A reader recently emailed me asking for advice about her VBS schedule. I thought it was a good question so I wanted to share a few quick thoughts here on the website. This is not an exhaustive discussion, so please share your ideas in the comment section below. You can also check out a helpful conversation about this on the Kidology forums.
Here is what the reader wrote:
This will be my first year directing VBS and our theme this year would lend itself well to an evening VBS, but I’d like a little input from people who’ve tried it. Do you have any information on evening versus daytime VBS programs? Or can you direct me to a source of information?
This is definitely a church specific decision because so many factors will relate to your church uniquely. At my church we’ve tried both and have settled on what works best for us. Of course that may change in a few years, but for now we stick with a morning VBS.
If I was a new VBS director I would ask the church what they have done in the past or what other churches do in the area. Then take an extra step and ask why. Sometimes doing things the same way is really the best idea, sometimes a change is needed. Whatever the situation, this should give you a good starting point.
Pros and Cons of a Night VBS Schedule
In general, finding adult volunteers will be easier for a night VBS. Many parents who work during the day can make time to help with an evening schedule. This might be a downside for retired or senior adult volunteers – ours like to be home before dinner. So check with some key helpers to see what makes the most sense in your church.
Kids will sometimes have baseball or gymnastics practice conflicts in the evenings. Many sports programs run on weeknights so that parents can attend. Children may also be at the swimming pool all afternoon and not make it to VBS on time. At my church, attendance suffered when we did a night Bible school.
In my experience, kids have more energy (or wildness) with an evening schedule. This can make things more fun or out-of-control depending on the child.
From a directing standpoint, an evening VBS gives you all of the next morning and afternoon to prepare the next days activities. This can be helpful if you or your volunteers are not into early mornings.
We did try a more ‘family-integrated’ VBS with the night schedule, but few parents really bought into it. It ended up being about the same parents sticking around who would have helped in the morning either way.
Pros and Cons of a Day VBS Schedule
Senior adult workers prefer morning VBS schedules, at least that is the case at my church. For me that made the morning much easier to staff. On the downside volunteers (and kids) would sometimes miss for doctor appointments during the day.
Our attendance was stronger in the morning with parents looking to keep kids active during summer downtime. Babysitters were always glad to bring their children to our program too. You might want to be careful of daycares. I have heard stories about preschool overload when too many came without warning.
I always liked having VBS done before lunch and then using the afternoon to prepare for the next day. This was just my preference but it helped me sleep better at night.
Weather was better for us with a morning schedule. We get less thunderstorms in the AM and the outside games are better before the full heat of the afternoon. You could argue this the other way but 9 AM to Noon seems cooler to me than 6-9 PM.
What Do You Think?
Be sure to leave your feedback below. This is an issue with lots of considerations and ultimately about your church + community. What are the benefits of having a night VBS program versus a day VBS schedule? You’ve read my pros and cons. We still want to hear your opinions.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, I would love to see your schedule as well as know what program you used.
Our church has always done an evening VBS program. One of the major reasons is the children who come. There are a lot of single parent community children who attend VBS so their parent works during the day so no one can pickup the child (we do not let any child walk home alone) These families always are so greatful for a program their children can attend. We go from 6-8 dropping the expensive craft portion and adding an extra game station … because like mentioned the children have lots of energy in the evening. Sometimes it is a bit tight getting everything in but it works. As the director I find having the next day to get ready and spend with my family a huge help.
I really am opposed to the night VBS. When I was a kid I always loved going to VBS and they were in the daytime. Young kids are pretty much out for evening VBS. It is also harder on SAHMs to get the kids to night VBS. My kids go to bed at 7:30 because they don’t nap. They would never make it to 9pm multiple nights in a row. It would be meltdowns. Mine are 4 and could have gone this year but I can’t find any churches doing daytime VBS. I told my church I would have even volunteered to help with VBS IF it was a day time one, but no way for nightime because I am tired by then and so are my kids. My day starts at 7 am or earlier and I spend all day running after my kids. By that late at night our energy is gone!
After years of morning VBS, the last two years have been 4 – 7 P.M., with 2 to 2 1/2 hours of programming followed by supper together. Parents are invited to join the kids for supper but few do. The biggest problem has been getting the kids signed out, with all their take-homes, after eating.
Well my church is somewhat small and have alot more adults than kids. We did a moringing VBS last year which was good for me as I work nights during the week and weekends. I found it somewhat hard to get people to work at Vbs and those that I did had to miss days because of appt.s or sickness. but over all with the meger 25 kids that did show we had a great time and many of my teachers took in those kids whose teacher was out. I try to rely on the teens as much as I can but did not get much help from them even though I offered to sign forms for the vollenter hours they need for graduation. I hope this year will be great
We are considering a Spring Break VBS and are debating night versus day. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
My thoughts regarding night versus day vacation bible all depends on the schedule of the person or people over the vacation bible school at that time. When my husband and I took over the vacation bible school at our church, it was done during the day time. Because of my work schedule, I would have to save up a weeks worth of PTO in order to be there during the day for vacation bible school. We tried the night version. We had less kids the first year than when we had it at night time. We also included an adults class for vacation bible school for the first time in a while and the attendance was not that high either. The second year we tried the night time version of the vacation bible school we had a pretty high turnout for kids and a really high turnout for the adults class. So I believe it does work out if people know the change and that the change is going to be that way for a while. Before the vacation bible school was only for kids but now it is for all ages. We currently gather books from the christian book store to ensure that the lesson we are teaching the kids is the same as the adults. I actually find it cheaper doinng it this way. The costs are not that high.
We have always done ours in the morning and that seems to be pretty popular. I don’t see us changing anytime soon. Question for the groups that do it at night. Do you do VBS all in one week, with an evening VBS Monday through Friday or over a 5 week period where you have VBS every Tuesday night for example. Just curious. Thanks.
Always evening for us….not only do I get more volunteers, but more adults to help w/ transportation. We do 6:30-9 pm and serve a light supper w/ the themed snack for that evening…easy stuff…hot dogs, hamburgers, chix tenders, tacos in a bag, etc. We are doing High Seas Expedition this yr…I love the Group Easy VBS! God bless ALL my fellow VBSers!! Kimberly
We just did an evening Family Bible Adventure using Group’s Egypt- Joseph from Prison to Palace. We adapted it to 4 nights from 6:30-8:15 pm and had intergenerational families participate. We staffed games and marketplace, music and story characters with volunteers of all ages. 30 families participated with some in and out due to sports conflicts etc. We considerd this a good start since past VBS programs were afternoon drop-off and aimed at 4-7 year olds only. We promoted it as a time for families to “grow together”- we needed no staff for age based small groups since family units stayed together through the rotations. The last night we kept all groups together and had Joseph complete his story, then on to celebrate with a “float along the Nile” ice cream soda and games and crafts for all. Photos for families with Joseph and Ramses the guard in front of our Egypt set were taken and are being mailed out with a personal note to each family. We can’t wait to travel next year to Nazareth!
We did VBS for the first time last year and we ran it in the evening. We are going to do it in the evening again this year from 6:45 – 8:45pm. It’s a lot to do in 2 hours but the fast pace keeps the kids and the leaders energized. I had gone to a VBS seminar last year at a local christian book store and several of the churches represented were doing them in the evening. For our church right now the evening seems to work best because that’s when we are able to get our volunteers because the majority work full time. If anyone has questions on how we broke the schedule down into 2 hours and fit everything in, I’d be happy to share that as well.
Yes, I’d like to see your 2 hour schedule breakdown!
I would like to see your 2-hour schedule as we are now planning a 3 night evening VBS.
Our church is doing the VBS next week 6:30- 9:00. And we’re having crafts and music and snacks and games. It is sooo much fun.
We have done a morning VBS for years and next year we are trying it in the evening. The reason we are changing is enrollment has slowly been sliding and the team decided it was time to try something new. Most (if not all) the other churches in the area do an evening VBS and they have huge numbers.
We will be doing ours in the evening (6-8 p.m.)and have for many years. We begin with a snack supper at 5:30 for volunteers and children. The evening allows more adults to volunteer. We keep it fast paced so the children don’t get too wild. We end at 8 p.m. because all involved get tired and are ready to go home. It works great for us and we are a medium size church.