Kitchen Science: Blowing Up A Balloon

An extract from the new resource Heaven’s Kitchen for parents, elementary and preschool.

Supplies:
1 package active dry yeast
1 cup very warm water (105-115 degrees F)
2 tablespoons
sugar
large balloon
empty water or soda bottle (any size no larger than 1 liter)

Blow up the balloon a few times to stretch it out.  Add the yeast and sugar to the cup of water and stir. Once dissolved, pour the mixture into the bottle. The water should start to bubble. Attach the balloon to the mouth of the bottle.

Today we learned that yeast is powerful. It only takes a little bit to make a big difference. Do you think that the bubbles made from the yeast will be strong enough to blow up this balloon? You will want to keep watch on the balloon for the rest of the lesson to see what happens. (After a few minutes the balloon should begin to inflate.)

The bubbles that make the bread rise are the same bubbles that made the balloon inflate. As you can see, yeast is powerful.
Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like yeast. It only takes a little bit to make a huge difference. The bubbles that make the bread rise are the same bubbles that made the balloon inflate. As you can see, yeast is powerful.

Our faith can make a big difference in the world when the power of the Holy Spirit is working through us. It might be as simple as smiling at someone having a bad day. Perhaps it is running up and helping someone who has dropped something. It might be praying for someone who is hurting. It may be telling someone that Jesus loves them when they feel all alone. Sometimes it is hard to do those things. It might take courage if we are shy or if we are afraid we will be made fun of, however, we can ask God to give us the courage to be the influence He wants us to be.