Planning the Crafts portion of the VBS program is a real challenge.

Consider some of the criteria for choosing a craft:

• It must have multi-age appeal.

• It must be completed in 20-25 minutes.

• The directions must be simple, not too complicated.

• Have an alternate activity for those who finish early.

• Materials must be readily available locally.

• Does it trigger some memories of VBS, and love of Jesus Christ?

There are so many good ideas for crafts.  For the VBS at Fagaras materials from Every Generation Ministries (EGM) were used. The cost per child was reasonable.    The materials came in kit form.   A teacher /leader manual for the entire VBS program was also available. Most important, it was written in Romanian.

The above craft consisted of a shield and yellow cross.  Children use their creativity in the choice of colors and arrangement of pieces of the item.

These binoculars required a lot of help from the craft assistants.

For safety reasons, some children will need help with their project. This child is a little young to use the glue gun.

Other children may just need some explanation and guidance.

This craft project was a decorated bag for things like money or school items, or maybe as a present for a family member.

Let me guess!  This child likes sports.

Some called it the “Jesus bag.”   They were encouraged to write one concern or trouble on a slip of paper (some with teacher help), then turn the concern over to Jesus and put it in the bag,  and  pray for help and guidance about it.

After the craft session the group guide collects the project from each child to keep it safe and in good shape .  At the end of the day, the item is returned to the child to take home –  another memory of VBS.

Next time, see some examples of VBS Recreation activities!