Build a tornado tube to remind kids they can rely on God in any
Bible Connect: Luke 8:22-25
Best for: Ages 8 to 12
Stuff Per Group: Two 2-liter plastic soft drink
bottles, water, one 1-inch metal washer, duct tape, food coloring,
Kids LOVE these Sunday School resources!
The Experiment: Say: Let’s recreate a terrifying
force in nature to see how it works.
Fill one bottle two-thirds full with water. Add food coloring and
glitter to the water. Put the metal washer on the bottle mouth,
then place the second bottle upside down on the first bottle so the
mouths are connected by the washer. Tightly wrap several layers of
duct tape around the bottle mouths to secure them, creating a
tornado tube. Test the tube to ensure no water leaks. Turn the
bottle over, start the tornado by swirling the top bottle, and
watch the water simulate a tornado as it swirls down.
Scientific Facts: Water swirling in the tube is similar to
the vortex of a tornado. The water spirals down, moving the glitter
with it-just like a tornado moves objects in its path. The largest
tornado recorded to date: May 22, 2004, in Wilber, Nebraska at 2.5
Talk About It: Have kids talk about how they’d
feel if they were in a tornado and then describe a situation when
they were afraid. Ask: What made that situation scary? What did you
do? Read the Scripture. Have you ever felt like the disciples did?
How easy or difficult is it to trust God when you’re afraid? Why?
What’s a good way to remember we can trust God the next time we