Since I have this warning my virtual functions do not work anymore.
It’s as if they don’t exist. The program simply ignores them… but it doesn’t crash.
Warning C4793: 'FProtocol::`vcall'{16}'': function compiled as native:
Non-clrcall vcall thunks must be compiled as native
It only happens with the CL compiler and in a Visual Studio (2022) project.
I made the following example and compiled it with CL in command line and there were no warnings and everything worked fine.(The code was deleted at the request of commentators).
I also tried with the GCC 14.2 compiler and it also ran without errors or warnings.
So I think it must be something related to the project settings in VisualStudio.
I tried this directive too but it didn’t fix the problem… it just hides the warnings.
#pragma unmanaged
Basically, the problem arises when I use pointers to virtual member functions (templates and non-templates).
Has anyone had this problem?
Have you been able to solve it in any way?
EDITED:
The problem is perfectly reproducible.
1-Create a C++ project in Visual Studio 2022
2-Configure it for managed code (Common Language Runtime)
Earlier this month, Google launched the Pixel 9a, which we found to be an excellent budget phone in our review. In fact, its display matches the more expensive Pixel 9 series in nearly every way, with a 6.3-inch Actua pOLED panel, a 120Hz refresh rate, and high brightness levels.
However, the Pixel 9a continues to use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) dimming at a rate of 240Hz. This method, which is common on OLED screens, adjusts brightness by rapidly flickering the display and can cause headaches or eye strain for those sensitive to lower PWM frequencies.
For the past two years, quite a few companies have discussed PWM dimming and how their products could soon make displays more comfortable for everyone. Google and Samsung, however, have remained silent on the issue despite repeated questions.
That changed recently when a Google representative responded to inquiries by saying, “Google…indicated their teams are aware and investigating this. You can expect updates later this year.” This is the first time Google has publicly acknowledged the issue and said it is working on a solution, as reported by Android Central.
This update could mean that Google is planning to add a higher PWM dimming rate or a flicker-reduction accessibility option in a future Pixel phone. Brands like Honor and OnePlus are already using PWM rates above 1,920Hz, which is more comfortable for users. The timing of Google’s statement goes well with the probable launch of the Pixel 10 series later this year, making it easier for us to connect the dots.
Instagram Threads, Meta’s X competitor, has now grown to over 350 million monthly active users, CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed during the company’s Q1 2025 earnings call on Wednesday. That’s an increase of 30 million users since the prior quarter, where Meta reported that Threads had 320 million users.
The new figure represents increased growth, as Threads added 30 million in the first quarter of this year, compared with 20 million in Q4 2024. It’s also worth noting that in a single quarter, Threads added nearly the same number of users to its network as one of its newer competitors, Bluesky. The latter, a decentralized social app, today has roughly 35 million users.
While Threads is still small in comparison to Meta’s other social apps — Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp — its growth is helping to cement its place in the microblogging app ecosystem. In total, Meta says that more than 3.4 billion people now use at least one of Meta’s apps daily.
On Wednesday’s call, Zuckerberg told investors that the growth indicates Threads “continues to be on track to become our next major social app.”
It begins with a dream. A hillside retreat overlooking the horizon. A minimalist gem that exudes space and light. Or perhaps a quaint lakeside cottage constructed with eco-friendly materials. Whatever the dream, custom home design is never merely about what is attractive. It’s about what functions—and what endures. That’s where expert structural engineers from industry leader Cad Crowd quietly emerge as the champions of the tale.
Most individuals consider the services of hiring an architect or design firm to make their perfect home a reality. That’s a wonderful start. But when the vision is taking shape, you need someone to ensure that lovely glass wall doesn’t buckle under stress, or that the stairs floating in mid-air actually float safely. That’s where the structural engineer comes in—the individual who brings artistic vision into actual, tangible reality.
Let’s see how these behind-the-scenes professionals make personalized home designs stronger, better, and often, even more gorgeous.
The quiet collaboration that changes everything
When you hire an architecture or design company, you’re entering into a creative collaboration. The architect hears what you need, researches your style, and creates a concept. Floor plans, elevations, and renderings come next, providing you with a glimpse of what’s to be. But no matter how intriguing the design, it’s still in theory until a structural engineer enters the picture.
Now here’s the magic ingredient: the greatest architectural design companies don’t merely hire engineers at the eleventh hour. They hire them ahead of time. Why? A fantastic custom home design depends upon the intimate coordination of the creative and technical minds.
Consider the architect to be a composer, and the structural engineer to be the conductor, ensuring every section of music plays together in harmony without one note being flat. The engineer does not suppress creativity—rather, they expand it.
So what does a structural engineer do on a custom home project, exactly?
Simply put, they ensure your house stands.
They examine loads, stresses, and forces—stuff you can’t see on a floor plan. They wonder: Can that cantilevered deck really hold guests? Will this house weather high winds or earthquakes? Is the ground solid enough to bear that foundation?
And maybe most critically: Can we make this incredible design work within your budget?
Let’s get down to business with some real-world examples.
Making the impossible… possible (And safe)
Picture your architect showing you a mind-blowing design—huge open areas, minimalistic beams, cantilevering roofs, and floor-to-ceiling windows. You adore it. But then you ask: is it doable? Of course it is, through expert custom home design services.
A structural engineer sees the design and begins to make calculations. What is the span of those beams? Steel, engineered wood, or perhaps something more esoteric? How will these components act with time?
Their recommendations may also enhance energy performance or minimize material waste. They’re not only thinking about what holds—it’s also how it holds, how long, and how efficiently.
Bridging form and function
Great design isn’t merely pretty—it’s about function. That seeming defiance of gravity that’s floating up there? An engineer makes sure every tread is properly anchored and can withstand loads. That monolithic glass wall? They analyze wind loads and suggest materials that won’t buckle or crack when pressed.
Architects are visionaries, and engineers keep those visions from becoming nightmares.
But here’s where the synergy gets interesting: occasionally, engineering firms take designs even further than architects envisioned. For example, with post-tensioned concrete, they can achieve longer spans and more slender slabs—allowing the architect to go back and tweak the design with yet more streamlined lines.
It’s an exchange that’s more jazz than solo act. And the payoff is sensational.
Coping with site-specific issues
Each piece of land has its own characteristics. Sitting on a slope? A floodplain? In a region of wildfire risk? These are not merely aesthetic considerations—they’re engineering problems.
A structural engineer conducts soil analysis, slope stability computations, and foundation design specific to your property. They assist in making certain your personalized house isn’t simply an attractive form—it’s anchored down, integrated into its environment.
This is particularly worth it when constructing in buildings with strict building regulations or environmental restrictions. Engineers are familiar with decoding these regulations and creating novel loopholes that do not compromise the design.
Here’s a myth: hiring a structural engineer will break your bank.
In fact, a good structural engineer can save you money—both during construction and many years down the road.
By optimizing the materials and structure, structural engineering services can reduce overbuilding, eliminate unnecessary redundancies, and help avoid costly errors. They spot potential problems on paper, so you’re not stuck with expensive fixes during construction.
Think of them as your custom home’s insurance policy against costly surprises.
They’ll also work with your contractor to make sure the design is functional for construction. That equals less delay, fewer change orders, and a less stressful process overall.
Future-proofing your home
Custom homes aren’t just constructed for today—they’re constructed for tomorrow. If you’re considering installing solar panels down the road, constructing an ADU, or adding attic space conversion, structural engineers design with flexibility in mind.
They’ll be asking: Can the roof support the extra load of solar? Can we retrofit this wall now for future expansions? Will this design support aging in place?
Top structural engineers have long-term vision, just as you do.
How to ensure your architect and engineer operate harmoniously
When you’re having a custom home or any large building project designed, the working relationship between your architect and structural engineer can make or break the ultimate product. While architects provide creativity and vision, engineers bring a sense of reality and safety to the table. So, how do you guarantee a smooth working relationship between your architect, structural engineer, and the balance of your design team?
It starts with hiring the right firm
First and foremost, select a structural design company that values collaboration. High-end firms realize that wonderful architecture is not merely about how beautiful it looks—it has to be structurally stable and viable to construct. A lot of established companies have long-standing working relationships with structural engineers they have faith in, or they hire consultants early in the design process. Some even have internal engineering departments, which makes communication easier and quicker to adapt during the design process.
When you interview potential companies, don’t hesitate to press them about how they manage this part of the project. Ask questions that get at their workflow and level of commitment to integration between engineering and design.
Ask the right questions early on
One of the best indicators of whether or not a company has strong architect-engineer relationships is to ask pointed questions, such as:
“At what point in the process do you involve a structural engineer?”
“Do you use a preferred engineering firm or have resident staff?”
“How do you approach design revisions based on feedback from engineers?”
These questions aren’t only about logistics—these questions show you how committed the firm is to structural soundness and if they see the value in using engineering as an integral part of the creative process. If the answers sound ambiguous or seem to be an afterthought for the engineer once the design is finished, that’s your warning sign. Engineering design experts will always seek to cover all bases to ensure safety and efficiency.
Review their past projects
Actions speak louder than words. Reviewing a firm’s portfolio can reveal how well they integrate design and structure. Look at their completed custom homes or commercial buildings. Do the designs feel bold, yet realistic? Are there any examples of creative solutions to engineering challenges?
Designs that blend creative design with unambiguous structural sense are a healthy indication that the architect and engineer collaborated in harmony throughout. Extra credit if the company can take you through how the team collaborated on particular recent projects.
Know the workflow
Lastly, inquire about their workflow. The most effective firms will have a straightforward process established that defines phases such as conceptual design, structural input, revisions, engineering sign-off, and permitting. An open workflow ensures everyone is on the same team and prevents expensive delays or surprises after construction has started.
You want a team that welcomes back-and-forth dialogue and understands the importance of early coordination. When architectural design professionals and engineers work as a cohesive unit rather than in silos, the result is a well-balanced design that’s both beautiful and buildable.
In short, the key to a successful project lies in communication, mutual respect, and aligned goals—so make sure your team has all three from day one.
The emotional benefit: Peace of mind and confidence
Yes, structural engineers work with physics, math, and materials. But their actual contribution? Peace of mind.
When you understand your custom home isn’t only stunning, but safe, solid, and smartly designed, you breathe easy into the process. You savor the experience more. You know your investment is in good hands.
There’s something incredibly reassuring about knowing your open-concept living space won’t sag, your foundation won’t crack, and your roof can weather the storm. That’s the emotional ROI of structural engineering.
Final thoughts: The hidden star of your custom home
Most homeowners never encounter their structural engineer. You will not have their name over the front door or their visage in the portfolio. But do not doubt for a minute—she’s a key character in every bespoke home’s happy ending.
By bringing a superb architect or design company from Cad Crowd on board and engaging them early to introduce structural engineering to the mix, you maximize the potential of your dream home. Your design may be more assertive, your build more effortless, and your result all the more rewarding.
So when you’re ready to construct your signature home, don’t simply inquire about how it appears. Inquire: What makes it durable? What makes it endure?
MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.
Sometimes you just can’t put your finger on it. You want something familiar and comforting, but also something just a little different. You want to mix it up with some excitement, but still maintain a sense of connection to what you already know and love. Something balanced. Well, aren’t you in luck! This month the ID@Xbox team has handpicked six Indie Selects that have immaculate vibes.
We give you a bit of intensity with a co-op heist and gliding down mountains; chill out with heartfelt narratives over some tea and a bit of sticker commerce; and, finally, run some very strange errands while strategically expanding your universe. Perfection! Here’s what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):
From the creator of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide, Wanderstop is a narrative-centric cozy game about change and… tea. Playing as a fallen fighter named Alta, you’ll manage a tea shop within a magical forest and tend to the customers who pass through. But Alta does not want to be here. And if she gets her way, the tea shop will be nothing but a brief and painful memory.
While this year’s Game Developers Conference was incredibly energizing and inspiring, it was also stressful and overwhelming at times. I needed a meditative escape after I got home, and Wanderstop was the perfect game to help me recharge. It’s beautiful, whimsical, magical, and deals with emotional themes that I found both cathartic and uplifting. The narrative touches on shame, burnout, personal growth, satisfaction, and introspection. There are low stakes here, no stressors, no time limits, and there are no fail states. The game actively encourages players to enjoy the moment, to take a breath, to reflect inward and delight in simple pleasures.
At the same time, it has a strong and compulsive loop. Players grow plants, harvest fruits, acquire trinkets, make friends, and brew increasingly in-depth tea recipes (and other types of brews) with off-the-wall ingredients for an ever more diverse and colorful cast of characters, all who have powerful stories to share and lessons to bestow.
I loved this game and will absolutely be playing through again in the future. This is a fantastic example of games as an artform for me, and I feel fortunate that we get to experience creations like this.
Wanderstop
Annapurna Interactive
☆☆☆☆☆ 15
★★★★★
$24.99
Wanderstop is a narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea. Playing as a fallen fighter named Alta, you’ll manage a tea shop within a magical forest and tend to the customers who pass through. But Alta does not want to be here. And if she gets her way, the tea shop will be nothing but a brief and painful memory.
Wanderstop is a tea shop management ritual. Grow and harvest the ingredients needed for tea, and then mix them together in an unusual tea-making contraption. Along the way, speak with the many travelers who pass through the shop, learn their stories and make tea that’s just right for them.
In your downtime, you might tidy up around the clearing, decorate the shop in your style, or just sit on a bench with a cup of tea and listen to your own thoughts. Maybe doing nothing at all is okay. The shop demands patience, it rejects those who have come only in the pursuit of growth unchecked.
And that’s why Alta can’t be here. It’s why she’ll never make it. This isn’t who she is. No, she’s a fighter! Why would anyone insist on turning the world’s greatest championship warrior into a docile shopkeeper?! With everything she’s capable of?? No no no, she won’t, she won’t do it… she can’t…
Wanderstop is a game from the team at Ivy Road, including Davey Wreden (creator of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide), Karla Zimonja (co-creator of Gone Home and Tacoma) and Daniel “C418” Rosenfeld (the music of Minecraft).
What genre is this? Unhinged? I mean let’s be fair: What do you call a mascot management/relationship management sim/open world driver/Yakuza mystery narrative, with the most bizarre cast of characters you will ever come across? Fantastic, you call it fantastic.
Promise Mascot Agency is unlike anything I’ve played. The plot may seem bizarre, but the narrative is surprisingly wholesome. You’re a former Yakuza “fixer” sent out to a small town to run a local brand ambassador business. Accompanied by your mascot companion (who is… a living severed finger) and beat-up truck, you drive across town in effort to earn profit, all while uncovering a range of political conspiracies undermining it. This game is about a lot of things, but it really centers around optimism and adapting to new circumstances when things go awry. Very, very awry.
Oh my goodness, do I love this game. I literally could not stop playing. At its core, the game has you finding and recruiting a variety of mascots. You negotiate their benefits package, find clients that would employ them for events and send them out on jobs hoping that they won’t mess up, and inevitably get attacked by a demon, or some other hilariously random incidents that trigger a card-based minigame. On the one hand, the game is a very chill experience driven by a lot of narrative quests and casual management sim tracking and efficiency gameplay. On the other hand it’s an exploration driving game with few limits and plenty of ways to profit. The difficulty ramp on either side is gradual and not overwhelming. Overall, the gameplay loop was absolutely built for my short attention span and general weirdness, and the writing had me fall out of my chair laughing. On top of the that, the cast of mascots you meet are incredibly likeable in their own little, weird way. You’re bound to find a favorite.
As chaotic as this all may seem, this experience was incredibly cozy and heartwarming. The gameplay is, indeed, fairly simple, but it’s so unique in its presentation that it kept me glued. I think people who enjoy the Yakuza series would especially enjoy this, but honestly I’d want everyone to play this totally preposterous game about you and your giant finger friend helping a town become whole again.
Promise Mascot Agency
Kaizen Game Works Limited
☆☆☆☆☆ 26
★★★★★
$24.99
From the creators of Paradise Killer comes a mind-bending open-world narrative adventure mascot management simulator where mascots are more than just symbols – they’re unpredictable forces of nature! Step into the chaos, unravel the conspiracies, drive a tiny truck and try to keep it all together in Promise Mascot Agency!
Welcome to the Mascot Hustle
You thought mascots were just fluffy, innocent brand ambassadors? Think again. The Mascots are all living, breathing, fully formed personalities, with dreams, fears, and the occasional breakdowns of their own- just like us! Whether it’s Trororo, a charming cat who’s a little too obsessed with “adult video” or sweet, silken To-Fu, who can’t stop sobbing, your job is to befriend, mentor, and (hopefully) get these mascots to finish their jobs without causing a major catastrophe.
Play Your Cards Right
Sending your mascots out to work is never as easy as it sounds. One minute they’re promoting delicious food, the next they’re stuck in a doorway or starting a kitchen inferno. Need help? Good thing Kaso-Machi is full of intrepid everyday heroes ready to lend a hand (if you’ve managed to befriend them, of course). Unlock Hero Cards, featuring Kaso-Machi’s lovable local weirdos like Captain Sign, Japan’s only road-sign superhero (don’t ask questions), or Mama-San, a bar owner with a serious latex collection. These heroes will step in to provide help when your mascots inevitably lose control.
Tear Through Town in Your Upgradable Kei Truck
Kaso-Machi is a town full of secrets, and Michi isn’t just stuck in an office managing mascots – he’s on the road in his rusty (but upgradeable!) Kei Truck. This nifty little ride may look like a heap of junk, but with a few tweaks, it’ll have nitro boosts, glider wings, and even the ability to launch Pinky☆ – Michi’s maniacal mascot assistant – like a missile. Use your truck to explore the strange, forgotten town, unlock collectibles, and uncover hidden mysteries. Who knew a Kei Truck could be your best friend in a town where literally everything else hates you?!
Crime! Drama! A Walking Finger?!
Exiled after an ambush that left his clan in shambles, Michi finds himself piecing together the mystery of what really happened, while the town seems to actively conspire against him. Nightmare spirits seem a little too interested in your business, and there’s an ever-present sense that something’s very, very wrong in this place…
Think you can resist? Think again. The mascots know where you live. Step into the world of Promise Mascot Agency and claim your place in this brave new world of mascot domination.
Monaco 2, the sequel to a beloved, Xbox Live Arcade classic, is a top-down stealth-action game where you and up to three others cooperate as a band of thieves tasked with pulling off “perfect” heists. The flow of the game is relatively simple – players select a mission, go through a quick, narrative driven debriefing, select one of four unique characters, strategize through an interactable overview of the level’s layout through Blueprint Mode, and proceed to the mission. Where it gets complicated is when you actually enter the premises. You can create the most elaborate plan ever, but it can (and almost always will) fall apart once someone is detected by a guard or walks through a laser, triggering an alarm.
I spent most of my time in the single player mode, which was fine since the game offers the ability to switch between characters at various checkpoints. I was able to squeeze by the first few missions as one character, but you’ll quickly realize the strategic advantages of leveraging the whole cast as missions become progressively more elaborate. My favorite character is Sake since I not only loved her design, but her emphasis on speed and stealth. She’s perfect for beginners as, when situations get too sticky, you can count on her dodge roll to avoid attacks. Of course, there’s also Una who doesn’t really care about the game’s rules – opting for combat over stealth with her ability to knock guards out.
I found the most fun weaving in and out of strategic stealth to cat and mouse chases. Getting caught and leveraging shadows, barriers and furniture to juke and loop the guards, only to return undetected, felt extremely satisfying every time. While I did have fun solo, I recommend firing this up with friends whether online or locally!
Monaco 2
Humble Games
☆☆☆☆☆ 6
★★★★★
$24.99
Monaco is a city overflowing with luxury and greed, which makes it a perfect target for you and your international gang of criminal masterminds. The best of the best have been assembled, and they’ll need to work together using their unique abilities to rob the city blind. Do you and your friends have what it takes to bring the city of Monaco to its knees?
New characters mean all new ways to play! Assemble your team from a selection of eight playable characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. Need to adapt? Switch your character mid-run to overcome whatever obstacles stand between you and untold riches!
Every heist requires careful planning. With Blueprint Mode, you can look at the level’s layout before you start the mission, allowing you to case the joint before you and your friends fleece it for all its worth.
They say there’s no honor among thieves, but they’ve never met your crew! Team up with up to three other players in local or online multiplayer and plan your heist. However, nothing ever goes exactly according to plan in Monaco, so you’ll need to work together and improvise if you want to get away with your haul of riches.
Monaco 2 offers a new level of immersion with an updated 3D art style and a procedurally generated level design system. Complete the structured campaign or test your skills against the hundreds of seeded levels, proving once and for all that you and your friends are the ultimate thieves!
Sledders is an open-world snowmobiling simulator that captures the true spirit of backcountry freedom and exploration. Unlike other entries in the genre, it offers less arcade-style gameplay and instead focuses on realism. It features physics-based snow environments and a robust catalog of fully licensed snowmobiles – including some awesome retro models. If you ever daydreamed about carving through untouched powder, discovering new trails, racing for bragging rights, or trying out new tricks, Sledders might just be your next favorite ride.
What stood out the most to me is how the sleds handle. They don’t just glide over the snow, they dig in, sink under the weight, and fight back like they should. You have to shift your weight, ease into the throttle, and use your skills to navigate the terrain. It’s challenging at first, so be prepared to fall often. But don’t worry, sticking to the trails is a great way to familiarize yourself with your sled before heading off into the wild. Once you find your rhythm, it’s addictive.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior looking for a peaceful solo ride, hosting a private session with friends, or a hardcore sledhead ready to challenge the world, Sledders meets you where you are with multiplatform cross-play support for up to 32 players. You can customize every detail of your sleds in the garage, and it offers plenty of options to style your character with gear that matches your look. If you’re looking for a game that lets you ride on your own terms and at your own pace, Sledders delivers an experience that will stay with you long after the snow melts.
Sledders
Bonus Stage Oy
☆☆☆☆☆ 207
★★★★★
$34.99
Shred your sled in open-world backcountries. Sledders is a realistic, physics-based snowmobile simulator. Manoeuvre the big open terrain, plow through tons of fresh snow, conquer the mountains, and reach the peak faster than your friends!
Sit back, relax, and enjoy as you rip around on one of the sleds speeding between trees and throwing it around at the ridges. The limits are only set by you so let loose and show us what you can accomplish!
The game offers a big map for you to explore and play around in. It contains steep hills, mountains, lots of trees, and open areas ready to be ridden by you (yeah, there’s a plenty of jumps, and also water…)! It will take ages for you to ride from one corner to another, that’s how big the map already is. And who knows what the future holds, our plans include bigger, better, and many more maps to come (we hear you ditch bangers, snow crossers, tricksters, trail riders, and all!).
The snow in Sledders feel as real as possible, so you better sharpen up your powder skills or you’ll just keep on digging deeper and deeper into the snow! Freeriding in backcountries means a lot of snow to plow and riding in it is way different than on other terrains. You must master the steering by shifting your weight around, making turns with your throttle, counter steering with your skis, and many other new skills. Once you master the skills needed in the backcountries, you’re unstoppable and no pow will make you stuck.
– Freeride snowmobile simulator with real-world physics in deep-snow backcountry
– Ride with and against your friends in epic freeriding experience
– Online, crossplatform multiplayer takes you ride around the world with a likeminded community of sledheads
I used to love stickers as a kid, but I never thought about designing and showing off my own creations. Enter Sticky Business, a cozy, small business simulator game where your motivation is to run a small business designing, selling, and packing stickers for a variety of customers. No end of the world scenarios, no final boss to violently fight off, and no heart stopping action. The game is as advertised: cozy as it comes and twice as wholesome.
After naming your store, you start at your desk and begin designing stickers for customers. You have hundreds of parts and options to choose from, and they can be meticulously layered to make some truly ridiculous stuff. Illustration sizes, text colors, outline sizes, and other options can tweaked and changed rather easily. You don’t have the option to use individual letters to make your own words (which makes sense, even though I really just want to make a wholesome Wu-Tang sticker). Still, there’s some pre-made words that you can put together, so I’m a bit proud of my line of “Cozy Metal” stickers with various combinations of animals and instruments. Yes, it’s dumb, but I do enjoy them very much.
Once your design is finished, you can pay coins to print them on different types of sheets. You have to be extremely thoughtful about how you to fit the stickers to the sheet because a single sheet costs the same regardless of how many stickers you can fit on it. More stickers, more profit. You then package everything up exactly how you want it and send it off to make some cold hard cash (and hearts) which you can use for upgrading and unlocking more designs.
Unlike most games, the story doesn’t revolve around you. Instead, it’s entirely focused on your customers, who write you about their lives and how stickers fit into their narratives. Some are heartwarming, some are ridiculous. You’ll find that different stickers attract different customers and there will be some requests for specific types of stickers that you’ll need to fulfill. It’s a great, short Etsy-sim that’s super soothing and chill. Especially if you have younger kids, nieces, or nephews that are into design, this a great find.
Sticky Business
Assemble Entertainment
☆☆☆☆☆ 3
★★★★★
$9.99
Create, pack and sell your own unique sticker creations!
Experience the joy of running your own cozy small business: Create stickers, pack orders and hear your customers’ stories. Time to build the cutest shop on the internet!
You want a collection of cat stickers? A witch-themed shop? Or add a derpy face to all of your creations?
Combine dozens of elements to create your own collection and sell them to like-minded people. Different stickers attract different customers! You can add some sparkles or holo effects to make them even more special!
Pack orders and hear more about your customers’ stories every time they buy stickers!
My Little Universe by Estoty is a delightful blend of adventure and simulation that invites players to create and explore their own miniature worlds. This charming game falls into the genre of sandbox adventure, where creativity and exploration are key elements. Players start with a small plot of land and gradually expand their universe by gathering resources, crafting tools, and unlocking new areas.
From the moment I started playing, I was enamored by the game’s whimsical art style and engaging mechanics. The process of building and expanding my universe felt incredibly rewarding. Each new discovery, whether it was a hidden treasure or a new biome, added layers of excitement and curiosity. The game strikes a perfect balance between relaxation and challenge, making it easy to lose track of time as you immerse yourself in your little universe.
One of the standout features of My Little Universe is its intuitive gameplay. The controls are gratifyingly simple, allowing players of all ages to jump right in and get creating. There’s no need for a lengthy tutorial or complex button combinations. You gather resources with a simple tap, craft tools with a few swipes, and expand your universe with ease. This simplicity makes the game incredibly accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages. It also offers a variety of customization options, enabling you to personalize your world to reflect your unique vision. Whether you’re a fan of games like Minecraft or Terraria, you’ll find familiar elements here, but with a fresh and charming twist.
My Little Universe is a must-play for anyone who enjoys creative and exploratory games. It’s a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, offering a serene yet stimulating experience that will keep you coming back for more. So, grab your tools and start building your own little universe!
My Little Universe
SayGames
☆☆☆☆☆ 32
★★★★★
$14.99
Go above and beyond the cosmos!
The universe is vast and filled with adventures, mysteries to solve, and enemies to fight… who knows, you might even meet a few friendly faces along the way. Better yet, invite up to three of your friends to join you in the split-screen local co-op mode because it’s always more exciting with friends!
EXPLORE!
9 mythical worlds and 65+ different dungeons, from mythology-inspired lands to hostile alien worlds await you and your friends. Filled with wonder and plunder, challenges and adversaries, your task is to restore these beautiful worlds to their former glory!
GATHER RESOURCES!
The worlds are filled with rich minerals ready to be harvested by your trusty tools, and mythical artifacts of untapped power guarded by powerful foes. Use more than 70 different gatherable resources to recreate lands long lost to a mysterious threat.
RISE UP TO THE CHALLENGE!
The universe won’t be restored that easily, and each challenge requires the proper tools for the job. Equipped with your trusty pickaxe, sharp sword, and sturdy axe, you’ll be thrown against 150+ different adversaries including mythical creatures, alien horrors, and even demigods!
UPGRADE YOUR GEAR!
With each planet comes new challenges and because of that, you have to stay prepared by upgrading to the newest and freshest tools, which will always keep you one step ahead of your opponents! Improve your weapon, tools, and armor up to 30+ levels!
Just Enjoy The Adventure.
Get entranced by the game’s cozy atmosphere, enjoy the relaxing soundtrack, and fall in love with the simplistic yet charismatic visuals. After all, it’s all about the journey and the friends we make along the way!
Modern enterprises rely on 1000+ of applications to run their operations, and many workflows that comprise these operations touch multiple applications in the stack.
Application sprawl and time wasted toggling cost businesses millions.
Join this webinar to explore how Moveworks’ AI Agent Marketplace can help you quickly eliminate repetitive tasks and automate end-to-end business processes. From IT and HR to Sales, Finance, and Legal, learn how to identify the right AI agents for your organization with curated solution packs, install them with an intuitive installation wizard, and deploy to your AI Assistant in minutes – not days or weeks.
In this webinar, you’ll learn:
How to discover and deploy AI agents from the AI Agent Marketplace to drive business productivity through automation
How to select the right set of agents for your unique tech stack and team needs
How the Agentic Automation Engine that powers Agent Studio minimizes code to make agents easier and faster to build
Demo: How to install from discovery on the AI Agent Marketplace to deployment
This session is designed for IT leaders, operations teams, and business stakeholders ready to take their automation strategy to the next level with AI agents. Register now and see how to get started.
Pre-made VBS themes can be EX-PEN-sive! A church can easily spend thousands of dollars to put one together.
We definitely don’t want that!!! We want to save your church money. ❤️
If you’re looking to save money, or maybe you just want to have a super unique program, this is your go-to spot for all ideas VBS!
There are over 80 themes to choose from (!!!!), chockfull of ideas, songs to use, crafts and activities, ideas for decorations, snack ideas to go along with the theme, leader costume ideas for skits and plays, Bible verse ideas to use as your main tagline for your program, and tons more!
The themes are below, but first, here’s some craft and activity ideas that work with all the themes…
Crafts / Activities For All Themes:
Big huge blow-up ball with volleyball net
Nerf tag (nerf guns, kids hide behind big cardboard boxes)
Kicking bill blow up beach balls to roll them down a bowling alley to knock down pins
Bean bag toss
Prayer Journal (purchase once and make copies for all kids!)
Caps/hats that they can have all their friends sign with Sharpie or markers
Obstacle courses
1 person holds each corner of a moving blanket and run with the kid inside the moving blanket across a slick-type floor and slide them or have them hang on and slide them
Ring toss
Any carnival-type games
Create a Bible verse on large sheets of paper, cut them into words, and have the kids put together the words or use these as crafts
And some fun Christian kids songs that will work for all themes too…
Songs For All Themes:
To make songs fun, add some dancing and hand motions to them!
VBS Themes That Starts with A – Z
With all the VBS themes to choose from, you’ll never run out of fresh, faith-filled ideas that kids will cherish for-EVER! 💖 Whether you’re planning on a budget or going all out, there’s something here for every church to make Jesus come real to kids in a fun and unforgettable way. 😊
Imagine knights in shining armor learning about faith, pirates hunting for God’s treasure, or kids exploring a lush jungle in search of Eden. You’ll find TONS of inspiration to make this year’s VBS your best one yet! 🎉
And be sure to check some other great resources to help you plan things out! 🥳
Here’s all the theme’s information to help you put on an AH-mazing Vacation Bible School service this year!!!
• VBS themes that starts with A
1) Adventure Island (island, ocean)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks, inflatable sea animals, fish nets, ocean-themed posters
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, make mini terrariums, color seashells, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, captain of a ship, turtle, sailors, scuba divers
2) Arctic Adventure (arctic animals)
Main Theme Verses: Leviticus 11:17 (owl), Psalms 102:6 (owl), Matthew 8:20 (fox), Jonah (big fish/whale), Isaiah 11:6 (leopard, wolf)
Decorations: white and blue balloons, silver streamers, cotton batting for snow, igloo made of plastic milk jugs or cardboard, cardboard or inflatable polar bears, penguins, seals, and arctic foxes, blue LED lights, snowflake cutouts, “frozen” trees made of white-painted branches and fairy lights, iceberg photo booth with snowy props
Crafts / Activities: snow globes with jars and mini arctic animals, penguin footprint art, marshmallow igloos on paper plates, blue and white glitter slime with snowflake confetti, decorate foam snowflakes, ice excavation with frozen toys, arctic animal masks
Snack Ideas: powdered donut “snowballs,” chocolate-dipped “polar bear paw” cookies, cheese cubes and pretzel stick igloos, blue raspberry ice pops, snowflake-shaped mini sandwiches, white chocolate-dipped pretzel rods
Leader Costume Ideas: polar bear, penguin, snow queen or king, seal, walrus, arctic fox
3) Armor of God (armor, knights)
Main Theme Verses: Ephesians 6:10-18, Matthew 6:33
Decorations: shields, castles, green topiaries, pretend swords and shields, brick walls and buildings, shrubs, lion statues, pillars, columns, old tuscany-type pots, medieval banners (Exodus 17:15), royal thrones
Crafts / Activities: coloring the letter of their name in medieval-type font with fun background, make paper shields, decorate mini capes, teachings about King Jesus, King David, King Solomon, Queen Esther, paper crowns, dragon egg hunt, knights training obstacle course, dragon puppet show
Snack Ideas: shield-shaped sugar cookies decorated with icing crosses or emblems, “sword” skewers with grapes, cheese cubes, and cherry tomatoes, crown-shaped sandwiches using cookie cutters, golden popcorn in mini chalice-style cups, pretzel “swords” dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles, “castle bricks” made from graham crackers and peanut butter or icing, “dragon eggs” using green grapes or chocolate-covered almonds, mini meat pies or sausage rolls, fruit goblets with berries and whipped cream, knight’s trail mix with M&Ms, pretzel swords, cereal, and dried fruit in parchment cones, fruit “jewels”
Leader Costume Ideas: king outfits, prince outfits, queen outfits, princess outfits, ballroom dresses for girls, dragon, jester
• VBS themes that starts with B
1) Blaze a Trail (explorer)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations: faux campfire with orange and red tissue flames, trail signs and wooden arrows, backpacks and lanterns, binoculars and walking sticks, footprint decals, artificial trees and greenery, tents, compass props, trailhead welcome arch, map and trail station signs
Crafts / Activities: decorate wooden trail signs with names and Bible messages, make explorer journals from paper bags and twine, decorate walking sticks with paint and feathers, compass craft using paper plates and brads, glow stick scavenger hunt with scripture clues, leaf rubbing art, DIY trail mix bags
Snack Ideas: trail mix with cereal, pretzels and dried fruit, campfire pretzel rods dipped in orange/red icing, s’mores cereal bars, teddy grahams on chocolate frosting trails, lemonade or fruit punch in canteen cups
Leader Costume Ideas: park ranger, explorer with boots and compass, scout leader with badges, trail guide with map and whistle, adventurer with safari hat and binoculars
• VBS themes that starts with C
1) Camp Edge (camping)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations: trees/foliage, camping tents, lanterns, rocks, shrubs, camping chairs, bonfires, trees/foliage lights on walls, dark auditorium lit up with lights (have kids hold lights, etc.), patio lights, tree stumps, pretend shovels, caves, flashlights, compasses, trail signs with Bible verses, hanging stars and moons for night sky effect, backpacks and hiking gear on display, faux animal tracks on the floor
Crafts / Activities: painting river rocks, create kaleidoscopes, decorate mini lanterns or flashlights, make nature journals, build bird feeders with craft sticks, leaf rubbing art, DIY compass crafts, friendship bracelets or paracord survival bracelets, camp badge sticker sheets with faith milestones
Snack Ideas: s’mores, hot dogs, trail mix with chocolate chips and dried fruit, “bug bites” (celery with peanut butter and raisins), campfire cupcakes with pretzel “logs” and orange/red frosting, popcorn in mess tins, canteen-style water bottles with fruit-infused water
Leader Costume Ideas: explorers with flashlight headlamps on their heads, girl scout outfit, any animal costume (tiger, bear, etc.), park ranger with hat and vest, camper with backpack and walking stick, firefly costume with glow sticks, wilderness survival guide with map and whistle
2) Carnival Celebration (carnival)
Main Theme Verses: Philippians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 10:31
Decorations: red and white striped tents, colorful bunting and streamers, balloons in primary colors, popcorn boxes and carnival signs, DIY ticket booths, fairy lights, clown props, circus animal cutouts, ring toss and game stations, bright tablecloths and banners
Crafts / Activities: decorate clown hats or masks, make paper plate carnival wheels, DIY juggling balls with rice and balloons, create puppet theatres and sock puppets, design your own tickets or banners, carnival ring toss or bean bag games, face painting station
Snack Ideas: popcorn in striped bags, cotton candy, mini corndogs, caramel apples, pretzel sticks, rainbow cupcakes, lemonade in carnival cups
Decorations: giant coins with Bible verses, treasure chests overflowing with gold coins and gems, gold and silver streamers, “X marks the spot” floor decals, pirate maps and scrolls, treasure maps on the walls, shimmery fabric for treasure piles, bags of coins, scales of justice or balance scales, jars labeled “Give,” “Save,” “Share,” banners that say “You’re God’s Treasure” or “Make a Change for Jesus”
Crafts / Activities: decorate coin purses or mini treasure chests, make your own coins with clay or cardboard, design “kingdom currency” with values like love, kindness, truth, generosity, create beaded bracelets with gold and silver tones, treasure map coloring pages, make giving jars with Bible verse labels, Bible coin toss game
Snack Ideas: chocolate gold coins, “treasure mix” (M&Ms, raisins, gold cereal, mini marshmallows), jewel-coloured jelly beans in mini treasure chests, golden cupcakes with edible glitter, coin-shaped sugar cookies, fruit rings on candy necklaces, “buried treasure” pudding cups with cookie crumb dirt and gummy gems
Leader Costume Ideas: pirate captain with treasure map, banker with vest and coin pouch, treasure hunter or explorer with satchel and compass, royal treasurer with a crown and scroll, merchant with apron and scales, superhero “Changemaker” with cape and coin logo
Main Theme Verses: Nehemiah building the wall (Nehemiah 1:1-7:73)
Decorations: caution tape, traffic cones, yellow and black streamers, cardboard bricks and building blocks, construction signs, toy tools and toolboxes, safety vests hanging on walls, construction helmets, scaffolding-style displays, “Under Construction” banners
Crafts / Activities: build with mini bricks or sugar cubes and icing, decorate foam construction hats, make toolbelt crafts with paper or felt, paint wooden tool shapes, hammer golf tees into foam blocks, LEGO building challenges, design a blueprint with rulers and crayons
Snack Ideas: cheese stick “beams,” pretzel rod “nails,” graham cracker bricks with frosting mortar, traffic light brownies with red/yellow/green M&Ms, “dirt” cups with crushed Oreos and gummy worms, apple slices with peanut butter and mini marshmallows
Leader Costume Ideas: construction worker with hard hat and vest, safety inspector with clipboard, architect with blueprints and glasses, builder in overalls with toy tools, road crew member with stop/go sign
6) Cosmic Crusade (astronauts)
Main Theme Verses: Psalm 19:1
Decorations: space ships (inside decorations and things like rocket ships), space car, hanging planets and stars, glow-in-the-dark space objects, astronaut helmet on moon
Crafts / Activities:memorize coloring mix up cards (purchase once, make copies, and use for every student in your VBS program!), painting space, planets, stars on navy blue construction paper, navy blue t-shirts, popsicle sticks art boards, make small galaxy jars with sand, painting solar systems/outer space pictures, lessons on creation and how big God is, create kaleidoscopes, make galaxy slime, make rocket ships out of toilet paper rolls, make telescopes out of toilet paper rolls
Snack Ideas: cupcakes with crushed Oreos on top (solar system debris), foods cut into stars or circles (for planets), rocket pops, treats wrapped in tinfoil to signify moon rocks, banana chips, cosmic brownies (brownies with stars on them), rocket sandwiches
Decorations:magnifying glasses, fingerprint posters, caution tape, red string clue boards, “Top Secret” file folders, invisible ink messages, trench coats and hats on display, evidence markers, spy glasses, dark curtains and dim lighting for a mystery vibe
Crafts / Activities: make detective badges, decorate magnifying glasses with stickers and glitter, invisible ink messages with lemon juice, fingerprint art, create clue notebooks, scavenger hunts with Bible clues, crack-the-code puzzles, secret message decoding
Snack Ideas: magnifying glass cookies (round cookies with a handle), clue trail mix with mystery ingredients, “spy juice” in black cups, fingerprint sugar cookies, mini sandwiches cut in puzzle piece shapes, chocolate coins or “evidence” treats in plastic bags
Leader Costume Ideas: detective with trench coat and fedora, spy with sunglasses and earpiece, secret agent in black suit, forensics expert with gloves and clipboard, inspector with magnifying glass, mystery book character like Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew
2) Dinosaur Discovery (dinosaurs)
Main Theme Verses: Job 40:15-24
Decorations:jungle vines and leaves, inflatable or cardboard dinosaurs, dinosaur footprints on the floor, faux rocks and volcanoes, “dig site” signs, brown and green streamers, palm trees, ferns, dinosaur eggs, bones and fossils made from foam or paper mâché
Crafts / Activities: make dino hats or masks, paint mini dinosaur figurines, create fossil imprints with clay and toy bones, DIY paper plate dinosaurs, dinosaur egg bath bombs, excavation dig with sand and buried “bones,” dinosaur footprint painting with toy dinos, animal charades, animal masks
Snack Ideas: dinosaur-shaped cookies, “dino eggs” made of Rice Krispies treats, green slime pudding with gummy dinos, fossil sandwiches (cut into bone shapes), pretzel stick “bones,” trail mix in mini excavation pails
Leader Costume Ideas: palaeontologist with hat and tools, dinosaur onesie or tail and hoodie, explorer with binoculars and cargo vest, safari guide, Jurassic Park-style scientist, ranger with a walkie-talkie and clipboard
3) Doers of the Word (any theme)
Main Theme Verses: James 1:22
Decorations: any
Crafts / Activities: any
Snack Ideas: any
Leader Costume Ideas: any
• VBS themes that starts with E
1) Eden Adventure (garden of Eden; imagine walking with God in the garden of Eden, jungle)
Crafts / Activities: Paint maps on the top of cardboard boxes then rearrange them and have kids put the map together, VBS Bucks (purchase once and make as many copies as you want!), animal charades, paint river rocks, paper plate lions, animal masks, decorate safari hats, animal puzzles, make apple paper plates
Decorations: maze walls or escape room-style clues, arrows and locked doors, keys and chains with Bible verse tags, clocks/timers, hidden messages with invisible ink, travel posters with “Heaven is Our Destination,” footprints leading to the cross, “EXIT” signs pointing to Jesus, dramatic lighting, dark corners with glowing scripture verses, mystery boxes and suitcases, locks and puzzle props
Crafts / Activities: create “keys to God’s kingdom” with paper or foam, decorate mini lock boxes or treasure chests, make invisible ink messages with lemon juice, build a paper maze and trace the escape route, decode Bible verse puzzles, fingerprint cross crafts, write down “worldly distractions” and symbolically tear them up or throw them away
Snack Ideas: key-shaped cookies, “maze mix” trail mix in mystery bags, clue cupcakes with gummy question marks, escape room “energy bars” (granola bars), lock-and-key pretzels (twists and stick shapes), dark chocolate and marshmallow “light in the darkness” cups, escape hatch fruit cups with hidden berries under yogurt
Leader Costume Ideas: escape room guide with clipboard and stopwatch, detective with magnifying glass and trench coat, adventurer with satchel and map, key master with ring of keys and robe, angel with signpost and glowing props, traveler with backpack and compass
3) Exalt! (any theme; anything that lifts God up)
Main Theme Verses: any
Decorations: any
Crafts / Activities: any
Snack Ideas: any
Leader Costume Ideas: any
• VBS themes that starts with F
1) Fishers of Men (fishing)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 4:19
Decorations:fishing nets, blue and green streamers for water, inflatable or cut–out fish, oars and fishing poles, wooden crates and tackle boxes, bobbers and lures hanging from the ceiling, “Gone Fishing” signs, seaweed made from green crepe paper, boat backdrop, lighthouse cutout
Crafts / Activities: decorate foam fish, make fishing poles with sticks, yarn, and magnets, create paper plate aquariums, fish-themed scratch art, colour-in fishing scenes, “catch a verse” magnet fishing game, make fish keychains with beads and pipe cleaners
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue Jello cups with gummy fish, pretzel rod fishing poles with fruit string bait, Swedish Fish trail mix, boat-shaped fruit bowls, “pond punch” with blue sports drink and lemon-lime soda
Leader Costume Ideas: fisherman with vest and hat, captain of a fishing boat, scuba diver, lifeguard, sailor
2) Focus (any theme)
Main Theme Verses: any
Decorations: any
Crafts / Activities: any
Snack Ideas: any
Leader Costume Ideas: any
3) Fortress Finders (castles; God is my fortress)
Main Theme Verses: Psalm 18:2
Decorations: shields, castles, green topiaries, pretend swords, banners, brick walls and buildings, shrubs, lion statues, pillars, columns, old tuscany-type pots
Crafts / Activities: coloring the letter of their name in medieval-type font with fun background, make paper shields, decorate mini capes, lessons about King Jesus, King David, King Solomon, Queen Esther, paper crowns
Snack Ideas: castle crackers with cheese cubes, “shield” cookies (sugar cookies shaped like shields with icing designs), fruit kabob swords with grapes, melon, and strawberries on skewers, “crown” sandwiches cut with crown-shaped cutters, golden popcorn in chalice-style cups, pretzel rod “scepters” dipped in chocolate and sprinkles, mini meat pies or veggie pastries (medieval-style snacks), graham cracker “castle walls” with frosting and candy blocks, dragon eggs (grapes or chocolate-covered almonds), royal punch (fruit juice with a splash of sparkling water)
Leader Costume Ideas: king outfits, prince outfits, queen outfits, princess outfits, ballroom dresses for girls
4) Found! (prodigal son or magnifying glass)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations:magnifying glasses, fingerprint posters, caution tape, red string clue boards, “Top Secret” file folders, invisible ink messages, trench coats and hats on display, evidence markers, spy glasses, dark curtains and dim lighting for a mystery vibe
Crafts / Activities: make detective badges, decorate magnifying glasses with stickers and glitter, invisible ink messages with lemon juice, fingerprint art, create clue notebooks, scavenger hunts with Bible clues, crack-the-code puzzles, secret message decoding
Snack Ideas: magnifying glass cookies (round cookies with a handle), clue trail mix with mystery ingredients, “spy juice” in black cups, fingerprint sugar cookies, mini sandwiches cut in puzzle piece shapes, chocolate coins or “evidence” treats in plastic bags
Leader Costume Ideas: detective with trench coat and fedora, spy with sunglasses and earpiece, secret agent in black suit, forensics expert with gloves and clipboard, inspector with magnifying glass, mystery book character like Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew
5) F.R.O.G. (F-Fully, R=Rely, O=On, G=God; rainforest or safari theme)
Crafts / Activities: Paint maps on the top of cardboard boxes then rearrange them and have kids put the map together, VBS Bucks (purchase once and make as many copies as you want!), paper plate lions, animal masks, paint river rocks, animal charades, decorate safari hats, animal puzzles, make apple paper plates
Decorations: Lego buildings and forts, cardboard robots, metallic streamers and foil backdrops, gears and cogs cut from cardboard or foam, caution tape and tool signs, conveyor belt displays, colorful lights, buttons and switches made from craft supplies, hanging wires and tubes
Crafts / Activities: build your own mini robot with boxes and craft bits, create with Legos, decorate foam gears, make paper circuit cards (with LED stickers), DIY robot masks or hats, design your own invention with recycled materials, play “code the robot” movement games
Snack Ideas: “nuts and bolts” trail mix with cereal and pretzels, robot Rice Krispies treats with candy eyes, gear-shaped cookies, juice boxes wrapped in foil to look like robots, apple slices with marshmallow “bolts,” cheese cubes stacked like machines
Leader Costume Ideas: robot with cardboard body and dryer vent arms, mad scientist with lab coat and goggles, mechanic with overalls and tool belt, factory worker with gloves and cap, inventor with clipboard and wild hair
Decorations: space ships (inside decorations and things like rocket ships), space car, hanging planets and stars, glow-in-the-dark space objects, astronaut helmet on moon
Crafts / Activities:memorize coloring mix up cards (purchase once, make copies, and use for every student in your VBS program!), painting space, planets, stars on navy blue construction paper, lessons on creation and how big God is, navy blue t-shirts, popsicle sticks art boards, make small galaxy jars with sand, painting solar systems/outer space pictures, create kaleidoscopes, make galaxy slime, make rocket ships out of toilet paper rolls, make telescopes out of toilet paper rolls
Snack Ideas: cupcakes with crushed Oreos on top (solar system debris), foods cut into stars or circles (for planets), rocket pops, treats wrapped in tinfoil to signify moon rocks, banana chips, cosmic brownies (brownies with stars on them), rocket sandwiches
Main Theme Verses: 2 Timothy 2:5, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Decorations: pennant banners, inflatable sports balls, goal posts, turf-style rugs, scoreboard backdrops, bleacher seating areas, team flags, streamers in team colours, whistles and medals, giant foam fingers, locker room props, “Jesus Is My Coach” signs, water coolers
Crafts / Activities: decorate megaphones, sports wreath (take pictures of football, baseball, soccer ball, basketball, etc. and make a wreath out of it), color foam fingers saying Jesus is #1, create team pennants with Bible verses, design sports jerseys with fabric markers, make mini trophies with paper cups and foil, paint team signs and banners, “verse relay” game with memory verse puzzles
Snack Ideas: mini soft pretzels, fruit skewers with toothpick flags, popcorn in paper cones, cheese cubes and grapes on toothpicks (team snacks), football-shaped brownies, Gatorade or fruit punch in sports bottles, “trail mix locker packs” in zip bags
Leader Costume Ideas: referee with black-and-white stripes, coach with whistle and cap, athlete in team jersey and face paint, cheerleader with pom-poms, mascot costume, announcer with microphone and clipboard, team medic with armband and first aid kit
3) The Great Exploration (space, astronauts, galaxy)
Main Theme Verses: Psalm 19:1
Decorations: space ships (inside decorations and things like rocket ships), space car, hanging planets and stars, glow-in-the-dark space objects, astronaut helmet on moon
Crafts / Activities:memorize coloring mix up cards (purchase once, make copies, and use for every student in your VBS program!), painting space, planets, stars on navy blue construction paper, lessons on creation and how big God is, navy blue t-shirts, popsicle sticks art boards, make small galaxy jars with sand, painting solar systems/outer space pictures, create kaleidoscopes, make galaxy slime, make rocket ships out of toilet paper rolls, make telescopes out of toilet paper rolls
Snack Ideas: cupcakes with crushed Oreos on top (solar system debris), foods cut into stars or circles (for planets), rocket pops, treats wrapped in tinfoil to signify moon rocks, banana chips, cosmic brownies (brownies with stars on them), rocket sandwiches
Decorations: space ships (inside decorations and things like rocket ships), space car, hanging planets and stars, glow-in-the-dark space objects, astronaut helmet on moon
Crafts / Activities:memorize coloring mix up cards (purchase once, make copies, and use for every student in your VBS program!), painting space, planets, stars on navy blue construction paper, lessons on creation and how big God is, navy blue t-shirts, popsicle sticks art boards, make small galaxy jars with sand, painting solar systems/outer space pictures, create kaleidoscopes, make galaxy slime, make rocket ships out of toilet paper rolls, make telescopes out of toilet paper rolls
Snack Ideas: cupcakes with crushed Oreos on top (solar system debris), foods cut into stars or circles (for planets), rocket pops, treats wrapped in tinfoil to signify moon rocks, banana chips, cosmic brownies (brownies with stars on them), rocket sandwiches
Decorations: flower pots and watering cans, artificial grass mats, picket fences, butterflies and ladybugs, hanging paper flowers and vines, gardening tools, wheelbarrows, seed packets strung as garland, sun and cloud cutouts, large paper trees, planter boxes with faux veggies, anything Springtime related
Crafts / Activities:memorize coloring mix up cards or mustard seed activity cards (purchase once, make copies, and use for every student in your VBS program!), decorate mini terracotta pots, plant seeds in soil cups to take home, make paper plate sunflowers, handprint flower art, paint rocks as garden markers, create “fruit of the spirit” garden signs, assemble garden journals with stickers and stamps
Snack Ideas: dirt cups with crushed Oreos and gummy worms, flower-shaped fruit kabobs, veggie sticks with hummus in mini pots, butterfly snack bags (snack mix in a clothespin-decorated bag), sunflower seed granola bars, “garden patch” Jello cups with candy carrots
Leader Costume Ideas: gardener with apron and gloves, farmer with overalls and straw hat, sunflower or veggie costume, bee or butterfly outfit, raincoat and wellies, scarecrow with flannel shirt and hay accessories
• VBS themes that starts with H
1) Heroes of Faith (Bible characters)
Main Theme Verses: Esther, Moses, David, Abraham, other Bible characters
Decorations:superhero comic–style posters of Bible characters (e.g., “Daniel the Lion Tamer,” “Esther the Brave”), cardboard cityscapes, capes and masks with Bible verse logos, stars with names of faith heroes, banners that say “Faith is Our Superpower,” shield props, spotlights, clouds and lightning bolts with encouraging words, a “Hall of Faith” walk with verses from Hebrews 11
Crafts / Activities:Superhero memory game (purchase once and make as many copies as you want!), create Bible hero trading cards, decorate superhero capes with faith words (brave, obedient, kind), make wristbands or cuffs with character traits, build shields of faith with cardboard and markers, colour hero masks, match Bible heroes to their “superpower” (like faith, obedience, courage), make scrolls with memory verses
Snack Ideas: shield-shaped cookies, “power-up” fruit skewers, mini sandwiches shaped like stars, popcorn in comic book-style bags, juice boxes with superhero labels, chocolate coins with “faith treasures” stickers, pretzel rods dipped in coloured chocolate as “faith sticks,” cupcakes with hero toppers
Leader Costume Ideas: Bible character outfits (Moses with staff, Esther with crown, David with slingshot), superhero versions of Bible heroes with capes and props, robe and sandals with themed accessories, armour of God costume, comic book narrator with clipboard and speech bubbles
• VBS themes that starts with I
1) In Search of the Savior (cameraman/camerawoman, newscrew)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations: news desk setup with microphones and logo backdrop, camera props made from cardboard boxes, “Breaking News” banners, press passes and ID tags, stage lights or spotlights, TV screens or monitors, world map backdrops, live reporting signs, newsroom clocks showing different time zones
Crafts / Activities: make press badges with names and roles, decorate microphones using paper towel tubes and foil, create “Breaking News” headline posters with Bible story summaries, film short skits reenacting Bible stories, journal-style reporter notebooks, build cardboard TVs and interview booths
Snack Ideas: microphone cake pops, “camera lens” Oreos, popcorn in press-themed cups, fruit kabobs arranged like news cables, juice boxes with news station labels
Leader Costume Ideas: cameraman or camerawoman with headset and camera prop, field reporter with notepad and press badge, news anchor in blazer and tie, producer with clipboard and stopwatch, weather reporter with map
2) Incredible Race (journey, traveling the world)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations: world maps and globes, passport and boarding pass props, international flags hanging around the room, suitcase and travel bag displays, directional signposts pointing to global cities, airplane cutouts, inflatables shaped like famous landmarks (Eiffel Tower, pyramids, etc.), vintage travel posters, bunting in country colors
Crafts / Activities: make “passports” and stamp them at each station, decorate travel luggage tags, create country flags with paper and markers, design postcards from around the world, make paper airplanes and hold a flying contest, world puzzle races, assemble mini globes or hot air balloons from paper crafts
Snack Ideas: “around the world” snack sampler (e.g., tortilla chips for Mexico, fortune cookies for China, croissants for France), fruit sushi, globe cake pops, international trail mix, mini pretzels, animal crackers in “suitcase” boxes, lemonade or “jet fuel” juice pouches
Leader Costume Ideas: world traveller with camera and sunhat, flight attendant, pilot, explorer with binoculars and map, tour guide with clipboard and badge, costumes from different cultures (tasteful and respectful), race bibs and running gear
3) Into the Deep (ocean, submarine)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks, fish nets, inflatable sea animals, ocean-themed posters
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, color seashells, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frame, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue Jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, captain of a ship, turtle, sailors, scuba divers
4) Island Adventure (island, ocean animals)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks, inflatable sea animals, ocean-themed posters
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, color seashells, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, captain of a ship, turtle, sailors
Crafts / Activities: Paint maps on the top of cardboard boxes then rearrange them and have kids put the map together, VBS Bucks (purchase once and make as many copies as you want!) painting river rocks, animal charades, paper plate lions, animal masks, decorate safari hats, animal puzzles, make apple paper plates
Main Theme Verses: Ephesians 6:10-18, Matthew 6:33
Decorations: shields, castles, green topiaries, pretend swords and shields, brick walls and buildings, shrubs, lion statues, pillars, columns, old tuscany-type pots, medieval banners (Exodus 17:15), royal thrones
Crafts / Activities: coloring the letter of their name in medieval-type font with fun background, make paper shields, decorate mini capes, teachings about King Jesus, King David, King Solomon, Queen Esther, paper crowns, dragon egg hunt, knights training obstacle course, dragon puppet show
Snack Ideas: shield-shaped sugar cookies decorated with icing crosses or emblems, “sword” skewers with grapes, cheese cubes, and cherry tomatoes, crown-shaped sandwiches using cookie cutters, golden popcorn in mini chalice-style cups, pretzel “swords” dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles, “castle bricks” made from graham crackers and peanut butter or icing, “dragon eggs” using green grapes or chocolate-covered almonds, mini meat pies or sausage rolls, fruit goblets with berries and whipped cream, knight’s trail mix with M&Ms, pretzel swords, cereal, and dried fruit in parchment cones, fruit “jewels”
Leader Costume Ideas: king outfits, prince outfits, queen outfits, princess outfits, ballroom dresses for girls, dragon, jester
2) Kingdom Kids (castles, knights)
Main Theme Verses: Ephesians 6:10-18, Matthew 6:33
Decorations: shields, castles, green topiaries, pretend swords and shields, brick walls and buildings, shrubs, lion statues, pillars, columns, old tuscany-type pots, medieval banners (Exodus 17:15), royal thrones
Crafts / Activities: coloring the letter of their name in medieval-type font with fun background, make paper shields, decorate mini capes, teachings about King Jesus, King David, King Solomon, Queen Esther, paper crowns, dragon egg hunt, knights training obstacle course, dragon puppet show
Snack Ideas: shield-shaped sugar cookies decorated with icing crosses or emblems, “sword” skewers with grapes, cheese cubes, and cherry tomatoes, crown-shaped sandwiches using cookie cutters, golden popcorn in mini chalice-style cups, pretzel “swords” dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles, “castle bricks” made from graham crackers and peanut butter or icing, “dragon eggs” using green grapes or chocolate-covered almonds, mini meat pies or sausage rolls, fruit goblets with berries and whipped cream, knight’s trail mix with M&Ms, pretzel swords, cereal, and dried fruit in parchment cones, fruit “jewels”
Leader Costume Ideas: king outfits, prince outfits, queen outfits, princess outfits, ballroom dresses for girls, dragon, jester
3) Kingdom Seekers (castles, knights)
Main Theme Verses: Ephesians 6:10-18, Matthew 6:33
Decorations: shields, castles, green topiaries, pretend swords and shields, brick walls and buildings, shrubs, lion statues, pillars, columns, old tuscany-type pots, medieval banners (Exodus 17:15), royal thrones
Crafts / Activities: coloring the letter of their name in medieval-type font with fun background, make paper shields, decorate mini capes, teachings about King Jesus, King David, King Solomon, Queen Esther, paper crowns, dragon egg hunt, knights training obstacle course, dragon puppet show
Snack Ideas: shield-shaped sugar cookies decorated with icing crosses or emblems, “sword” skewers with grapes, cheese cubes, and cherry tomatoes, crown-shaped sandwiches using cookie cutters, golden popcorn in mini chalice-style cups, pretzel “swords” dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles, “castle bricks” made from graham crackers and peanut butter or icing, “dragon eggs” using green grapes or chocolate-covered almonds, mini meat pies or sausage rolls, fruit goblets with berries and whipped cream, knight’s trail mix with M&Ms, pretzel swords, cereal, and dried fruit in parchment cones, fruit “jewels”
Leader Costume Ideas: king outfits, prince outfits, queen outfits, princess outfits, ballroom dresses for girls, dragon, jester
• VBS themes that starts with L
1) L.I.F.E (any theme; living in faith everyday)
Main Theme Verses: any
Decorations: any
Crafts / Activities: any
Snack Ideas: any
Leader Costume Ideas: any
2) Live It Out (any theme; living out your faith)
Main Theme Verses: any
Decorations: any
Crafts / Activities: any
Snack Ideas: any
Leader Costume Ideas: any
• VBS themes that starts with M
1) Magnified (magnifying glass; detective)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations:magnifying glasses, fingerprint posters, caution tape, red string clue boards, “Top Secret” file folders, invisible ink messages, trench coats and hats on display, evidence markers, spy glasses, dark curtains and dim lighting for a mystery vibe
Crafts / Activities: make detective badges, decorate magnifying glasses with stickers and glitter, invisible ink messages with lemon juice, fingerprint art, create clue notebooks, scavenger hunts with Bible clues, crack-the-code puzzles, secret message decoding
Snack Ideas: magnifying glass cookies (round cookies with a handle), clue trail mix with mystery ingredients, “spy juice” in black cups, fingerprint sugar cookies, mini sandwiches cut in puzzle piece shapes, chocolate coins or “evidence” treats in plastic bags
Leader Costume Ideas: detective with trench coat and fedora, spy with sunglasses and earpiece, secret agent in black suit, forensics expert with gloves and clipboard, inspector with magnifying glass, mystery book character like Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew
2) Make a Splash (ocean)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks, inflatable sea animals, fish nets, ocean-themed posters
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, color seashells, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, captain of a ship, turtle, sailors, scuba divers
3) Makers (stem projects; robots)
Main Theme Verses: 2 Chronicles 26:15
Decorations:gears and cogs cut from cardboard or foam, robot cutouts or inflatables, circuit board wall backdrops, metallic streamers and foil decor, wires and LED lights, workbench stations, “Creation Zone” signs, blueprint posters with Bible verses, code–like banners that spell out “Created with a Purpose”
Crafts / Activities: build mini robots with boxes and craft materials, decorate safety goggles, create paper circuits with copper tape and LEDs, make “code your name” binary bracelets, assemble foam gears, LEGO building challenges, build catapults or bridges with sticks and rubber bands, STEM-inspired object races or marble runs
Snack Ideas: robot-shaped cookies, pretzel “wires” dipped in coloured chocolate, cheese cube and grape “gears” on toothpicks, “nuts and bolts” trail mix with cereal, pretzels, and chocolate chips, marshmallow and graham “robot heads” with candy eyes, apples with peanut butter and raisin “buttons,” juice boxes wrapped in foil like robot bodies
Leader Costume Ideas: robot costume with cardboard and dryer vent arms, mad scientist with lab coat and goggles, inventor with blueprints and tool belt, coder or engineer with laptop and gear pins, AI assistant with blinking lights and headset, futuristic superhero with STEM-themed accessories
4) Mystery Island (island, ocean)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, tall cardboard or inflatable rainforest trees, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks, hanging parrots or toucans from the ceiling or tree branches, inflatable sea animals, fish nets, ocean-themed posters
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, create parrot masks with feathers and cardstock, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, rainforest animal scratch art or colouring pages, lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, color seashells, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, rainforest “bug bites” (celery sticks with cream cheese or hummus and edible googly eyes or raisins), blue jello with ocean-themed candy inside, tropical fruit cups (pineapple, mango, kiwi), blue and green popsicles,
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, explorer/safari guide with a khaki vest and binoculars, captain of a ship, turtle, parrot, sailors, scuba diver
• VBS themes that starts with N
1) Noah’s Ark Adventure (rainbow, ark, animals)
Main Theme Verses: Genesis 6:14-16
Decorations: large cardboard ark display or inflatable ark, pairs of animal cutouts or plush animals placed in twos around the room, rainbow balloon arches, blue and white streamers for water, cloud cutouts on walls and ceilings, raindrop garlands made from paper or felt, animal footprints leading to the ark, “God Keeps His Promises” banners with rainbows, woodgrain backdrops to mimic the ark’s interior, faux greenery and jungle vines, inflatable or hanging ocean animals like whales and dolphins, floating umbrellas or paper boats
Crafts / Activities:VBS Bucks (purchase once and make as many copies as you want!), tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, animal charades, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, color seashells, animal masks, paper plate lion
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue Jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: captain of a ship, Noah costume, any animals
• VBS themes that starts with O
1) Ocean Deep (ocean)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, color seashells, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game
Snack Ideas: goldfish crackers, blue jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, captain of a ship, turtle
• VBS themes that starts with P
1) Party Time (music, disco balls)
Main Theme Verses: Philippians 4:4
Decorations:disco balls hanging from the ceiling, colourful strobe or LED lights, glitter streamers, music notes and record cutouts, balloon arches in neon colours, dance floor made with taped tiles, boom boxes and jukebox props, tinsel curtains, party hats and confetti everywhere
Crafts / Activities: decorate mini disco balls with sequins and foil, make music-themed bracelets with note charms, create cardboard guitars or microphones, DIY party hats with stickers and pom-poms, colour-in musical instruments, dance freeze games, rhythm instrument station with maracas and tambourines
Snack Ideas: rainbow cupcakes with edible glitter, popcorn in colourful cups, “record” cookies with black icing, fruit punch “party pop” drinks, mini pizzas, music note-shaped sugar cookies, colourful jelly cups
Leader Costume Ideas: disco dancer with bell bottoms and sparkles, 80’s pop star with neon gear, DJ with headphones and shades, music conductor with baton, rock star with wig and leather jacket, party clown with silly accessories
2) Power Up Play (superhero or video games)
Main Theme Verses: Esther, Moses, David, other “heroes” in the Bible
Decorations: pixelated backdrops, city skylines, game controllers and power-up icons, comic book-style “BAM!” and “ZAP!” signs, superhero capes and masks hanging on walls, LED light strips, arcade signs, stars and lightning bolts, cardboard buildings, life-sized game characters and avatars
Crafts / Activities:VBS Bucks (superhero) or Superhero memory game (purchase once and make as many copies as you want!), decorate superhero masks and capes, create pixel art on graph paper, design your own video game controller, DIY comic strip with a Bible hero twist, “Power Up” wristbands, build a cardboard city for superhero play
Snack Ideas: “power pellets” (fruit snacks or mini energy bites), controller-shaped cookies, superhero Jello cups with layers of red, yellow, and blue, pretzel “lightning bolts,” mini pizzas as “power discs,” popcorn in comic-style boxes, “energy drinks” with fruit punch and lemon-lime soda
Leader Costume Ideas: classic superhero costumes with capes and masks, custom shirts with “Super Leader” or “Bible Hero” logos, pixelated video game characters, power-up mushroom hats, comic book hero mashups, futuristic gamer with headset and controller accessories
3) Praise & Worship (any theme; exalting God)
Main Theme Verses: any
Decorations: any
Crafts / Activities: any
Snack Ideas: any
Leader Costume Ideas: any
• VBS themes that starts with Q
1) Quest (magnifying glass, detectives)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations:magnifying glasses, fingerprint posters, caution tape, red string clue boards, “Top Secret” file folders, invisible ink messages, trench coats and hats on display, evidence markers, spy glasses, dark curtains and dim lighting for a mystery vibe
Crafts / Activities: make detective badges, decorate magnifying glasses with stickers and glitter, invisible ink messages with lemon juice, fingerprint art, create clue notebooks, scavenger hunts with Bible clues, crack-the-code puzzles, secret message decoding
Snack Ideas: magnifying glass cookies (round cookies with a handle), clue trail mix with mystery ingredients, “spy juice” in black cups, fingerprint sugar cookies, mini sandwiches cut in puzzle piece shapes, chocolate coins or “evidence” treats in plastic bags
Leader Costume Ideas: detective with trench coat and fedora, spy with sunglasses and earpiece, secret agent in black suit, forensics expert with gloves and clipboard, inspector with magnifying glass, mystery book character like Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew
• VBS themes that starts with R
1) Racing to God (cars)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations:black–and–white checkered flags, traffic cones, road signs with Bible verses, racetrack floor tape, cardboard or inflatable cars, stoplights made from coloured paper plates, banners with racing phrases like “Fueled by Faith,” tire stacks, balloons in red, yellow, and black, pit stop station signs
Crafts / Activities: decorate wooden race cars, make paper license plates with kids’ names and Bible messages, create your own race team flags, paint cardboard box “cars” for racing games, DIY trophies with gold cups and glitter, race car colouring sheets, Bible verse pit stop scavenger hunt
Snack Ideas: pretzel “steering wheels,” Oreo “tires,” race flag fruit kabobs (alternating blackberries and pineapple), cheese and cracker “license plates,” “road mix” trail mix, stoplight cookies with red, yellow, and green M&Ms, lemonade “motor oil” drinks in mini bottles
Leader Costume Ideas: race car driver with jumpsuit and helmet, pit crew member with gloves and rag, flag waver with checkered flag, mechanic with oil-smudged overalls, traffic cop with whistle, themed shirts with team car logos and numbers
Crafts / Activities: Paint maps on the top of cardboard boxes then rearrange them and have kids put the map together, VBS Bucks (purchase once and make as many copies as you want!), animal charades, paper plate lions, animal masks, painting river rocks, decorate safari hats, animal puzzles, make apple paper plates
Crafts / Activities: Paint maps on the top of cardboard boxes then rearrange them and have kids put the map together, VBS Bucks (purchase once and make as many copies as you want!), animal charades, paper plate lions, animal masks, painting river rocks, decorate safari hats, animal puzzles, make apple paper plates
5) Righteous Rock (God is our righteous rock, rocks, lighthouse)
Main Theme Verses: Psalms 18:2
Decorations: lighthouse, blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks
Crafts / Activities: painting river rocks, make paper lighthouse, make sand bottles, watercolor lighthouse scenes, color seashells, tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums
Snack Ideas: “dirt” cake, Goldfish crackers, blue Jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: captain of a ship, lighthouse keeper
6) Road Trip (adventure, travel)
Main Theme Verses: Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years (Numbers 14:34)
Decorations: road signs with Bible verses (Stop, Yield, One Way to Jesus), paper highways taped on the floor, cardboard cars and vans, inflatable tires, license plates with encouraging words, maps and globes, camping gear (coolers, backpacks, sleeping bags), gas station or rest stop photo booths, suitcases and travel tags, banners that say “Fueled by Faith” or “Destination: God’s Truth,” postcards strung as garland
Crafts / Activities: design your own license plate with name and verse, decorate cardboard suitcases or travel journals, make travel stickers for water bottles, create road sign memory verse posters, colour-in maps of biblical locations, road trip bingo or scavenger hunts, decorate travel mugs or cups
Snack Ideas: trail mix in paper road trip bags, pretzel “steering wheels,” gummy car candies, mini sandwiches cut like road signs, fruit kabobs in red/yellow/green for traffic lights, “pit stop” popcorn, chocolate doughnuts as “spare tires,” lemonade or fruit punch in travel cups
Leader Costume Ideas: tourist with camera and bucket hat, road tripper with backpack and map, camp counselor, race car driver, trucker with flannel and cap, GPS guide with headset and clipboard
7) Rocket Racers (rocketships (below) or cars (see “Racing to God” theme))
Main Theme Verses: Psalm 19:1
Decorations: space ships (inside decorations and things like rocket ships), space car, hanging planets and stars, glow-in-the-dark space objects, astronaut helmet on moon
Crafts / Activities:memorize coloring mix up cards (purchase once, make copies, and use for every student in your VBS program!), painting space, planets, stars on navy blue construction paper, lessons on creation and how big God is, navy blue t-shirts, popsicle sticks art boards, make small galaxy jars with sand, painting solar systems/outer space pictures, create kaleidoscopes, make galaxy slime, make rocket ships out of toilet paper rolls, make telescopes out of toilet paper rolls
Snack Ideas: cupcakes with crushed Oreos on top (solar system debris), foods cut into stars or circles (for planets), rocket pops, treats wrapped in tinfoil to signify moon rocks, banana chips, cosmic brownies (brownies with stars on them), rocket sandwiches
8) Rocky Railway (boats, ships, or railroad trains (below))
Main Theme Verses: Luke 10:30-37
Decorations: cardboard train engines and boxcars, railroad crossing signs, tracks made with black tape on the floor, mountain and tunnel backdrops, cotton batting for steam, lanterns and old-timey suitcases, ticket booth station, red and black streamers, “All Aboard!” signs, wooden crates and barrels, railway station signs
Crafts / Activities: build mini trains with recycled boxes or egg cartons, decorate train tickets with names and verses, colour-in conductor hats, make railroad crossing signs with craft sticks, assemble paper train cars and link them, create “train steam” slime, Bible verse ticket punch game
Snack Ideas: Oreo “train wheels,” pretzel stick railroad tracks, “coal” Rice Krispies treats with black food colouring, licorice track lines, train-shaped sandwiches, trail mix in mini train cars made from paper cups, apple slices with peanut butter “boxcars”
Leader Costume Ideas: train conductor with hat and whistle, engineer with striped overalls and red bandana, ticket master with clipboard and badge, station manager with vest and cap, old-timey traveller with knapsack (kid-friendly), steam engine mascot
Crafts / Activities: Paint maps on the top of cardboard boxes then rearrange them and have kids put the map together, VBS Bucks (purchase once and make as many copies as you want!), animal charades, paper plate lions, animal masks, painting river rocks, decorate safari hats, animal puzzles, make apple paper plates
Decorations: blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, color seashells, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue Jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, captain of a ship, turtle
3) Seekers (magnifying glass (below) or kids)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations:magnifying glasses, fingerprint posters, caution tape, red string clue boards, “Top Secret” file folders, invisible ink messages, trench coats and hats on display, evidence markers, spy glasses, dark curtains and dim lighting for a mystery vibe
Crafts / Activities: make detective badges, decorate magnifying glasses with stickers and glitter, invisible ink messages with lemon juice, fingerprint art, create clue notebooks, scavenger hunts with Bible clues, crack-the-code puzzles, secret message decoding
Snack Ideas: magnifying glass cookies (round cookies with a handle), clue trail mix with mystery ingredients, “spy juice” in black cups, fingerprint sugar cookies, mini sandwiches cut in puzzle piece shapes, chocolate coins or “evidence” treats in plastic bags
Leader Costume Ideas: detective with trench coat and fedora, spy with sunglasses and earpiece, secret agent in black suit, forensics expert with gloves and clipboard, inspector with magnifying glass, mystery book character like Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew
4) Shine (movie theater (below) or lights)
Main Theme Verses: Daniel 12:3, Ephesians 5:8
Decorations:red carpet entrance, gold stars with kids’ names on the wall, Hollywood–style clapboards, marquee signs with Bible verse titles, popcorn buckets, spotlights or string lights, velvet rope barriers, cardboard cameras, director chairs, film reels and star–shaped balloons
Crafts / Activities: decorate cardboard clapboards or director megaphones, make your own walk-of-faith star with each child’s name and a verse, design movie posters with a Bible story as the “film,” create popcorn bucket collages, act out mini skits based on Bible stories, make “shine for Jesus” bracelets, DIY star sunglasses
Snack Ideas: classic popcorn in theatre-style bags, red licorice “film strips,” star-shaped cookies with yellow frosting, “movie mix” trail mix (popcorn, pretzels, chocolate chips), mini hotdogs, juice boxes labeled “shining star fuel,” nachos with cheese cups
Leader Costume Ideas: movie star with sunglasses and boa, director with clipboard and headset, usher with bowtie and flashlight, red carpet reporter with microphone, camera operator, costume designer with measuring tape and notepad
5) Shipwrecked (boats, pirates)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: anchor, blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks
Crafts / Activities: walking the plank (into a ball pit), tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, lessons about Jonah / being fishers of men, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, color seashells, “Fishers of Men” fishing game, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue Jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: pirate, captain of a ship, sea animals, shipmates
6) S.O.S (ships; Savior of souls)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: anchor, life ring (lifebuoy), blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks
Crafts / Activities: walking the plank (into a ball pit), tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, lessons about Jonah / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, color seashells, “Fishers of Men” fishing game, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue Jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, captain of a ship, turtle
7) Sports Spectacular Showdown (sports)
Main Theme Verses: 2 Timothy 2:5, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Decorations:inflatable or cardboard sports balls (football, basketball, soccer, etc.), pennant banners, team flags, referee whistles and scoreboards, turf rugs, cones and mini goal posts, lockers or benches for a locker room vibe, “Jesus Is My Coach” signs, foam fingers, sports jerseys hanging up, medals and trophies
Crafts / Activities: decorate foam fingers or team flags, make sports pennants with Bible verses, design your own jersey with markers and fabric paint, colour-in sports scenes, craft paper plate medals, build a “teamwork tower” with cups and straws, memory verse relay races, sports trivia games
Snack Ideas: pretzel sticks as “goal posts,” cheese cubes and grapes on toothpicks for “team snacks,” mini hot dogs or sliders, popcorn in paper megaphones, fruit skewers in team colours, sports ball sugar cookies, trail mix in mini sports cups, “energy drinks” with fruit punch and orange slices
Leader Costume Ideas: referee with striped shirt and whistle, coach with hat and clipboard, cheerleader with pom-poms, athlete in jersey and sweatbands, mascot costume, team captain with sash or armband
8) Submerged (submarine)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: submarines, blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, color seashells, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue Jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: captain of a ship, shipmates, sea animals
• VBS themes that starts with T
1) Time Travelers (journey through the Bible)
Main Theme Verses: Ecclesiastes 3
Decorations:clocks and gears, time machine backdrop made from cardboard and foil, signs for different Bible eras (Creation, Exodus, Bethlehem, etc.), glow lights and LED strips, hourglasses, scrolls, vintage suitcases and trunks, steampunk elements, timeline banners across the walls
Crafts / Activities: create time travel wristbands with cardstock and stickers, decorate scrolls with memory verses, build mini time machines from recycled materials, make paper sundials, Bible era passport booklets with stamps for each station, sand art “hourglasses,” pop-up timeline dioramas
Snack Ideas: gear-shaped cookies, fruit clocks with numbers made from raisins, scroll pretzels (pretzel rods wrapped in fruit leather), “time capsule” cupcakes with hidden candy inside, juice in test tubes or science flasks
Leader Costume Ideas: scientist with lab coat and goggles, steampunk traveler with vest and monocle, Bible characters from different eras, futuristic time agent with silver accessories, explorer with compass and maps
2) Treasured (pirate, ocean, treasure box)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: treasure chest, blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks
Crafts / Activities: walking the plank (into a ballpit), make a mini treasure chest, tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, color seashells, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue Jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: pirate, captain of a ship
3) Treasure Island (pirate or island, ocean, parrots)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: treasure chest, jungle/foliage lights on walls, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks, blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants
Crafts / Activities: walking the plank (into a ballpit), make a mini treasure chest, animal puzzles, tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, color seashells, animal masks, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: pirate, captain of a ship
4) Triumphant Treasures (pirate, treasure box or island, ocean)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: treasure chest, jungle/foliage lights on walls, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks, blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants
Crafts / Activities: walking the plank (into a ballpit), make a mini treasure chest, animal puzzles, tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, color seashells, animal masks, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue Jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: pirate, captain of a ship
• VBS themes that starts with U
1) Under the Sea (ocean)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks, inflatable sea animals, fish nets, ocean-themed posters
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, color seashells, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, captain of a ship, turtle, sailors, scuba divers
2) Untangled (ropes)
Main Theme Verses: Ecclesiastes 4:12
Decorations:ropes hanging from ceilings or walls, knotted ropes with verses tied on tags, wooden posts with rope wrapped around, lanterns, nautical or adventure–style rope bridges (made from streamers or string), vines and jungle–style backdrops if going for a wilderness vibe, signs that say “Jesus Helps Us Untangle Life,” neutral–toned fabrics and string lights for a calm atmosphere
Crafts / Activities: create friendship bracelets or rope keychains, make cross necklaces with twine, decorate small wooden boards with knots and a verse, untangle the rope game (kids hold ends of a knotted rope and work together to get free), yarn painting or string art crosses, “tug of trust” game, paracord zipper pulls
Snack Ideas: twisted pretzels, licorice ropes, string cheese, “knot” trail mix with twisted snacks like pretzels and curly crackers, cinnamon twists, peanut butter rope snacks made with pretzel rods and peanut butter dip, rope-shaped breadsticks
Leader Costume Ideas: camp counselor with rope belt and bandana, sailor with striped shirt and rope accessories, wilderness explorer with hiking boots and utility vest, rope rescue worker with harness and gloves, cowboy with lasso, knot-tying expert with clipboard and twine
3) Upward Bound (Heaven-minded)
Main Theme Verses: Colossians 3:2
Decorations: maze walls clues, arrows and locked doors, keys and chains with Bible verse tags, hidden messages with invisible ink, travel posters with “Heaven is Our Destination,” footprints leading to the cross, “EXIT” signs pointing to Jesus, dramatic lighting, dark corners with glowing scripture verses, mystery boxes and suitcases, locks and puzzle props
Crafts / Activities: create “keys to God’s kingdom” with paper or foam, decorate mini lock boxes or treasure chests, make invisible ink messages with lemon juice, build a paper maze and trace the escape route, decode Bible verse puzzles, fingerprint cross crafts
Snack Ideas: key-shaped cookies, “maze mix” trail mix in mystery bags, lock-and-key pretzels (twists and stick shapes), dark chocolate and marshmallow “light in the darkness” cups
Leader Costume Ideas: adventurer with satchel and map, key master with ring of keys and robe, angel with signpost and glowing props, traveler with backpack and compass
• VBS themes that starts with V
1) Victory Adventure (any theme; victory in Christ)
Main Theme Verses: any
Decorations: any
Crafts / Activities: any
Snack Ideas: any
Leader Costume Ideas: any
2) Victory Finders (any theme; victory in Christ)
Main Theme Verses: any
Decorations: any
Crafts / Activities: any
Snack Ideas: any
Leader Costume Ideas: any
3) Vines of Grace (vineyard (below), grapevines, rainforest)
Main Theme Verses: Garden of Eden (Genesis 2-3)
Decorations: grapevines made from garlands and purple balloons, terracotta pots with herbs, wooden crates and barrels, gingham tablecloths, string lights and lanterns, painted vineyard or hillside backdrops, faux stone columns, sunflowers and greenery, olive branches, picnic blankets
Crafts / Activities: decorate clay medallions with vine imprints, plant herbs in small decorated pots, create grape pom-pom garlands, paint vineyard landscapes with watercolours, make paper mosaic vines, craft olive branch crowns from felt or paper, design stained glass-style suncatchers with tissue paper
Snack Ideas: grape skewers, fig bars, breadsticks with hummus, trail mix with dried fruits, fruit cups in mini terracotta pots, leaf-shaped sugar cookies with green icing, chocolate olives or themed sweets
Leader Costume Ideas: gardener with apron and straw hat, Roman-style tunic with vine accessories, old world peasant outfit with linen top and rope belt, shepherd robe and sandals, nature-themed costume with vine garlands, olive grove worker with headscarf and basket
• VBS themes that starts with W
1) Waves of Wonder (ocean)
Main Theme Verses: Micah 7:19, Psalm 46:1-3
Decorations: blue lights, green and blue streamers and white balloons, large whale balloon, coral reef rock decorations, large pearls/oysters, greenery/plants, seashells, driftwood, sand, rocks, inflatable sea animals, fish nets, ocean-themed posters
Crafts / Activities: tie-dye shirts teal blue and green with foam brushes, kids color ocean themes on ceramic or wood coasters, jellyfish streamers, message in a bottle (decorate bottles, put a note about Jesus in there), make mini terrariums, lessons about Jonah / creation / Noah’s Ark / being fishers of men, color seashells, paper plate jellyfish, foam fish picture frames, sea animal masks, “Fishers of Men” fishing game
Snack Ideas: Goldfish crackers, blue jello with ocean-themed candy inside, blue and green popsicles
Leader Costume Ideas: walrus, pirate, lobster, captain of a ship, turtle, sailors, scuba divers
2) Western Week (cowboy)
Main Theme Verses: Psalm 20:7, Exodus 13:17-22 (God led the Israelites in the wilderness)
Decorations: Old store, bank, hotel buildings (shacks), dirt, rocks, saloon-type doors, cactus, tumbleweed, donkey tied to a post, mining caves (Scripture mine with things like “wisdom” painted on the gold nuggets), old barrels, campfires made with rocks, old tin buckets, pretend pickaxe, cow bells, Hanging wanted posters, wagon wheels leaning against buildings, hay bales for seating or decor, horseshoes nailed to wooden boards, cowboy hats and boots, cactus cutouts
Crafts / Activities: making a scene with green felt (railroad tracks, etc.), painting rocks gold and labeling them wisdom, instruction, any jewels from the Bible, painting river rocks, make paper star Sheriff badges, playing horseshoes game, DIY “Wanted” posters, bead and string bracelets with western colours and verse tags, pan-for-gold sensory bin (sand with “gold” coins or nuggets hidden inside), popsicle stick horse, decorate foam cowboy hats
Snack Ideas: trail mix in mini tin pans or bandana-wrapped bags, “gold nugget” cheese balls or caramel popcorn, root beer floats, s’mores bites, mini cornbread muffins, cowboy boot-shaped cookies, “cactus pretzel rods” dipped in green candy melt with sprinkle “spikes,” apple slices with peanut butter and raisins
Leader Costume Ideas: cowboy or cowgirl with boots, hat, and bandana, sheriff with badge and holster, gold prospector with pickaxe and pan, saloon keeper with vest and bowtie, ranch hand with rope lasso, bandit, general store owner with apron and tin mug
3) What a Mess (splat, paint)
Main Theme Verses: any (ideas: stories like Noah’s Ark focusing on the promise/rainbow and then using rainbow colors to paint or Scripture like 2 Corinthians 5:17 and then saying you can wash off the paint and be cleaned, then leading them down the path of (1) Romans 3:23, (2) Romans 6:23, (3) John 3:16 or Joseph’s colorful coat)
Decorations:splatter–painted backdrops, paint cans and brushes, dripping paint cutouts, colourful streamers and balloons, cardboard paint palettes, paper towels and paint rags hanging as “art,” upside–down umbrellas with colourful streamers spilling out, banners that say “God Works in Our Mess,” rainbow–coloured footprints and handprints on walls or floors
Crafts / Activities: splatter painting on canvas or paper, make-your-own mini paint palette magnets, decorate aprons or art smocks, paper plate swirl art, finger painting Bible verses, melted crayon art, create “beautiful mess” collages with stickers, buttons, and scraps, paint a giant mural as a group
Snack Ideas: rainbow fruit kabobs, splat cookies with coloured icing drips, popcorn in mini paint buckets, swirl lollipops, Rice Krispies treats dipped in colourful chocolate, “paintbrush” pretzels dipped in candy melts, messy spaghetti cups (clean but fun!)
Leader Costume Ideas: artist with paint-splattered overalls and beret, paint can costume, smock with brushes in pockets, art teacher with big glasses and clipboard, living canvas (white outfit with paint splatters), rainbow wig or accessories
4) Wild West Wisdom (cowboy)
Main Theme Verses: Psalm 20:7, Exodus 13:17-22 (God led the Israelites in the wilderness)
Decorations: Old store, bank, hotel buildings (shacks), dirt, rocks, saloon-type doors, cactus, tumbleweed, donkey tied to a post, mining caves (Scripture mine with things like “wisdom” painted on the gold nuggets), old barrels, campfires made with rocks, old tin buckets, pretend pickaxe, cow bells, Hanging wanted posters, wagon wheels leaning against buildings, hay bales for seating or decor, horseshoes nailed to wooden boards, cowboy hats and boots, cactus cutouts
Crafts / Activities: making a scene with green felt (railroad tracks, etc.), painting rocks gold and labeling them wisdom, instruction, any jewels from the Bible, painting river rocks, make paper star Sheriff badges, playing horseshoes game, DIY “Wanted” posters, bead and string bracelets with western colours and verse tags, pan-for-gold sensory bin (sand with “gold” coins or nuggets hidden inside), popsicle stick horse, decorate foam cowboy hats
Snack Ideas: trail mix in mini tin pans or bandana-wrapped bags, “gold nugget” cheese balls or caramel popcorn, root beer floats, s’mores bites, mini cornbread muffins, cowboy boot-shaped cookies, “cactus pretzel rods” dipped in green candy melt with sprinkle “spikes,” apple slices with peanut butter and raisins
Leader Costume Ideas: cowboy or cowgirl with boots, hat, and bandana, sheriff with badge and holster, gold prospector with pickaxe and pan, saloon keeper with vest and bowtie, ranch hand with rope lasso, bandit, general store owner with apron and tin mug
5) Wild Wild West (cowboy)
Main Theme Verses: Psalm 20:7, Exodus 13:17-22 (God led the Israelites in the wilderness)
Decorations: Old store, bank, hotel buildings (shacks), dirt, rocks, saloon-type doors, cactus, tumbleweed, donkey tied to a post, mining caves (Scripture mine with things like “wisdom” painted on the gold nuggets), old barrels, campfires made with rocks, old tin buckets, pretend pickaxe, cow bells, Hanging wanted posters, wagon wheels leaning against buildings, hay bales for seating or decor, horseshoes nailed to wooden boards, cowboy hats and boots, cactus cutouts
Crafts / Activities: making a scene with green felt (railroad tracks, etc.), painting rocks gold and labeling them wisdom, instruction, any jewels from the Bible, painting river rocks, make paper star Sheriff badges, playing horseshoes game, DIY “Wanted” posters, bead and string bracelets with western colours and verse tags, pan-for-gold sensory bin (sand with “gold” coins or nuggets hidden inside), popsicle stick horse, decorate foam cowboy hats
Snack Ideas: trail mix in mini tin pans or bandana-wrapped bags, “gold nugget” cheese balls or caramel popcorn, root beer floats, s’mores bites, mini cornbread muffins, cowboy boot-shaped cookies, “cactus pretzel rods” dipped in green candy melt with sprinkle “spikes,” apple slices with peanut butter and raisins
Leader Costume Ideas: cowboy or cowgirl with boots, hat, and bandana, sheriff with badge and holster, gold prospector with pickaxe and pan, saloon keeper with vest and bowtie, ranch hand with rope lasso, bandit, general store owner with apron and tin mug
6) Wisdom Warriors (jewels as treasures)
Main Theme Verses: Luke 12:34, Matthew 6:19-21
Decorations: treasure chest, gold coins and faux jewels, velvet table runners, scrolls and old books, glittery banners with scripture, golden goblets, crown props, shimmering fabric drapes, gemstone garlands, soft lighting with warm tones
Crafts / Activities: make a mini treasure chest, decorate paper crowns with stick-on jewels, create “jewel of wisdom” necklaces using beads and scripture tags, colour gem-themed bookmarks, wisdom scrolls with favourite Bible verses, treasure hunt with clues tied to proverbs
Snack Ideas: jewel-toned jelly beans, gold coin chocolates, fruit gems on toothpicks, treasure chest cupcakes with candy spilling out, crown-shaped cookies with icing gems, fruit “jewels”
Leader Costume Ideas: royal knight with armour and sword, queen or king with robe and crown, treasure hunter with a map and satchel, wise elder with scrolls and glasses, jewel guardian with sparkly accessories
• VBS themes that starts with X
1) X-ray Explorers (magnifying glass; detectives)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations:magnifying glasses, fingerprint posters, caution tape, red string clue boards, “Top Secret” file folders, invisible ink messages, trench coats and hats on display, evidence markers, spy glasses, dark curtains and dim lighting for a mystery vibe
Crafts / Activities: make detective badges, decorate magnifying glasses with stickers and glitter, invisible ink messages with lemon juice, fingerprint art, create clue notebooks, scavenger hunts with Bible clues, crack-the-code puzzles, secret message decoding, create kaleidoscopes
Snack Ideas: magnifying glass cookies (round cookies with a handle), clue trail mix with mystery ingredients, “spy juice” in black cups, fingerprint sugar cookies, mini sandwiches cut in puzzle piece shapes, chocolate coins or “evidence” treats in plastic bags
Leader Costume Ideas: detective with trench coat and fedora, spy with sunglasses and earpiece, secret agent in black suit, forensics expert with gloves and clipboard, inspector with magnifying glass, mystery book character like Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew
• VBS themes that starts with Y
1) Yee Haw! (cowboy)
Main Theme Verses: Psalm 20:7, Exodus 13:17-22 (God led the Israelites in the wilderness)
Decorations: Old store, bank, hotel buildings (shacks), dirt, rocks, saloon-type doors, cactus, tumbleweed, donkey tied to a post, mining caves (Scripture mine with things like “wisdom” painted on the gold nuggets), old barrels, campfires made with rocks, old tin buckets, pretend pickaxe, cow bells, Hanging wanted posters, wagon wheels leaning against buildings, hay bales for seating or decor, horseshoes nailed to wooden boards, cowboy hats and boots, cactus cutouts
Crafts / Activities: making a scene with green felt (railroad tracks, etc.), painting rocks gold and labeling them wisdom, instruction, any jewels from the Bible, painting river rocks, make paper star Sheriff badges, playing horseshoes game, DIY “Wanted” posters, bead and string bracelets with western colours and verse tags, pan-for-gold sensory bin (sand with “gold” coins or nuggets hidden inside), popsicle stick horse, decorate foam cowboy hats
Snack Ideas: trail mix in mini tin pans or bandana-wrapped bags, “gold nugget” cheese balls or caramel popcorn, root beer floats, s’mores bites, mini cornbread muffins, cowboy boot-shaped cookies, “cactus pretzel rods” dipped in green candy melt with sprinkle “spikes,” apple slices with peanut butter and raisins
Leader Costume Ideas: cowboy or cowgirl with boots, hat, and bandana, sheriff with badge and holster, gold prospector with pickaxe and pan, saloon keeper with vest and bowtie, ranch hand with rope lasso, bandit, general store owner with apron and tin mug
• VBS themes that starts with Z
1) Zoomerang (boomerang or Australian)
Main Theme Verses: Matthew 7:7
Decorations:Australian flags, boomerangs on walls, outback road signs (like “kangaroo crossing” or “next gas 200 km”), inflatable or cardboard kangaroos, koalas, and crocodiles, red rock and desert–style backdrops, eucalyptus branches, campfire props, surfboards, “Welcome to the Outback” banner, maps of Australia, Aboriginal art–style patterns
Crafts / Activities: decorate wooden or foam boomerangs, make Australian animal masks (kangaroo, koala, platypus), dot painting inspired by Aboriginal art, create “outback explorer” hats, paint mini didgeridoos (paper towel rolls), make travel postcards from Australia, play boomerang toss or “kangaroo hop” sack races
Snack Ideas: “Boomerang” crescent roll snacks, fairy bread (Australian treat—white bread with butter and sprinkles), animal crackers with Australian animal labels, Vegemite crackers (or a milder substitute), gummy snakes and “bush tucker” trail mix, mango slices, Tim Tam-style biscuits
Leader Costume Ideas: safari guide with khaki shirt and wide-brim hat, surfer with board shorts and sunglasses, zookeeper with animal plushies, outback explorer with binoculars and map, kangaroo or koala costume, lifeguard with “Aussie beach patrol” gear
Ways to promote your Vacation Bible School this year
Yard signs
Social Media
Tell your church to invite their friends
Banners on your church exterior
Partner with local businesses
Flyers
Postcard invitations
Have a dedicated VBS webpage
Pray that God bless your efforts
Doorhangers
Email marketing
Sponsor local events and include your VBS program advertising
News coverage (ask your local news station, radio, and newspaper to cover the promotion)
Bring in a famous musician or celebrity
Have all your leaders post on their Facebook page
Add it to your city’s official website calender
Leave flyers on cars near your church
Ask Christian schools in your area to promote your program
Create a prize drawing as a bring-a-friend entry
Invite smaller churches with like-minded doctrine in your area to participate
Include a flyer in your church bulletin (get bulletins free here!) for your congregation to hand out to others
Invite people from your food ministry/distribution to help out
Advertise on your local grocery store’s receipts
Offer free family photos on the first day of VBS
On the last day, have a summer movie night inviting all the families of the children
Should my church charge for Vacation Bible Church?
Absolutely not! We do not charge for people to hear the gospel. If your church can’t afford to do VBS, don’t have it. Plain and simple. If God wants you to have the program, He will provide the funds for you to run it. 💯
Some programs charge for a T-shirt (or charge for registration but give a T-shirt “free”), this is also not something you want to do. It’s just glorified/fancy marketing when it comes down to it. 2 Corinthians 2:17
FAQ’s to answer on your VBS page on your website (for workers)
What is the deadline to sign up to serve?
Do I have to be a member of the church to help at Vacation Bible School?
I would like to help, but I have a child younger than the age of the VBS program. Is there childcare provided for them?
I would like to help, but I can’t be there for all 5 days. Is that okay?
I would like to serve with my child’s group. Is this possible?
Will I receive any training prior to the start of VBS?
My teen would like to serve. Are there any special requirements for them to do so?
My teen would like to serve with a friend. Is this allowed?
FAQ’s to answer on your VBS page on your website (for parents)
What are the hours for Vacation Bible Church?
When do I pick up my child?
How do I know where to take my child on the first day?
How do I know where to pick up my child?
What if someone other than me is picking up my child?
What should my child wear to VBS?
What should my child bring to VBS?
My child can attend only 3 of the 5 days, is that okay?
I have a child with special needs. Can he or she still attend?
What types of snacks do you provide?
My child has food allergies. Do you provide special foods for children with allergies?
We’ve never been to your church before, and my child is a bit nervous. May I stay with my child?
Other things to put on your Vacation Bible School website page
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
IDLER.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
Creating engaging videos isn’t just about grabbing a camera and slapping some shots together.
I mean of course you could do that but it would still just look like you slapped some shots together!
Much like photography, video composition hinges on a range of established principles that help you tell a story visually.
These guidelines shape how your audience perceives the content and are rooted deeply in our natural understanding of aesthetics.
Traditional composition rules can enhance your video production and on the other hand, breaking them can have the same effect… until they don’t!
It doesn’t matter whether or not you are following or breaking those rules, the only way you can be effective is if you understand the basic principles behind them in the first place.
Understanding the Foundations of Composition
Think of video composition like building a house.
You need a strong foundation such as principles like the rule of thirds, leading lines and symmetry to create a sturdy structure.
These concepts have existed long before the first frames of video were captured, drawing influences from architecture and fine arts.
Just like how Renaissance painters like Michelangelo created stunning works by applying these compositional rules, filmmakers can use them to guide viewers through their narratives effectively.
The Rule of Thirds in Motion
The rule of thirds divides your frame into nine equal sections, where placing points of interest along these lines creates balance and guides viewer attention.
In video, when you position key elements (like a character speaking or an important object) at intersecting points, it encourages the audience’s eyes to travel through the scene fluidly.
Imagine a storytelling sequence where the protagonist is depicted on one side of the frame, while the background reveals a world of action on the other.
This not only enhances the visual interest but also highlights the characters’ relationships to their environment.
Leading Lines Directing Attention
Leading lines are those natural flow paths that guide your viewer’s eyes across the scene.
Whether it’s a winding road, a flowing river or an alleyway, these elements can make a dramatic difference in how your story unfolds, again, in the eyes of the viewer.
In video production, capturing these lines dynamically can amplify the emotion of a scene.
For instance, using a moving camera that follows the leading line enhances viewer immersion, drawing them deeper into the narrative while contributing to the pacing of the cut.
Embracing the Power of Symmetry
Symmetry often evokes a sense of harmony and balance, which can be quite effective in crafting aesthetically pleasing visuals.
In a video, symmetrical shots can be deeply impactful, particularly in scenes of confrontation or parallels, think of a symmetrical shot of two characters standing off against each other.
However, don’t get too comfortable with symmetry!
Breaking that norm can create tension.
If a key element is off-center or a character is caught in an asymmetrical setup, the audience feels the imbalance and the stakes heighten.
Once you understand these compositional elements, you’re empowered to manipulate and break them.
Think of compositional rules as tools in your toolbox rather than strict regulations.
The most ambitious directors and videographers regularly bend or break these principles to provoke emotional responses or create unexpected visual storytelling.
Let’s say you decide to put a character dead center, in stark contrast to the chaos around them. This juxtaposition momentarily disrupts the viewer’s expectations and can prompt curiosity or concern about what will happen next.
Deliberate Choices with Impact
The key to effective rule-breaking lies in intention.
Make choices based on the emotional resonance you want to evoke.
Disrupting the norm, whether by shifting the camera angle dramatically or breaking the fourth wall, can enhance engagement.
Just be sure your deviations serve a purpose either emotionally or narratively.
Crafting Your Visual Language
Video composition isn’t merely about adhering to traditional rules; it’s about developing your own visual language. So be curious!
Revisit your past works and analyze how your understanding of these principles might have evolved over time.
Not only can this reveal your unique strengths, but it can also indicate areas for further exploration.
Remember, effective videos balance the respect for compositional guidelines with the audacity to challenge them.
So experiment with your compositions and whenever you get the chance shoot something following the rules then shoot the exact same thing brking the rules.
Examine the result and identify or even ask friends how they percieve those different takes.
With practice and intentionality, you’ll find that your videos not only resonate with audiences but also have greater impact.
To learn more about this topic, look for resources, tutorials and community discussions that dive deeper into the artistic nuances of video production.
