Vacation Bible School Themes 2011

Are you researching VBS themes for 2011? This page helps you compare the different curricula and choose the right one for your church’s Vacation Bible School. Below you will find links to the official publishers websites and our reviews as they starter kits ship. We also have dozens of articles to help you plan your Vacation Bible School.

Update: We have launched our coverage of the 2012 VBS curriculum and themes. This is the perfect place to start your research in choosing next years program for Bible School.

In January, our readers voted on the ”Most Appealing 2011 VBS Theme.”

Group VBS 2011 | my video preview | our review | music samples | starter kit unboxing | Choose from two different options for your church’s Vacation Bible School program. Read our coverage of the Group 2011 VBS Theme announcement or visit their official website to learn more. We hope to review this theme on our website in late December. For more information see Group’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

LifeWay VBS 2011 | preview the starter kit
You can also pick from 2 VBS theme options from LifeWay. Their main program for 2011 is called Big Apple Adventure and is a New York City themed Vacation Bible School. We plan to write an in-depth review in early December, but for now you can visit the official website to learn more. Learn more about both programs from their community website or VBS blog. One church plant in NYC is even willing to parter with your kids for a missions offering, click here to learn more.

Kickin’ It Old School | preview the starter kit | my podcast with Go Fish | The Go Fish Guys have released their second Vacation Bible School theme. It’s a project where they update classic hymns for a new generation of kids and families to love. This is only their second VBS program, but they’re off to a great start. Download samples at their website and Facebook page.

Gospel Light VBS 2011
The curriculum that features “Jesus Every Day” has a new theme for next summer called Son Surf Beach Bash VBS. This is something of a safe concept, since most publishers have tried a beach theme for their Vacation Bible School materials. I’ve looked through the initial information and we will post a full review once we see the curriculum first hand. Check out their official website for more details and to hear the theme song.

Cokesbury VBS 2011 | preview the starter kit
I really like the creative direction for Cokesbury this year. Their new 2011 VBS theme is built around chefs and cooking. It’s called “Shake It Up Café: Where Kids Carry Out God’s Recipe.” The daily Bible recipes are based on biblical feasts and the principles they teach about following God’s plan. If you want something very original for a Bible school program, you should give this one a closer look. Check out the official website to learn more.

Regular Baptist Press | preview the starter kit | our review | Rev It Up! Full Throttle for God is a NASCAR themed VBS for 2011. This may have strong tie-in with boys who love stock car racing, or next Summer’s big movie “Cars 2.” Learn more at their official website.

Mission to MARS | read our review
This is the 2011 VBS theme from WordAction Publishing. This is one of the few space themed choices this year. MARS stands for “meet a risen Savior.” For ordering information visit the official website or Facebook page.

Beach Blast VBS | read our review | preview the starter kit | This is the simplified Vacation Bible School program from LifeWay that is designed for smaller churches. It’s scaled back to include only 3 rotations and fit within a 2 hour time frame. The Bible lessons are broadly graded. To learn more and hear music samples, you can visit their official website.

10/40 Expedition: Quest for the Lost Window is a unique new VBS program that’s all about missions education. It’s produced by a mission organization called “Advancing Native Missions.” To learn more, read our review or visit their official website. This is their first year offering, but this one is worth looking over for any church that wants to education kids about missions among unreached areas of the world.

Other VBS Themes for 2011

Standard Publishing

“Inside Out & Upside Down on Main Street” | our post about Main Street VBS | official website

Group Holy Land Adventure

“Hometown Nazareth Holy Land Adventure” | official website | music samples | starter kit unboxing

Answers In Genesis VBS

God Rush: Discovering the Rock of Ages | official website | facebook page | videos

Abingdon Press

“Island Odyssey VBS” | official website | preview the starter kit

reThink Group // Orange Curriculum

Jump! Put faith in motion | our post about Jump VBS! from Orange | official website

Great Commission Publications

Faith Expedition | official website

Concordia House

Big Jungle Adventure | official website | my video unboxing the starter kit

Voice of the Martyrs

“Kids of Courage” teaches about the persecuted church | official website

Next Generation for Christ

Knights of God | official website | samples on YouTube

Urban Ministries Inc.

Jesus Truth Seekers “Mission Possible” | official website

Augsburg Fortress

has updated the “reNew Green VBS” from their Spark House division, click here to read Glen’s review or visit the official website

Bogard Press

TREASURE QUEST pursing the riches of Christ | official website

VBS Reachout Adventures

Summer Seaquest | official website | facebook page

David C. Cook

no new VBS theme announced for 2011, older programs still available on their website

Apostle’s Publishing

no news about a 2011 VBS theme

Non-Dated Bible School Curriculum

There are also several smaller publishers who produce VBS materials that can be used any year. Here are a few that might interest you. This often double as Backyard Bible Club curriculum.

Don’t miss our free curriculum for Armor of God VBS and Fruit of the Spirit VBS
Children Desiring God VBS is a good option if theology is more important that supporting materials and high-gloss themes.
City Light Ministries has several VBS programs under $50 and delivered electronically for download.
Truth Quest also offers some VBS programs including a new Fire Fighters VBS for 2010
The 1040 Expedition is a VBS program focused on missions education.
Christian Olympics Vacation Bible School theme – free VBS curriculum

Catholic Vacation Bible School Curriculum

Most everything on our site is written from an Evangelical Protestant perspective, but here are a few links for our Catholic friends who put up with us. Check out these VBS programs written especially for Roman Catholic Churches.

PandaMana (Catholic Version) from Our Sunday Visitor
Allelu – Catholic VBS
Cat Chat Vacation Bible School | official site
Growing with the Saints Catholic VBS – official website

Need More Help?: Vacation Bible School tips | VBS 2010| VBS 2009 | VBS 2008 | news about 2011 VBS | ask questions in our VBS forums. You might also enjoy VBS reviews from Lynda Freeman. Here’s the link for future Vacation Bible School 2012 theme reviews

VBS Activities & Tips

{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }

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Tamara Byrd July 23, 2011 at 12:50 am

Christian Church Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ have been working together for several years now on kids’ “youth group” and mission programs, including church school/VBS curricula. http://www.kids2kidsmissions.org/ These curricula are ecumenical and HIGHLY mission-oriented, and draw source material from previous and existing global missions. There is an India-based book with LOTS of information, and a Congo-based one which is more streamlined (though the “missing” material for registration, PR, etc. can be drawn from the India one). A Venezuela/Columbia one is in the works, and there are a couple of other ones available not under the “Journey” theme. We did “Journey to India” last year, and just finished “Journey to Congo” tonight. Kay Edwards, who worked on the DoC side adapting the curricula, trained me for Children Worship & Wonder, and I got to discuss J2I with her a couple of times (will be giving her feedback on J2C as well). It’s very nice in that you have curriculum to follow while still being able to assemble and adapt much of it on your own (no need to shell out for expensive VBS-in-a-box). Between the two, information is provided which can be used for all ages–even teen/adult classes. Kids are engaged in connecting with children of another culture and helping people–they are loving-God-and-others-focused, not loving-self-focused. Volunteer leaders get some responsibility to select from some activities and set up their own stations, which they often take and run with–you’ll be pleasantly surprised! Cottage Parents/Grandparents and the multi-age cottages they lead really connect and relate, and a real “team” or “family” spirit develops. We use the Newsboys’ “He Reigns” as a connecting theme song for all the “Journey” curricula, which ties the years together and really revs everyone up (in addition to the more country-specific songs for Worship rotation and closing), and this year we began to use VolunteerSpot to coordinate volunteers (off to a slow start as I had to manually enter almost everyone, but the reminder system, printable/exportable rosters and to-bring lists for donors, and volunteer hour tracking are PRICELESS–definitely going to continue using it and start using it for church school volunteer coordination as well). We ran J2C Monday-Friday, 6pm-8:30pm: 10 minutes welcome/opening song; 10 minutes Cottage Time; four rotations of 25 minutes each with 5 minutes SWaPS (Switch, Water and Potty, Settle) time between (Meal/Worship as a combined rotation plus Crafts, Story, and Games rotations); 5 minutes Cottage Time; 10 minutes farewell/closing song. Worked WAY better than all we tried to cram into 2 hours for J2I last year, and I’m going to predict that we came out under budget. :-D 2 years ago was the first year our church did VBS in almost a decade, and we did VBS-in-a-box (“Crocodile Dock”), substituting our own materials for the ready-made kits where we could, and we STILL way overblew our budget. The “Journey” series has seemed to tire the kids and volunteers less, engage them more, and cost far less than the commercial curricula.

Johnny Wright July 11, 2011 at 11:09 am

I am trying for find VBS information for all ages …. pre-school to senior citizen. Does anyone have any suggestions?

David Cagle July 7, 2011 at 11:26 pm

Now let me get this straight. This is the year 2011. It is the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible, the best-selling book of all history. This is a once in a lifetime experience that will never come again in the lifetimes of these children. AND NOBODY THOUGHT TO DO A VBS CELEBRATING THE BIBLE’S BIRTHDAY?!

Erendira July 7, 2011 at 3:25 pm

IM HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME FINDING LESSONS FOR AGES 11-14. IS THERE ANY LESSONS FOR THOSE AGES. MY CHURCH IS OFFERING VBS CLASSES FOR THOSE AGES BUT ITS REALLY HARD TO FIND ANY.. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Michelle Reeder June 8, 2011 at 2:38 pm

Has anyone heard of a VBS theme God is Great! My father has invited my son to VBS at his church and out of curiousity I was trying to google the theme and cannot find it.

THANKS!

SingerForChrist May 20, 2011 at 2:59 am

At our church we found the Cokesbury material to be wonderful! We switched to them two years ago with Camp E.D.G.E and the children absolutely loved it! Then Last year we did Galactic Blast which was just as amazing. We cannot wait for this year’s theme Shake it up! The main reason we did the shift two years ago was the music. Cokesbury hasn’t failed us yet with great music and fun dance moves that the kids enjoy. The kids still request the theme song from two years ago and last and still know the dance moves! We highly recommend this material. :) blessings

Debra May 15, 2011 at 8:31 pm

Enjoy your website. It is truly a blessing to many! It has helped me in planning activities for children.

sheilah May 12, 2011 at 11:34 am

About 15 years ago the church we were pastoring used a VBS curriculum that each year decorated the rooms as different scenes. For example when The Life of Paul was the theme of the week, one room was a jail, one the isle of Patmos, etc. Each age group rotated to a different room every night to hear a different story. The teachers only had to prepare one lesson but on different age levels. I can not remember what curriculum we used. Any one know what I’m talking about? It was my favorite way to do VBS

Kendra Ohime May 7, 2011 at 2:14 pm

I am part of a seven month old church plant. We are working on a very limited budget and were wondering if anyone out there would have the Backstage with the Bible by GoFish that they would like to sell? It sounds like it would be awesome for teaching the children the basics of the faith without assumption that they know anything. Exactly what we need!

Thanks, Kendra

k.Moses April 30, 2011 at 5:28 am

Dear Brother in christ,

I am very happy to see your vbs site . I am use ing in my village this programmes in India Andhra Pradesh, It was very nice to teach childre to bring to christ.

melissa April 28, 2011 at 10:08 pm

I was part of an VBS about 10 years ago by David Cook. It was set up as a one day (Sat) VBS. I thought it was great. I went looking for more of his work only to find that he is no longer doing VBS material. Does anyone know where I could find a program set up like this. I really liked that all teachers only had to learn one lesson. The teachers adapted the same lesson to different age groups as the different groups made their way around to the different sites.

Ginger March 29, 2011 at 4:21 pm

This will be our first year hosting our own VBS. We don’t have much money and we have a small ministry, so I decided to follow the lead of one of our neighbor churches and develop our own. The down side is that we don’t have all the preprinted “props” and advertising materials, but it was LOTS of fun to develop and not really that hard at all. We are able to develop the program to meet our needs and resources. Our theme is:

Of FISH and MEN
Lessons in obedience, faith and a miraculous God

If you are interested to know more about our VBS email me. I’d be happy to share what I have learned and help you put your own together.

Kristy March 21, 2011 at 1:59 pm

Do you know of any VBS curriculum that uses the wordless book as its theme? We are trying to do a VBS which presents the gospel simply, clearly, and winsomely. I had the idea that we could use each of the five days to talk about the five different colors of the wordless book. So far I haven’t found a curriculum that does that for VBS. Any ideas?

Robin March 26, 2011 at 9:11 pm: Kristy,
Look at Treasure Quests by Bogard Press (see link above). Each day the students are searching for a treasure (diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, and topaz) which are the colors of the wordless book except black. What they discover are something far more priceless (Salvation, prayer, church fellowship, scripture and soul-winning). The lessons are about Lydia, Peter (in prison), the Church at Jerusalem, the Bereans, and the maniac at Gadara. Heavy emphysis on the Gospel message. The curriculum is easy to use and affordable. Available for ages 2 – adults.

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VBSleader March 14, 2011 at 2:34 pm

I would caution VBS leaders when and if consulting the VTS (Virginia Theological Seminary) web site which provides a review of VBS programs. The bias of that institution is revealed by the reviews themselves. For example, one program is criticized as having the following weakness: “Heavy emphasis on salvation, receiving Christ as Savior and sole pathway to God.” VTS is an Episcopal seminary, and its theology is reflective of that of the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, who has denied, when asked, that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light. Sadly, what seems to be taught at VTS is feel-good secular moralism, not Christianity.

Jeanne Bowser March 2, 2011 at 11:08 am

I would like to know what you have used for VBS? Do you have the Go Fish VBS curriculum? Thank you.

JayKim March 2, 2011 at 11:40 am: The curriculum we have is Answers in Genesis’ “The Egypt File”

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JayKim March 2, 2011 at 8:17 am

Is there a place to sell used VBS curriculum? We are willing to offer the materials to a smaller church with a small budget, but it’s a shame to discard all this material each year. Thank you.

Tony Kummer March 2, 2011 at 8:27 am: Many people will sell it on eBay or Kidology Garage sale.

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Cheri February 28, 2011 at 4:29 pm

Which VBS programs are good for ages 4 to 17? Are the programs from Go Fish Guys for this age range?

Tammy February 23, 2011 at 1:22 pm

Oriental Trading has VBS curriculum. Our church is very small, and we used the Jonah lessons. The pictures are super cute, and the activity things that go with it are very nice. http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=teacher+companion&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0

samson February 16, 2011 at 8:14 am

Thanks for the great list of VBS themes/meterials i haven’t seen much like it

Lacey February 15, 2011 at 5:42 pm

Still nothing for us Catholic folks?

Tony Kummer February 17, 2011 at 10:53 am: Sorry for the delay. Just made the update this morning. OSV has done some work to adapt Group’s PandaManai. Then I’ve linked some other traditional catholic offerings.

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Christine Rogers February 8, 2011 at 11:25 am

Hi Tony! Thanks for the great list of VBS themes/materials. Do you know of any VBS themes that teach on God as our Father and the fact that as Christians we are all adopted in as sons and daughters? Thanks!