Make a time capsule
Make a personal time capsule by selecting small keepsakes, writing a dated letter, sealing them in a waterproof container, and choosing a safe storage spot.
About this activity
Make a personal time capsule by selecting small keepsakes, writing a dated letter, sealing them in a waterproof container, and choosing a safe storage spot.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the Materials Needed and bring them to a clean workspace.
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Step 2
Lay out your small keepsakes on the table so you can see every item.
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Step 3
Choose which keepsakes you want to put inside your time capsule.
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Step 4
Write a dated letter to your future self on the paper.
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Step 5
Fold the letter neatly so it fits in the bag.
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Step 6
Put the folded letter into the resealable plastic bag and seal the bag.
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Step 7
Put any delicate keepsakes like photos or tickets into a resealable bag to protect them.
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Step 8
Place the bagged letter and your chosen keepsakes into the waterproof container.
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Step 9
Use the permanent marker to write today’s date and the year you want to open the capsule on the outside of the container.
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Step 10
Close the container lid as tightly as it will go.
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Step 11
Wrap tape around the seam of the lid for extra waterproofing if you want extra protection.
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Step 12
Choose a safe dry storage spot indoors or decide to bury it outside with an adult’s help.
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Step 13
Put your sealed time capsule into the chosen spot so it sits safely and will not be disturbed.
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Step 14
Tell a grown-up where you stored it and the exact opening date so it can be remembered.
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Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I make a personal time capsule with my child?
Start by collecting small keepsakes and a dated letter describing current life and feelings. Photograph or scan fragile items. Place everything in sealed bags with silica gel packets, then put into a waterproof, airtight container (metal tin, PVC pipe, or heavy-duty plastic). Label the outside with sealing date and intended open date. Choose a safe storage spot indoors or a well-marked, dry burial site with adult help. Keep an inventory list and a reminder to open on the chosen date.
What materials do I need to make a time capsule?
You'll need a waterproof, airtight container (stainless steel tin, PVC pipe, or heavy-duty plastic), resealable plastic bags, silica gel packets to control moisture, paper and pens for a dated letter, small keepsakes (photos, drawings, trinkets), permanent marker or labels, duct tape for extra sealing, a camera/phone to document items, and a notebook to record the inventory and the chosen open date.
What ages is a time capsule activity suitable for?
This activity suits a wide range: ages 4–6 can choose and place simple, nonbreakable keepsakes with close adult supervision; ages 7–10 can write letters, make lists, and help seal the container; ages 11–15 can plan contents, photograph items, and pick storage locations responsibly. Always involve an adult for sealing, burying, or storing in basements/attics, and tailor complexity to the child’s attention and fine-motor skills.
What safety tips should I know when making a time capsule?
Safety tips: avoid perishable, sharp, or hazardous items and never include living things. Use a corrosion-resistant, waterproof container and add silica gel and separate sealed bags for paper. If burying, pick a non-flood area, mark the spot, and get adult permission; check local regulations before digging. Don’t include bank cards, very sensitive personal data, or irreplaceable legal documents. Keep a digital record of contents and the opening date with a trusted adult.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a waterproof container or resealable plastic bags?
If you don't have a waterproof container, use a clean metal coffee can or a plastic food storage tub with a tight lid and put your folded dated letter and delicate keepsakes into resealable freezer bags or vacuum-sealed bags before placing them inside and wrapping the lid seam with duct tape.
My photos got damp or the lid won't seal tightly—what should I do?
If photos get damp or the lid won't seal, put each photo and the folded letter into individual resealable plastic bags, press out excess air and seal them, add a silica gel packet if available, then close the waterproof container fully and wrap the seam with heavy-duty tape.
How can I adapt this activity for younger kids or older kids?
For younger children, have an adult help gather keepsakes, let them draw or dictate a short dated letter and place items into resealable bags and the waterproof container, while older kids can add a labeled USB or extra keepsakes and use the permanent marker to write a precise opening year before sealing.
How can we make the time capsule more special or long-lasting?
To personalize and extend longevity, decorate the outside with permanent marker or waterproof stickers, include a printed photo and a list of favorites inside a resealable bag, add a desiccant pack, write the opening date clearly on the container, and tape the lid seam for extra waterproofing.