Family Night/ Closing Program

[K Fero]

In the past after the closing program we have had a fun family night activity. Last year we had a beach party with games etc. After SonHarvest we had a country fair. I am at a loss for what to do this year. Please share what you do or what you are doing this year. It would really help me out! You all have the best ideas!:)
THANKS!

[TrinityJen]

We have a Wednesday night dinner all year and during VBS it is our Family Fun Night. I am having the same creative block, I hope some one posts a good idea. I know we will be having Comet Burgers and Rocket Dogs (or something like that) Just a futuristic version of an old fashion cookout.

[iloveVBS]

We always have our closing program at our community park - that way there is already a lot for the kids to do (playground equipment, volleyball, basketball...) Then I usually plan a family activity, something to get the families involved and interacting with each other. Last year for SonTreasure Island, we had a family scavenger hunt. This year we are doing a secret message game. I came up with a 20 word message and put one word inside each of 20 brown envelopes and put a number on the front of each envelope (for example, first word in the message went in envelope #1). We will be hiding the envelopes throughout the park. Families will receive a blank piece of paper with the numbers 1-20 listed on it. It will be their mission to go around the park and locate envelopes, look at the secret word inside, write it on the corresponding line on their paper and then move on to another clue until they have located all 20 and found the Secret Message. (They can locate the envelopes in any order). At the end, the message directs them to our pastor, who will be handing out Bibles to each of the kids - we are calling them our "GPS" - God's Positioning System. Our Pastor will then have each of the kids hold their Bibles as he reads a pledge in which they promise to continue to carry out God's mission. I hope they will enjoy it! Good luck with your planning!

[craftygail]

I don't know if this helps, but I am holding a graduation ceremony. I bought graduation caps at oriental trading for all the kids. Then, with the parents there for the closing ceremony ,each kid will be called by name, come up and receive their "diploma"(or certificate) for becoming a level 5 agent and graduating the son-force kids secret agent training camp. We will be having graduation themed snacks and games with graduation decorations. Each kid will then get an autograph book to pass around. Should be fun!

craftygail
vbs july 23-27

[K Fero]

Thanks for those ideas! The secret message idea sounds fun. I can use that for some of the other things that I do at church sometime too! As always I don't know what I would do...

[winnipeg]

The Sunday after camp KiDS Church Coordinates a family day. The entire church service is a camp/VBS family learning event - Songs, announcements and during the sermon time we do the lesson. Afterwards we have a BBQ. It is a great way for the guest families to come and check out what we are all about and meet the congregation in a relaxed environment. It also provides those who didn't volunteer to see what it is all about and maybe get excited about helping with KiDS Church in the future.

This is the first year we have run all five days - I was stumped for a lesson on Sunday but we are going to use the sample lesson for the 13 week program. That was Teresa Peter's great idea.

It is great to not have to come up with all the ideas myself. Our success inpart is because of everyone here, you have all contributed in one way or another!
Thank you

[tstewart113]

Have a Spy-cream (aka ice-cream) social. We are doing a family centered vbs this year (along with a traditional). For one of the family activities, we are going to make "spy-cream". Then at the end of our VBS that night, we will have an ice-cream bar with all the toppings to put on our "spy-cream".

Tammy

[TrinityJen]

I love spy-cream. Our church is having an ice creram social the week after VBS. I am going to suggest that name.

[AMYT]

We are using the ice cream idea too, except we are building the largest ice cream sundae ever that can be seen from earth (since we are in a space station). We are taking plastic rain gutters and building a 30 foot trough to place the plastic dishes you get sundaes and banana splits for Braums in. Then with everyones help we are filling the plastice dishes with ice cream and topping them. We were able to get the Ice cream, dishes, and toppings all donated. I hope it all turns out like we think it will, a lot of fun and a lot of interaction between visitors and our church members. Wish us luck, Closing is Sunday after church.

[TrinityJen]

We are using the ice cream idea too, except we are building the largest ice cream sundae ever that can be seen from earth (since we are in a space station). We are taking plastic rain gutters and building a 30 foot trough to place the plastic dishes you get sundaes and banana splits for Braums in. Then with everyones help we are filling the plastice dishes with ice cream and topping them. We were able to get the Ice cream, dishes, and toppings all donated. I hope it all turns out like we think it will, a lot of fun and a lot of interaction between visitors and our church members. Wish us luck, Closing is Sunday after church.

Yum, Braums.....I miss Braums :(