VBS General Resources

Some great resources and websites I've found to help you with VBS.

Groups Facebook Page

I've found Group's facebook page  to be an invaluable resource for problem solving and getting ideas.

Holy Land VBS Un-official Facebook Page
An un-official place to discuss Holy Land Adventure VBS...full of great people with lots of wonderful advice.  This is the best place to find "alternative" crafts and supplies and such.

VBS Connect

They recycle pre-owned, gently used VBS and childrens ministry materials by making them available to churches nationwide. A great resource if you want to find materials for an older VBS program.

Eleazar's Stash
A service to lend manuals and director resources of past Group Holy Land Adventure VBS programs to churches with a low budget.

VBS Tips
A blog with a wealth of VBS tips.

Bible Coloring Pages - New Testament

Here you will find a well organized list of New Testament Bible coloring pages.

Summer Photo Tips for VBS - Laura Swift Photography

Summer photo tips for VBS. Take your kids to VBS and grab a few fun story telling photos while you are there.

Free Fonts and Font Info

Alphabet Timeline

What was used where and when (I was surprised to learn there was a Samaritan alphabet, for instance)

 

Hebrew Fonts

These fonts have ancient Hebrew letters, and are free to use. The Nabatean Font (1st c.) would have been the type Jesus would have used and read from most often.

Greek Fonts

Various Greek Fonts, all free to use

Free Bible and Historical Graphics

Each site has different terms of use, and in some cases each graphic on the site does, so "free" is relative.  Some are in the public domain (completely free to use for anything--though maybe not in all countries), some are Creative Commons (free, but maybe not for adaption or commercial use, depending on license, and usually require credit given), and some have other rules of use.

Illustrated Bible History

A collection of free biblical history graphics.  Images may be used for personal, Church, or non-commercial use. Links should go to bible-history.com 

Clip Art Etc.
A clip art archive free for any non-commercial educational project.  If your VBS could be considered a "commercial" project then you can buy licences for the clip art.

Open Clip Art

Clip art released by their authors into the public domain.  You can find lots of great biblical images here, as well as other images.  It's been down for maintenance for a while, but I leave the link in hopes it will be back soon.

ClipSafari
A site that basically is trying to duplicate the collection on Open Clip Art while it's down for maintenance. 

Wikimedia Commmons

Collection of graphics (and sound and video files too), most of which are either in the public domain or under open licensing allowing them to be freely used.  Check the licenses on each image or file for specifics.

Pixabay

Photos and clip art released by their authors into the public domain.  You can find lots place images here (like pyramids in Egypt, the Jordan River, etc.)

Flickr

MOST PHOTOS ON THIS SITE ARE NOT FREE TO USE, however, some are, and you can do an advanced search to find pictures available under creative commons.

If you know of another great VBS resource, please share it in a comment.