How to Include Children of All Abilities in Your VBS

The focus of Zoomerang, our 2022 Answers VBS, is the sanctity of every human life. Because each person is made in God’s image, each person has intrinsic value and needs to hear about their Creator and Savior. And one way we can practically live out this truth is by welcoming children of all abilities to our VBS programs and ensuring they are included and have a wonderful time.

Inclusion is always the goal, but some children with sensory issues may need a quiet space to decompress or learn away from the noise and enthusiasm of the other children in a sensory room (or rooms). This helps all children feel welcome and learn from God’s Word, and ensures parents will feel comfortable bringing a child who may have unique needs to the VBS program.

One church shared with us how they worked to make their VBS friendly to children of all abilities by creating a sensory room:

Even if it was only one child, there was a need for that class.

We started having a special needs/sensory room about four years ago, because we have a child in our church who has severe autism, so when he became the age to participate, we wanted to make sure he had a place! Even if it was only one child, there was a need for that class. When we told his parents about the class, I remember his mother crying because he had never been able to participate in anything like that before! That whole first week I would catch his mom and dad checking on him and being so filled with joy! So that's why we do it—now here is how we do it:

We advertise to our local schools with flyers, and make a special post on our Facebook page specifically about our sensory class. I have added an option for sensory/special needs to the online registration.

There is one wing of our church we use specifically for the class. It's a long hallway where some of our Sunday school classes are located, and is close to an outside door so the children in that class can go outside without being overwhelmed by traveling through the whole church just to get outside.

We use four Sunday school rooms total so they still rotate rooms, but on a smaller scale. They have one room for the lesson with bean bag chairs, cushions, sensory items that we make (you can find ideas on Pinterest), and anything else we could think of to make it feel comfortable and cozy! We do decorate this room as well. Then we have a music room, craft room, and a room for games. We have a leader in each of those rooms who does all things pertaining to that class, that way the adults leading the sensory class can focus on the child's needs instead of teaching.

We serve a meal nightly, and this class eats first while the rest of the classes are doing opening ceremonies. They also have free time where they can go outside and we have a bubble machine and use bubble wands, in addition to other fun things we plan.

We try to do a 2:1 teacher to student ratio, and there are always people who want to help with this class!

We love to see churches reaching out and including all children in their VBS program. So many parents appreciate the extra effort made to help their children have a wonderful time. Find more tips for how to reach all children with your VBS in our Special Needs Supplement (if you’re a Digital Pro user, you have this supplement in your digital library).