top of page

Hero Hospital VBS

 “Home to God's Outrageous Love”
From Matthew 21:14-16

It's up to leaders how they want to share the overall theme of Hero Hospital.  You can start and end each VBS day with it, use it in worship, talk about it during activities, or any other time you can think of, but whatever you do you must take seriously God's life-changing love through Jesus: 

God's gift of love and grace flows freely.  Wherever you go, whatever you do, however you feel, God's love will always find you.  For many, these ideas are outrageous.  When Jesus helped and healed freely, it was thought to be outrageous.  When he shared forgiveness and God's grace freely, it was thought to be outrageous.  A lot of people still think it's outrageous!  A love that the world sees as outrageous, is just the right kind of love in God's Kingdom.  Jesus presented us with a vision of God's kingdom--so let's get outrageous and actually start building it.  

​

God's love changes communities into places of praise, discovery, healing, and hope for all, and makes us into heroes.  You are challenged to make your church into Jesus' Vision of God's Kingdom.  Go out and do it!!!

book logo.png

Art

Nurse Jesus Alone.png

Let's create with our Creator as God works through us to make a beautiful kingdom.

art.png

First, let's talk about learning for kids:

The goal of all of these art activities is for the participants to explore and create.  There are no prepared kits for kids to put together.  Instead the kids will get their brains firing on all cylinders--releasing positive hormones and building robust neural networks--as they play and learn.  Whatever lessons you teach kids about Jesus while they are playing like this literally get built into their brains.

​

The key is play!

​

What the best brain science tells us is that your goal should be to create an environment that has adult scaffolding to free up space for exploration and learning through play, so that kids develop neural mechanisms in their prefrontal cortex for proactive control like problem solving, planning, regulating and identifying emotions (learn more)

  •  Adult scaffolding is NOT giving a child a kit to put together, it IS giving them resources and examples and challenging them to complete a goal.  

  • Adult scaffolding is NOT completing a step for a child, it IS engaging a child's curiosity to problem solve through the step.

  • Adult scaffolding is NOT telling a child that there is a right or a wrong way to complete an art project, it IS giving the child support and freedom to make what they can imagine.

When you give kids the opportunity for this kind of exploration and learning, their brains literally get bigger.  Their brains and bodies get flooded with endorphins and serotonin.  Endorphins make you feel more positive, improve immune response, and reduce stress.  Serotonin boosts neurotransmission to improve memory and learning and even counteracts depression while improving sleep.  We cannot imagine that Jesus would be anything but thrilled with an activity that did all of this for a kid.

 

But wait, there's more. Discoveries in neuroplasticity have shown that adults can actually grow new neural pathways too.  You're never too old to grow new brain cells, and all you have to do is play!

Surrounded by Love

Introduction (Optional)

Remember that your goal as a leader is to provide a scaffolding to support exploration and learning through free, yet guided, play that supercharges kids' brains as they're filled up with ideas and excitement for building God's kingdom.

Make a Pocket Prayer Square

Quilts are awesome!  Not only are they warm and comfortable, they have a long history of being made with care and love by and for people all over the world.  We are going to borrow from some of that care and love to make mini-quilts that will help us to remember to pray.  These Pocket Prayer Quilts are small enough to fit into a pocket on pants, in a purse, or on a backpack.  Every time our hand brushes against the prayer quilt we'll be reminded of all the people who love us and who we love, and have a little prayer ready to say.

Pocket Prayer Quilts.jpg

Activity Objectives: Today the kids are quilters.  In this activity the kids will use scrap fabric, glue (or sewing gear if you have it) to make pocket-sized quilts.  In this activity you will encourage the kids to be patient as they make their quilts and then also help them to write a little prayer.  You can also create a quilt for yourself.

Demonstration Video: Here's a quick video that shows the art project being completed.  Use this video for your own information or share it with your participants.  (You can enlarge the video within the video player.)

Before you get started with the activity have everyone get out their Builder Book.  Tell them what they will be doing for art today and give them time to draw in their Builder Book some ideas for what will happen when they put their imagination and skills to the task.

Builder Book.png

If you are virtual:

Make sure the kids have had time to gather some supplies

If you are in person:

Make sure you have gathered together enough supplies for all the participants.

Walk the participants through these steps in order to create a Pocket Prayer Square.  (We are assuming that the participants have minimal supplies so, if you are able to ensure they have supplies to do a more complicated version of this activity, be sure to make up your own instructions):

  1. Cut out four 2 inch by 2 inch squares from scrap fabric.

  2. Make the four squares into one square by gluing them together along the edge of the fabric.  One small line of glue and a little overlap of the fabric along each edge is enough to do this.  

  3. Folder over each corner of the combined square so that all four corners meet in the middle on the other side.

  4. Glue this side of the square in the same way that you glued the other side.

  5. Cut six pieces of thread that are 6-8 inches long.

  6. Create quilt ties by using a needle to push the thread through the center of the little quilt, being careful not to pull either end of the thread through the hole.  Then poke the thread back through the quilt and pull the thread so that it is even.  Finally cut the looped end of the thread so that the needle can be pulled off and tie together the loose ends.

  7. Flip the quilt over an repeat the last step on the other side.

  8. Use the same quilt tying method to tie a knot on all four corners.

  9. Your Pocket Prayer Quilt is finished!

​

Next you will have the participants create a short prayer to use every time they find their quilt in a pocket:

  1. Name at least four people who love you.

  2. Name at least four other people who you love.

  3. Now fill in the blanks of this prayer:

"Dear God, I am loved by __________, __________, __________, __________ and I have so much love for __________, __________, __________, __________.  Thank you for tying us all together!  Amen."

Bonus!!!!!!

If your church has a quilting group.  Challenge them to create a big "Place for All" Quilt that represents the whole church.  Make sure to display your quilt and show it off to all your Hero Hospital participants.

After completing the activity, make sure everyone awards themselves an art Builder Brick sticker on their I'm Awesome page in the Builder Book for their work in building Jesus' vision of God's Kingdom.

art.png
Builder Book.png

Question to Explore

Does experiencing an illness or disability define all of who you are?

Answer: No! You are made up by all kinds of relationships with loved ones.

Why?...

Bring it all Together, Brick by Brick

It's up to leaders how they want to share this reflection with the participating kids and adults.  You can read it, share it conversationally, or simply use it to help answer questions that might come up:

Remind the kids about the story from Mark 2 of the man who lived with paralysis.  Did that man have four people who loved him?  Did he have four people who he loved?  When Jesus meets this person, the most remarkable thing about this person that Jesus saw was not that he was paralyzed but that he was surrounded by love on all sides.  You are too!  That's you're greatest defining quality.  Don't ever forget it.  Today you are challenged to make your church into "a place for all."  Go out and do it!!!

Building A Place for All:

 “They rubbed their eyes, amazed—and then glorified God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

From Mark 2:1-12

Art One
art.png
art.png

If you are virtual:

Share your screen and show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

If you are in person:

Show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

Art Two

Marked by Love

Introduction (Optional)

Remember that your goal as a leader is to provide a scaffolding to support exploration and learning through free, yet guided, play that supercharges kids' brains as they're filled up with ideas and excitement for building God's kingdom.

Make a Tattoo Stamp

Tattoos have been around a long time and have been used for all kinds of things like signifying belonging in a group, accomplishing a great task, or commemorating a loved one.  Tattoos are great if it is something that a person wants but a tattoo should never be forced upon a person.  We will be making temporary tattoos with a special stamp that represent some special friends.  Our tattoos will show off our strengths by connecting to the amazing animals that share this world with us.  

Tattoo Stamps.jpg

​

Activity Objectives: Today the participants are tattoo artists.  In this activity the participants will use washable markers and a custom stamp to make temporary tattoos.  In this activity you will help the kids find their inner strength by channeling an awesome animal.

Demonstration Video: Here's a quick video that shows the art project being completed.  Use this video for your own information or share it with your participants.  (You can enlarge the video within the video player.)

Before you get started with the activity have everyone get out their Builder Book.  Tell them what they will be doing for art today and give them time to draw in their Builder Book some ideas for what will happen when they put their imagination and skills to the task.

Builder Book.png

If you are virtual:

Make sure the kids have had time to gather these supplies.  

If you are in person:

Make sure you have gathered together these supplies for all the participants.

Walk the participants through these steps in order to create a Tattoo Stamp.  (We are assuming that the participants have minimal supplies so, if you are able to ensure they have supplies to do a more complicated version of this activity, be sure to make up your own instructions):

  1. Print out this animal silhouette template.  We've given two versions of twelve awesome animals, sea creatures, or birds.  There's a small, medium, and large template for each.  We recommend proceeding with the medium.

  2. Have each participants choose one animal silhouette and then have them carefully cut it out.

  3. Next give each participants a piece of foam sheet big enough for their animal and have them trace the cut out onto that sheet.  Tracing is most easily done with a marker that's pulled over the edge of the cut out.  (You can skip step 2-3 by printing the silhouette onto a sticker sheet and sticking it to the foam sheet).

  4. Next carefully cut out the shape of the animal that is now on the foam sheet.

  5. With a washable marker, completely color one whole side of the cut out foam animal shape.  Be sure to cover the whole side with marker, edge to edge, with a thick coat of marker ink.

  6. Finally, firmly press the colored side of the foam animal directly onto bare skin for at least 10 seconds.  The marker will stick to the skin in the shape of the animal.  The tattoo should wash off with water.  The Tattoo Stamp you just made can be used again and again after cleaning.  

After completing the activity, make sure everyone awards themselves an art Builder Brick sticker on their I'm Awesome page in the Builder Book for their work in building Jesus' vision of God's Kingdom.

art.png
Builder Book.png

Question to Explore

What should you do if your friend experiences an illness or disability?

Answer: Remind them how strong they are.

How?...

Bring it all Together, Brick by Brick

It's up to leaders how they want to share this reflection with the participating kids and adults.  You can read it, share it conversationally, or simply use it to help answer questions that might come up:

Remind the kids of the story from Matthew 4 about the people who come to Jesus for help.  Many of those people were experiencing a mental illness.  They felt like they need to go to someone for help.  It is never wrong to ask for help if you need it.  In fact, it often takes courage to ask for help.  You can also find help within yourself by discovering strengths you didn't even know you have.  Are you as brave as a lion?  Are you as majestic as an eagle?  Are you as clever as a rabbit?  Are you as strong as a bear?  Are you as wise as an owl?  Are you as multi-talented as an octopus?  Are you as faithful as a sheep?  Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!  The tattoos help you to see on the outside what is also on the inside.  God lovingly gave you all those gifts.  Don't ever forget that they are there and someone who loves you infinitely gave them.

Building A Place for Heroes:

 “He taught people the truth of God—the good news of the kingdom.

Word got around.  Jesus healed them, one and all.”

From Matthew 4:19-25

If you are in person:

Show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

If you are virtual:

Share your screen and show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

Real Value

Introduction

Remember that your goal as a leader is to provide a scaffolding to support exploration and learning through free, yet guided, play that supercharges kids' brains as they're filled up with ideas and excitement for building God's kingdom.

If you are virtual:

Share your screen and show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

If you are in person:

Show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

Demonstration Video: Here's a quick video that shows the art project being completed.  Use this video for your own information or share it with your participants.  (You can enlarge the video within the video player.)

Before you get started with the activity have everyone get out their Builder Book.  Tell them what they will be doing for art today and give them time to draw in their Builder Book some ideas for what will happen when they put their imagination and skills to the task.

Builder Book.png

If you are virtual:

Make sure the kids have had time to gather these supplies.  

If you are in person:

Make sure you have gathered together these supplies for all the participants.

Walk the participants through these steps in order to create a $10,000 Bill or Giant Check.  (We are assuming that the participants have minimal supplies so, if you are able to ensure they have supplies to do a more complicated version of this activity, be sure to make up your own instructions):

  1. Print out this $10,000 Bill Template or this Giant Check Template.  It's up to you whether the participants will do one, the other, or both.  These templates were specifically created for this activity and are meant to be printed on 11x17 paper or two 8.5x11 pieces. 

  2. Have the participants either cover the template with a collage of magazine clippings or create their own images by coloring with markers, crayons, or colored pencils.  A collage is recommended for the $10,000 Bill and coloring is recommended for the Giant Check.  There are also suggestions on the template to help the kids come up with ideas such as:

    • What does a place for hope look like?  What are things that bring people hope?

    • How can you make sure you're representing ALL the people who make up our country or community?​

    • What would you spend all that kind of money on to help build Jesus' vision of God's kingdom?

    • Are you making sure to include not just people but also plants and animals in God's kingdom?

art.png

After completing the activity, make sure everyone awards themselves an art Builder Brick sticker on their I'm Awesome page in the Builder Book for their work in building Jesus' vision of God's Kingdom.

Builder Book.png

Question to Explore

What should you do if you experience an illness or disability?

Answer: Never forget how valuable you will always be to God and your community.

How?...

Bring it all Together, Brick by Brick

It's up to leaders how they want to share this reflection with the participating kids and adults.  You can read it, share it conversationally, or simply use it to help answer questions that might come up:

Remind the kids of the story from Luke 8 about the woman who had been bleeding for a long time.  This woman turned to Jesus for help.  She had probably looked for help from a lot of other people even before that.  I wonder how many people offered to help her without her having to ask for their help?  How many people where looking for ways to help?  Are you looking for ways to help?  Hope is about seeing the world not just as it is but also as it should be.  We hope that in making the collage or drawing you were able to picture how things should be.  We also hope that you thought up some ways that you can make that "should be" real.  Today you are challenged to make your church into "a place for hope."  Go out and do it!!!

Building A Place for Hope:

 “Jesus said, 'Daughter, now you’re healed and whole.

Go in Peace.  Live well, live blessed!'”

From Luke 8:40-56

Art Three

What is the kingdom of God worth to you?  Let's think about a big amount of many.  Not an amount that's ridiculous but rather one that seems attainable but could do some real good.  $10,000 seems like a good amount.  How much good could $10,000 do in building Jesus vision of God's kingdom?  Now let's think about a ridiculous amount of money--an amount so big it could only be presented on a giant check.  What is that check really worth?

 

Activity Objectives: Today the participants are artists.  In this activity the participants will look make a $10,000 Bill Collage or draw in a Giant Check.  In this activity you will help the participants reflect on what is most valuable in Jesus' vision of God's kingdom.

Redesign a $10,000 Bill or Make a Giant Check

Seeing Straight

Introduction (Optional)

Remember that your goal as a leader is to provide a scaffolding to support exploration and learning through free, yet guided, play that supercharges kids' brains as they're filled up with ideas and excitement for building God's kingdom.

If you are virtual:

Share your screen and show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

If you are in person:

Show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

Famous Frames

Glasses are common in the United States but there are places in the world where they are hard to get.  That's not good enough in God's kingdom!  Simply having glasses can drastically change how well someone can see so they're too important for us not to share them.  Let's make some Famous Frames inspired by the actual glasses of awesome scientists to encourage the people at church and in the community to donate their used, gently-used, or even brand new glasses.  You might just be helping a kid across the world to be able to see well enough to read a book for the first time.  What an amazing gift!?!?!

 

Activity Objectives: Today the participants are makers.  In this activity the participants will design and make Famous Frames based off of photographed glasses on famous scientists. In this activity you will help the participants think about how their gifts and talents in making things can change the lives of others.

Demonstration Video: Here's a quick video that shows the art project being completed.  Use this video for your own information or share it with your participants.  (You can enlarge the video within the video player.)

Before you get started with the activity have everyone get out their Builder Book.  Tell them what they will be doing for art today and give them time to draw in their Builder Book some ideas for what will happen when they put their imagination and skills to the task.

Builder Book.png

If you are virtual:

Make sure the kids have had time to gather these supplies.  

If you are in person:

Make sure you have gathered together these supplies for all the participants.

Walk the participants through these steps in order to create Famous Frames.  (We are assuming that the participants have minimal supplies so, if you are able to ensure they have supplies to do a more complicated version of this activity, be sure to make up your own instructions):

  1. Make sure each participant has a copy of this example sheet or you have enough to share with the whole group.  Have the participants take a close look at each pair of glasses shown on the example sheet.

  2. Give the participants pipe cleaners in whatever color they prefer (the color does not need to match the example sheet).  We recommend 3-4 pipe cleaners for each pair of glasses being made.

  3. Encourage the participants to shape the pipe cleaners by bending and twisting them and even cutting them when needed.  You should not need to glue any pipe cleaners.

  4. You can use glue to add on any extra flair to the glasses frames like pompoms or foam shapes.

Your participants should make as many frames as time allows.

After completing the activity, make sure everyone awards themselves an art Builder Brick sticker on their I'm Awesome page in the Builder Book for their work in building Jesus' vision of God's Kingdom.

art.png
Builder Book.png

Question to Explore

Why do some people experience an illness or disability when others don’t?

Answer: We don't know why, but that should never stop us from helping others.

How?...

Bring it all Together, Brick by Brick

It's up to leaders how they want to share this reflection with the participating kids and adults.  You can read it, share it conversationally, or simply use it to help answer questions that might come up:

Remind the kids of the story from John about the man who was born blind.  The people were more concerned about whether this person should be allowed to be able to see than with how Jesus was able to do a simple thing to completely transform a life.  Being healed isn't just about how you are physically.  It's also about how you feel and whether you feel like you valued.  Jesus showed this man how valuable he was in the eyes of God--he deserved any help Jesus could give him.  Do you value a person who lives on the other side of the world?  Can you transform their life by doing a simple thing?  You can help to donate some glasses.  Today you are challenged to make your church into "a place for healing."  Go out and do it!!!

Building A Place for Healing:

 “I know one thing for sure: that though I was blind, now I see.  I came into the clear light of day.”

From John 9:1-41

Art Four
art.png
art.png
art.png
art.png
art.png
art.png

Save a Life, Donate Blood

Introduction (Optional)

Remember that your goal as a leader is to provide a scaffolding to support exploration and learning through free, yet guided, play that supercharges kids' brains as they're filled up with ideas and excitement for building God's kingdom.

If you are virtual:

Share your screen and show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

If you are in person:

Show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

Make Blood Donor Stickers

The participants might be too young to donate blood, but that doesn't mean they can't contribute a blood drive.  They can contribute in a big way.  Blood donors love getting a sticker after they donate and wear it proudly.  They're proud because by donating blood they've done something that could literally save someone's life.  Blood is an incredible part of our bodies.  It carries a lot of the fuel that makes us go and the cells that fight off diseases or heal injuries.  Scientists are learning more and more about what blood does for us and about what it says about us.  A long time ago someone shed their blood for us and showed what an awe-inspiring person they really were--that's Jesus!  He was the ultimate blood donor.  The least we can do is help blood donation drives in our community--and save some lives in the process!

 

Activity Objectives: Today the participants are designers.  In this activity the participants will design and draw Blood Donor Stickers that can be given out at a real blood drive to real blood donors.  In this activity you will help the participants realize that people care what they have to think and say and will listen to them if they say and show that donating blood is important.

Donor Stickers.jpg

Demonstration Video: Here's a quick video that shows the art project being completed.  Use this video for your own information or share it with your participants.  (You can enlarge the video within the video player.)

Before you get started with the activity have everyone get out their Builder Book.  Tell them what they will be doing for art today and give them time to draw in their Builder Book some ideas for what will happen when they put their imagination and skills to the task.

Builder Book.png

If you are virtual:

Make sure the kids have had time to gather these supplies.  

If you are in person:

Make sure you have gathered together these supplies for all the kids.

Walk the participants through these steps in order to create Blood Donor Stickers.  (We are assuming that the participants have minimal supplies so, if you are able to ensure they have supplies to do a more complicated version of this activity, be sure to make up your own instructions):

  1. Give each participants some blank round stickers.  We recommend 2.5 inch labels that can be purchased on sheets of 9 or 12.  (You can also use this template if you plan to scan and save the designs that the kids create so that you can print off multiple sheets of their stickers).  

  2. Show the kids this sheet of example sticker designs.  The example sheet includes some neat designs to help inspire the participants as well as some good words to include on the stickers.  You can also search online for more example sticker designs.

  3. Make sure the participants have all markers, crayons, or colored pencils they need to make their stickers.

​

Bonus!!!

While you have the participants make stickers that show appreciation for blood donors, you could get them thinking about other people who make a difference.  Encourage them to make stickers for those people too.  Encourage them to make stickers for each other.

After completing the activity, make sure everyone awards themselves an art Builder Brick sticker on their I'm Awesome page in the Builder Book for their work in building Jesus' vision of God's Kingdom.

art.png
Builder Book.png

Question to Explore

Why do some people recover from an illness or disability when others don’t?

Answer: We're not always sure why but what we definitely know is that you can do something right now to help someone recover later.

How?...

Bring it all Together, Brick by Brick

It's up to leaders how they want to share this reflection with the participating kids and adults.  You can read it, share it conversationally, or simply use it to help answer questions that might come up:

Remind the kids of the story from Matthew 8 about the servant who was healed from afar.  Jesus didn't even have to see or touch the servant to heal him.  Science and medicine are so amazing that there are things you can do to help save someone's life without even meeting them.  Lots of people donate blood.  People can also donate platelets and bone marrow.  Some people even donate whole internal organs!  That's pretty heroic.  There are even people who decide that, if they pass away, their body should be used to help save lives.  Their organs might transferred to someone in the hospital or their body might be used for research that helps cure diseases or treat medical conditions.  You don't have to do all that yourself.  You can encourage people to be ready and willing to help and to be open to learning more.  Today you are challenged to make your church into "a place for discovery."  Go out and do it!!!

Building A Place for Discovery:

 “Jesus said, 'the people are to know all about God—streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God’s kingdom banquet.'”

From Matthew 8:1-13

Art Five

Praise for Pandemic Heroes

Introduction (Optional)

Remember that your goal as a leader is to provide a scaffolding to support exploration and learning through free, yet guided, play that supercharges kids' brains as they're filled up with ideas and excitement for building God's kingdom.

If you are virtual:

Share your screen and show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

If you are in person:

Show the participants this video demonstration of the art activity:

Make a "You Rock!!!"

During the pandemic lots of people have been going outside and finding ordinary rocks.  They paint that rock with an inspiring message or a beautiful image and then leave it for a person to find in their garden.  Do you know someone who deserves to find an inspiring message or a beautiful as a nice surprise?  I bet you could think of a bunch of people, especially considering that we are going through a pandemic during which lots of healthcare workers, teachers, bus drivers, store clerks, delivery drivers, and food providers have stepped up big time to make sure we are all taken care of even if they have to take risks to their on health.  Surprise someone by letting them know you have seen them and noticed how much they're doing for the community.

 

Activity Objectives: Today the participants are painters.  In this activity the participants will a simple gift from God's creation--a rock--and make it into an awesome expression of their appreciation for some awesome people.  In this activity you will help the kids to realize just how many people have been making sacrifices for others during the pandemic and how a simple expression of thanks can go a long way.