Making a Time Capsule With Kids

Making a time capsule can be a fun project to do with kids that also is a way to preserve cherished memories. Consider starting out summer by choosing and decorating a container to use for the capsule itself.

Choosing the right container is important. Make sure it is air- and water-tight. It should also be sturdy enough to stay intact while in storage.

Young kids may want to open the capsule the day after it is sealed, because patience is hard for younger children. Decide how long the capsule should be stored, and the longer the better.

It is easiest to put the capsule somewhere out of the children's reach, or to hide it from them. The capsule should be stored in this secure location for a period of years. Generally 5-10 years is a good timeframe.

Choosing the right items to preserve memories is a lot of fun. Discuss with kids that you want to make memories and put mementos in the capsule, and ask for ideas and suggestions. Possible items include:

Small items such as toys, letters, drawings, crafts, awards, and so on. Photographs can also be included, but should be enclosed in photo-safe envelopes to store safely. You can also include DVDs or tapes you have recorded memories on, but consider how long you will be storing the capsule. Will the DVD you can easily play in your player today still work in any available technology 10 or more years in the future?

Figure out how to remind yourself of where the capsule is stored, especially if you have stored it somewhere like an attic or have buried it in the backyard. People sometimes think they will remember when the time comes to open the capsule, but ten years or more later find they have forgotten! It's also important to have reminders in place so you remember to take the capsule with you if you move.

Remember that the time capsule is a personal keepsake for your family. Fill it with items that are meaningful for you, not with news clippings and various pieces that tell of what was happening in the world. There will always be news archives you can access for media information from the past. On the other hand, you may be the only archivist of your family's personal history.

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