VBS Projects

• Vacation Bible School is typically a week full of church activities for children. Richard Goerg/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Vacation Bible School projects can keep your participants busy and teach the principles with creative activities. While many projects revolve around Bible stories, not all projects do so. Projects can focus on current world problems, character traits, learning about other religions and cultures or how children can show stewardship of the resources in the world.

One World -- One People

• The Bible teaches that we all originate from Adam and Eve. This can give a focus on the people of the world as one huge family. Although we are not all alike, we share many commonalities. Have the students choose several common needs and wants and discuss how we can share resources to provide for the needs of all inhabitants.

  Students can start a community garden to focus on the need for wholesome food and how we can work together to provide for all. Students can also learn about how water is cleaned and filtered to make it drinkable in areas where public water systems are not healthy.

  Students can collect unneeded clothing, shoes and household items for redistribution in needy areas. A food drive to stock local food pantries also teaches mutual responsibility for all inhabitants.

What We Believe

• Students can study some of the basic tenets of other religions. Ask some representatives from other denominations and religious organizations in your area to speak to the students. Speakers can focus on both the similarities and differences in what you believe. Religious groups that share core materials like the Bible can focus on the similarities of beliefs.

  Students should also learn what their particular religious group believes. The younger the group, the more simplistic you will need to make the teaching. A simple two- to five-word expression of beliefs could include "God is," or "We are God's children." Children should end the week with a basic understanding of religious tenets.

Desirable Character Traits

• Most people would agree that traits like honesty, intelligence, creativity, strength, loving, peacefulness and consideration are desirable and worth pursuing. Share stories about people who exemplify those traits over the course of the week. Children can choose a favorite role model at the end of the week.

  A costume party could end the week and the children can come dressed as their favorite characters. Children can explain why they chose the person they did and what steps they will take to become more like that person.