Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

This project is simple, and fun for kids (and adults) to put together and open up months or years later. Back to School time is perfect to put together a small time capsule to bury in the backyard or put together with other student’s time capsules at school or daycare. It’s optional when you re-open it, at the end of the school year or even years later.

Time capsules are a fun way to preserve something about yourself.

Materials needed:

• Metal/heavy plastic container that will seal completely with a lid.
• Small Ziploc baggies
• Permanent marker
• Paper scraps
• Miscellaneous bobbles such as small toys, buttons, scrap fabric
• Photo of pet and or family

Directions:

1. Start out by finding a suitable container. In my example, I used a cute tin that I had in my studio. It has a hinged lid so it could remain closed tight. The best containers are those with a tight lid, and the container itself will not mulch down. (Paper or cardboard containers could be used if wrapped in plastic or put inside a Ziploc bag.)
2. Locate items around your house/room that will fit easily inside the container.
3. For my example, I selected items that would represent me: A small goat figure (because I raise dairy goats), lipgloss (because who doesn’t love lipgloss?), a small prism, buttons (favorite colors), a butterfly charm, crayons (I love crayons), a quarter, a toy car, a lollipop, a photo of some barn kitties, and 2 little cards I wrote on and put inside small Ziploc baggies.
4. There aren’t any rules for making the perfect time capsule. The more creative you are, the more fun it will be when you open it again. Some people like to write a note to whomever may some day open it, which is also good writing practice for children. Any items that are on paper or cardstock (and photos) should be put into the small Ziploc baggies to protect them from the elements.
5. After all of the items are gathered, notes written, place all of the items inside a Ziploc bag and then place inside the container.
6. Seal the container lid edge with tape.
7. Put container in plastic bag or Ziploc bag (optional) if you live in an area that is real wet.