DIY Sun Catcher Craft

DIY Sun Catcher Craft

Need a frugal craft to do with your kiddos? Antsy to shake off the winter and appreciate some sunlight? Try this DIY sun catcher craft - it's inexpensive, colorful and kids can complete a lot of it independently!
DIY Stencils from Laminating Pouches

DIY Stencils from Laminating Pouches

Did you know it's super inexpensive (and very easy) to make your own stencils?! We have made all kinds of stencils for VBS craft projects! Read on for step-by-step instructions...
Shipwrecked Decorating Spaces: Sanctuary

Shipwrecked Decorating Spaces: Sanctuary

Our church sanctuary houses the opening and closing every evening of VBS.  The stage is our main VBS set and the kids are assigned to pews by their crews.  We typically spend the most time and energy on the stage decorations since they're the main set that kids will see several times each night.  Our sanctuary also houses the bible verse station.  I'll share those photos in another post!  Some of the decorations used in our sanctuary were given to us by a couple of other churches, while we made or re-purposed the…Read more …
Shipwrecked VBS – Master List of Imagination Station Craft Ideas

Shipwrecked VBS – Master List of Imagination Station Craft Ideas

Imagination Station is designed by Group for experiments and science-y gizmos.  However, this station can be used in a variety of ways.  Many churches use the Imagination Station time for crafts instead of gizmos (our church included).  I've compiled a master list of Shipwrecked VBS Imagination Station Craft Ideas below, sorted by day.  There are also ideas at the bottom that can be used for any day. If you decide to order the actual Group gizmos, read this article to see how you can get the gizmos at a discount! This post may…Read more …
DIY Activity Books – Shipwrecked VBS

DIY Activity Books – Shipwrecked VBS

Are you skipping Group's Logbooks?  Would you like a time-filler or an activity to have at the snack tables?  These DIY Activity Books are adorable and could be used anywhere during the week! 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. This post may contain affiliate links.  I earn a small percentage of anything you purchase…Read more …
DIY Pool Noodle Sailboats – Shipwrecked VBS Imagination Station Alternative

DIY Pool Noodle Sailboats – Shipwrecked VBS Imagination Station Alternative

Day 5's gizmo is the power paddler.  Instead of purchasing the paddle boat from Group, we're making boats, then having boat races!  Check out the tutorial below for easy and cheap DIY Pool Noodle Sailboats.  We also tried making DIY Sponge Sailboats. 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…Read more …
Shipwrecked VBS: DIY Advertising Magnets

Shipwrecked VBS: DIY Advertising Magnets

Many years, we design postcards and have them printed to advertise VBS.  We pass them out at church and around town, plus we mail them to kids who attended our VBS last year.  This year, we decided to make magnets instead of postcards.  Who doesn't want an island view on their fridge?! 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…Read more …
DIY Sponge Sailboats – Shipwrecked VBS Imagination Station Alternative

DIY Sponge Sailboats – Shipwrecked VBS Imagination Station Alternative

Day 5's gizmo is the power paddler.  Instead of purchasing the paddle boat from Group, we're making DIY Sponge Sailboats, then having boat races!  Check out the tutorial below for easy and cheap DIY Sponge Sailboats. 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}. …Read more …
VBS Crafts: DIY Handprint Stepping Stones

VBS Crafts: DIY Handprint Stepping Stones

As a parent, I LOVE crafts that last a long time and capture precious bits of my baby, like her handprints!  One of my favorite VBS crafts to make are DIY Handprint Stepping Stones.  These are inexpensive to make and are such a treasured keepsake for parents! 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. DIY…Read more …
VBS Crafts: DIY Kindness Rocks

VBS Crafts: DIY Kindness Rocks

Kindness rocks are becoming popular in our area!  If you haven't heard of the Kindness Rocks Project, these are rocks that are decorated with positive & inspirational messages, then hidden around your community for others to find.  I love the joy these kindness rocks bring, both to the person who decorates the rock and the person who finds it! 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…Read more …
VBS Crafts: How to Dye Rice

VBS Crafts: How to Dye Rice

Many VBS crafts and activities use dyed rice.  It's an easy and inexpensive project that is SO fun for all ages!  Here is a super quick way to dye rice for your next craft project or activity. 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. There are two methods below to dye rice based on how…Read more …
Shipwrecked Tiki Hut (Quick, Easy & Cheap!)

Shipwrecked Tiki Hut (Quick, Easy & Cheap!)

It's not often that I have a large VBS display for little to no cost... this year, though, we can make tiki huts for little to no cost and very little time (uh, aren't those projects every VBS director's dream come true?!)! 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 Group VBS theme is…Read more …
DIY Coral Reef Decor

DIY Coral Reef Decor

Many VBS themes relate to water, so this DIY Coral Reef can be used over and over again!  These are so fun and use materials you may already have on hand. 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…Read more …
DIY Small Bead Decoder Bracelets (Shipwrecked Imagination Station Alternative: Day 3)

DIY Small Bead Decoder Bracelets (Shipwrecked Imagination Station Alternative: Day 3)

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…Read more …
Decorating: Foyer (Registration & Photo Booth) – Maker Fun Factory

Decorating: Foyer (Registration & Photo Booth) – Maker Fun Factory

Our foyer is just inside the main entrance, so we have registration there every year.  We also had a photo booth, tshirt factory and sound station in the foyer decorations this year! This post contains affiliate links, where I earn a small percentage of items you purchase.  Thank you for helping to support Borrowed Blessings! For about a month before VBS set-up, we have one wall in the foyer that's dedicated to VBS.  This year we actually used the normal advertising wall plus a second wall for the robot building competition. Our pre-VBS…Read more …
Decorating: Sanctuary (Opening & Closing) – Maker Fun Factory

Decorating: Sanctuary (Opening & Closing) – Maker Fun Factory

We use our sanctuary for opening and closing every year.  All of the kids {even the preschoolers} are in both opening and closing.  We spend about 15 minutes each in opening and closing. Opening usually consists of: -Welcome -Music -Skit -Daily bible point intro {by the director} -Announcements -Prayer {usually by the director} Closing usually consists of: -Music -Daily summary {director asks a few kids to share the bible verse, bible point, etc.} -Daily totals {attendance and offering} -Announcements -Prayer {usually by a child who volunteers} This post contains affiliate links, where I…Read more …
Decoupage VBS Signs – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Decoupage VBS Signs – Maker Fun Factory VBS

I love decorating projects that use up supplies we already have... not only are these low-cost/no-cost, but it's also fun to see how creatively leftover supplies can be used! This post may contain affiliate links.  Thank you for helping support Borrowed Blessings! Supplies: Posterboard Clear packing tape Duct tape Cardstock paper Liquid school glue Decoupage materials: Tissue paper squares Foam shapes/scraps Paint dot markers Cotton balls Pom pom balls Markers Instructions: 1. Cut posterboard into an arrow shape.  I used a regular sheet of paper to make sure my arrow was straight.  The…Read more …
Sound Station – Maker Fun Factory

Sound Station – Maker Fun Factory

There are times when I come up with completely new ideas and times when I use the VBS curriculum provided ideas. I LOVE the sound station idea provided by Group!  For our sound station, we made the wrench chimes suggested by Group as well as another interactive sound station that we created.  I'm so glad we made these sound station items - they turned out so fun!  We also made a homemade xylophone, but it ended up in another area. This post may contain affiliate links.  Thank you for helping support Borrowed Blessings!…Read more …