These Footprints in the Sand from Guildcraft Arts & Crafts are a perfect Summertime craft!

Sale Price is $11.40 and the project makes 24 Footprints in the Sand.

20% off discount ends July 31th, 2009.

Click here for more Specials.

Posted in Uncategorized ~ No Comments

Check out the Specials section on the Guildcraft Arts & Crafts website!

Price reductions on VBS crafts, limited time offer.

Posted in Uncategorized ~ No Comments

It’s May! Easter parties have past and school is almost out, and if you are like me, that means that VBS planning is in full swing. I’ve got just six weeks until kick-off. Here’s what I’m making sure gets done in the next couple of weeks:

• Daily schedule set
• Start decoration prep (cutting, donation collecting, etc.)
• Start publicity
• Hold volunteer training
• Begin student registration
• Finish ordering supplies
• Continued prayers for the program!

What is on your to-do list?

Posted in Planning ~ 2 Comments

Posted in Planning ~ 2 Comments

On Facebook? Become a fan of Guildcraft Arts & Crafts!

Click the link or seach for us using Guildcraft Arts & Crafts.

Posted in Uncategorized ~ 3 Comments

Thanks to those of you that completed last month’s poll on the economy and your VBS budget (http://vbsblog.guildcraftinc.com/2009/03/vbs-poll-the-economy/) . It is obvious that the economy is affecting your programs, but it was also inspiring to see how many comments and e-mails we received talking about how VBS is more important than ever.

There was a recent post on cost-cutting tips on LifeWay’s blog, and I wanted to make sure that you saw it.

http://lifewayvbs.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/43-vbs-cost-cutters/

And if you have any new ideas you would like to share with other readers, please post a comment!

Posted in Budget ~ 2 Comments

Indoor S’mores – Let kids mix chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and graham cracker sticks or Golden Graham cereal in a bag.

 

Trail Mix – the classic snack works great for this theme!

 

Fishing Poles -  Tie a “Pull-N-Peel” Twizzler to the end of a long fishing rod. At the other end of the pull-n-peel, tie a gummy worm.

 

Popcorn Balls

 

Worms in Dirt Cups

 

Bug Juice

Posted in Snacks ~ 2 Comments

Tasty Turtles - Spread cream cheese on a Ritz Cracker. Place pretzel pieces in cream cheese to create legs and a tail. Use a green gum drop or jelly bean for a head.

 

Pond Jello – Use blue jello and put gummy fish, snakes, worms and/or frogs in it. 

Frogs on a Log – You’ve seen – and probably used – the Ants on a Log snack. The classic celery stick with peanut butter and raisins. Do the same thing but call it Frogs on a Log. Concerned about allergies? Use cream cheese or veggie dip.

Crocodile Cake or a crocodile made out of cupcakes!

Posted in Snacks ~ No Comments

Here are some ideas to help you create your swamp:

• Use green cellophane to cover windows to help give your room that “swamp” feel.
• Use wooden pallets or skids to help create a dock.
• Plan on using grasses, ferns and cattails to help create your look. Talk to a local nursery to see if they will let you borrow some plants. If not, find artificial ones at your local craft store.
• Roll up brown paper to create trees. Have limbs going across the ceiling and hang Spanish moss on the paper.
• Make a swamp using a kiddie pool or goldfish pond. Surround the area with real greenery. Maybe even put in real fish and frogs - or just artificial ones!
• Ask congregation members if anyone has an old row boat. This would make a great prop.
• Twinkle lights easily become fireflies.
• Put ”crocodile footprints” down on the floor. Click here for a free template.
• Hang cardboard lanterns going down the hallway. 

Posted in Decorations ~ 9 Comments

Going down under for VBS? Here are some ideas to get you brainstorming about decorating!

• Use hay bales and eucalyptus.
• Create a artificial bonfire and place logs around it.
• Have train tracks going down the wall or on the floor.
• Create a watering hole using blue cellophane and artificial grasses.
• Making a train station? Place old suitcases around and cover them with printouts of Australian travel “stickers.”
• Cover a wall with brown paper and let kids draw their own Aboriginal designs (petroglyphs).
• Make kangaroo tracks and place them on the floor to lead kids from room to room. Click here for a free template to download. 

 

Posted in Decorations ~ 5 Comments