If you came to this site, you either purchased the time capsule activity and are looking for directions, or want ideas for your own time capsules.  These are so much fun to do with students of all ages!  Enjoy!

This Time Capsule Activity is great to use at the beginning of the school year!  For homeschoolers with a different schedule, an idea could be to start in January for a full calendar year or from one birthday to the next!

A Pringles can is required for the activity.

★ Fun idea:  Dig a hole in the backyard or edge of school property and bury them until the end of the year!


What to include in your time capsule:

1. COVER SHEETS

Cover the Pringles can with a sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper.  Decorate it before you tape or glue it on!  See video for the best way to cover a Pringles can.


2. FAVORITES 

Have students list their favorite things like favorite food, song, friend, subject, etc on one side of a paper. Measure and record their height and weight.  For sensitive students, ask students to line up behind a piece of tape on the floor. Then place the scale behind a table or far enough away so others can’t see.  Make sure to leave a space on the paper to fill in the same questions again at the end of the year.  See the video on how to hide the beginning of the year answers!

3. WRITING PROMPTS 

At the beginning of the year-  Have students write about their summer vacation and/or goals for the year.  At the end of the year, have students write about what they think they will be doing when they graduate from high school.   Compare handwriting and writing styles from the beginning and end of year.   IDEA:  Keep a copy for your records and a copy of your class roster with addresses.  Send them a graduation card with this paper in it!   They will love it!

4. ILLUSTRATION

Draw yourself or favorite thing to draw.  Do it again at the end of the year.

5. PHOTOGRAPH

Place a photograph from the beginning or the year.  Get one at the end of the year and compare!

6. HANDPRINT

Trace a hand at the beginning of the year with one color and trace over it at the end of the year with another color.  See their hand growth!

7. DREAMS AND GOALS

List your dreams and goals and see if they change by the end of the year.

8. CURRENT EVENT

Write about a current event or place a news clipping from the beginning of the year.  Do the same at the end of the year!

 
My students looked forward to the end of the year so we could compare their growth in so many ways!  I hope you found some ideas for a fun time capsule!  If you would rather have them already designed and ready to print, see the following resource: