Hello! I am in charge of coordinating our VBS Kick Off Event. I have sevearl ideas for this event and wnated to get some suggestions! The VBS director owuld like to do a carnival theme for the Kick Off so I am working off that. I know we will have a parade that Saturday morning... I thought about in the evening have a carnival event with games, prizes, face painting and other things.. Then after the kick off Ccarnival having a movie on the lawn and show Facing The Giants. WE are a small church and there is no budget.. We have to pay things out of our pockets. Does anyone have any suggestions for me on the carnival? Has anyone ever done the outdoor movie before? I need some direction in this. Also, carnival ideas, games, or maybe another idea.. I am at a loss.
Thanks

I'm also from a smaller church- this is my 1st year being director and having to take a lot of responsiblity on my own. But wanted to give you some ideas that I've came up with and also some I've gotten from a VBS Clinic:

Sock a Coach: Water Sponge Tossed at a Coach, my husband is making a target board and a hold for the coaches face.

Small and Large Basket Ball: Might be able to borrow and Large Goal and a child's goal.

Ring the Cone: Tossing rings over the cone

Ball toss: Bouncing the balls into the buckets, spreading the buckets further and further back. Challenge to get to the furtherest away.

Also, I have invited our local cheerleaders from the high school to come and teach a cheer.

Also invited our local, EMS, Fire Dept and Sheriff's Dept to come down and show their emgerency vehicles, also to talk to the kids. Free and Fun for all. I haven't done the movie outside, but I would like to know how that turns out for you. You have a great start. Good Luck. Remember what ever you do, it going to be a great outreach and influence on kids.

Good Luck,

Angie Frizzell
Pearl Street Baptist
Paola, KS

Thanks Angie. I have worked in Children's Ministry for many years. I have so many ideas and just wanted to bounce them off of others.
Have you thought about Character Pictures... I am going to get foam core board.. find a pic from coloring book of cheerleader and football player... Enlarge them with overhead.... paint them... cut off faces and have someone take digital pictures of the kids and give them the pic....
Also, ths may help you... Contact a local movie theater... The ones here will donate yoou movie popcorn already popped.. They will give it to you in large bags... This will save money....
I loved your game ideas... Thanks for sharing them.. May God Bless you on your VBS and I will keep you posted with more ideas.
Terrie

A couple of more ideas that we are going to do are have a few "family" games such as a 3-legged race, sack race tug-a-war or where you have an egg on a spoon and walk with it. Have family members "team" up. It makes it kind of a team sport. Also if it is possible for the church to do a love offering for something like a dunk tank or blow-up bouncer, that really attracts kids.