VBS is one of the most exciting weeks in the life of your church. The energy. The music. The crafts and games. And, of course, the gospel. For many families in your community, it may be their first (or only) connection to a local church all year. But once the streamers fall and the glitter settles, one big question remains:

How do you invite those guest families to come back to your church?

We put our thinking caps on and thought up simple, meaningful ways to help families who came to your VBS to take their next step toward deeper connection. Whether you have five new families or 50, these strategies will help you follow up with care, clarity, and intention.

1. Start With Gratitude

Don’t let too much time pass before you say “thank you.” Within a week after VBS ends, send a follow-up email or handwritten note thanking families for attending. Celebrate their kids by name, and acknowledge how special it was to spend the week with them.

Pro Tip: Include a link to a highlight video, photo gallery, or VBS Recap reel. Make it easy for families to relive and share their memories with others.

2. Make the First Invitation Personal

Instead of a generic invite to church, try something like this: “We’d love to see [child’s name] again this Sunday in our kids’ ministry!” Use the connection you already made at VBS to make the next step feel natural and warm.

Consider:

• A personal phone call or text from a volunteer who met the family during the week
• A postcard from the child’s small group leader
• A follow-up event specifically for VBS families (movie night, popsicle party, playground hangout)

3. Highlight What’s Next for Kids

Parents are much more likely to return when they know their kids are excited and cared for. In your follow-up, clearly explain what your regular kids’ programming looks like:

• What time does it start?
• What happens during a typical Sunday?
• Will there be friendly faces from VBS?
• What should they expect?

Bonus: If you use Orange Curriculum, share a glimpse of what’s coming up or how your ministry continues what kids started learning at VBS.

4. Equip Parents With Tools

Families who are new to church may not know how to keep the conversation going at home. Send home:

• A printable or digital devotional that recaps the VBS theme
• Links to songs their kids learned during the week
• A parent cue or conversation guide

Pro Tip: If you use Orange, your VBS kit already comes with these things!

This helps extend the experience and shows that your church wants to partner with them, not just entertain their kids.

5. Show Them They Belong

Beyond programming, what most families want is a place to belong. Help them see that your church isn’t just a building—it’s a community.

Invite them to:

• Small group gatherings
• Family service projects
• Back-to-school events
• Volunteer opportunities (yes, even as guests!)

Let them know there’s room for them—as parents, as families, and as people with gifts to offer.

6. Follow Up Again (And Again)

Following up once is great. Following up again—a month later, three months later, around the holidays or milestones—is even better. Keep your church on their radar with:

• Helpful resources
• Personal Invitations
• A warm hello when they walk back through the door

Consistency builds trust. And trust opens the door to transformation.

VBS is the starting line, not the finish line.

When families walk through your doors for VBS, they’re taking a step of trust. What you do next helps determine if that step becomes a journey. With just a little intentionality, your church can turn a week of fun into a lifetime of faith.

Want more ideas like this?
Sign up for VBS updates via email or through the Orange VBS Facebook page, and be the first to see the new 2026 theme reveal on June 17th!