Assembly Time Drama Alternatives

Wondering how to fill your assembly time if you aren’t doing the dramas?

Shorter, Three-Person Dramas

If you still like drama (whether live and in-person or a pre-recorded video), each VBS kit includes shorter, three-person dramas.

Mission Moment

Showing the included mission videos at assembly time is a great way to make sure all children understand the week’s mission focus and offering. If your mission offering counts towards the team competition, the mission moment can lead into the daily point tally. Try setting an offering goal and telling the boys and girls daily how much more they need to bring to reach the goal.

Scripture Memory

The opening assembly is perfect for introducing the day’s memory verse.

The opening assembly is perfect for introducing the day’s memory verse. Engage all of the children in learning the game by doing memory activities together. The activities could be anything from hopping on one foot while saying the verse, boys vs. girls competition, removing words from the slide onscreen, or saying every other word (between leaders and kids). During the closing ceremony, see if the kids can say the verse by memory.

Music Time

Your VBS kit is full of great music options—use them in the ceremonies. Practice the theme song at least once a day. Add 1–3 additional songs in each assembly. You can even invite children to come onstage and help lead the dance as the week progresses. Don’t forget you also have scripture memory songs included with your kit. These are great for hiding God’s Word in your heart since music aids in memory.

If you aren’t doing a music rotation, assembly time is a way to have children learn the songs. Focus on 3–4 songs if you want children to sing the songs in a ceremony for their parents and only learn and practice them during the assemblies.

Add Teaching

The purpose of VBS is to teach God’s truths to boys and girls, so add some teaching time to your assemblies.

The purpose of VBS is to teach God’s truths to boys and girls, so add some teaching time to your assemblies.

In the opening assembly, introduce the day’s theme, key phrase, and memory verses, and preview what they will learn in class. The closing ceremony is a great time to review the day’s lesson by asking questions kids can answer. (You can award points or prizes for answered questions too.) Creature Features can also be taught during the assemblies.

Since repetition is key to learning, add a five-minute object lesson each day, taking their lesson a bit further and reinforcing what was discussed. Think about props you can bring in, magic tricks, science experiments, etc.

Don’t Forget the Fun

Assembly time is great for getting the kids excited for VBS, so add some fun. Wear silly costumes, play games, and encourage kids to get a little loud. Some favorite assembly time fun items include confetti streamers, the Airzooka, “The Moving Song” (by the Lads), and a 30-second dance party button.

However you plan your assemblies, remember that those 20–40 minutes should be used intentionally. Get them excited about God’s Word, engage them in it, and help them hide its truths in their hearts. Assembly time can look like whatever you want it to look like—just make sure you don’t waste that time!