My Victoria Falls VBS Room

This post was originally written in 2012 to share the classroom I decorated for Vacation Bible School. That year, the Bible study rooms were themed around Victoria Falls, and my goal was to help children feel the power and movement of water the moment they walked into the room.

Rather than creating a stage-like set, I focused on transforming a real classroom—one where children would sit, listen, move, and learn all week—using simple materials and a strong visual focal point.

Room Focus: Creating the Falls

The waterfall wall became the anchor for the entire room. Once it was in place, the rest of the décor could stay simple and supportive.

• Blue and clear plastic tablecloths layered vertically
• White tulle or cotton batting at the base to suggest mist
• A small fan hidden behind the display to create movement
• Soft lighting to help the “water” shimmer

 If you have more budget than time, check out this ready made option:

The Rainbow Over the Falls

One of the most memorable features in the room was the large rainbow suspended near the waterfall. It helped tie the space together visually and echoed the real rainbows often seen in the mist at Victoria Falls.

The rainbow was inexpensive to make and lightweight enough to hang safely in a classroom. I shared the full step-by-step process in a separate post:

How to Make a Giant DIY Victoria Falls Rainbow for VBS

More budget than time? Here's a ready-made option:

Decorating a Space Kids Use All Week

Because this was an active classroom and not a hallway display, the rest of the décor was intentionally restrained.

• One strong focal wall rather than multiple competing displays
• Greenery and vines used to soften corners
• Animal accents placed where children would naturally notice them

This helped keep the room calm, functional, and welcoming throughout the week.

Color, Texture, and Scale

The overall look relied more on texture and scale than on detailed props.

• Blues and greens to suggest water and plant life
• Neutral tones to ground the space
• Large shapes rather than many small decorations

This approach kept the room visually strong while still practical.

If I Were Decorating This Room Today

• Use LED uplights instead of clip lights
• Choose reusable fabric where possible
• Add one interactive element, such as sound or a reflection prompt

The goal would remain the same: immersion without clutter.