If you have never done a New Year Time Capsule Box you should make one this year with your family.
This is such a fun and meaningful project to do as a family and years from now you will be amazed to see what you saved.
This is one of my favorite New Year’s Eve Traditions since it’s an easy way to reflect on the past year and look forward to new adventures ahead.
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What is a Time Capsule?
A time capsule is basically a container where items are put to be retrieved and looked at again sometime in the distant future so future generations can share in the history and memories from that time. This practice of burying artifacts for future discovery dates back to ancient civilizations, where pharaohs and emperors often placed treasures and mementos in their tombs to be found in the afterlife.
The term “time capsule” was first used in 1939 at the New York World’s Fair when the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company buried a container filled with contemporary artifacts meant to be opened in the year 6939. This capsule contained everyday items, newsreels, and even a letter from Albert Einstein, representing a snapshot of life in the 1930s.
What do you Include in a New Year Time Capsule?
Traditional time capsules will include items that may be of interest to people in the future. The time capsule is supposed to show what life was like the year you created the time capsule.
A New Year Time Capsule is a little bit different because you are going to be opening it up yourself with your family the following year on New Year’s Eve.
Information
Your time capsule box will include some information about you and your family members.
Each person can fill out these printable forms (see below to get these free printables) to include in the box:
- All About Me
- Last Year’s Accomplishments
- This Year’s Goals
- A Letter to My Future Self
Fun Extras
It is also fun to include a current picture of each person, small items or trinkets that you love and maybe even a napkin from your favorite restaurant. If you think you’ll need a little reminder of why you included any of the items, you can include a small note with them.
In case you need some ideas for the favorite trinkets or toys:
- School ribbon/award
- Art projects/drawings
- Souvenirs from family trips
- Tickets or event programs from movies or concerts
- School papers (like a favorite story they wrote or test with a great grade, etc.)
- Certificates or ribbons from sports games or other extracurricular activities
- Holiday decoration
- Small toy (that they won’t miss too much)
- Jewelry
- Book
- Party items like confetti (to celebrate when you open the container)
What do we put the Items in?
If you plan to actually bury this New Years Time Capsule Box you will want to get a very sturdy waterproof container.
There are some awesome containers for sale that double as geocache boxes. Here are some good ones:
- Time Capsule Stainless Steel Container
- Outdoor Waterproof Survival Container Capsule
- Large Time Capsule Airtight Waterproof Storage Jar
- Outdoor Products Watertight Box
The good news is that you do NOT have to bury this time capsule if you don’t want to. It is fine to just put it away in the top of your closet until next year.
If you’re doing that, then grab a shoebox and put the printable time capsule label on it. You can even decorate the shoebox if you want.
Why Make a New Year Time Capsule?
Making a New Year Time Capsule Box is a fun family activity. It can become a tradition to create a box each New Year’s Eve.
It also gives you a chance to look back on your year. Writing down your accomplishments from this year can help you realize what you achieved — your kids will be so proud of what they’ve done too.
Looking ahead to the coming year and writing down some goals will give you some motivation to reach those goals. Knowing you (and your kids) will be looking at these goals in a year will keep you on track.
These are great principals to start instilling in our children and working on them through a time capsule project makes it fun.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools for Printables
Printer: This one is a great budget printer. If you’re willing to spend just a little more though, this is a better option. And if you’re looking for an all-in-one home office machine, this one does it all, has high reviews and includes 2 years of ink.
Ink cartridges: Speaking of ink, this is where the cost of using printables can really add up! To save BIG on ink, buy it from CompAndSave.com. It’s substantially cheaper than anywhere else and they carry ink for all major printer brands and models.
Printer paper or cardstock: If you’re printing for one-time, quick use, print on regular printer paper. If you need the printout to hold up to being handled often, choose cardstock.
Markers and Pens: The right writing instrument makes a big difference! Depending on what I’m writing, I have different preferences. Here are my favorites for each type:
- Ball point pens – These are the ones I use for regular note taking
- Gel pens – My favorites for journaling
- Fine point permanent markers – These are my favorite for coloring
- Markers – These are my favorites for kids since there are no caps to lose and the kids can easily open and close them on their own
Clipboard: I love this clipboard for on-the-go with the kids. It has built in storage for both printables and markers or pencils.
Download the Free New Year Time Capsule Box Printables
I have a whole set of New Year Time Capsule Box printables to make this project very easy to do.
You can download and print these off for your own personal use at home.
Just fill in the form below.
Printable FAQs
Fill in the form above. After you submit the form, you’ll receive an email from “Wondermom Wannabe” with a direct link to the printable. If you do not see the email in your inbox within a few minutes, check your spam folder.
The most likely place will be in your computer’s Downloads folder. You can also select “Downloads” in your browser menu to see a list of your downloads, then simply select “Show in folder” below the file name to see where it is stored on your computer.
You’ll need a program that supports PDFS, like Adobe Acrobat (which is free). Open the program, click File > Print. Select your printer and set the number of copies you want to print. Double check your print preview, then click print.
Additional New Year’s Fun
Keep the New Year fun going strong with some of these other fun printables, activities and treats.
- Simple New Year Dice Game for Kids: Make New Year’s Eve fun for kids with this simple printable dice game. Get kids excited about counting down with this engaging New Year’s game.
- New Year Countdown Activity for Kids: This printable countdown activity is perfect for keeping little ones engaged and entertained as they count down until midnight.
- New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for Teens: Plan the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration with these awesome party ideas for teens. These decorations, treats, and activities will keep them entertained until the clock strikes midnight.
- Sugar Plum Hot Chocolate: Warm up this holiday season with Sugar Plum Hot Chocolate! This cozy, kid-friendly drink combines rich and fruity with a sweet twist, making it the perfect festive treat for all ages.
- Simple Charcuterie Board: This Simple Charcuterie Board is the perfect party appetizer. It’s simple to put together, and there are endless possibilities for toppings.
- Funfetti Cookies: Funfetti Cookies are a perfect fun and festive treat to make with your kids. They’re super easy to make and perfectly soft and chewy.
It seems late. But I will do this in my small group. I am from the Philippines and I thank you for this idea.