The Wonderful Large Canvas Tarp

Sunday Schools that use DRAMA to teach their lessons are "masters of re-using and repurposing" supplies not only because we're creative but also because we're on a budget.

One of the most reusable supplies a Drama Workshop can have is a good supply of canvas tarps as well as large pieces of cloth (purchased on sale, of course) and a blue plastic tarp for your "water" scenes.

For example,

This month a giant painter's canvas is hung over a couple of tables on end or PVC frame to become Elijah's cave for the earthquake, wind, fire, and small voice story.

Next month it becomes Abraham and Sarah's tent.

Next month it's covering stacks of chairs and tables to form a hill behind the Sea of Galilee (that blue tarp) in front of which Jesus and the kids are learning the Beatitudes.

Wrap that canvas around some clumps of chairs and it becomes rocks in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Turn that canvas tarp over and you'll find that once-upon-a-time a teacher painted an outdoor "village" scene on it for a skit. Hang it on the wall with a curtain rod and clips.

Wrap it (or a large piece of cloth) around a kid sitting on a ladder, add  $20 worth of reusable "soldier props," and YOU TOO can have Goliath visit your classroom!

And yes, you can even spread some "clean" play sand on top of your tarp!  Many of us have done it for our "desert" and wilderness stories. Lay down a simple 2x4x8 frame and lay the cloth over it. Play sand cleans up really easily, and because it's dry it doesn't stick to kids or carpeting.

JUST DON'T LET THE BUILDINGS and GROUND COMMITTEE FIND YOUR TARP!
(They'll ruin it by using it as a painting drop cloth....)

And of course, its cousin, the Big Blue Tarp

Hide your big blue "water" tarp too. You'll need it for crossing the Red Sea, boating on the Sea of Galilee, Fishers of Men, Calming the Storm, Peter Sinks, the Jordan River, the Pool of Siloam, etc., etc.  Blue tarps can also be painted and hung from the ceiling to crown us with glory (Ps 8).

Tip: Have the kids "shake" the blue tarp water to make waves. After the drama is over, you can also play games with a blue tarp, such as "scramble under" and "pop the ball" (like you do with a parachute).

BTW: You can also paint clouds and trees on one side of a blue tarp to create a reusable sky backdrop and hang it from your curtain rod.