Tag: Children

Do you wish that your church had a Vacation Bible School about missions? It may be easier than you think! In this post you’ll find some ideas that you can use to plan a VBS or to use in missions classes for kids.

First, you’ll need to decide the format of your VBS or classes. One format that has worked at our church is to have different rooms or stations set up that children rotate through. This helps the flow of children to keep moving, but also allows a teacher to prepare for just one thing each day or Sunday.  I would recommend focusing on one country each day, discussing missionaries that have served there.

Ideas for stations or classrooms could include:

1. Craft room – Try to find a craft from the country you are discussing. Look online to find ideas or look at Wycliffe.org where you can download a free VBS program! 
   • jewelry (like beaded necklace or bracelet)
   • paper plate necklace from Africa
   • coloring pages
   • Here are some ideas about South Korea
   • Here are some ideas about Brazil
   • Ethnos 360 (New Tribes) has some coloring pages, word finds, etc. to download.
   • Kids of Courage (Voice of the Martyrs) has some ideas you can download.
2. Story room – Have an adult read a short story about a missionary. There are many options (these are affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase through these links, familiesformissions will make a small commission at no additional cost to you!).  While there are other missions books out there, these all have short stories that can be read in a short session.
   • Missionary Kid Stories
   •  Little Lights series of books                            
   • Ten Boys Who Changed the World 
   • Ten Girls Who Changed the World 
   • Missionary Stories with the Millers   
   • Missionary Stories from Around the World  
   • Ethnos 360 (New Tribes) has some fun stories on their website
3. Activity room – having something where the kids move around is a good idea. This breaks up the monotony of the morning sitting. Try things like:
   • a scavenger hunt
   • a trip around the world with different children leading around the room
   • a game from another country
   • a puzzle of the world, jungle animals, the desert (age appropriate)
4. Time Machine room – pretend that you are suddenly transported to the country or area where the missionary serves. This one could involve some extra work in decorating, but it can be very fun for children. You can use ideas like:
   • a medical clinic
   • a school room
   • a jungle
   • a hut
   • the desert
   • an airplane cabin
5. Missionary sharing room – Have a “real live” missionary share with the children. If you do not have a full-time missionary in your area, you can have people from your church that have gone on a short-term missions trip share. Using a map and a few pictures, as well as a prop or two can really make this a special time.

Don’t forget to present the good news about Jesus dying for our sin and tell the kids how they can pray to accept Jesus as their personal Savior!  (Otherwise, missions is pointless!)

If you are really looking for some great ideas without having to do a ton of work and planning, check out Wycliffe.org and their VBS plans.

These ideas would be great additions to a children’s program at a missions conference at your church! Or use them to supplement your homeschool curriculum!

What ideas have you tried?