It’s time to think VBS, and if island is your theme, these DIY décor ideas are a must-see! Just follow the simple steps to create VBS decorations that transport your students to a tropical island where friendships are formed and adventure is found, all while staying anchored by faith in Jesus. Take a look at all seven easy-to-make ideas that take your VBS island decor from ordinary to WOW! (Bonus: most of the DIYs use the same basic supplies!)
Every shipwrecked adventurer knows the first thing you’ll need on your island is a campfire. Whether your group needs one or a dozen, this faux campfire a breeze to make. First make some rocks by crumpling pieces of kraft paper. Make as many as you need in a variety of sizes. Layer orange, red and yellow pieces of tissue paper. Gently pick up the pile of layered tissue paper from the middle and twist it together. Staple or tape the twisted tissue paper to a square of cardboard that will serve as the base. Arrange the paper rocks around the fire.
Give your island-themed VBS an authentic island feel with this DIY shipwreck décor. With just a few supplies and the simple steps below, you'll have your own DIY VBS decoration in no time! Start by cutting apart a large box to make it flat and cover it with wood paper roll. Set up the box into a "V" shape. Cut a large triangle of cardboard, cover it with the wood paper roll and attach it to the "V" corner of the cardboard box with tape. To make the mast, cover a pool noodle with the wood paper roll. Use 7mm jute cording to tie the pool noodle to a long cardboard tube, forming a cross. Use hot glue to secure it in place. Roughly cut a length of ivory plastic tablecloth roll, cutting holes into the table cloth so it looks tattered. Wrap the table cloth and creepy cloth around the mast. To get your mast to stand, place a bucket of sand inside the boat and stick the end of the mast in it.
Decorate your island oasis with a DIY waterfall! Just choose a wall and then follow the easy steps. Start by crumpling up pieces of kraft paper to create rocks and tape them to the wall you'll be using. Tape the light blue gossamer and blue plastic table cloth to the wall, making sure to leave plenty of extra length to create a pond at the bottom of your waterfall. Create more kraft paper rocks to fill in around your waterfall pond. Accent the rocks with large and medium palm leaves.
Islands are filled with vines, so why not incorporate some into your DIY island-themed VBS decor? It's such an easy project and adds island flair to your VBS decorations. Tightly twist long lengths of kraft paper to create ropey vines. Cut diagonal strips on both sides of a lime green plastic tablecloth roll, leaving the middle of the tablecloth uncut. Loosely drape and wrap the green tablecloth "foliage" around the kraft paper vines. Repeat until you have the amount you want and then hang them or drape them among your VBS decor.
Make sure your VBS kids don't feel like castaways – build a cozy island hut instead! This DIY VBS decoration makes a fun addition to your island-themed VBS decor and the kids will love it! Wrap two large sheets of cardboard with the tropical foliage paper. Tape the two large sheets of cardboard together lengthwise to create a tent shape. Hot glue large palm leaves and tropical leaves to the cardboard. Then wrap pool noodles in weathered wood paper. Tie the pool noodles together with jute cording and glue them to the cardboard along the edges of the open ends. Drape mahalo floral leis across the top to add the finishing touch.
Being marooned on a tropical island can't be all bad if there are palm trees, right? To get started insert the bottom 1/3 of a pool noodle into a long cardboard box. This will keep the bottom of the "tree" relatively straight while giving the top of the tree a slight droop. Then cut the burlap in half and staple it around the pool noodle and box, scrunching it up as your work. Take your hot glue gun and glue the leaves onto the top of the pool noodle. Use a bucket of sand to make the tree stand and cover the bucket with crumpled rocks and sand. Be sure to check out the island themed snacks here!
