Shipwrecked Imagination Station: Day 1 – Lost & Found Flyer Alternative

During the Imagination Station rotation, students participate in an object lesson using a small toy, or what Group calls a “gizmo”.  These gizmos can be taken home by the kids each day to reinforce the lesson.  In this Imagination Station Alternative series, I’ll track down similar gizmos that can be used in place of Group’s gizmos.  I’ll also design/find craft ideas that could be used instead of the gizmos.  Which Imagination Station activity you choose (gizmo or craft) should be dependent on the interests of your VBS kids and how you prefer to spend your time/money.

This post may contain affiliate links.  I earn a small percentage of anything you purchase through these links but you don’t pay anything extra.  Thanks for helping to support Borrowed Blessings!  The prices referenced here are current as of publishing, but retailers change pricing often.

This year’s VBS theme is Shipwrecked {learn more about the theme here}.  The VBS kits are available now.  All of our VBS resources are designed to be used alongside any of the Group starter kits, although I HIGHLY recommend purchasing the ultimate version with digital.

If the Group gizmos work for your kids and you’d like to purchase them without any modification, check out my post about how to purchase the Group gizmos at a discount!

Day 1’s gizmo is the lost and found flyer.  Here are my ideas for gizmo alternatives for day 1 of Shipwrecked VBS!  Check back for more posts on gizmo alternatives for the rest of the week, as well as craft options for the full week!

Daily Bible Point: When you’re lonely, Jesus rescues.

Today’s experiment: Paper flier (toss the flier in the air, then go find it once it lands)

Today’s Group Gizmo: Lost and Found Flyers (2-piece toys with a spinner that you can blow off the top) $.79 per kid

Group Gizmo’s purpose: When you are lost or lonely, Jesus will find you (just like when you blow the top off the toy, you go search and find it).

Similar items that could easily be substituted for the Group Gizmo:

• Stretchy flying frogs – Current price: $9 for 48 ($.19 each)

• Rocket copters – Current price: $5 for 3 slingshots & 6 flyers ($1.66 per set of 1 slingshot & 2 flyers)

The rocket copters are more expensive than Group’s gizmos, but they are SO NEAT!  My nieces and nephews LOVE playing with the rocket copters!  I think we might buy a few to use as an object lesson, but not purchase them to send home with every child.

What gizmo alternatives have you found for Shipwrecked VBS?

I am a long-time Vacation Bible School lover.  I’ve lead in several capacities throughout the VBS world and am currently our church’s VBS director.  It is a joy for me to be able to share VBS ideas and resources with others!  I will continue to share VBS ideas here as we prepare for Shipwrecked VBS.  Follow the blog to see more of our ideas and planning!  Please let me know if there are any specific VBS items or ideas you need help with!