Packaged Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs from places like Gospel Light and Standard Publishing are generally not geared for preschoolers. Most are only for elementary-aged students.
This leaves churches offering a preschool VBS program searching for custom-made themes for little learners. Here are some top VBS themes for small children that are both packed with fun and important biblical lessons.
Bee-Attitudes Theme
This theme, of course, is based around the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12. These are hard concepts for preschoolers to understand, but can be made easier through the use of cute bees. A bee puppet can be used to tell about each Beatitude (two or so each day of the VBS program) in a simple language and relate to real-life situations that preschoolers encounter.
Consider displaying a Bee-Attitudes bulletin board using cutouts that can be purchased from BK's Schoolhouse. The following Bee-Attitudes craft is sure to be a hit with preschoolers, as well.
Bee-Attitudes Craft Materials
- Toilet paper tube
- Construction paper, black and yellow
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Black pipe cleaner, cut into two 2-inch pieces
- White tissue paper
- Black marker
Directions for Bee-Attitudes Project
- Cover the toilet paper tube in black construction paper and secure with glue.
- Cut yellow construction paper into 1-inch strips and glue around the tube to make stripes.
- Attach the two pieces of pipe cleaner as antennae on the top of one side of the tube.
- Crumble white tissue paper and form into the shape of wings. Glue the wings to the middle of either side of the tube.
- Draw eyes for the bee using the black marker.
Graham crackers and honey make a great snack idea for this theme. Give preschoolers gummy bears to stick to the honey, too!
"I Will Pray for You" Theme
This theme can go in many different directions and cover a new memory verse each day of the VBS program. The Bible is full of prayer examples, the most popular being the Lord's Prayer. Preschool Sunday School Central offers a prayer page with free downloads to make short and inspirational lessons, along with prayer posters, and much more.
Also be sure to check out the Prayer lesson plan right here on Suite101.com for game, snack, and craft ideas relating to prayer. A closing activity could be having the preschoolers make up a prayer to give to someone special. An important concept to teach with this theme is that no matter how small a child is, she can pray for others, and God will hear her prayers.
Backyard VBS for Preschoolers
If a church does not offer a VBS program for preschoolers, it is possible to host a backyard VBS for a neighborhood. Get parents involved in planning snacks, crafts, and games for the children. A Bee-Attitudes and prayer theme would work great for this. Just be sure to give enough time for planning and gathering materials before marketing the VBS to the neighborhood.
Preschool children can gain so much from staying in God's Word, and summertime is no exception. A VBS program is a great time to take advantage of teaching small children about biblical principles, just as it is for older children. Use the themes presented here to make a wonderful impression on kids throughout an entire community.
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