Cave Quest VBS

Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Rockin’ Tunes

Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Rockin’ Tunes

Our church used Group Publishing's "Cave Quest" VBS curriculum this summer.  I've shared many of our projects, but you may be missing out on a big picture idea of how our spaces looked.  This room was proof that you don't have to spend a lot of time or money to make VBS special for the kids!  Here's how we decorated a super simple music area. Sorry for the poor quality of these pictures - a lot of them are from my cell phone {I'm not sure why my sleep-deprived VBS directing self wasn't…Read more …

Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Preschool Cave Pool

Our church used Group Publishing's "Cave Quest" VBS curriculum this summer.  I've shared many of our projects, but you may be missing out on a big picture idea of how our Preschool Cave Pool space looked.  This area is definitely one of our most elaborately decorated.  The preschoolers have their own program in our gym building.  They come to opening and closing with the big kids, but stay in their building for all other activities.  This works really well for us, since this age can be challenging to keep on a tight schedule. I've…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Imagination Station

Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Imagination Station

Our church used Group Publishing's "Cave Quest" VBS curriculum this summer.  I've shared many of our projects, but you may be missing out on a big picture idea of how our spaces looked. Our Imagination Station room was in one of our classrooms.  This room was proof that you don't have to spend a lot of time or money to make VBS special for the kids!  Here's how we decorated a super simple craft area. Sorry for the poor quality of these pictures - a lot of them are from my cell phone {I'm not…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Cavern Cafe (Snack)

Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Cavern Cafe (Snack)

Our church used Group Publishing's "Cave Quest" VBS curriculum this summer.  We used our fellowship hall for both Bible Quests (story) and Cavern Cafe (snack).  It worked out really well since snack only happened once each evening.  I've linked below some of the photos to specific projects.  Feel free to holler if you have any more questions! Sorry for the poor quality of these pictures - a lot of them are from my cell phone {I'm not sure why my sleep-deprived VBS directing self wasn't more concerned with taking good pictures! hahaha}. *If…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS: Tabletop Gems

Cave Quest VBS: Tabletop Gems

These quick and {fairly} easy tabletop gems turned out cute and were a great project for other people to help with!  We used these on the snack tables to tell each group where to sit.  They made the snack process simpler since everyone was in the sanctuary at the same time! SUPPLIES:  -Styrofoam balls {Ours were 3"ish across} -Brown kraft paper -Hot glue gun -Hot glue sticks -Party toothpicks -Colored cardstock -White cardstock -Black cardstock {leftover from cutting out bats} -Double stick tape INSTRUCTIONS: -Plug in hot glue gun {make sure to put…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Memory Gems

Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Memory Gems

Our church used Group Publishing's "Cave Quest" VBS curriculum this summer.  I've shared many of our projects, but you may be missing out on a big picture idea of how our spaces looked. Our Memory Gems space was at the back of the sanctuary in one of the overflow areas.  This room was proof that you don't have to spend a lot of time or money to make VBS special for the kids!  Here's how we decorated a super simple bible verse area. Sorry for the poor quality of these pictures - a lot…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Bible Quests (Story)

Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Bible Quests (Story)

Our church used Group Publishing’s “Cave Quest” VBS curriculum this summer.  Bible Quests (story) was located in our fellowship hall - and they also traveled outside the front entrance of the church a few nights and used a classroom off the fellowship hall.  This was definitely the space that changed the most throughout the week.  The story crew changed the decor each evening to match that night's story.  I’ve linked below some of the photos to specific projects.  Feel free to holler if you have any more questions! Sorry for the poor quality…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Sing & Play Rock (Sanctuary)

Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Sing & Play Rock (Sanctuary)

Our church used Group Publishing's "Cave Quest" VBS curriculum this summer.  Sing & Play Rock (opening and closing each evening) was located in our sanctuary.  I've linked below some of the photos to specific projects.  Feel free to holler if you have any more questions! Sorry for the poor quality of these pictures - a lot of them are from my cell phone {I'm not sure why my sleep-deprived VBS directing self wasn't more concerned with taking good pictures! hahaha}. I've added links for each of the items that have step-by-step tutorials, as…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Sing & Play Rock Tunnel Entrance

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Sing & Play Rock Tunnel Entrance

We decided to liven up the transition from the entry/registration area (foyer) to the Sing & Play Rock (sanctuary) by making a tunnel entrance.  This was actually a fairly quick and easy way to make a large visual impact! SUPPLIES: -Lumber {we used 2x2s} -Large tarp -Duct tape -Neon colored animal cutouts -Black plastic sheeting -Double stick tape -Scissors PROJECT COST: We purchased this huge tarp last year for Everest VBS and made a huge registration "tent" out of it at Base Camp.  This year, we repurposed the same tarp to be the…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Foyer Entrance

Cave Quest VBS: Decorating Spaces – Foyer Entrance

Our church used Group Publishing's "Cave Quest" VBS curriculum this summer.  I've shared many of our projects, but you may be missing out on a big picture idea of how our spaces looked.  When kids entered the church through the main entrance, they came into the foyer.  The foyer was decorated like the inside of a cave with brown paper walls from floor to ceiling. Sorry for the poor quality of these pictures - a lot of them are from my cell phone {I'm not sure why my sleep-deprived VBS directing self wasn't…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Simple Cave Crystals

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Simple Cave Crystals

We made two different versions of Cave Crystals for VBS this year.  The first used cardboard, brown kraft paper, cardboard tubes, spray paint, painter's tape and spray foam {that instructional went up yesterday}.  The second version of Cave Crystal {that I'm sharing here} was super simple to make and only used a few supplies.  You can download printable instructions for the Simple Cave Crystals.  These were perfect for our Cave Quest preschool area! SUPPLIES: -Empty planters {preferably plastic} -Brown kraft paper -Foam pool noodles {bright colors} PROJECT COST: The plastic planters came from…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Crystals

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Crystals

We made two different versions of Cave Crystals for VBS this year.  The first used cardboard, brown kraft paper, cardboard tubes, spray paint, painter's tape and spray foam.  The second was super simple and only used empty planters, brown kraft paper and bright pool noodles.  I'll post the super simple version as well.  You can also download printable instructions for the Cave Crystals.  You'll definitely want at least 2 people for this project.  My mom helped and we could have used another set of hands.  Once the foam sets a bit, the Cave…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: DIY Posters

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: DIY Posters

We used colored and black poster board to make fun DIY posters for Cave Quest VBS!  We bought a few poster sets from Oriental Trading and similar sites, but the posters we made were fairly quick and easy.  They are a very inexpensive way to add personalized, colorful decor to your church.  These signs will be used throughout the building for directional signs, decorations and even in the photo booth!  You can print or save a PDF of the instructions formatted for printing.  We purchased the poster board locally, but all other supplies through Amazon. The Oriental…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Name Tags {with Free Templates}

Cave Quest VBS Name Tags {with Free Templates}

Some years our church gives out free t shirts to all the kids at VBS.  It's fun for the kids, but mostly it's a super visible way to tell who should be in which color group.  The last two years, we've skipped the t shirts and just used name tags {different colors for different groups}.  At the end of closing each evening, we make sure to announce that everyone should give their name tag to their crew leader.  Otherwise, about three kids would remember to bring them back each day.  I ordered all…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Chalk Marker Signs

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Chalk Marker Signs

We used black cardstock paper and chalkboard markers to make fun chalk marker signs for Cave Quest VBS!  These signs will be used throughout the building for directional signs, decorations and even photo booth props!  They are a very inexpensive way to add personalized, colorful decor to your church.  You can also print or save a PDF of the instructions formatted for printing. SUPPLIES: -Black cardstock {8.5”x11”} -Chalk markers -Laminating sheets -Laminating machine INSTRUCTIONS: If you haven't used chalk markers before, you have to write kind of slowly for them to work well. If…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Entrance

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Entrance

We use cardboard for decorations most years.  Last year, we got donated cardboard and had some leftover.  We decided to use cardboard instead of foam board {like Group suggests} to save on our budget.  We made a cave entrance that will go on stage along with our cave formations {stalagmites & stalactites}.  You can also print or save a PDF of the instructions formatted for printing. SUPPLIES: -1 large sheet of cardboard {can be re-used from previous years} -Brown kraft paper -Spray paint {we used purple, but you could make it any color}…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Formations

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Formations

The Group VBS decorating book explains how to make cave formations/stalagmites & stalactites using foam board and a hot knife.  We use cardboard for decorations most years.  Last year, we got donated cardboard and had some leftover.  We decided to use cardboard instead of foam board to save on our budget.  The end result is still a colorful, fun stage cave formation!  You can also print or save a PDF of the instructions formatted for printing. In years past, we've used box knives to cut the cardboard.  This year my husband brought over…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS: Advertising Postcards

Cave Quest VBS: Advertising Postcards

We are using Group's Cave Quest VBS curriculum this summer.  You can click on the "VBS" tag over at the right to see more of our planning goodies.  We advertise VBS in a variety of ways.  Some years we mail out postcards, while other years we don't.  This year I decided to try the postcards and I couldn't be happier! One of the great things about using Group VBS is that they provide TONS of clipart and graphics that you can use for advertising.  I saw some ideas on facebook from other people…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Frugal Crafts: Lightning Bug Catching Jar

Cave Quest VBS Frugal Crafts: Lightning Bug Catching Jar

Welcome back to another of my Frugal Cave Quest VBS Craft Ideas!  Make sure to check out the other ideas here.  I'm from Indiana, so we LOVE catching lightning bugs!  Growing up, we would use a baby food jar and dad would stab some holes in the lid with a knife so we had a lightning bug catching jar.  I wanted to use that idea for a VBS craft, so we're going to make it slightly safer by removing the "stab some holes with a knife" step and instead let our kiddos use…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Frugal Crafts: Tic Tac Toe Game

Cave Quest VBS Frugal Crafts: Tic Tac Toe Game

Welcome back to another of my Frugal Cave Quest VBS Craft Ideas!  Make sure to check out the other ideas here.  This craft was inspired by BalancingHome.com.  You can see the original tutorial here.  I love her burlap bag and tic tac toe idea, but she just has x and o on her rocks {you know, like a normal game of tic tac toe}... I thought it'd be more fun to spice it up and paint fun designs on the rocks {you obviously still need to have only 2 different patterns so the…Read more …
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