Decorating for VBS week on a budget?

[snarlingcoyote]

We don't over decorate for VBS. We would rather redirect that money into other parts of the program. With 100.00 you are going to have to think small scale. Still look to borrow anything you can. Churches in the area may have done a similar themed program in the past. Ask schools and local theaters. Look to church members that might have contacts. Ask anyone with talent to draw murals, ask for donations from church member's and be creative!

You never know what some church members may have in their closets and attics! Old "knight" stuff, or things from their CSA days or Ren Faires or someone who might have a cousin who draws murals. . .

Also, some things people might have that they wouldn't think about besides the obvious - old plywood for frames, old sheets to paint into castle walls once stapled to the plywood frames. Plastic shields of the sort that can be bought at the dollar tree and plastic swords for the walls. Old fake persian rugs that are on their last legs that c ould be turned into wall tapestries. Art work and posters that have that right "look" (I've got a print about the Templars in French hanging in my entryway that would work for this theme, and if someone asked to borrow it for a week for VBC? Heck yeah, I'd drop it off!) that would be returned afterwards could be borrowed.

Someone else mentioned getting people to save styrofoam packaging - hey, it worked for the set of Stargate Atlantis, it can work for you!

Heck, you might even find someone who says "yeah, my second cousin once removed's kids outgrew their castle playhouse last year. I just called and they'd be fine with us having it so long as they can take the charitable deduction. Me and my buddies will drop it off behind the educational building before we go fishing this weekend." You just don't know until you ask.

 

[mommyjam]

I am so glad you started this thread. We are also doing Kingdom Rock, I was just asked to be in charge of the preschool side. Maybe we can all share ideas.

 

[mommyjam]

I found this site that has some cheaper castle decor items for cheaper than Oriental Trading.

http://www.partycheap.com/Medieval_Decorations_s/665.htm?searching=Y&sort=5&cat=665&show=120&page=1

 

[crisi]

Know Girl Scouts? - its cookie season and girl scout cookie cases painted grey would make a castle wall with grey paint and hot glue.

Have people dig through their Christmas stuff - christmas garland will make some "vines" for the castle.

Garden stakes wrapped in duct tape or tinfoil make lovely "swords" to hang on the wall, and tinfoil covered cardboard can may a lovely suit of armor.