VBS Volunteer Appreciation That Will Make Them Want to Serve Year After Year

VBS doesn’t happen because of a great theme, a solid schedule, or a killer decoration plan. It happens because faithful volunteers show up day after day and pour themselves into kids. They arrive early, stay late, manage chaos with a smile, and give their energy to help kids experience Jesus in a meaningful way.

That kind of investment deserves more than a quick “thanks” on the last day. If you want your VBS volunteers to feel seen, valued, and excited to come back next year, appreciation has to be intentional. Not flashy. Not expensive. Just thoughtful and well-timed.

Here are some practical, realistic ways to appreciate your VBS volunteers in ways that actually matter:

1. Appreciation starts before VBS begins. One of the most overlooked ways to honor volunteers is by making it easy to volunteer in the first place. Clear communication matters. Share expectations early. Send reminders. Provide schedules and answers before people have to ask. If possible, offer childcare for volunteers with young kids. Even partial childcare or help coordinating can remove a huge barrier. Respect their time. Start and end on time. Have supplies ready. When volunteers feel organized support, they feel appreciated.
2. Make volunteers feel cared for during VBS. One of the easiest wins is creating a volunteer-only snack station. This does not need to be elaborate. A separate table with drinks, snacks, and a sign that clearly says “Volunteers Only” goes a long way. It communicates, “We thought about you.” Upgrade it slightly with special snacks they would not normally grab for themselves. Think cold drinks, good granola bars, trail mix, fresh fruit, or a favorite candy. Restock it daily if possible. Volunteers notice. You can also build appreciation into the schedule. Give volunteers a short daily huddle that includes encouragement, prayer, and clear expectations. When leaders feel informed and spiritually supported, they feel valued.
3. Don’t wait until the last day. If you only thank volunteers at the very end of VBS, many of them are already exhausted. Consider giving a small gift or note on day three, four, or five instead. That timing matters. Midweek appreciation says, “We see your effort right now,” not just after you survived the week. It also gives volunteers an energy boost to finish strong.
4. Celebrate together after VBS. Hosting a simple after-party can be one of the most meaningful things you do. It doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. Serve pizza after cleanup. Bring in snow cones or ice cream. Set up popsicles outside. Keep it simple and joyful. The goal is not the food. The goal is the shared celebration. Volunteers want to laugh, decompress, and feel like they were part of something special together.
5. Say thank you often and out loudly. Publicly thank your volunteers in front of parents and kids. Celebrate them from the stage. Pray over them by name.

Meaningful volunteer appreciation gift ideas:

If you give a gift, make it something useful and intentional. Not a random trinket that ends up in a drawer or the trash can. Here are ten ideas that work well for VBS volunteers.

1. A quality water bottle or tumbler with the note, “Thanks for pouring yourself out for kids this week.”
2. A devotional or prayer journal with, “You helped grow faith. Here is something to grow yours.”
3. A local coffee gift card with, “You kept the energy high. Coffee is on us.”
4. A durable keychain or lanyard with, “Thanks for being a key part of VBS.”
5. Fun patterned socks with, “Thanks for showing up and walking with kids all week.”
6. A small scripture print with, “Your work planted seeds that matter.”
7. A snack box or treat with, “Thanks for feeding kids’ faith. Now enjoy this.”
8. Good quality hand lotion or lip balm with, “Thanks for lending a helping hand.”
9. A family movie night kit with popcorn and candy and the note, “Thanks for giving your time. Enjoy time together.”
10. A handwritten thank-you note paired with any gift, calling out something specific they did. Never underestimate the power of a personal note. It is often the part volunteers remember most.
11. Find some ideas for 2026-specific themes here!

VBS is intense. It is joyful and exhausting all at once. When volunteers feel genuinely appreciated, they do not just finish the week. They leave encouraged, connected, and willing to serve again.

Explore all of our VBS resources here.