Have you ever had a hard time coming up with VBS game ideas? Keeping your children’s ministry entertained at church can be really challenging if you don’t have any ideas in advance.
But don’t worry – you can find all sorts of easy games and activities to do.
In this post, we’ll outline cool games for VBS you need to turn vacation bible school up a notch.
Check out these tips and advice from pastors, teachers, volunteers, and parents on engaging bible study topics for kids, messy VBS games, and easy-to-follow proven methods.
Camp Favorites: Christian VBS Games
Listed below are some reasons why you might want to give determining the best games some serious consideration.
First, it’s an important part of ministry. During game time, reminding children that everyone is on God’s team is a great way to show them that faith is important.
Second, teaching them about God. Plan a VBS with games that will be out of this world. Rocket balloons and stars that float in the air make for a fun and exciting activities to teach kids about God’s Galaxy.
And third, to establish a stronger bond with your students. When a child trusts you, they feel more comfortable asking questions that they may feel led to ask. Games such as Red Light (Stop and Listen to God), Yellow Light (Make time for God), and Green Light (Go and be a disciple) could encourage more conversations about the Lord.
Plan Vacation Bible School Activities – 5 Easy Steps
How about some cool games for VBS? Vacation bible school teachers and volunteers need this list. No matter whether you are teaching classes or supporting the ministry, we have you covered this summer with VBS games for kids.
We have games suitable for Vacation Bible School indoor games, outdoor games, Sunday School, Youth Groups, and camps, as well as activities that can help teach kids more about God.
What is Vacation Bible School (VBS)? The purpose of VBS is to encourage children to grow spiritually, make craft projects, eat snacks, and have fun!
VBS activities include what? The kids enjoy doing activities like dancing to Christian music videos and raising their hands to praise God. Kids also learn a number of things from the Bible.
These are a few ideas for some of the topics covered each day:
- Day 1- God’s love keeps us strong. A story from the Bible focuses on King David as a shepherd. Key verse, Psalm 18:1 I love you lord; you are my strength.
- Day 2 – The power of prayer helps us stand strong. Today’s Bible lesson is Nehemiah rebuilding the Jerusalem Wall around Jerusalem. Key verse, Phil. 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything!
- Day 3: We can stand strong by studying the Bible. King Josiah followed the path of God. Bible verse: Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Check out these fantastic VBS prize ideas. This sensory fidget Cross pop it is a huge hit with our church kids. These make great prizes for VBS!
Sunday School Prizes:
Giving out gifts, hosting giveaways, distributing incentives, awarding prizes, and creating games to win prizes are some of our favorite activities to do for kids and adults. Here is a selection of our biggest hits for prizes at Sunday school.
- Mini Pop Tubes
- Cross Necklaces
- Jesus Loves you Bracelets (Amazing deal for 84!)
- Mini Religious Coloring Books
- Scripture Candy (Highly Rated!)
10 Best VBS Games for Kids
Are you ready to intertwine faith and entertainment?!?!
In fact, I may have missed my calling as a PE teacher, lol.
However, I’m not missing this opportunity to share with you all of these really cool games for VBS.
Glow Bowling Game
For example, this first game is called Glow Bowling.
How to Play
You will need to fill up 10 empty bottles of Powerade Zero, or something similar.
Fill the bottle 2/3 the way up with water and add these jumbo glow sticks.
After that, grab a ball and let the glow games begin!
You’ve just created a DIY bowling ball game that lights up for Jesus! What an awesome party game that will be! 🙂
Jesus where are you? Party Game
Can you picture the kids finding secret messages from Jesus?
This game is really interesting!
What you will need to play this activity is an invisible ink marker and LED black lights.
Prior to the kids starting their daily adventure at VBS.
You will want to write secret messages on a white piece of paper like in the picture below and hang them on the wall.
Tip: First part of this activity you will not want to give the children the LED lights.
Just ask the children to look around and see if they can see what Jesus is trying to tell them?
Next, let them know he is sending them messages can anyone find them?
Nobody will be able to find the messages during the first stage of the game.
That’s when you’ll need to start the second part of the activity.
This time allow the kids to use the LED lights and ask them to look again.
This time they will find the secret messages on the wall from Jesus.
It could say, “I’m here!” or “I love you! – Jesus
Lastly, they could find bible verses that the kids could also find during their search for secret messages from God.
✅➡️Get some Invisible Ink Markers here now!
Even though you cannot see Jesus, he is always with you. That is the important message that this will instill in children.
Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs is always a fun game for kids at a party.
It’s also really easy to do because most likely you have access to chairs to use.
In fact, for Vacation Bible School or Sunday school, it’s always fun to play Christian-themed songs during musical chairs too.
Water Balloon Games
My kids highly enjoy playing with water balloons.
We are always trying to come up with fun ways to play.
If you haven’t found the SECRET to water balloons yet, you will want to go here!
Water Balloon Fight
Who doesn’t love a good old fashion water balloon fight? This is perfect for getting the kids outside and running out their energy.
Tip: You may want to make sure they have a change of clothes with them that day!
Water Balloon Toss
A fun water balloon game is to have two team members stand across from each other.
Both players will take turns tossing the balloon back and forth and will try to catch it.
Hence, the last team (or player) remaining with a balloon that has not popped are the winners.
We all know that the water balloon will fall and it will break.
But reminding the children that being a Christian doesn’t mean we won’t fall… it means that Jesus will be there to catch us when we do.
FUNNY Game for Youth Group or VBS
My kids have a blast playing this Funny Foot game and it’s perfect for small or large groups.
It’s easy on the wallet to make and hilarious to watch the kids play!
Get those cameras ready and click here for more details!
Parachute Game For Kids
This parachute game is perfect for large group sizes. There are 12 handles on this 12 ft parachute here!
Not only is this a great exercise game for kids it also promotes group play!
It also encourages team building skills while at play.
An extra fun way to play this game, you could place bean bags on top of the parachute and shake them up and down.
It will be similar to watching it pop like “popcorn”.
Tip: You could use the ball pit balls from the Funny foot game to pop like popcorn too! The balls won’t be as heavy but you would still see them pop up. 🙂
Duck Duck Goose
Ah, it’s been so long since I’ve played Duck Duck Goose but I wanted to add that to this terrific bunch! It just happens to be one of those games people forget about (I do too) but it’s absolutely FREE to play!
Yes, that is what we all love to hear right… FREE!!!!
And of course SUPER easy to play and really FUN!
Jesus is our Super Hero Games
Zap! Pow! Bam! Show the kids to the Jesus Superhero Training Academy with these Superhero games. You will find games and activities from Flip the Cup to Balloon Smash. Go here for more details!
Flip the cup is super easy to play.
Players are divided into teams.
Standing across the table from each other.
Two players will race against each other to see who can flip the cup the fastest.
In this game, we used 4 cups and the team with the racers with the most cups reset right side up won!
Be STRONG & COURAGEOUS Do NOT Be Frightened Do Not Be Dismayed For The LORD Your GOD Is With YOU.- Joshua 1:9
If you’re looking for more game ideas you may want to try some of the following:
VBS Games
Giant Bubble Wands Kit: (3-Piece Set)
Who wants to make ginormous monster bubbles? Kids of all ages!
Cornhole Toss Game
Popular game that is fun for indoor or outdoor use...
VBS Games, Snacks, and Craft Ideas
Free Patriotic Games for Kids or Adults
Also, if you want to purchase your games here are some fantastic ideas that you may want to use and reuse again. 🙂
Flickin’ Chicken (Have you seen this? It looks hilarious!)
Wrapping Up
I know it’s your mission to bring cool games to VBS. I hope at least one of these family-friendly ideas helps create extra fun this summer at your Vacation Bible School.
What sort of games do you like to play during VBS week? Please leave them in the comments, I’d love to hear about them. 🙂
Love the Jesus is our Superhero idea!!
Thank you!!! 🙂
These are great ideas! This is my girls first year participating in VBS, so I’m excited to see all the fun things they have planned for the kids.
Yay for VBS! My kids love it. I hope your girls have a TON of FUN!!! 🙂
Vacation Bible School is certainly different from when I was a kid. No one went because it was thought to be way to boring. This looks like fun though!
Thanks, Kate! I hope it can help. 🙂
Great ideas, will send your post to one of my friend 😀
Awe. Thanks, Marina! I appreciate that. 🙂
I loved going to VBS when I was a child. All of these activities look like they would be so fun
Thanks, Becca!!! 🙂