Decorations

Turn your church into a winter wonderland.

You can do it!

Even if you live in a tropical climate and will never see any real snow, use your imagination. The children will love walking into a different world!

Search online for more decoration ideas to make your VBS super awesome!

 

 

 

Aquí ves el frente de la nevada - huata en el piso con la pared chiquita de "nieve" como una nevada para el escenario.How to make a snow bank

With just a few simple steps, change your church so that it will be like the kids are stepping into a different world. All you need is a cardboard box, paper or white paint to cover the box, and cotton batting or quilt filling. Make one for each side of the stage.

Start with a cardboard box.

Open the side of the cardboard box and set it on the ground like a short wall.

Attach paper to the front side of the cardboard or paint it to make it white.

Cover the whole front side of the cardboard so there is no brown visible.

Attach quilt batting or cotton filler in front of the paper to make it look soft.Leave the bottom edge of the batting unattached to make it look like snow piled up.

It is unnecessary to cover the back side of the cardboard wall if it is used on a stage.

Finish covering the wall with cotton batting.

Place a larger piece of quilt batting flat on the ground. Set the cardboard wall in a slight arc on top of the batting on the ground to make the snow bank.

To help the snowbank appear even more like real snow, let the large piece of batting on the ground drape over the edge of the stage.

Here you see the snowbank we made with the cardboard box covered in white paper or paint and quilt batting. The actors can move about in front and behind the snowbank to help it look more 3D. Make one for each side of the stage.

 

 

 

More decoration ideas

Click on the images to see them up close.

Fold a paper several times, then cut out some shapes from the sides. Unfold the paper to see the snowflake. Make several different patterns and hang them around the church. Thin paper is easiest to use, but normal paper works as well.

Make a cute name card for each student with a branch from a tree.

Thread cotton balls onto a thin or clear string and tie them into place. Then, hang these strands of "snow" around the church.

Make paper icicles and hang them from the ceiling.

Make a balloon archway at the entrance to the church to help the kids imagine walking into a winter wonderland.

Decorate the halls with blue or white craft paper or plastic, and hang snowflakes everywhere.

Snow Soap - It is not likely that we will have any real snow, but you can make some fluffy white stuff to play with. You will need a microwave and a bar of Ivory brand soap (only Ivory will work). Place the unwrapped bar of soap onto a large, microwave-safe dish. Heat for two to three minutes and let the students watch as the soap expands into a snowy cloud. Let it cool before playing with it outside.

 

 

Mountain Diorama - Make a diorama of a mountain scene and help the kids see the progress they make toward the summit throughout the program. Label different spots on the diorama with the theme of each day.

 

Make a mountain range with your students. Each student rolls paper into a cone for a mountain. Use tape or glue to hold it together and cut the bottom of the cone to make it level. Taller mountains get snowcaps.

 

 

Set up a photo zone for the students to take selfies.

 

 

Use these ideas to decorate your church for the VBS:

  • Paper snowflakes
  • Strings of lights
  • Blue and white balloons
  • White tablecloths
  • Blue and white streamers
  • Paper mountains for the wall
  • Blue jars with vinyl snowflakes
 

 

Crystallize your decorations

Make your winter decorations extra sparkly by crystallizing them, like this example snowman.

Supplies:
Water
3 tbsp. borax per 1 cup of water

Instructions:

  • Fill a jar or vase with boiling water, add the borax, and stir. It is okay if some borax settles on the bottom of the container.
  • With string, tie a small decoration to a pencil, spoon, or other long object. Lower the decoration into the hot water and borax mixture, making sure it does not touch the sides or bottom of the container.
  • Set the jar in a quiet place, and do not let anything bump it. In a couple hours, crystals begin to develop. Leave it for a few hours or even overnight to let more crystals grow. When ready, set the decoration on a paper towel to dry for about an hour.
  • Bring a magnifying glass and let the students see the crystals!

 

 

 

 

Free Downloads

Search online for more decoration ideas to make your VBS super awesome!

Vinyl Snowflakes

Vinyl snowflakes

Snowflake stickers for the windows of your church! Download the file and order vinyl stickers made locally, or print them and cut them out of sticky paper.

Hanging Snowflakes

Hanging snowflakes

Use these patterns to make large hanging snowflakes for your church.

Paper Icicles

Paper Icicles

Make paper icicles to decorate the stage of your church! Use standard paper or copy the design to make giant icicles!