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 …
Crew Signs – Maker Fun Factory

Crew Signs – Maker Fun Factory

Every year, we have opening and closing in the church sanctuary.  Each crew gets 1-2 pews where they're supposed to stay during opening and closing.  I make some sort of crew sign every year so that kids (and crew guides) know where they should be.  I actually went through several ideas this year, so I'll share them all with you!  It was the classic Three Little Bears... "no, this sign isn't quite right"... I've included my three ideas below.  Feel free to use or share any of them! This post may contain affiliate…Read more …
Paper Plate Cutout Gears – Maker Fun Factory

Paper Plate Cutout Gears – Maker Fun Factory

We made A LOT of gears this year... like, a lot.  I felt like Bubba Gump's million kinds of shrimp... we have gears cut out of tablecloths, gear posters, gear toys, gears that look metallic, gears that actually work... One of the types of gears we made were paper plate cutout gears.  These were one of the projects we used during our volunteer work day.  They're a great project to send home with someone, too! This post may contain affiliate links.  Thank you for helping support Borrowed Blessings! Supplies: Paper plates Scissors Permanent marker…Read more …
Interactive Ball Maze – Maker Fun Factory

Interactive Ball Maze – Maker Fun Factory

One of my favorite things about Maker Fun Factory VBS is the amount of interactive possibilities!  We used mostly supplies the church already had to make an interactive ball maze.  We actually made two of these - one for the back of the sanctuary (which was interactive) and one for on stage (that was filled with balls - not interactive).  Links in this post may be referral links.  Thanks for helping support Borrowed Blessings! Supplies: -Concrete form (ours were 12" across and 3-4' tall) -Poster board (4 sheets per concrete tube) -Clear packing…Read more …
Bible Verse Coloring Sheets – Maker Fun Factory

Bible Verse Coloring Sheets – Maker Fun Factory

If you're looking for an advertising activity before VBS, something for younger kids during VBS or just a time filler if a station finishes early, bible verse coloring sheets are a great option!  These Maker Fun Factory coloring sheets can easily fill time between stations or even go home with students in an activity pack before or after bible school. Download the coloring sheets individually below!  They are all in the NLT, except Monday's verse which is in both NIV and NLT. Day 1 -Psalm 139-14 outline (NLT) -Psalm 139-14 outline (NIV) Day 2 -Romans…Read more …
Upcycled Station Signs – Maker Fun Factory

Upcycled Station Signs – Maker Fun Factory

This weekend, I used free supplies to make some awesome upcycled station signs!  One of our church members (who is a former architect) donated a whole stack of old blueprints.  I used blue paper leftover from another VBS project to make some large (and FREE) station signs! This post may contain affiliate links (I earn a small percentage of anything you purchase but you don’t pay anything extra).  Thanks for helping support Borrowed Blessings! Supplies: -Blueprints -Blue paper (I had some left over from our other blueprint project) -King sized Sharpie Instructions: 1.…Read more …
Blueprint Backdrops – Maker Fun Factory

Blueprint Backdrops – Maker Fun Factory

I am super excited to share this easy (and large) backdrop idea!  Using tarps and white tape, you can quickly make large-scale backdrops.  These would work well on stage or in other areas of your building.  I'm planning to use these on four walls in our foyer (entry) area. This post may contain affiliate links (I earn a small percentage of anything you purchase but you don’t pay anything extra).  Thanks for helping support Borrowed Blessings! Supplies: -Blue tarps (I used 6'x8') -Packing tape -Skinny white artist tape or off-white masking tape Instructions: 1.…Read more …
Gear Floor Decals – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Gear Floor Decals – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Did you see the Giant Gear Decorations post earlier?  I've had some great feedback and ideas from other VBS leaders and have another table cover-based gear idea to share.  Get excited - this is another decorating for a dollar idea!  We are going to use the table cover method to make floor decals {think stepping stones, except obviously not made of stone}. This post may contain affiliate links (I earn a small percentage of anything you purchase but you don’t pay anything extra).  Thanks for helping support Borrowed Blessings! Supplies Table covers Plastic carpet…Read more …
Giant Gear God Sightings – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Giant Gear God Sightings – Maker Fun Factory VBS

I am not super crazy about the God sighting lights on stage with this year's VBS curriculum, so I came up with a fast, easy and colorful alternative! This post may contain affiliate links (I earn a small percentage of anything you purchase but you don’t pay anything extra).  Thanks for helping support Borrowed Blessings! Supplies Giant Gear Decorations Adhesive Gear Labels Permanent Markers Instructions 1. Make several giant gear decorations (they're about $1 each and super easy to make). 2. Hang the giant gears in your God sighting area.  We're going to…Read more …
GIANT Gear Decorations – Maker Fun Factory

GIANT Gear Decorations – Maker Fun Factory

I love decorating for a dollar!  My last decorating for a dollar project was the blue paper decorated as blueprints.  These giant gear decorations are even faster and easier... and each one is a whopping SEVEN FOOT gear! This is a great way to decorate large spaces without investing a lot of time or energy.  I'm planning to use these in our snack area and possibly crafts or bible verse stations. This post may contain affiliate links (I earn a small percentage of anything you purchase but you don’t pay anything extra).  Thanks for…Read more …
Master List of Craft Ideas – Maker Fun Factory

Master List of Craft Ideas – Maker Fun Factory

The Maker Fun Factory curriculum is my favorite in YEARS.  I think the message speaks to the identity confusion that most (if not all) kids experience at some point or another.  The points shared through this curriculum are ones that we ALL will benefit from hearing and sharing!  I love that the Imagination Station activities reinforce the daily bible points, but I am a strong proponent of more old-school crafts rather than the gimmicky science gizmos that Group suggests using.  I've come up with a master list of alternative craft ideas that still mesh…Read more …
Wooden Cross Craft – Vacation Bible School Ideas

Wooden Cross Craft – Vacation Bible School Ideas

Our church typically uses the vacation bible school curriculum created by Group Publishing.  Every Group curriculum, regardless of theme, uses night 4 (Thursday night for us) to tell the story of Jesus' life and death (and offers kids the chance to accept Jesus).  I like doing a cross craft at Imagination Station for the Jesus story.  My goal is always to keep crafts under $1 per child per night, but if I'm going to splurge on a craft I want it to be a keepsake... so I will occasionally spend over $1 if…Read more …
Robot Craft (GUTSY Bear Alternative) – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Robot Craft (GUTSY Bear Alternative) – Maker Fun Factory VBS

The Maker Fun Factory curriculum is my favorite in YEARS.  I think the message speaks to the identity confusion that most (if not all) kids experience at some point or another.  The points shared through this curriculum are ones that we ALL will benefit from hearing and sharing!  I love that the Imagination Station activities reinforce the daily bible points, but I am a strong proponent of more old-school crafts rather than the gimmicky science gizmos that Group suggests using.  This robot craft is a much less expensive alternative to Group's GUTSY Bears, but…Read more …
DIY Xylophone – Maker Fun Factory VBS

DIY Xylophone – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Maker Fun Factory is one of my favorite VBS programs in a long time!  One of the things I love is that decorating for Maker Fun Factory is so interactive.  From life-size marble runs to homemade instruments, the possibilities are endless. 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! After hunting Pinterest like it's my job, I had an idea list a mile long for interactive VBS decor.  One of…Read more …
Indoor Advertising Banner for less than $1! – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Indoor Advertising Banner for less than $1! – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Our church has an outdoor vinyl banner that we display with the VBS dates and times every year.  To advertise indoors, we typically order a lower quality indoor banner customized with the theme each year.  This year, I made a HUGE indoor banner for under a buck.  The banner is 4.5 feet wide by 9 feet tall - wowzers! This post may contain affiliate links (I earn a small percentage of anything you purchase but you don’t pay anything extra).  Thanks for helping support Borrowed Blessings! Supplies for this project: -Blank banner (table…Read more …
Budget-Friendly VBS T-Shirts: Maker Fun Factory

Budget-Friendly VBS T-Shirts: Maker Fun Factory

We have used the Group iron-ons in the past to make VBS t-shirts, but haven't been very happy with the quality {You know how you can see the white square around the logo?  Yeah, we'd like to not have that.}.  We also like having the freedom to buy different colored shirts for each crew. This year, I decided to delve into custom t-shirts.  I've designed t-shirts for years for various organizations {everything from a band fundraising concert to church ministries to collegiate events}.  I created two t-shirt designs for Maker Fun Factory VBS.…Read more …
Cheap & Easy Robot Building Ideas – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Cheap & Easy Robot Building Ideas – Maker Fun Factory VBS

Since this year's VBS theme, Maker Fun Factory, focuses heavily on robots, we're all going to be professional robot builders by the end of the summer!  I've looked at more robot building ideas than I care to admit, so I thought I'd share some of my favorites.  Thankfully, robots are cheap and fairly easy to put together! 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! To build a robot (or…Read more …