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Take these simple steps to care for Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Kids at Vacation Bible this year. Turn a frustrating challenge into unexpected thoughtfulness. (Including 12 Easy GF/DF Snacks to keep on hand!)
The truth is:
- It’s hard to be a GF/DF Kid
- It’s really hard to be a Mama Bear with a GF/DF Kid
- It’s really, really hard to run a VBS Program with GF/DF Kids
So let’s make it easier with 5 Simple Steps.
Follow these steps to …
- Turn frustrated parents into loyal team players
- Transform tentative GF/DF kids into happy, included participants
- Keep Your Snack Leader Supported (and with a full head of hair)
Children’s Ministry: Planning For Kids With Dietary Differences Shows You Care
Most of us can agree on the following:
- The number of kids with dietary differences is growing every year
- There is much misinformation and misunderstanding about dietary needs
- Most church leaders and volunteers aren’t sure how to help, or even if they should
From a mom of a GF/DF Kid, there are simple things we can do to show we care. And the church needs to care.
5 Simple Steps To Serve Your Gf/Df Kids At Vacation Bible School
- Designate someone as the Dietary Guru for your VBS week.
- Distribute a loving, church statement about dietary needs. (I even made it for you!)
- Print a list of planned snacks for families with dietary restrictions.
- Work with parents to provide substitutes where possible.
- Keep some NO-BRAINER GF/DF SNACKS on hand. (l made this list for you too!)
1) Designate A Dietary Guru, A Snack Liaison, Or A Food Advocate
I’m not sure what the best name for this position is, but this is key to not losing your mind!
One of the worst things for GF/DF families is no communication, miscommunication, and lack of understanding & compassion.
Love & Care matter even more than the food itself.
This person fixes that! She is your liaison between Families and the Snack Person and the VBS Coordinator.
She’s on hand to answer questions, communicate with parents, and oversee the needs of kids with dietary differences. And this person should have limited or no other responsibilities.
For this position, find someone who is
- Available
- Compassionate
- Knowledgeable about food issues
- A Good Communicator
- An Even Better Listener
This person should not be your Snack Leader. (She has enough on her plate. Pardon the pun!)
And this person should not be the VBS Director. (She is too busy with everything else to be able to focus on families with such specific needs)
2) Here’s Your Loving Church Statement About Dietary Needs
Here is the content of an easy flyer for you to cut and paste and edit at will.
If you like it as is, and don’t see a need to edit, you can fill out the form below and download the Printable instead. The free PDF Printable Letter is pre-formatted, all pretty, and ready to go.
“For Families with Dietary Needs and Concerns,
We care about you!
We feel your concerns and frustrations and want to partner with you to make sure your children have an amazing week with us.
Our goal is that your children (1) Are NOT hungry or skipping snacks for fear of getting sick (2) Are NOT excluded from the fun other kids are having during snack time (3) Are NOT eating the same boring snack every day
More than that, we want your children to (1) Come home EXCITED to share with you what they were able to eat! (2) ENJOY fun snacks! (3) Feel completely INCLUDED in group activities!
We also know, we can’t do this alone. We need your help!
The number one thing we ask from you: Please communicate and ask questions.
We have a specific volunteer to help accommodate our kids with dietary differences. Please contact this person before and during VBS week with any concerns or questions. We are here for you!
For any food issues, questions, or concerns, contact: ____(fill in name & contact info)_
We have compiled a list of planned snacks and alternatives. If you have even better ideas or choose to provide your own, let us know.
Because of the variety of dietary needs, we many not be able to accommodate all, but we are going to try our absolute best!
We want your children to have fun, to feel included, and to have the most comparable alternatives as possible.
Thank you for trusting us to serve your children,
(your signature)
3) Print A List Of Planned Snacks For Families With Dietary Restrictions
I know VBS can be last minute and stressful, but hopefully you will have your snacks for the week chosen and purchased before it begins.
Parents will appreciate a full snack list for the week on the 1st day of VBS, if not before. It shows you are considerate and diligent. And that you understand how difficult dietary restrictions are for their family.
Be Specific With Your Snack List
If you are having a Smores Treat on Wednesday, don’t just list smores.
Instead, list WEDNESDAY: Honey Maid Graham Crackers, Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, and Hershey Chocolate Bars.
Include The Brand Name Of The Snack Item
You don’t need to print the ingredient list of each item. However, listing the brand name shows awareness. All Graham Crackers do not have the same ingredients. However, all Honey Maid Honey Graham Crackers do.
If you are able to arrange alternatives for the common dietary issues, like GF/DF, list them as well.
Keep your communication open with these parents. They may have amazing suggestions too.
4) Work With Parents To Provide Substitutes Where Possible
Enlist some parents who have lived this, and you will have a wealth of information and ideas.
As a parent of a GF/DF kid, if a VBS volunteer called me to let me know on Wednesday the kids are making caterpillars out of mini-donuts … and that they didn’t have any GF/DF mini-donuts …
I would jump up and down thrilled for the heads up! And I would happily find a comparable alternative for my child and send it in.
I would be forever grateful for the communication and the opportunity to provide something so my child could join in the fun!
5) 12 Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Snacks To Have On Hand At Vacation Bible School
(This does NOT address Celiac or nut allergies. Please do the research and enlist parent help, depending on who you have participating.)
SNYDER BRAND GLUTEN FREE PRETZELS
They taste better than the real thing. And usually are cheaper and easier to find than the specialized GF/DF Brands.
FRUIT SNACKS
Many fruit snacks are gluten and dairy-free. We like Welch’s and Mott’s brand.
FRUIT BY THE FOOT/FRUIT ROLL-UPS
So fun! Everyone likes fruit roll-ups!
POPSICLES & BOMB POPS
Great alternative to ice cream treats. GF/DF Ice Cream exists but it is expensive!
REGULAR LAYS POTATO CHIPS
Potato Chips are a great salty snack. But stay away from special flavors. The flavors are where it gets tricky. Read ingredients.
BOOM CHICK A POP SWEET & SALTY KETTLE CORN
So delicious. (actually, you might just want to keep this snack for you!)
FRESH FRUIT
I know they are not fun junk food, but berries and melons and oranges are so happy! And most kids love them lots.
CUCUMBERS
Although many kids will snack on yellow & red bell peppers, carrots and more, MOST kids like cucumbers. Cut them into wedges like cucumber sticks and that’s even a bigger hit than circles.
CANDY OPTIONS
Skittles & Starburst are favorites!
And if you want to splurge on some extra-special GF/DF Snacks:
MIDEL CHOCOLATE SANDWICH COOKIES
The Best Oreo Copycat out there. (Many GF cookies taste really awful!)
KATZ BRAND DOUGHNUTS
Best GF/DF Doughnuts we have found.
KATZ BRAND VANILLA CREAM CAKE
This is a scrumptious Twinkie Copycat!
Looking for a step-by-step guide to starting or restarting your children’s ministry?
Check out the Children’s Ministry Bundle For Small Churches!
FOR A LIST OF QUICK FACTS ABOUT GF/DF TO HELP TRAIN YOUR STAFF, PLEASE CHECK OUT:
YOUTH MINISTRY: Traveling with Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Kids
For better understanding of why it’s important for churches to cater to these dietary needs, check out that same post:
YOUTH MINISTRY: Traveling with Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Kids
