Yeast and Balloon Experiment

Science at home is always fun. If you’re looking for an easy and engaging activity to try with your kids, you’re going to love this Yeast and Balloon Experiment. It’s fun, it’s surprising, and best of all—it uses things you likely already have at home.

If you’re looking for more ways to make science simple and engaging for your kids, you’ll want to check out my page, Simple Homeschool Science Experiments. It’s packed with fun ideas that don’t require a lot of prep.

I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this hands-on yeast and balloon project. From fun facts about yeast to what your kids will learn, keep reading to get all the details you need to try this experiment today.

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Three Interesting Facts About Yeast

• Yeast is a living organism—it’s a type of fungus.
• It’s used in baking to help bread rise by producing carbon dioxide.
• There are over 1,500 species of yeast found all over the world.

Recommended Science Experiment Books

Science books can be a great way to build on your work at home. Look for ones that offer hands-on activities with clear instructions and colorful visuals.

Awesome Science Experiments for Kids: 100+ Fun STEM / STEAM Projects and Why They Work (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You!Awesome Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids: 50 STEAM Projects You Can Eat! (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)Awesome Outdoor Science Experiments for Kids: 50+ STEAM Projects and Why They Work (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)Steve Spangler’s Super-Cool Science Experiments for Kids: 50 mind-blowing STEM projects you can do at homeSmithsonian 10-Minute Science Experiments: 50+ quick, easy and awesome projects for kids

 

How do you explain the yeast and sugar experiment?

When yeast feeds on sugar, it releases a gas called carbon dioxide. That gas needs somewhere to go, so it fills up the balloon attached to the bottle. It’s a great way actually to see a chemical reaction take place.

This is one of those activities that makes science feel real and exciting. Kids get to see something change right before their eyes, and it’s a chance to talk about gases, living things, and chemical reactions in a hands-on way.

Recommended Science Printable Packs

These learning packs are a great way to reinforce what your kids learn from experiments like this. These printables help make science lessons fun and easy to follow.

What Can Kids Learn From This Activity?

This activity is more than just fun—it’s educational, too. Here’s what your kids are picking up:

• Understanding how yeast works as a living organism
• Observing a basic chemical reaction in action
• Learning how gases are created and take up space

Recommended STEM Kits

STEM kits are a great investment if your kids love exploring and learning through experiments. They make it easy to keep that excitement going with a variety of hands-on tools and activities.

110 Lab Experiments Science Kits for Kids – STEM Projects Educational Scientific Toys for kids 6 7 8 9 10 12 Years Old, Christmas Birthday Gifts for Boys and Girls, Chemistry Set, Learning & EducationNational Geographic Kids Junior Chemistry Set – Complete Early Learning Lab Kit with 50 Science Experiments and 20+ Lab Tools for Kids Aged 4-6Science Magnets Experiment Set for Kids Electricity and Magnetism Kit for Students Stem Kit Physics Lab Basic Circuit Tools for Learning StarterJapace 100+ Experiments Science Kit for Kids, Cool Boy Christmas Birthday Gift Ideas, Chemistry and Physics Set STEM Toys for Boys GirlsDoctor Jupiter My First Science Kit for Kids Ages 4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 | Birthday, Easter Gift Ideas for 4+ Year Old Boys & Girls | STEM Learning & Educational Toys | Preschool Learning ActivitiesScientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Experiment Kit, 11 Mind Blowing Science Activities and Experiments (Ages 6+)

 

Yeast Science Activity Supplies

• plastic bottle
• activated yeast or a yeast envelope
• sugar
• warm water
• balloon
• funnel

Making the Balloon and Yeast Science Activity

We tried this one morning after breakfast when the house was finally quiet. My daughter helped me gather the supplies while the toddler was napping. We got everything set up on the kitchen table.

She measured out the yeast and sugar while I held the funnel over the bottle. Once we added the warm water, she gave it a careful swirl. She was so curious about what would happen next and kept her eyes glued to the bottle.

The balloon started to inflate slowly, and her face lit up when she saw it growing. That was the moment the learning really stuck. Even my older kids came over to check it out. It became a great science conversation around the table.

More Science Experiments to Try

Looking for more hands-on projects your kids will actually enjoy? I’ve got plenty of easy science activities you can do at home with minimal prep and supplies.

• Invisible Ink Experiment
• Dancing Popcorn Experiment
• Lemon Volcanoes Experiment
• Floating Egg Science Experiment
• Liquid or Solid Science Experiment by Darcy and Brian
• Ocean-Themed Skittles Candy Science Experiment by Homeschool Preschool

Science doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. Simple experiments like this one can lead to big learning moments. This easy experiment is always a hit in our home, and I hope it becomes one in yours, too.