Vacation Bible School is a great opportunity to invite your church family and families within the local community to bring their children to church. As you prepare to create a fun and impactful VBS program, take a few moments to consider how to ensure families feel welcome. Here are several tips:

#1 - Simplify Registration

No one likes to go through multiple forms or confusing websites to register their kids for VBS.

Unchurched parents or even busy members of the congregation will not spend much time trying to figure out a complicated signup process. Make registration easy and not a hurdle to overcome.

Streamline the registration process to make it as easy and straightforward as possible for unchurched parents.

Ideally, the kids ministry leader overseeing VBS will work with the web team to design an online registration form that's quick and easy to complete.

#2 - Answer the Safety Question

Parents need to know their children will be protected and safe before they’ll entrust them into your care. As you promote VBS, let parents know the steps the church takes to ensure the safety of their children.

Here are a few examples of what you can do to reassure parents about trusting their children to your church:

• Background checks on VBS workers (staff and volunteers)
• On-site security team
• First aid capabilities
• Request information about any food sensitivities

#3 - Make VBS Team Members Easy to Identify

When a parent comes to check in their child for VBS, it’s comforting when they can quickly identify the VBS workers. You could provide all VBS staff and volunteers with VBS shirts, lanyards, or badges - whatever works best for your budget and situation.

The ability to quickly locate a VBS team member helps parents and kids feel more confident in who they should go to with questions or for help. This is especially true for parents who aren't church members since they don't know the staff or frequent volunteers personally.

#4 - Decorate for VBS

Make the church campus, inside and outside, a welcoming environment by decorating it for VBS.

Use the VBS theme for the year as a launching point to guide your decor choices:

• Place signs outside to welcome families in and direct them to the main entrance.
• Use VBS themed backdrops for photo booths, stage backgrounds, or fun videos.
• Share key lessons with cool posters that match the VBS theme.

Fun and helpful signage, plus the themed decor can help VBS families feel welcomed and excited about attending.

#5 - Compile a FAQ List

Most families, especially those new to your church, will have a few questions about VBS.

Part of making them feel welcome involves answering their questions in a clear and consistent manner. 

Create a list of frequently asked questions along with the corresponding answers, then distribute this list to VBS leaders, post it on the church webpage for VBS promotion, and share it on social media.

FAQs to consider:

• What is the VBS theme for this year? (Need VBS theme ideas? Check these out!)

• How does the church screen VBS workers?
• Is there a fee for VBS? If so, how much?
• Do I need to bring my kids a change of clothes (will they get messy)?
• Will you feed the kids snacks/meals?
• How do I let you know that my child has a food allergy?
• What are the days/times for VBS?

#6 - Partner with Parents

Give parents the opportunity to partner with the church in teaching their children about Christ through VBS. Give them the option to receive texts or emails about the lesson each day including the verses discussed.

Include questions for parents to ask their kids about what they learned at VBS each day.

This gives parents an easy way to connect with their kids after VBS and find out how the experience is impacting their children spiritually.

#7 - Help new kids make friends

For kids who aren't regular attendees at your church, entering VBS can be a bit intimidating.

Help them make new friends by playing a few icebreaker games, asking a few older kids to help make introductions, and keeping an eye out for new kids who haven't connected with anyone yet.

#8 - Connect with Parents

As parents drop off and pick up their children each day, find ways to connect.

A warm, friendly smile combined with a professional check-in process can make all the difference for parents who are a little unsure about leaving their kids at the church for the day.

Ideas to help connect with parents:

• Clear VBS Check-in signage to help parents find the check-in and pick-up area.
• Coffee and snacks near check-in for parents who may stay a few minutes to make sure their youngest child is okay being away from Mommy.
• Place staff members or elders in the check-in area who can be available to answer questions or simply chat with parents for a few minutes each day. You never know who might need prayer, who may have questions about the church or about God, or whose day you could brighten with a quick conversation.
• End VBS on a Sunday and invite parents to attend church with their kids that day.
• Follow-up with parents after VBS via mail, email, or text. Ask for feedback about their child’s experience and, for those who aren’t regular attendees, invite families to come back for a church service.

Vacation Bible School can be a fun way to introduce the Gospel to children, connect with new families in the community, and strengthen bonds within the congregation. It doesn’t take a big budget or team to make families feel welcome at VBS. It simply requires some intentional effort and planning to make it happen.

ALSO: Looking to REALLY promote VBS this year? Check out these 13 VBS promotion ideas!