Every summer, churches turn ordinary buildings into places of color, welcome, and imagination for Vacation Bible School.

Volunteers paint cardboard mountains, build trees out of pool noodles, hang fabric from ceilings, cover classroom walls, create photo booths, cut signs, build entrances, and somehow make the same church hallway feel brand new for a week. Children walk in and see that someone prepared for them. They see that this week matters. They feel, often before a lesson is taught, that they are expected and welcomed.

That kind of preparation is beautiful.

It is also expensive, time-consuming, and exhausting.

Anyone who has helped decorate for VBS knows what happens behind the finished photos. There are late nights, glue guns, paint cans, ladders, crowded storage closets, last-minute store runs, and volunteers silently wondering whether the tape will hold until Friday. Some churches have large teams and generous budgets. Other churches have a few faithful workers, a small supply closet, and a sincere desire to make the week meaningful for children.

That is why churches should think seriously about sharing VBS decorations with one another.

Not curriculum. Not music files. Not videos. Not PDFs, logos, digital downloads, or copyrighted artwork.

Physical decorations can often be shared freely and helpfully: props, backdrops, handmade signs, PVC frames, fabric, artificial trees, rocks, crates, baskets, stage pieces, hallway decorations, classroom pieces, and photo booth items. These are the kinds of things one church may use for a week and another church could use next.

This is not only a budget idea. It is a kingdom-minded habit.

The Church Down the Road Is Not the Competition

Churches can forget this when ministry gets busy: the church down the road is not the enemy.

If another Bible-believing church is teaching children about Jesus, that is not a threat to your ministry. It is a reason to rejoice. A child who hears the gospel at another church’s VBS is not a loss for your church. That child is being loved in the name of Christ.

When churches share decorations, they say something without needing to preach a sermon: “We are not competing with you. We are serving the same Lord.”

That spirit matters.

Jesus told His disciples, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, ESV). He did not say the world would know His people by their stage design, social media reach, attendance numbers, or the size of their summer budget. Love would be the mark.

Sometimes that love looks like prayer. Sometimes it looks like encouragement. Sometimes it looks like helping another church set up chairs. Sometimes it looks like saying, “We just finished VBS. Could your church use these decorations next?”

That kind of cooperation does not weaken a church’s ministry. It strengthens the witness of the churches in that community.

A Decoration in Storage Could Bless Another Child

Most churches have a storage problem.

After VBS ends, the decorations are packed away. Some are saved because they might be useful again. Some are saved because volunteers worked too hard on them to throw them away. Some are saved because nobody has time to decide what should happen to them.

So they sit.

Cardboard trees. Painted signs. Artificial vines. Foam rocks. Animal cutouts. Wooden frames. Curtains. Lanterns. Baskets. Crates. Fabric. Theme pieces from years ago.

Some of those items may be used again. Many probably will not. Yet a backdrop sitting in storage could help another church create a Bible story room. A set of artificial trees could help a small church decorate a hallway. A handmade entrance display could help children walk in and sense that something special is happening.

Decorations do not save anyone. Jesus saves.

Still, decorations can serve the ministry of welcome. They can help children feel expected. They can help a church say, “We prepared for you. We are glad you are here. This week matters.”

That is not the heart of VBS, but it is not nothing.

VBS Should Not Become a Comparison Game

One quiet burden in children’s ministry is comparison.

A small church sees photos online of elaborate VBS stages, professional lighting, custom banners, themed hallways, and rooms that look like theme parks. Then the volunteers look at their own building, their own schedule, and their own budget, and they feel behind before they begin.

Faithfulness is not measured by decoration size.

A simple VBS can be deeply fruitful. A small church can love children well. A plain classroom can become a holy place when Scripture is taught faithfully, children are known by name, and volunteers serve with joy.

At the same time, churches with more resources can bless churches with fewer resources. That is not pity. That is family.

Paul writes, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4, ESV). That verse belongs in the heart of children’s ministry.

If one church has more decorations than it needs and another church has almost none, why not share? If one church hosts VBS in June and another hosts VBS in July, why not pass things along? If a decorating team spent weeks building something beautiful, why should that work bless children for only five days?

The Early Church Knew How to Share

The book of Acts gives us a picture of believers who saw their possessions differently: “And all who believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44, ESV).

That verse is not specifically about VBS decorations, but it does show the spirit of the church. The early Christians did not treat everything they had as private treasure. They saw their resources as gifts that could serve the body of Christ.

That same spirit can shape how churches think about ministry supplies.

One church may not have much money, but it may have a gifted builder. Another may not have builders, but it may have storage space. Another may not have storage space, but it may have decorations from last week’s VBS. Another may not have decorations, but it may have volunteers who can help with teardown, transport, or setup.

The body of Christ is full of resources. Many of those resources remain unused because churches are not talking to one another.

What Churches Can Share

Churches can usually share physical decorations and practical supplies without much trouble. That might include cardboard trees, mountains, rocks, caves, vines, clouds, animals, boats, signs, fences, tents, crates, baskets, fabric, curtains, tablecloths, PVC frames, foam structures, painted backdrops, stage props, hallway decorations, classroom decorations, artificial plants, string lights, photo booth props, and reusable supplies.

The best items to share are sturdy, movable, reusable, and not too tied to one church’s name, date, or location.

General pieces are especially useful because they can work across many themes. Artificial trees can fit jungle, wilderness, camping, rainforest, creation, or adventure settings. Wooden crates can work almost anywhere. Fabric, lights, greenery, baskets, and neutral backdrops can be reused year after year.

Before throwing something away or packing it into storage, ask one practical question: Could another church use this?

That question could save another children’s ministry hours of work.

What Churches Should Not Share

Generosity should be wise.

Churches should not copy or redistribute copyrighted VBS materials. That includes leader guides, student books, music, videos, digital downloads, logo files, clip art, PDFs, presentation files, printable resources, and curriculum files.

If another church is using the same VBS program, that church should purchase its own curriculum and follow the publisher’s permissions.

A simple rule helps: share the prop, not the protected file. Share the backdrop, not the curriculum. Share the handmade tree, not the digital artwork. Share leftover cardboard, fabric, and stage pieces, not copyrighted downloads.

This is not about being fearful. It is about integrity.

Christians should care about honesty even when the item is “just for church.” Proverbs says, “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Proverbs 16:8, ESV). Churches can be generous and careful at the same time.

How Churches Can Find Others to Share With

Many churches would gladly share VBS decorations if they knew who needed them. Many churches would gladly borrow decorations if they knew whom to ask.

The missing piece is often not generosity. It is connection.

Start with churches near you. Reach out to local associations, denominational networks, Baptist associations, ministerial alliances, pastor groups, children’s ministry groups, or church Facebook groups. Many local church networks already have email lists or private groups where a simple message could open the door.

A church looking for help could say:

“Our church is looking for VBS decorations for this summer. Does anyone have props, backdrops, or supplies they are willing to loan, donate, or pass along?”

A church with decorations available could say:

“Our church just finished VBS and has decorations available. If another local church could use them, please let us know.”

That one message may save another church time, money, and stress.

Search for Churches Using the Same VBS Theme

Another practical step is to search for churches in your area using the same VBS program or theme.

Many churches post their VBS details online months before the event. Search phrases such as “VBS near me,” “Vacation Bible School in [your city],” “[VBS theme name] [your city],” or “[VBS program name] church [your city].”

If your church is using a specific theme, search that theme name along with your city and nearby towns. You may find churches using the same program earlier or later in the summer.

Then call or email them. Keep the request simple:

“Hi, our church is using the same VBS theme this year. We noticed your VBS is earlier than ours, and we wondered if you might have any physical decorations you would be willing to share, loan, donate, or pass along after your week is finished. We are not asking for curriculum, music, videos, or copyrighted files. We would be glad to pick items up, return anything that needs to come back, and share anything we have that might help another church.”

The call may feel awkward for thirty seconds. It may also lead to a very helpful connection.

This works especially well when one church hosts VBS in June and another hosts VBS in July. Decorations do not have to go straight from the stage to storage. They can move from one church to another and bless another group of children.

Use Online Groups Wisely

Online groups can help churches connect, especially when the request is specific.

Local Facebook groups, children’s ministry groups, homeschool groups, pastor groups, and community pages can be good places to ask about VBS decorations. Include your general location, VBS dates, theme, what you need, what you have available, and whether you want to borrow, donate, or trade.

A helpful post might say:

“Our church is hosting VBS in July and looking for rainforest or jungle-style decorations. We can pick up in the Aurora area. We are especially looking for artificial trees, vines, green fabric, cardboard animals, or stage props. If your church has items to loan or pass along after your VBS, we would love to connect.”

Or:

“Our church just finished VBS and has decorations available for another local church. We have vines, cardboard trees, green fabric, classroom signs, and a photo booth backdrop. Pickup is available this week.”

Clear posts are easier to answer. They also reduce confusion about whether items are being loaned, donated, or traded.

Leave a Note on the BibleBunch Facebook Page

BibleBunch would also love to help churches connect.

If your church has VBS decorations to share, or if your church is looking for decorations, you are welcome to leave a note on the BibleBunch Facebook page:

Include your general location, what you have, what you need, your VBS dates, and the best way for another church to contact you. You do not need to post private details publicly. Share enough information to help churches in the same area find one another.

One church may have extra decorations. Another may need them. Another may have storage space. Another may have volunteers who can transport items. When churches begin talking, they often discover that needed resources are already nearby.

Make Sharing Simple

A VBS decoration sharing system does not need to become another large program.

Take pictures of what you have. Write down the basic details: size, condition, pickup dates, whether the item folds, whether it needs to be returned, and whether it is being loaned or donated.

Label anything that needs to come back. Set a clear pickup time. Communicate honestly if something breaks. Return borrowed items in good condition. Say thank you.

If a church gives or loans you decorations, send a picture of the decorations being used. Let their volunteers see how their work blessed another group of children. That one picture may encourage them more than you realize.

Churches Can Share Skills Too

Sometimes the best thing a church can share is not a decoration. It is a person.

One church may have someone who can build. Another may have someone who can paint. Another may have someone who can make inexpensive supplies look beautiful. Another may have someone who knows how to organize a decorating team without overwhelming volunteers.

Those skills can be shared.

A larger church could host a decorating night and invite volunteers from smaller churches. A local church association could organize a VBS decoration swap. Churches using the same theme could meet before summer and talk through ideas. A creative volunteer from one church could help another church design a stage, entrance, or Bible story room.

This kind of cooperation tells the community something important. Churches are not building little kingdoms for themselves. They are serving the kingdom of God.

Peter writes, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10, ESV). That includes teaching gifts, hospitality gifts, leadership gifts, building gifts, painting gifts, organizing gifts, and the gift of knowing how to make cardboard look amazing.

The Best Decoration Is Still Love

Decorations matter, but they are not the heart of VBS.

The heart of VBS is Jesus.

The best decorations in the world cannot replace loving volunteers, faithful Bible teaching, safety, prayer, kindness, and a church that truly wants children to know Christ. A simple room can be beautiful when children are welcomed by name. A plain hallway can become sacred when a nervous child is met with patience. A small church can host a deeply meaningful VBS without expensive decorations.

Still, when decorations can be shared, they should be.

Not to impress people. Not to compete. Not to make every church look the same. Churches should share because another child may walk into a room that feels prepared, joyful, and full of welcome.

Before You Pack It Away, Ask One More Question

When VBS ends, everyone is tired. The temptation is to tear everything down, pack everything away, and not think about it again until next year.

Before the decorations disappear into storage, ask one more question: Who else could this bless?

That question changes the way a church sees its supplies.

A cardboard tree is not just a cardboard tree. A backdrop is not just a backdrop. A crate, curtain, vine, sign, or stage piece may become part of another child’s first VBS memory. It may encourage a tired children’s ministry leader. It may help a small church stretch its budget. It may turn a plain room into a place of welcome. It may remind another church that they are not alone.

Paul writes, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13, ESV).

VBS decorations may seem like a small thing. Small things can become acts of love when they are offered in service to Christ and His church.

So share what you can. Ask for help when you need it. Call the church down the road. Search for churches using the same theme. Reach out to local associations. Post in online groups. Leave a note on the BibleBunch Facebook page.

The goal is not better decorations. The goal is more children hearing about Jesus.

Pull Quotes

“The church down the road is not the competition.”

“Share the prop, not the protected file.”

“A decoration in storage could become a welcome sign for another child.”

“Before the decorations disappear into storage, ask one more question: Who else could this bless?”

“The goal is not better decorations. The goal is more children hearing about Jesus.”

Quick Checklist for Churches Sharing VBS Decorations

Before sharing decorations, ask:

Are these physical decorations rather than copyrighted curriculum files?

Do we own these items, or were they borrowed?

Are they safe and sturdy enough for another church to use?

Are they being loaned, donated, or passed along permanently?

Do any items need to be returned?

Can the items be transported easily?

Should church-specific dates, names, or signs be removed?

Can we take pictures before packing them away?

Who is responsible for pickup?

Could another church use this before it goes into storage?

Sample Message to Another Church

Hi! Our church is hosting VBS this summer, and we noticed your church is using the same VBS theme. If your VBS happens before ours, would you be open to sharing, loaning, donating, or passing along any physical decorations after your week is finished?

We are not asking for curriculum, music, videos, digital downloads, or copyrighted files. We are only looking for props, backdrops, fabric, signs, stage pieces, or reusable decorations.

We would be glad to pick items up, return anything that needs to come back, and share anything we have that might help another church.

Thank you for considering it. We are grateful for every church helping children hear about Jesus.