From testing snacks to fine-tuning crafts, thoughtful attention is given to every detail of Vacation Bible School (VBS)—all in preparation for churches across the country to share the Gospel with kids in a faithful, engaging way. This blog will give you a rundown of what to expect within the 2026 VBS Starter Kit as well as insights from our team a CPH!
Many of our staff members are current or former church workers, VBS volunteers, and Sunday School teachers; they’ve been in your shoes, so they have plenty of favorite aspects and insights to share for your next VBS.
Jump to the following categories:
It’s important to make sure you have all the supplies you need when going on a journey. The VBS 2026 Starter Kit will provide you with the essential materials you’ll need when embarking on your Tropical Trek.
The Starter Kit includes
*One sample included in the kit. Also available to purchase separately.
As mentioned above, there are several new products you can enjoy throughout your upcoming VBS. Let’s explore these new items.
Kim Busby, who has been working with the crafts section of VBS for almost twenty years, shares the joy of working on the crafts for VBS.
“Knowing that children will learn about Jesus while being creative and having fun is such a wonderful feeling,” Busby said. “I enjoy developing crafts that relate to the daily Bible stories. So much time and consideration are put into each craft from the start to the finished product.”
For more info on each of these crafts, check out the Crafts Leader Guide within your kit. Also, be sure to check out the VBS Crafts tutorial videos to learn more about their assembly.
Sample included in the Starter Kit.
Help children learn the words and actions to this year’s music. Curriculum editor Lisa Clark gives some insight into the process of creating music for VBS.
“I love the collaborative process of VBS music. People team up to write texts, compose music, create actions, and produce videos. Then, the kids take it away and make the music their own!”
The kit will include both Theme Songs and Bible Memory Verse Songs with videos.
The five Theme Songs include
The Bible Memory Verse Songs include
Provide children will something to remind them of what they learned at VBS.
Children will hear five different Bible stories in this kit. Mary Laesch, curriculum editor and the CPH employee who knows VBS inside and out, emphasizes that the Storytelling site is at the heart of VBS.
“Bible Storytelling is my favorite site. Kids use all their senses to hear and experience Bible accounts that teach them about God’s love for them in Jesus. We want every child to hear ‘Jesus died and rose for you!’ ”
This year’s accounts include
Storytelling Leader Guides are available for both Early Childhood and Elementary children. Leaflets for both age groups are also available to be used with Storytelling and to be sent home to help create devotional habits.
Mary Laesch highlights how the Bible Exploration site merges science with faith:
“Bible Exploration combines two of my favorite activities for kids: planting God’s Word in their hearts through song and exploring God’s amazing world,” said Laesch. “Every year I look forward to seeing the fun, and often surprising, science activities our Bible Exploration author comes up with to help reinforce the Bible lesson.”
More information on these activities can be found within the Bible Exploration Leader Guide, as well as the following:
Get some ideas for fun and delicious treats for your VBS goers in the Snacks Leader Guide. Each of the treats within the guide connects to the daily Bible lesson.
Lily Seifferlein, a previous marketing intern, shared the following:
“We have so many fun snacks this year and they all tie in so well to the theme. Additionally, there are Snacks tutorial videos for those helping with VBS.”
Seifferlein, who helped create the Snacks tutorial videos, urges anyone organizing VBS to watch as they “quickly show [participants] what to expect.”
This year’s snacks include these and more:
Kit users can also look to the Games Leader Guide for activities that will get VBS goers moving while also connecting these games to the daily Bible account. Mary Laesch shared the following:
“We wanted the games at Tropical Trek to do more than just get the wiggles out. Each game is uniquely designed to help reinforce the point of the Bible lesson, while encouraging kids to work together in teams—and, of course, have fun!”
The CPH team is counting down the days until VBS 2026 and can’t wait to see how churches will bring all this joyful work to life in their own communities!
Excited for VBS 2026? Check out our Tropical Trek page to learn more!