Activity: Build a Time Capsule of Who You Are Today

Perfect for: Indoors, outdoors, or as a weekend family project

Best for: Kids aged 6+ (encourages self-reflection, memory-keeping, and future thinking)

Activity Description:

Kids create a personal time capsule filled with drawings, letters, objects, and predictions about who they are today and who they hope to be. Then they hide it away to open in a future year. This meaningful activity blends creativity, identity, wisdom, and wonder—plus a little mystery!

How to Do It:

1. Choose a Container

• A sturdy shoebox, jar, tin, or envelope
• Decorate it with their name, the date, and a future open date:
  
  • “Open Me in 2030”
  • “To Future Me at Age 16”

2. Gather What Goes Inside

Encourage kids to include a mix of fun, thoughtful, and personal items:

• A letter to their future self
• A list of:
  
  • Favorite books, songs, foods, friends
  • Hobbies, games, sports, or dreams
  • Things they’re proud of
• A drawing or photo of themselves
• A trinket or small toy that means something to them
• One prediction about the world (“In the future, cars will fly!”)
• One virtue or value they hope to keep as they grow (“I hope I always stay kind.”)

3. Add a Personal Motto or Promise

• Encourage kids to write a sentence they want to remember later:
  
  • “Always be curious.”
  • “It’s okay to make mistakes.”
  • “Keep trying, no matter what.”

4. Seal and Hide the Capsule

• Tape it shut and write the “Do Not Open Until…” date
• Store it in a safe place:
  
  • A closet, attic, drawer, or memory box
  • Or bury it in a weatherproof container in the garden (with permission!)

5. Reflect and Celebrate

• Talk about what it means to grow up wisely, stay true to yourself, and leave a message across time
• Ask:
  
  • “What would you like your future self to remember?”
  • “What do you hope never changes about you?”

Bonus Tip:

Create a Family Time Capsule Day where everyone makes one—parents included!

This joyful and reflective activity encourages gratitude, vision, identity, and emotional intelligence, all wrapped up in a magical message to the future. Type n whenever you’re ready for the next inspiring idea!