VBS is almost here! For many churches, VBS is only weeks away. By now most of “the big stuff” is done and checked off the list—things like purchasing curriculum, enlisting volunteers, training teachers, promoting within the community, and opening registration. But now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty details. These extra touches often are the difference between a smooth launch and a rocky start to VBS. To help with your last minute preparations, here’s a checklist organized by specific areas within your VBS. Don’t try to tackle all of these alone. Delegate responsibility for each area to a different person or team. After all, VBS is a team effort!

Registration Area

• Blank registration forms for walk-up registrations
• Tablets or computers for electronic registration (via KidEvent Pro) 
• Printed class rosters with the class max highlighted
• Pens and Sharpies®
• Name tags and security tags (or whatever security method your church is using during VBS)
• Media Release forms
• Allergy and medical alert forms
• Display board with each day’s snack listed for parents to see (as an allergy alert)

First-aid Station

• Enlist a nurse from within your congregation to be on-call during VBS.
• Basic first-aid supplies (such as adhesive bandages, cold compress, antiseptic wipes, hydrocortisone ointment packs, etc.)
• Nonlatex gloves
• Printed list of all allergies, medical and/or special needs of children attending VBS—including emergency contact numbers
• Any medications supplied by parents (NOTE: Authorized medications should be administered according to your church’s policies—ideally by the parent or designated medical personnel.)

Bible Study and Rotation Rooms

• All needed curriculum [A good rule of thumb is one leader guide per teacher, one leader pack per room, and one Starveyor Kit per child (Bible study only).]
• All requested supplies
• New Sharpies®—Sharpies on a lanyard or keychain make a great (and useful) teacher appreciation gift!
• Name tags and security tags
• Printed class roles
• Daily schedule (including rotation locations) prominently displayed
• Adhesive bandages
• CD players
• TV/DVD players for music and missions rotations
• Disposable tablecloths for crafts and snack rotations

Resource Rooms

• Fully stocked with basic supplies (such as construction paper, markers, crayons, tape, scissors, pencils, stapler, glue sticks, etc.)
• Specialty items related to the theme (such as thematic puzzles and books for preschool rooms)
• Communicate with volunteers the process for borrowing AND returning supplies during and after VBS.
• Label shelves and cabinets to make it easy for volunteers to put things away after use.
• Designate bins or buckets for volunteers to return supplies if they don’t know where things go.

What else is on your list? Comment below to share your ideas with others.

Melita Thomas serves as LifeWay’s VBS and Kids Ministry Specialist. For the past 14 years she has also been an editor of LifeWay’s VBS resources. Melita holds a masters degree in Childhood Ministry from Dallas Baptist University. A passionate advocate for kids ministry in the local church, Melita enjoys teaching kindergartners and preteens at Nashville First Baptist Church.