Fun Ways to Transform Your VBS Activities
Vacation Bible School is one of the most anticipated events in a church calendar—bursting with energy, laughter, and opportunities to grow young hearts in faith. But if you’ve ever found yourself knee-deep in glue sticks and googly eyes, wondering if there’s more to offer, you’re not alone.
Certainly, crafts have their place, but today’s kids crave more dynamic, multisensory experiences that can help them connect with biblical truths through creative ministry.
A diverse group of kids dancing on stage with their arms raised.}
That’s where this guide comes in. If you’re a seasoned ministry leader, a first-time volunteer, or a parent lending a hand, this list of VBS activities goes far beyond paper plate art. Science experiments that wow, drama skits that spark empathy, and music games that get everyone moving, can be just some of the many ideas that can energize your VBS rotations and enrich every age group.
All the activities listed below are fully adaptable to your VBS themes and simple to set up. Above all, they are designed to help you plan an awesome VBS full of Vacation Bible School activities that align with your lessons.
Game On! Movement-Based VBS Activities for All Ages
Kids were made to move. Often, the most memorable way to connect them with biblical truths is through action. High-energy games and physical challenges help reinforce lessons from your VBS themes while keeping the wiggles at bay.
These VBS activities are intentionally designed to be flexible, engaging, and aligned with your spiritual objectives.
Below are three go-to movement-based games that can be adapted for all ages:
1. North-South-Central: Bible Edition
This is a kinetic game that blends fast-paced fun with Scripture review. You’ll need a large open space and three designated lines (use cones, chalk, or tape).
- Label each line: “Old Testament,” “New Testament,” and “Memory Verse.”
- Start by calling out one of the zones—kids must race to it.
- Add a challenge by asking questions like “Where’s the Book of Psalms?” or “What section is the story of Jesus’ birth in?” Kids must sprint to the correct line.
Adaptation tip: Rather than eliminating kids, invite those who get “tagged” or answer incorrectly to help lead the next round. This keeps the energy up and participation high.
2. Wet Sponge Tag
Perfect for outdoor VBS or warm weather days, this variation of tag adds a splash of fun. One child is “It” and uses a wet sponge to tag others. Whoever is tagged becomes the new “It” after refilling the sponge from a bucket.
- A great lead-in to lessons about baptism, cleansing, or renewal.
- Safe, simple, and guaranteed to get giggles.
Pro tip: Use this as an opening or closing activity to help kids release energy and transition between learning rotations.
3. Goliath’s Hungry
This one’s a classic chase game with a biblical twist.
- Choose a child to be “Goliath” and place them in the center of a marked play area.
- All the other kids start on one end.
- When Goliath yells “I’m hungry!”, everyone must run to the other side without getting tagged.
- If tagged, they join Goliath in the middle and help catch more “Israelites.”
Lesson connection: Ideal for a David and Goliath story or themes around courage, facing giants, or standing strong in faith.
Science with a Spark in Bible-Based Experiments
If you’ve ever seen a child’s eyes light up during a science experiment, you know just how powerful curiosity can be. What if you could harness that same sense of wonder to illustrate biblical truths? These VBS activities combine simple science with spiritual meaning, creating multisensory experiences that drive the message home.
The following experiments are designed to be safe, low-mess, and easy to prep. They can be ideal for your Vacation Bible School themes and class size.
4. Walking Water
You’ll need clear cups, water, paper towels, and food coloring.
- Fill three cups with water—two on the ends with colored water (red and blue), and one empty in the middle.
- Fold paper towels into strips, placing one end in a colored cup and the other in the empty one.
- Watch as the color “walks” into the middle and mixes into purple.
Lesson tie-in: Use this to demonstrate how God’s promises travel through people, or how the Holy Spirit connects us.
5. Rainbow in a Jar
Gather sugar, water, food coloring, and a clear glass jar.
- Mix water with increasing amounts of sugar (for example: 1 tbsp, 2 tbsp, 3 tbsp, etc.) and add different food colors.
- Gently layer the mixtures in the jar from most to least dense.
- A rainbow appears, suspended in liquid!
Lesson tie-in: Connect this to Noah’s Ark and the rainbow as God’s covenant. It’s also a great lead-in to a conversation about how God brings beauty from chaos.
6. Watch Sin Disappear In Fizz
You’ll need baking soda, vinegar, a tray, and washable markers.
- Have kids write something on a tray that represents a mistake or sin (e.g., anger, jealousy).
- Sprinkle baking soda over the writing.
- Pour vinegar over it and watch the words fizz and vanish.
“Aha!” moment: It provides a vivid visual of how Jesus washes our sins away and gives us a clean slate.
Drama and Skit Vacation Bible School Ideas
Some children express themselves best through storytelling, movement, and roleplay. Drama-based VBS activities allow them to embody biblical characters, grapple with moral choices, and build empathy—all while having a blast. You don’t need a stage, a spotlight, or Shakespearean talent. You just need some imagination and a willingness to let kids take the lead.
Here are three impactful and low-prep drama activities perfect for your VBS theme ideas:
7. Freeze Frame Bible Stories
Choose a story from your Vacation Bible School theme, such as Jesus calming the storm, the Good Samaritan, or Daniel in the lion’s den.
- Divide kids into small groups and assign each one a story.
- Groups will plan and act out 3–4 key moments in that story, but here’s the twist: they freeze in place for each “scene.”
- The rest of the group guesses what moment they’re portraying.
Lesson tie-in: This visual storytelling approach helps children internalize story sequencing, emotions, and spiritual themes in a fun and reflective way.
8. Discipleship Drama Relay
Create a “drama relay” in which kids rotate through mini-skits that highlight challenges and choices disciples might face. Each station presents a modern or biblical scenario (e.g., helping a stranger, forgiving a friend, resisting temptation).
- One group acts out the scene.
- The next group must act out a possible faithful response.
- Use discussion questions to explore each outcome.
Lesson tie-in: Great for teaching about following Jesus in everyday life, and connecting ancient stories to modern struggles.
9. Create-a-Character Interviews
Let kids step into the sandals of a Bible character—and then be interviewed live.
- One child plays the role of someone like Esther, Peter, or even Goliath.
- A leader or another student asks them questions: “What was it like when…?”
- The child responds in character, drawing from what they know or imagine.
Adaptation idea: For younger kids, use simple costumes or props. For older students, this can become a full group panel discussion.
Music That Moves the Message
There’s a reason music is at the heart of so many memorable moments in life—and the same holds true for Vacation Bible School activities. Music engages the mind, body, and soul, helping kids absorb truth while moving, clapping, or even laughing. It’s worship with energy. Teaching with rhythm. And most importantly? It sticks.
Whether your VBS theme is jungle safari, armor of God, or deep-sea adventure, these musical VBS activities will bring your message to life through song, rhythm, and movement.
10. Choreograph a Dance to a Worship Theme Song
Take your VBS theme song and turn it into a dance that the kids can perform throughout the week.
- Assign each verse or chorus a simple motion (e.g., arms up for “God is great,” stomping for “I will follow”).
- Let older kids lead or choreograph parts of the dance.
- Rehearse a little each day and celebrate with a final performance on closing day.
Tie-in: This helps reinforce lyrics with body memory, and builds a sense of community through shared movement.
11. Soundtrack of the Story
Pick one Bible story per day and pair it with a musical genre—hip-hop, classical, reggae, etc.
- Play the chosen music while telling or acting out the story.
- Have kids create background percussion with homemade instruments (shakers, cups, rubber bands).
- Let them vote on which genre “fit” the mood best.
Objective: Teaches tone, emotion, and storytelling while letting kids explore different musical expressions.
12. Bible Verse Beat Battle
Turn Scripture memorization into a rap or chant competition.
- Break kids into small groups and assign each a verse from the week’s lesson.
- Their challenge? Create a chant, beatbox rhythm, or clapping pattern to help them remember it.
- Bonus points for including hand motions or a dramatic flair.
Adaptation tip: Great for kinesthetic learners and older kids who want to make memorization feel cool.
Multi-Sensory Stations To Engage Every Learning Style
Every child learns differently—and VBS activities that tap into multiple senses help ensure that no child is left out of the spiritual experience. Combine sound, sight, touch, and movement to create immersive moments that connect with all learning styles: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile.
These sensory-rich Vacation Bible School activities don’t require fancy equipment—just intentional design, a few easy-to-source supplies, and an openness to get a little messy in the name of faith.
13. Sensory Scripture Pathway
Create a walkable pathway that corresponds with a story or memory verse.
- Use different textures (bubble wrap, sandpaper, cotton, grass, water mats) to represent key moments.
- As children walk barefoot or in socks, narrate or play an audio recording of the story.
Pro tip: Try this with the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, the journey to Bethlehem, or even the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
14. Taste-and-See Stations
Use food (or safe, edible elements) to help children connect with Scripture.
- Honey for God’s Word being “sweet.”
- Salt crackers for “you are the salt of the earth.”
- Grapes for abiding in the vine (John 15).
Pro tip: Make it allergy-safe and clearly label all foods. Always get parental permission when using edible components.
15. Sound and Silence Challenge
Set up a space with headphones or ambient music for one activity, and another that is completely silent.
- Have kids journal, pray, or reflect in each space.
- Then, let them talk about how sound—or lack of it—affected how they connected with God.
Lesson tie-in: Excellent for teaching about listening for God’s voice, prayer, or the story of Elijah hearing God in the whisper.
Make Every Moment of Your VBS Count
Planning VBS activities that go beyond crafts helps keep kids busy. But ultimately, they create immersive, spirit-filled experiences that meet them where they are. If you’re leading a room full of preschoolers, mentoring tweens, or coordinating volunteers, these hands-on, movement-driven, multisensory, and thematically aligned activities can transform your Vacation Bible School activities from ordinary to unforgettable.
Choose VBS ideas that align with your Vacation Bible School themes and help children make meaningful connections between faith and fun. From foam swords and sponge tag to rainbow jars and memory verse rap battles, every activity can become a moment of joy, learning, and lasting impact. And with so many VBS theme ideas to explore—from science-inspired awe to music-fueled worship—you’ll never run short on ways to inspire.
So, as you prepare for your next big event, choose the best ideas for VBS and invite every child to participate fully: mind, body, and spirit. Use platforms like Playlister to make media delivery seamless so you can focus less on logistics and more on crafting transformational moments that reflect your mission.
Let this be the year your Vacation Bible School goes beyond expectations. Start planning today and make your VBS activities the highlight of every child’s summer.