All aboard for a VBS filled with faith, fun and adventure! If you're planning a railroad themed VBS, you're probably looking for all the VBS railroad theme ideas you can get. With these tips and ideas, you'll be able to easily and affordably decorate a VBS that keeps kids engaged and entertained.
The Background
Creating outdoor elements indoors is easier than you might think. We started with a backdrop, using rolls of White and Blue Gossamer taped to the wall. Make sure to overlap the different layers to create plenty of depth. Create clouds by gathering white gossamer and pinning the fabric into wispy cloud shapes. To create craggy mountains, cut ½" thick foam core into mountain shapes and paint them with acrylic paint. You can even tuck a Mountain Lion Cardboard Stand-up into the mountains! Line the bottom of the mountains with crinkled kraft paper and then accent with faux greenery.
DIY Waterfall Feature
To make a waterfall, gather Blue and Turquoise Tablecloths and tuck them into the kraft paper rock crevice in the mountain background. Make your tablecloths long enough to also create the pond the waterfall empties into. Add in a few small rocks, Pine Tree Stand-ups and greenery to finish off the look.
DIY Train Cave
Create a fun train cave using just a few supplies. Put together a Circle Arch Frame and wrap it in kraft paper. Make rocks and textured elements by crinkling large pieces of kraft paper and securing them onto the frame. Back the arch with dark brown paper to create a look of a cave. Paint a CP60 Jupiter Train Cardboard Stand-up using black spray paint. Once the paint is dry, cut a hole where the train light would be. Insert a light into the hole and place the stand-up into the cave.
DIY Train Tracks
Creating the train tracks is super easy! Simply cut a Large Black Craft Noodle in half and use a screwdriver to poke a hole into each end of the pool noodle. Wrap the end of a roll of 2.5" black ribbon around the end of the screwdriver to poke the ribbon through the hole. Once the ribbon end is through, carefully pull the ribbon all the way through, tying the end of the ribbon in a knot to keep in place. Repeat this process on each end of the craft noodles and until you have a track long enough for your needs. What's great about this track is that it can easily be adjusted to fit your area or go around corners and turns. Check out how we used these track in a few fun Railroad Themed VBS games here.
DIY Coal Prop
To make a quick and clean pile of coal, simply tape a few cardboard boxes together into a shape resembling a coal pile. We made just a small coal pile, so we taped one large box to one small box to form the coal pile base. Crinkle up a large piece of black paper and adhere it loosely around the boxes so that it looks like a pile of coal. To add some extra detail, cut small chunks of Large Black Craft Noodle and secure them to the paper. Place some faux coal inside a DIY Large Silver Tin Pail and place it next to your pile. The pile of coal can be used as a prop anyplace around your VBS venue or use it to block off areas that are off limits for little ones.
Check-In Station
Set up all of your station tables in a similar fashion to achieve a cohesive themed look. To create the check-in station, cover the sides of 6-8 foot folding tables with Cobble Stone Plastic Tablecloth Roll to resemble stonework on the side of a building. Add Canvas Vintage Americana Buntings to the tables to add color and a nostalgic railroad look. See how we decorated a fun ticket booth at our railroad VBS check-in station here.
Craft Station
Constructing a railroad themed VBS craft station is quick and easy and can make a big impact. Simply cover an 8' folding table with a Navy Blue Plastic Tablecloth. Line the sides of the table with a Cobble Stone Plastic Tablecloth Roll and hang a couple of Canvas Vintage Americana Buntings for a spot of color. Decorate the top of the table by cutting an Artificial Grass Roll in half lengthwise and place a Railroad Track Table Runner on top. You can learn more about how we created our railroad VBS craft station here.
Snack Station
Building a snack station that will make your kiddos really want to dig in is simple. Decorate the table in a similar fashion to the craft station. Add lined wooden crates and fill them with an array of different snacks. From train-shaped lollipops to railroad snack mix, there is something for everyone. See how we created our railroad VBS snack station here. Need more snack-spiration? Check out more railroad themed snack ideas here. You may even find a few hidden (and free) goodies!
Games & Activities
Every VBS needs some games and activities! Not only do they promote learning and fun, they also help VBS students develop a sense of community and trust through teamwork. Take a look at these train games for kids and VBS railroad activities to see how you can incorporate them into your train VBS theme.
Volunteer & Kids Shirts & Accessories
Provide your volunteers plenty of wearable railroad-related gear. While creativity is good, have them all wear one thing that easily identifies them as leaders so kids can easily identify them. Of course, your VBS kids will want to join in on the fun with their own railroad wear. Check out all the fun railroad related gear here.
