explain that today the man in the story was not tall enough to see over  crowd of people.

Puppet Sticks

Open the Bible to Luke 19. Tell the story if your own words while using the stick puppets (Zacchaeus Puppets pack 17) but here is a summary. Zacchaeus was a tax collector from Jericho. He heard that Jesus was coming and tried to see over the crowd. He decided to climb a tree so he could see Jesus. Jesus called Zacchaeus by name to come down from the tree and that he would be going to his house that day. The crowd whispered among each other about Zacchaeus doing wrong things. Zacchaeus knows he did wrong things and decides to help the poor and give back what he took. Jesus tells Zacchaeus that He comes so people like him will learn about God’s love.

Now choose 5 volunteers one for each puppet to retell the story using the puppets. Have the divers act out the story.

Cut the puppets out and tape the craft sticks to the back. I recommend using 2 craft sticks for the free as shown below so it won’t bend over as shown below.

Bible Story Picture

Have your divers retell the Bible story while holding up the Bible Story Picture – Pack item 1.

Tree Trunk

Tape the paper “Tree trunk” to the wall and scatter the leaves (Cut out leaves and add the Story words; Zacchaeus, Jesus, tree, house and love on the floor. Point to the word Zacchaeus and remind the divers that they learned many things about him. Choose some volunteers, one at time to pick up one leaf and tape it to tree. Read each leaf fact and tape to the tree. Have additional leaves to add additional facts that the kids may want to share that they know about Zacchaeus. Tape the leaves to the tree.

Story Words/Observation Window

Show the story words one at a time and encourage your divers to read the word if possible. Ask them to tell about that word and attach the word to the Observation Window (pack 9).

Fish Beanbag Toss

Explain to your divers that Jesus know Zacchaeus. He knew his name and everything about him. Tell them Jesus know each of them to by name and everything about them. Toss a fish beanbag (pack item 18) to a diver and ask them to say their name and to toss the beanbag back. Toss to another diver. Continue until each diver had a chance to say their name.

Now change the game up a bit by tossing the beanbag to a child and have the group say the divers name together. Go around the group of divers until each diver’s name has been said. For added fun continue and have the diver say a nickname, middle name or other names they may have.

Prayer

Invite your divers to pray and thank God with you. Explain that when someone prays, we all sit quietly and listen. Politely tell the divers that many will bow their heads and close their eyes so they can think about what the person is saying to God.

Pray, thanking God for the Bible and for Jesus. Thank God that He know each and everyone of us by name and His love for us.

Verse Game/Feed the Shark

Open the Bible to Psalms 139 and read. Show the Verse Poster (pack item 11) Encourage the divers to say the verse with you. Say, “God knows us, each one of us. He knows all about us.” Tell your divers they are going to feed the shark as the say the Bible verse. Say” When someone tosses a fish into the shark’s mouth, we will say a word of the Bible verse.” Say the Bible verse again.

Help kids line up, facing the shark. Give a fish beanbag to the first diver. When the diver tosses the beanbag into the sharks mouth everyone will say “God”. Diver will move to the end and the next in line gets the fish beanbag and when tossed everyone will say “knows”. Continue on until each diver has had at least 1 opportunity to toss and you complete the entire verse. If more divers than words start the verse from the beginning again.

About Me Trees

Remind divers about the facts Tree about Zacchaeus. Divers now will make a tree about themselves. Guide the divers to write their own name on the brown strip of paper (tree trunk) and then on the green square pieces of paper write or draw something about them. Then cut them into leaf shapes and glue to their tree trunk. Write before cutting so their is enough room for words or the pictures. Provide extra brown strips to cut into branches as well as extra leaves to add additional facts about themselves.

For something different give each diver a small brown paper bag and have them cut 1 cm width apart slits. Open the bag to create the base and then have the divers twist their trunk and each individual branch to make a paper bag tree pictured below. Glue on the leaves like above. Make sure divers write their names on the bottom of the trunks before cutting.

Show the Bible story picture and talk about how Jesus knew Zacchaeus and Jesus knows them each as well.

For added review pull out the Zacchaeus puppets to retell the story and invite the divers to recall the things they learned about Zacchaeus.

You can also sing “Jesus Loves Me” (track 4) and substitute each child’s name in the song.

Sand Dough

Make sand dough according to instructions on the recipe on pack item 20. Place all materials on the table or trays. Place Bible Marker at Luke 19.

Invite the divers to press, mold and cut the dough. Offer suggestions as to what the divers can do with their dough. Allow the kids to explore the dough on their own.

Mention the Jesus walked on the sandy roads to Jericho. Talk about the Bible Story while you open to the Bible Marker. Point to the name Zacchaeus and tell the divers Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name. Suggest that the divers make the letter “Z” with the dough.

For added fun you can provide the kids with the Alphabet Letter Cutters to cut out letters in their names. Also suggest the mold a Bible times house. Say: “Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house. Jesus knew him and loved him”

Walk on Verse Path

Place a Bible verse marker at Psalm 139.

Read the verse to the divers and guide them to step on the verse words in order. Give hint such as the word to start on and the first letter the the next word. Have them say the verse with you. Challenge your divers to step on the words while wearing swim fins and goggles. Demonstrate walking using a slow-motion bounce type walk (as if walking under water).

Point to the verse in the Bible and help your divers find the word God.

Play “Everything about me” (track 1). Lead your divers to sing along to the Bible verse words.

Extended the activity by playing a version of Twister by having a few divers at a time put their right hand of “everything” and left foot on another word.

You can also provide paper and markers for kids to print the verse. If they desire they can write the words out of order and then draw lines to connect them in order.

Spell Names

Print your divers names on index cards as well as Zacchaeus and Jesus. Stick an alphabet sticker on each shell. Make two shells for each letter. keep additional shells and stickers nearby if needed. Guide your divers to spell their name with the letter shells. Talk about each divers name. Tell them Jesus knew Zacchaeus’s name and He knows their name too. Read the first part of the verse from the poster. Substitute a divers name in the verse. “God, you know everything about ____.”

Extend the activity by encouraging divers to print their names and draw pictures of themselves on blank cards. Suggest they add their name to the observation window with the story words.

Read the book Jesus Loves Me pack item 29. Tell them that Jesus loves them.

Closing Group Time

Move to Music

Play “Creature Feature” (track 5) ask your divers to join you in the group time area. Lead your divers to move like each animal in the song.

Play a Game

Explain that divers us hand signals to talk to each other underwater. Teach your divers various hand signals from Card 1 (Dive Kit). Show how to do “Look at” and point to a diver. Lead the group to say the name of that diver. have that diver be it and start the game. Lead the divers to pretend to swim around the room until it gives the hand signal to “stop”. All divers must freeze. It may then use the hand signal “look at” and point to another diver. Lead the divers to say that divers name. and they take the role of it. Give the “OK” sign when it is time to swim again. Continue the game until all divers had a chance at being it.

Review the Bible Story

Say: Jesus knows your name, Jesus knew the name of the man in our story. What was that name? Listen as your divers respond. Use Zacchaeus puppts to recall the Bible story. Tell the story briefly as you hold the puppets or you may choose divers to hold them. Stress again that Jesus knew Zacchaeus by name.

Say the Bible Verse

Sing “Everything about Me“(track 1) Point to the words on the verse poster as you sing them. Invite your divers to sing along when they hear the words from the verse in the song. Get your Bubble and explain the divers that you will blow a bubble and have them say the verse with you before the bubble falls to the floor. Repeat this challenge several times. Remind your divers that the words are a prayer, asking God to help them. Pray, thanking God that He knows and loves every person.

Read the book Jesus Loves Me. Hold the periscope and look at the group. Say: I spy someone Jesus loves. They are wearing a blue shirt. Lead the kids to guess. Continue the game until dismissal time.

That is the end for the first day.

Have Paper Bags filled with all the goodies made by your divers to go home ready for easy transportation to home.

Summary Timeline for Day 1 Kindergarten

Observation Window

Sea Movements

Fish Tall

Bible Picture

Tree Trunk

Story Words/Observation Window

Fish Beanbag Toss

Prayer

Verse Game/Feed the Shark

About Me Tree

Sand Dough

Walk on Verse Path

Spell Names

Topic: Kindergarten VBS Day 1 Lifeway Submerged

Prepare before Class

Help your VBS participants dig deeper in God’s Word with an overview of each day lesson with some helpful ideas with crafts and games to add to your Day 1 experience.

Day 1 Bible Study Submerged – Zacchaeus

Passage – Luke 19:1-10

Lesson – Jesus came into Jericho. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus but could not over the crowd that were standing and waiting in the streets, so he climbed a tree. Jesus saw Zacchaeus on the tree. He called him by name and demanded him to come down and told him He would be staying with him that night. Zacchaeus is a tax collector. People did not like him because his job was to collect taxes. The crowd talked about how he is a sinner and does wrong things.. Jesus told Zacchaeus that Salvation has come to his home.  God wanted Zacchaeus to do what is right. He has a plan for him. Zacchaeus knew he has done some wrong things and told Jesus he would help the poor people. Jesus has happy for him and told him the He comes to people like him to learn about God.

Memory Verse – Luke 19: 10

Thoughts to Ponder

1. Zacchaeus is a sinner. We are all sinners. If we don’t know Jesus we are lost and unsaved.
2. Who and How can you share who Jesus Christ is?
3. Jesus called Zacchaeus by name. No one in the crowd said his name.
4. The crowd whispered about how a sinner Zacchaeus is and Jesus will be staying in his home.
5. Jesus knows who is a true believer and not a believer and He knew that Zacchaeus was not a believer.

Main Point – Jesus know me. Jesus really knows who I am.

Lesson Truth – Jesus looks past our outside appearances, sees who we truly are and reaches out to us with His unconditional love.

Dive Deeper – Psalms 139:23-24

Challenge – Every person you encounter today, call them by name when you thank them for something they have done today or in the past.

Crafts

Craft projects can get pretty pricey when you have a large group of children. Check out this Church Evaluation of the Crafts for VBS 2016 Submerged Theme. You know your church better than anyone else including the budget you are working off. I am not advocating one over another but merely offering ideas on how to lower costs but still have a great craft for kids to make.

1. Climbing Zacchaeus (from the option pack)

1. Search and Rescue Wobble Divers
2.  Submarine Coin collector

Preschool Crafts

1. Climbing Zacchaeus (from the option pack)

1. Scuba Scarf
2. Shimmer Sea Turtle

Alternative Crafts

1. Paper Bag Tree with Climbing Zacchaeus

• Brown Paper Bag
• Green Tissue paper squares
• Printable Zacchaeus that can be colored and cut out
• Glue Dots

2. Towel Tube Tree with Climbing Zacchaeus

• Brown Paper Towel Tube
• Green Tissue Paper
• Rubber Band
• Printable Zacchaeus that can be colored and cut out

Topic: Day 1 Bible Study Submerged – Zacchaeus

These Paper Bag Jelly Fish Craft is so easy to make and are inexpensive. They make a great alternative to Lifeways 2016 Submerged VBS crafts.

Get some colored paper bags from Dollar Tree as well as some googly eyes and have some children’s scissors on hand for children to cut their own. For smaller children I would recommend that your cut them before allowing kids to glue on the eyes. These are very simple. Add string on the back to make them wall hangers.

What you Need:

• Color Paper bags
• Googly Eyes
• Black Sharpie
• Scissors

How to Make:

1. Take your colored paper bags, you can get 10ct for $1 at Dollar Tree. They are located in the party supply area and come in various colors. You can also get the googly eyes there as well in the craft supply section.
2. Cut 1 cm apart slits all the way up to where the fold of the bottom of the bag comes.
3. Glue on your googly eyes.
4. Use a black sharpie and add the mouth if desired.
5. If you desire you can add string to the back of the bag to allow it to hang.

That is it! You are done!

These Jelly Fish can also be used as a decoration idea in the classrooms as well as the hallway.

Topic: Paper Bag Jelly Fish Craft

One fun part of any Vacation Bible School is crafts. Kids enjoy being creative and having something to show to others. These can be simple and inexpensive projects and will still have the affect of the craft kits. I completely understand not all churches or groups have available funds to purchase the traditional Lifeway craft kits for each child. Those craft kits are great for smaller groups but cost can add up quickly when you are preparing for a few hundred children. Below you will find some simple alternative craft ideas ranging in price that go along with the Submerged theme.

Alternative Craft Ideas

1. Paper Plate Turtle Craft Intructions – Simple and easy to make paper plate turtles. Check out the easy to follow step by step instructions. Great alternative Craft Idea that is inexpensive for VBS 2016 Submerged.

2. Paper Bag Jelly Fish – Get some colored paper bags from Dollar Tree as well as some googley eyes and have some children’s scissors on hand for children to cut their own. For smaller children I would recommend that your cut them before allowing kids to glue on the eyes. These are very simple. Add string on the back to make them wall hangers.

3. Cardboard Octopus – Very simple to make. Collect Toilet Paper Rolls. This will be an easy inexpensive alternative craft for Submerged VBS 2016. You will need Tissue paper. Pending on how many kids will be making these you can get 120 plus out of 1 pack of tissue paper from Dollar Tree. You will need glue sticks, liquid glue, googly eyes, black sharpie and scissors. Simply glue your tissue paper wrapping it around the paper roll and stuffing the edges inside glued down. Glue on your eyes where you desire. Cut about 1 cm apart halfway up and fold upward.

Get the full Cardboard Octopus Instructions Here.

4. Hand Print Octupus – Use washable paint. Spread the paint over a child’s hand and place on the paper. Remove hand and let the paint set and dry. Glue on Googly eyes.

Photo Credit – Craftymorning.com

5. Paper Plate Fish – You will need colored paper plates, double sided tape or fast drying glue and a black sharpie and googly eyes for added fun. Simply have your child choose their colors of plates and where you cut your triangle you will use as your fin. Color with black marker the eye ball or you can use a googly eye. Add a secondary color for fin or any fish design. Be creative. Offer some gems or glitter for the kids to glue on and make their fish one of a kind.

6. Paper Bowl Jellyfish – You can get paper bowls 12ct from Dollar Tree. Use color tissue paper to cover or give your kids crayons to color the bottom of the bowls. Cut out shapes to add to the top of the jellyfish to make them unique. Use corresponding color streamers, cut 6-8 for each at equal lengths and glue on the inside of the bowl.

7. Egg Carton Crab – You can recycle using egg cartons by painting them red and adding some red pipe cleaners and googly eyes. Simply cut the red pipe cleaners to fit the crab carton base made for the body and poke the ends thru hands made from the egg carton as well. Glue on some googly eyes.

You can find full step by step instruction for Egg Carton Crab

8. Blue Whale Paper Cups – You can either grab a sleeve of 12ct blue cups at Dollar Tree or even white ones and cover with blue tissue paper. Poke a whole at the bottom of the cup and add silver pipe cleaners curled as pictured below. Using blue construction paper  cut some fins and a tale. Glue on some googly eyes and you have yourself a whale.

9. Craft Stick Fish – You will need four craft sticks. You can use either the colored or regular and let the kids paint them. If time is an issue I recommend the colored sticks. You will need tissue paper and quick drying glue. You will need a black sharpie for the gills and a googly eye. This is a great alternative craft that cost mere pennies each to make. Very low cost and appropriate for most ages.

10. Sock Octopus Craft – You can get a couple pair of socks for $1 at Dollar Tree. This will make 4 Octopus. Get a bag of stuffing or pick up a cheap pillow for less than $3 at Walmart you will get easily 25 out of this pillow.

11. Paper Bag Fish – Very simple to make and cost about 25 cents each to make. Get colored paper bags from Dollar Tree located in the party favor area. You get 10ct for $1. Then head on over to the craft area and pick up some googly eyes and glitter glue. You can even pick up some jewels for added pizzazz.

Topic: Submerged – Alternative Craft Ideas