Beyond the Frogs and Ferns: Why Rainforest Falls Reaches Today’s Kids

Gen Alpha—today’s kids born after 2010—are growing up in a fast-paced, hyper-connected, and often confusing world. They’re the first generation raised entirely in the digital age, where answers come in seconds but true wisdom and emotional grounding are harder to find.

As a children’s ministry leader with three decades of experience creating VBS programs, I’ve watched generations of kids pass through VBS. But Gen Alpha presents a unique challenge—and a powerful opportunity.

These kids don’t just want to know what to believe. They want to know why it matters. They crave authenticity, relationships, and real connection. That’s why our team wanted kids to explore the nature of God—his very character. Our goal? To help kids build not just faith but a lifelong friendship with their creator.

At many summer programs, kids learn Bible stories and key takeaways—and that’s wonderful. But what if, this summer, they explored deeper?

What if they left not only knowing about God but truly knowing who God is and how that relates to their everyday lives?

• God is our creator. (You were made for a purpose!)
• God knows everything. (He understands your heart.)
• God is our safe place. (You can find comfort and peace.)
• God is love. (No matter what, you are loved!)
• God is forever. (You have the hope of heaven.)

Through these practical Bible truths, kids get to know their loving creator and comforter. That’s powerful! Transformation happens as kids encounter God’s character, not just his acts. We intentionally designed experiences to help kids understand God’s heart, giving them a starting point for a relationship, not with a distant deity, but with forever friend.

Testing doesn’t just help us work out the wrinkles in activities. It gives us a chance to listen to kids, hear their hearts, and watch their reactions. Here are just a few things we gathered from watching kids at Rainforest Falls:

1. Kids are overwhelmed.
   From academic pressure to online comparison, Gen Alpha is under stress at younger and younger ages. They leaned into knowing they can find peace in God’s presence and rest in his unconditional love.
2. Kids are relational.
   Kids thrive on connection but often feel isolated behind screens. Small groups gave kids the chance to build new friendships. Exploring God’s nature helped them discover that God listens, understands, and walks with them daily.
3. They want authenticity.
   Kids can spot a fake a mile away. Leaders shared their own experiences and struggles. Kids didn’t get “churchy” promises. They engaged in conversations about real, everyday life—and how God is a part of every bit of it.

Trust me—kids will run, laugh, be silly, and have a blast at Rainforest Falls. That’s a given! But our team poured extra attention into what happens after VBS. Kids will be cheering “Wow, God!” countless times every day—verbalizing wonder and awe in their maker! They didn’t just watch science experiments; they did them! That hands-on discovery engages neurons, making powerful faith and life connections. Kids didn’t sit back and watch a Bible drama. Nope, they interacted with David as he hid from King Saul. Emotion is a powerful learning tool, helping us recall experiences long after they occur.

All these intentional ingredients mean every moment kids spend at Rainforest Falls is purposeful, with the goal of lifelong learning.

When kids begin to understand God’s heart, they grow a faith that lasts.
When they see God as more than a subject for Sunday mornings, they carry that truth into middle school, high school, and beyond.

This summer, remember that it’s more than jungle vines and tiny tree frogs. You have the chance to change lives for eternity. Let’s impact a generation that doesn’t just know about God…but who truly knows God.

Step through the mist into Rainforest Falls, overflowing with wild waterfalls, towering trees, and colorful creatures. Beneath a canopy of chattering birds and howling monkeys, kids plunge into a lifelong adventure of discovering the nature of God. They’ll explore what it means to be rooted in relationship with God, their creator, a safe place in life’s storms.