Need a Vacation Bible School theme idea for this year’s VBS? Try transforming your VBS classroom into an African Safari with these easy DIYs! Turn your VBS space into an arid desert, complete with a sunset backdrop, African hut, watering hole and more.
The Backdrop
Every good African Safari themed VBS set starts with an awesome backdrop. Nothing says safari quite like a beautiful sunset, but luckily it's super easy to create one indoors. Begin by assembling the Circle Arch Frame. Net, gather lengths of Orange Gossamer and staple the ends around the arch frame. Continue gathering and stapling or taping the ends to the frame going from orange, to gold, to orange, to red. This creates the ombre look of an African sunset.
The whole African Safari scene really comes together when you add an animal print bandana garland. Simply remove the tags from the bandanas and tie the ends together. Make the garland as long or as short you need it. We hung ours all the way across our scene to unify the setting.
The Decor
To create the African hut, stack two boxes on top of each other end to end and tape together using packing tape. Repeat this 5 times using a total of 10 boxes. Create a half circle with the boxes, tape them all together and then cover them with a Natural Burlap Paper Roll. To create the roof, make a series of large triangles out of cardboard and tape them together to form a cone shape. Use hot glue or tape to adhere Large Palm Leaves and Raffia Hula Skirts to the cone. Time to raise the roof and place the cone on top of the boxes. Tape the roof in place and decorate the hut with CYO Tribal Masks. Tape an African Safari VBS Print Tablecloth Roll in the doorway and let the kids have fun inside!
These easy DIY African Drums make a huge impact and add fun color to the space. Simply duct tape two Bright Colorful Buckets together end to end. Cover the duct tape by wrapping Burlap Ribbon around it and hot gluing it into place. Cut two large circles from DIY Canvas Backpacks or canvas fabric, making the circle at least 2-3 inches larger than the top of the bucket. Cut out the circle and hot glue it to the top of the drum. Embellish the drum with Jute Cording, Unfinished Wood Beads, and Yarn Pom Poms. To make the painted bucket, use a Sponge Paintbrush and Brown Acrylic Paint to paint tribal patterns.
Real bamboo stalks can be both expensive and hard to come by. Make your own affordable bamboo with a few craft supplies. Cut Pool Noodles in different lengths. Crinkle 8" strips of Apple Green Paper Roll into small tubes. Hot glue the tubes around the pool noodles to create the bamboo sections. Cut off any excess. Using a paintbrush and green acrylic paint, paint the sections and allow time to dry. Bundle the bamboo together with Jute Cording and place it in a Bamboo Bushel Basket. We also propped our bamboo with CYO Tribal Masks, Natural Raffia Hand Fans and an African Print Table Roll.
Moving actual large rocks into your VBS space is probably not feasible, so making your own is the way to go! Simply crumple Burlap and Brown Paper Rolls and loosely wrap them around stacked and taped cardboard boxes. Use Glue Dots and packing tape to stick the 'rocks' together. Cut sheets of thick styrofoam and paint them to mimic rock shelves. Sprinkle Natural Beach Sand onto the edges of the styrofoam while the paint is wet to create a fun realistic texture. Stack the styrofoam sheets around and on top of the paper rocks. Drape lengths of Light Blue and Blue Plastic Table Rolls onto the rocks to create a cascading waterfall. Add handfuls of Poly-Fil around the waterfall to create texture.
In Africa, the watering hole is one of the most popular areas for animals to visit. Now you can visit there too! Creating your own watering hole is a breeze. Simply line part of the floor with a Light Blue Paper Roll, taping the seams with packing tape. Cut it to the size and shape you need and flank the sides with crumpled Burlap and Brown Paper rocks and styrofoam rock sheets. Cover the paper with lengths of light blue and Blue Plastic Table Rolls to create soft water-like waves. Place Animal Print Floor Decals and Natural Beach Sand around the perimeter of the watering hole.
Contrary to popular belief, Africa does actually have areas of tall green grass, especially around lush watering holes. Make your own tall grass with a few simple supplies. Create a base for the grass using 1-3 cut pool noodles. If using more than one pool noodle, duct tape them together, making sure the base of the pool noodle is level. Adhere Apple Green Paper Roll around the pool noodles and secure with glue. Cut the tops of the paper into grass-like fringe. Drybrush green acrylic paint starting from the base of the grass, moving up. Allow time for the paint to dry and then place the grass around your African scene.
A running stream brings life to a village and now you can create one to bring life to your VBS classroom. Create your own running stream by laying a Dark Blue Floral Sheeting Backdrop on the floor in the way a stream might curve. Place Natural Beach Sand, tall paper grasses, crumpled paper rocks and styrofoam rock slabs around the stream.
Our African Safari VBS theme is now complete. Be sure to check out all of our other African Safari VBS Ideas including Safari Themed Activities for Kids and the Best Safari Themed Snack Ideas. Planning your first VBS or need a few VBS pointers? Check out our Ultimate VBS Planning Guide including free printable checklists. Still trying to choose a VBS theme? Take a peek at our 2019 VBS Theme Ideas.
