Peace That Bubbles Over: Dry Ice Version | Object Lesson

Main Point: God wants us to be peacemakers who carry the message of Jesus wherever we go. Just as a bubble carries fog from one place to another, we can bring the peace of God into our homes, schools, friendships, and everyday situations.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:15: “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Additional Scripture: Philippians 4:6–7: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Lesson Overview

Can a bubble filled with fog teach children about the peace of God? This exciting science demonstration uses dry ice, warm water, and a soap solution to create a large, fog-filled bubble that grows right before the children’s eyes!

As the bubble expands and eventually bursts, releasing a cloud of fog, children will learn that God doesn’t want us to keep His peace to ourselves. He wants us to carry the Gospel of peace wherever we go and demonstrate His love through our words, attitudes, and actions.

The lesson connects this memorable demonstration to Ephesians 6:15, where Paul describes having our feet prepared with the Gospel of peace as part of the armor of God. Children will also learn practical ways to become peacemakers when disagreements arise.

Video Demonstration: Watch the Dry Ice Bubble Demonstration

Supplies Needed

• Dry ice (a small amount, handled only by a trained adult)
• Warm water
• Large, sturdy, wide-mouthed container suitable for dry ice demonstrations
• Liquid dish soap
• Small bowl for mixing the soap solution
• Clean cloth strip or thick string long enough to stretch across the container’s opening
• Tray or waterproof surface to catch spills
• Gloves suitable for handling dry ice
• Safety goggles
• Tongs suitable for handling dry ice
• Bible

Important Safety Precautions

Dry ice is extremely cold (approximately -109°F / -78.5°C) and can cause severe frostbite on contact. It also releases carbon dioxide gas as it warms. This demonstration should be performed only by an adult who understands how to handle dry ice safely.

• Never allow children to touch or handle dry ice. Keep all materials and equipment beyond their reach.
• Use appropriate protective equipment. The teacher should wear safety goggles and suitable insulated gloves when handling dry ice.
• Never seal dry ice inside a container. The demonstration vessel must remain open so gas can escape freely. Never use a bottle, jar, or other container with a tight-fitting lid.

If the teacher has not previously performed a dry ice demonstration, arrange for an experienced adult to conduct it. Do not improvise with unfamiliar equipment or quantities.

Preparation

Before class, watch the dry ice bubble demonstration to become familiar with the effect and the general presentation.

Practice the demonstration in a suitable, well-ventilated location without children present. Use equipment and quantities specified by a reliable dry ice demonstration guide.

The basic principle is that dry ice changes directly from a solid into carbon dioxide gas. When placed in warm water, this process accelerates, creating a visible fog as water vapor condenses into tiny droplets. A soap film stretched across the opening of the container can trap the expanding gas and fog, forming a large bubble.

Prepare the soap solution in a separate bowl using water and liquid dish soap. A cloth strip or thick string can be used to create a soap film across the opening of the demonstration container.

Before the children arrive, position the demonstration materials on a sturdy table with a protective tray underneath. Keep the dry ice in its appropriate storage container until the demonstration begins.

Teacher Tip: The bubble may take a few attempts to form successfully. Practice ahead of time and have extra soap solution available. The demonstration should be performed only with equipment designed or verified for this purpose.

How to Teach the Object Lesson

Step 1: Introduce the Mystery Bubble

Begin by showing the children the demonstration container and asking: “How many of you have ever blown bubbles? What usually happens when you blow a bubble into the air?”

Allow the children to respond. They may mention that bubbles float, drift through the air, or pop when they touch something.

Say: “Today, we’re going to make a very unusual bubble. Instead of blowing it with our mouths, we’re going to use something called dry ice to create a bubble filled with fog!”

Explain that dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide. Unlike ordinary ice, which melts into liquid water, dry ice changes directly into a gas as it warms.

Tell the children that the dry ice is extremely cold and must only be handled by the teacher.

Step 2: Create the Fog-Filled Bubble

With the children watching from a safe distance, begin the prepared demonstration.

Using appropriate protective equipment and tongs, the trained adult places the planned amount of dry ice into the demonstration container with warm water, following the procedure practiced beforehand.

As the dry ice reacts with the warm water, a thick white fog begins to rise from the container.

Ask: “What do you see happening? Where do you think all that fog is coming from?”

Explain that the dry ice is changing into carbon dioxide gas, and the cold gas causes moisture in the surrounding air to condense into a visible fog.

Using the prepared soap solution and cloth strip, the teacher carefully forms a soap film across the opening of the container.

As gas continues to rise, the soap film begins expanding into a large bubble filled with fog.

Allow the children to watch as the bubble grows.

Say: “Look at that! The bubble is getting bigger and bigger, and it’s holding all that fog inside!”

When the bubble eventually bursts, the fog will spread into the surrounding air.

Ask: “What happened when the bubble popped? Did you see how the fog spread out?”

Explain that the bubble carried the fog until it burst, releasing it into the air.

Say: “That bubble was carrying something inside it. Today, we’re going to use that picture to learn about something God wants us to carry wherever WE go!”

Step 3: The Gospel of Peace

Open your Bible and read Ephesians 6:15: “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Explain that this verse is part of a passage where the Apostle Paul describes the armor of God. Just as a soldier needs proper equipment to stand strong, Christians need to be spiritually prepared.

One piece of that armor involves our feet and the Gospel of peace.

Ask: “What do we use our feet for?”

Allow the children to respond. Explain that our feet take us everywhere we go. We use them to walk around our homes, go to school, attend church, and visit other places.

Say: “God wants us to be ready to live out and share the Gospel of peace wherever we go. That means we should be prepared to tell others about Jesus and show His love through the way we treat people.”

Point back to the demonstration.

Say: “Just as that bubble carried the fog, we should carry the message of Jesus wherever we go. People should be able to see something different about the way we live and treat others.”

Explain that the peace of Jesus isn’t simply about avoiding arguments. It begins with having a right relationship with God and trusting Him with our lives.

Step 4: The Peace That Comes from God

Read Philippians 4:6–7: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Explain that sometimes we face situations that make us feel worried, upset, frustrated, or afraid.

Maybe we’re nervous about something at school. Perhaps we’re having trouble getting along with a friend. Sometimes things happen that we don’t understand.

But the Bible tells us that we can bring our concerns to God through prayer.

Say: “When we pray and trust Jesus, He can give us peace even when everything around us seems confusing or difficult. His peace helps us remain calm and trust Him.”

Explain that God’s peace doesn’t mean we will never experience problems. It means we can trust Him and seek His help even when life becomes difficult.

Ask: “If Jesus helps us have peace in our hearts, how do you think that should affect the way we treat other people?”

Encourage the children to recognize that people who are learning to trust God should also learn to respond to others with patience, kindness, and understanding.

Step 5: Bringing Peace Into Difficult Situations

Explain that being a peacemaker means doing what we can to help others get along rather than making disagreements worse.

Present a situation the children might experience.

Say: “Imagine two friends are playing a game. Both of them want to go first, and they begin arguing. One says, ‘It’s MY turn!’ The other says, ‘No, it’s MY turn!’ Before long, they’re both angry.”

Ask: “What could you do if you were standing nearby? Would it help to start shouting too? Would it help to pick a side and make the other person feel worse?”

Allow the children to suggest possible solutions.

Explain that a peacemaker tries to understand what is happening and looks for a fair way to help.

Invite two volunteers to act as the friends who are disagreeing. Have a third child practice being the peacemaker.

Encourage the peacemaker to listen to both friends and suggest a solution, such as taking turns, using a timer, or finding a way to play together.

After the demonstration, ask: “Was it easier to solve the problem when everyone was arguing, or when someone listened and helped them work together?”

Explain that bringing peace doesn’t mean we always get our own way. Sometimes it means being willing to listen, compromise, forgive, or put someone else’s needs ahead of our own.

Step 6: Carrying Peace Wherever We Go

Refer back to the fog-filled bubble demonstration.

Say: “Remember how that bubble carried the fog? Think about all the places your feet will take you this week. You’ll go home, maybe to school, to the store, to church, or to visit friends. In every one of those places, you have an opportunity to show the peace and love of Jesus.”

Give the children a few practical examples.

At home: When a brother or sister does something frustrating, we can choose to respond with patience instead of anger.

At school: When classmates are arguing, we can avoid adding to the conflict and look for ways to encourage kindness.

At church: When someone feels left out, we can welcome them and help them feel included.

With friends: When someone hurts our feelings, we can choose forgiveness rather than trying to get even.

Explain that being a peacemaker doesn’t mean ignoring serious problems or allowing someone to mistreat us. Sometimes the right way to bring peace is to ask a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult for help.

Remind the children that the Gospel of peace is ultimately the good news of Jesus Christ. Our kind actions can help others see His love, and our words can tell them about the salvation He offers.

Bringing the Lesson Home

Point back to the demonstration and remind the children of the message in Ephesians 6:15.

Say: “God wants our feet to be ready with the Gospel of peace. That means wherever we go, we should be prepared to represent Jesus through our words and actions.”

Explain that children don’t have to be preachers or missionaries to share the peace of Jesus. They can make a difference in ordinary situations by being kind, helping someone who is struggling, forgiving others, and telling their friends about Jesus.

Encourage the children to think about one place they will go this week where they can be a peacemaker.

Remind them that the peace of God begins with our relationship with Him. As we pray, obey His Word, and allow His Spirit to work in our lives, He helps us demonstrate His love to the people around us.

Wherever your feet take you, be ready to carry the Gospel of peace!