Offering activities is the perfect way to help the children become involved and feel comfortable at VBS. It helps kids learn to work together, meet other kids and feel like part of the camp, instead of just being an onlooker. I found some activities that are sure to get your group of children having a great time in no time!
*Sling the Rock at the Giant: This interesting version of pin the tail on the donkey introduces two very important Bible characters - David and Goliath. Kids will be given the chance to test their aim and skills at conquering giants, just as David did. To replace the donkey's tail, use a ball of sticky paper for the children to throw at Goliath's head, or at least where they think Goliath's head is. After all, they'll be blind-folded! The results are sure to get a laugh out of you! Younger children might not be able to do it with the blindfold, so based on the age it may not be required.
*Bible Jeopardy: Based off the popular television show, this Bible trivia competition will be a fun way to test what the kids learned at VBS. Biblical questions are given for twenty-five to two hundred points, and the first player or team to answer correctly wins each round. With this game, you can include as many players as your group has, and the team or child who ends up with the most points wins the game!
*Noah Says: You might've guessed it, this is Noah's version of the classic Simon Says game; this contest will teach kids discipline all while having a good time. First divide the kids into three groups of animals: cats, dogs and ducks. Noah will give the kids a command to meow, bark or quack with the phrase "Noah says," all creatures must respond accordingly. However, if Noah just says to meow, quack or bark, without first saying "Noah says", only the animals who make each noise can respond. Any child who fails to respond correctly will be asked to sit on the side for the remainder of the game. The team with the last remaining "animal" wins!
*Ice Fishing: Tying into the "fishers of men" story, this game brings in some ice to help cool off the kids on a hot day. Partially fill a large cooler, wash tub or roasting pan with ice and a handful of marbles. In this
VBS game, the kids must take off their shoes and socks and, using only their toes and feet, fish out the marbles one by one. The game could also be made into a friendly competition, with two or more teams competing to see who could collect the most marbles within a designated period of time.
*Name That Tune: This activity uses songs that have been incorporated into your
Vacation Bible School or well-known Christian songs. Play the non-lyrical version of a well-known Vacation Bible School or Christian song and see if kids can correctly guess the song. You might consider giving hints if one is really challenging.
*Feeding the Giant: One child will play Goliath, a starving giant. Seperate the rest of the children into two lines on different sides of the giant. As soon as Goliath shouts, "I'm hungry!" the kids in the lines must run to the opposite side of where they were standing. The kids who get tagged join Goliath in the middle to capture more kids. The last child who goes un-tagged ultimately wins the game!
When planning your VBS, don't forget to include fun activities. Those who join Vacation Bible School are given important Biblical lessons all while having a fun and entertaining summer experience!
