VBS 2009 Decorating Tips Use the photos, tips, and ideas shared within this presentation to transform the hallways, rooms, platform, and other areas of your church into

Step 1 Plan for the areas that you will decorate: –Outside the church (advertise) –Entrance doors (welcome) –Church foyer and hallways (appeal) –Registration (organize) –Sanctuary (iZone/Opening & Closing with Daily Dramas, Exploratorium Bible Stories, Mystery Tunes Music & Mission Offering) –Sites (Inventor’s Workshop Crafts, Café Snacks, Discovery Lab Bible Memory, Game Gallery & Sid & Simon’s Museum Adventure)

Step 2 Gather needed supplies and materials –What you’ll need to decorate outside your church: Decorating and Promo Banner (K-9021, $22.99) 4-inch Self-Adhesive Black Vinyl Ready Letters Supplies to mount the sign in a visible place on your church property Promote beyond your church property. You can post signs in local businesses, etc. Purchase Promo Poster (K-9000PK, $9.99 for a package of 5) Wide tip Permanent black marker (Sharpie® brand works great!)

Step 2 Gather needed supplies and materials –What you’ll need to decorate your doors leading into the church: Welcome everyone to right away! It’s quick and easy and immediately sets the scene for your museum. Promo Poster (K-9000PK, $9.99 for a package of 5) Black permanent marker Adhesive strips or squares, Plasti-Tak, Tape (Whatever adhesive material your church has approved for use on entrance doors and/or windows)

Step 2 Gather needed supplies and materials –What you’ll need to decorate your church hallways: Decorating Poster Set (K-9018, set of 5, $14.99); Bible Memory Poster Set (K-9017, set of 6, $14.99); Multimedia Resource CD (K-9024, $19.99); Scene Setter Paneling (K-9037, $20.99, 4’ x 50’); Balloons (K-9015, pkg. 25, $8.99) Six Styrofoam sheets (Available at Lowes, etc., 4’ x 8’, 1” thickness) Four Styrofoam circles (10” and 1” thickness) Styrofoam heat cutting tool (Check at Lowes, $24.99); Utility knife Two cardboard sheets (4’x 8’) Blue paint (acrylic) and paintbrushes, wide blue painters tape, curling ribbon or string, helium, balloon weights, carpet squares (bright colors), Stone Grey textured stone spray paint, scissors Wall mount tape or adhesive product that is pre-approved by your church Well ventilated area for construction

Step 2 Gather needed supplies and materials –What you’ll need to decorate your foyer and registration area: Decorating Poster Set (K-9018, set of 5, $14.99); Bible Memory Poster Set (K-9017, set of 6, $14.99); Multimedia Resource CD (K-9024, $19.99); Decorating and Promo Banner x 2 (K-9021, $22.99); Balloons (K-9015, pkg. 25, $8.99) 4-inch Self-adhesive vinyl letters for “Registration” and “Welcome” 2 registration tables (6 ft.) and 4-8 chairs for workers 4’ x 8’ and 4’ x 4’ Styrofoam sheets (1” thickness); heat cutting tool Curling ribbon or string, scissors, Helium and balloon additive, Balloon weights, Blue paint (acrylic) and paintbrushes, wide blue painters tape, black craft foam for welcome letters, orange table skirts x 2, spray adhesive, paper and printer, sign holders Carpet squares (brightly colored)

Step 2 Keep in Mind for Registration –Other Items You’ll Need: Multimedia Resource CD (K-9024, $19.99) for reproducible registration form Name Tags (K-9014, pkg. 50, $5.99) Name Tag Safety Lanyards (K-9022, $1.25 each) Name Tag Plastic Sleeves (K-9032, pkg. 25, $9.99) Mystery Kids Stickers (K-9004, 25/sheet, enough for 5 sessions for 5 kids, $1.69 & this tracks attendance on the name tags!) Reproducible Mystery Tunes Music CD (Give a copy to each kid that registers!) Divide kids into Tour Groups by color. Give each mystery kid a color wristband to wear all week long. These come in purple, blue, green, yellow, and orange. (K-9032PR, BL, GR, YL, OR, sheet of 10 for just $1) Copier and paper; Clipboards and ink pens Black permanent markers (Medium tip Sharpie® works well for writing names on tags)

Step 2 Gather needed supplies and materials –What you’ll need to decorate your iZone (Sanctuary or assembly room): Decorating Poster Set (K-9018, set of 5, $14.99); Multimedia Resource CD (K-9024, $19.99); Decorating and Promo Banner x 2 (K-9021, $22.99); Balloons (K-9015, pkg. 25, $8.99) NOTE: It will take approximately 75 balloons to make a balloon column…DO NOT USE HELIUM FOR THE COLUMNS! Optional Props: Pharaoh head, pillow, crown, globe, model airplane, wooden cross, fabric drape). Another good option is small inflatables (K-9035 and K-9036) Easel for Dr. O’Malley’s Portrait and black box Large scale printer (Kinko's); Styrofoam sheets (2-4’ x 8’ and 1-4’ x 4’); Cardboard sheets (2- 4’ x 8’); Concrete tube forms (6-10” x 48”); Styrofoam forms for column tops/bottoms; 14 medium pizza boxes; 8 large pizza boxes (ask for donation); white butcher paper Helium, additive, curling ribbon, scissors, Balloon weights (2), transparent packing tape, wide blue painters tape, heat cutting tool, utility knife, transparent fishing line, Stone Grey Textured spray paint (or gray) Remember! Bible stories, drama sketches, and music all happen within the iZone!

Step 2 Gather needed supplies and materials –What you’ll need to decorate your sites (Games, Bible Memory, Snacks & Crafts): Multimedia Resource CD (K-9024, $19.99), printer, paper, sign holders Balloons (K-9015, pkg. 25, $8.99), curling ribbon, scissors, Helium, additive, weights Decorating Poster Set (K-9018, set of 5, $14.99) x 3 Bible Memory Poster Set (K-9017, set of 6, $14.99) x 3 Scene Setter Stucco (K-9038, $20.99, 4’ x 50’) White butcher paper, wall mount tape, washable markers, crayons, carpet squares or colorful pillows, spray adhesive 4’ x 8’ Styrofoam sheets (2), Blue paint (acrylic) and paintbrushes, wide blue painters tape, large tarp, large scale printer (Kinko's) 6’ tables (4), four round tables and chairs, serving table for snacks, sink, water, paper towels, wet wipes

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Durable Posters for use throughout your VBS. You might want to consider making your posters last by 1) Laminating 2) Mounting on Styrofoam Simply cut your Styrofoam to the size of the poster. Spray adhesive to both the Styrofoam and the poster and adhere together.

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Signs for use throughout your VBS. You might want to consider making your signs last by 1) Laminating 2) Mounting on Styrofoam Simply cut your Styrofoam to frame the banner by 4 inches. Spray adhesive to both the Styrofoam and the sign and adhere together. Give it a colorful border with wide blue painters tape. Remember these are printed on a large scale printer!

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Logo signs for use throughout your VBS. You might want to consider making your logos last by 1) Laminating 2) Mounting on Styrofoam First mount your logo to the Styrofoam. Spray adhesive to both the Styrofoam and the sign and adhere together. Second cut the Styrofoam to the shape of the logo. Use the heat cutting tool when cutting any Styrofoam. Remember these are printed on a large scale printer!

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Banners for use throughout your VBS. These are quick and easy to use. First use 4-inch self-adhesive black vinyl ready letters to put your message or information on the banner. Second hang inside or out! An easy way to hang this banner inside is to frame it with wide blue painters tape.

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Print Informational Signs for use throughout your VBS. These can be printed using the Multimedia Resource CD (K-9024, $19.99) Use sign holders or place on walls. You can use ready made word signs on the resource CD or make your own using the logo on the resource CD (as shown here).

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Make your own column! 1.Top and bottom. Tape together two medium pizza boxes. Wrap in white butcher or wrapping paper. 2.Center. Use a 4’ x 4’ cardboard sheet. Score into four 12-inch sections. Fold into a rectangular column. Secure with tape. Spray paint center column with Grey Stone textured paint. Available at Wal-Mart or Home Improvement stores. 3.Assemble column, taping together to secure.

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Make your own column! 1.Top and bottom. Styrofoam form. These came as packing in an electronic purchase. Check at craft and hobby stores or in packing and shipping companies. Spray paint stone grey. 2.Center. Use a 10 x 48-inch (or 60-inch) concrete tube form. Spray paint with Stone Grey textured paint. Cut top & bottom to fit your Styrofoam forms. 3.Assemble column, taping together to secure.

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Make your own column! 1.Enlarge the image of this column from the Multimedia Resource CD (K-9024). T 2.Trace the enlarged image onto a 4’ x 8’ Styrofoam sheet (1” thickness). You can do 2 columns on one sheet. 3.Paint the lines with blue acrylic paint using a paintbrush. Let dry. 4.Cut out the column using the heat cutting tool.

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Make your own column! 1.Top and bottom. Styrofoam forms. These came as packing in an electronic purchase. OR tape three large pizza boxes together and wrap in white butcher or wrapping paper. 2.Center. Use two 10 x 48-inch concrete tube forms securely taped together with duct tape. Cover in white butcher or wrapping paper. Tape together the top, bottom, and center. 3.Blow up the balloons you will need. About 15 of each color. You may want to use an electric pump. 4.Assemble column, taping the balloons in a repeating pattern to the center column. This column should last about two weeks.

Step 3 - Prepare Your Props Make your own hallway column! 1.Top. Styrofoam 12-inch circle (1’ thickness). Use the heat cutting tool to cut in half to make a semi-circle. 2.Base. Use a 36 x 48-inch cardboard sheet. Score in in three 12” sections. Spray paint with Stone Grey textured paint. 3.Assemble column. First put Scene Setters Paneling on the wall, adhering with wide blue painters tape along the top and bottom. Tape column base to wall. Tape semi-circle on top of base. Lean posters mounted on Styrofoam sheets on each column.

Step 4 – Set Up Your Spaces Here is the registration area. Use the supplies listed in STEP 2 to set this up. You will want to use 2-3 tables and chairs to accommodate your registration workers. You will want to use an outdoor banner outside your church and welcome signs on all entrance doors. You will want to mount decorating posters, Bible memory posters, and balloons for a festive welcome throughout your foyer.

Step 4 – Set Up Your Spaces Here is the hallway area. Use the supplies listed in STEP 2 to set this up. You will want to pre-make the columns and logo signs, and mount the posters on Styrofoam before set-up begins.

Step 4 – Set Up Your Spaces Here is the iZone area will you will hold openings and closings each session. Use the supplies listed in STEP 2 to set this up. You will notice that an alternative platform set-up uses inflatable items. Look in our VBS catalog or online at vbs2009.com for some to order and online at orientaltrading.com for even more options.

Step 4 – Set Up Your Spaces Here is a photo of the craft site. Use the supplies listed in STEP 2 to set this up (rectangular tables for this site). You will also set up your snack site (round tables for this site). Cover the tables in white butcher paper. Have kids do museum art during snacks. Cover the half walls in this site with the Scene Setters Stucco. Adhere finished “art” each day to the walls of Café Use signage only for Game Gallery site. Display decorating and Bible memory posters in the three sites (Bible memory, snacks, and crafts). Use the carpet squares or pillows for group seating in the Bible memory site. Remember the DVD with the Bible memory motions on it for the Discovery Lab—so you will need a DVD player and screen or TV.

Take a Closer Look at the Inventor’s Workshop (craft site)

You can Have Fun and Be Creative! So now the museum is in your capable hands. Visit local museums to get ideas. Be creative. Have fun. Ask members of your church to help out and bring in “museum items” for display throughout the church. Have a kick-off museum tour party before VBS begins. Dress as a tour guide and take groups through the museum. Serve refreshments and show the promo commercial. Great ideas that you would like to share? We want you to share them with other Museum Leaders. Log on to vbs2009.com and post your ideas, questions, thoughts, and creativity on the message board. This is going to be your best VBS ever. We know it! And we are praying for you!