A time capsule is a fun way for families to preserve their cherished memories. Uncovering your time capsule after a set period of time is thrilling for everyone!
Creating a time capsule is something many of us have done in our childhood. This is an activity that gets the whole family involved in doing something worthwhile together. A time capsule is actually a way of leaving something behind through which future generations can remember us (if you leave it alone for a long period of time, that is). Here is a fun-filled way to make a time capsule.
A time capsule may be your own unique family idea packed with your own family traditions and memories that is made from scratch, or you can follow the instructions given if you are interested in burying a time capsule that is already put together. People as families enjoy digging up their own time capsules after a mutually decided period of time. In most families time capsules are bought and buried at the beginning of a year, but this is not a hard and fast rule. You can bury a time capsule for yourself at any point in time.
Buy a Time Capsule
Making a time capsule is not always as difficult as it may seem. Sure, it takes planning and gathering of materials, but this is one of the most meaningful parts of having a time capsule. One way of going about it is to buy a well prepared time capsule and bury it deep under the ground. You can find pre-made time capsules at places like Time Capsule 2000 and Future Packaging and Preservation. Time capsules can be expensive, so depending on your budget and how serious you are about having a time capsule, you may consider making your own.
Make Your Own Time Capsule
Another way of doing it is to create your own time capsule and bury it. A good container for your homemade time capsule could consist of:
- Potato chip can
- Oatmeal container
- Coffee container
- Popcorn container
- Any other tin canister with a lid
The important thing is to make sure the lid is able to be fastened tightly to keep your memories and tokens safe. Once you have a sturdy tin canister you will want to cover it with aluminum foil. Then simply add your heirlooms, seal the container up, and find a place to bury it. If you bury it inside, make sure it is a place that no one goes to often, so the temptation to dig it out is lessened (attic, basement, etc.). If you bury it outside, be sure to dig a hole deep enough that the container will not be affected by weather.
Later on you can dig it out after the decided time period has passed and see what changes have taken place in that span of time (5 years, 10 years, or longer). This is the hardest part for children. At first they will want to check that the time capsule is still in its proper place, but after a few months have passed, the anxiousness will wear off, and when the time comes to find it again, they will be older and very curious to see what they added to the capsule.
What to Put in Your Time Capsule
Things to add to your time capsule could include:
- Money and coins
- Shoes
- Clothes that are in style
- A piece of jewelry
- Cookbooks
- Photographs (in protected sheets)
- A pet collar
- Tickets to event you have recently attended
The list can go on and on, as you can see. When you open your time capsule the memories will just flood back, and it is truly an exciting time for a family to share.
