Children grow and change so quickly. Each year, they meet new people, learn new things, and grow by leaps and bounds, physically, emotionally, and mentally. One fun way to preserve the best memories of each year and to document your child’s likes, interests, achievements, height, etc. is to make a time capsule every New Year’s Eve. It’s like a snapshot of the year – freezing these happy memories in time to relish for years to come. All of you will enjoy looking back each year to see how much they’ve grown, and they make wonderful keepsakes for your kids.
Supplies:
A container, such as a large mason jar, a shoe box, or a tin lunch box
Measuring tape
Construction paper, ribbon, markers, and glue to decorate the container
Souvenirs and trinkets from places you’ve visited
Photos
Pencil and paper
Cardstock
Step One:
Decorate your time capsule. This could be as simple as a ribbon with a tag that states the year tied around the mason jar lid or an elaborate construction paper/glitter/glue/jeweled decoration of a shoe box.
Step Two:
Trace your child’s handprint and footprint onto the cardstock. Cut them out, date them, and put them in the time capsule.
Step Three:
Measure your child’s height with the measuring tape. Either record the measurement or cut the measuring tape off at your child’s height and roll it up to place in the capsule.
Step Four:
Place your favorite photos from the year into the capsule. Be sure to include photos from special events like birthdays and vacations along with photos of your child with her friends, grandparents, and other special people in their life, including you!
Step Five:
On a sheet of paper, have your child record his favorite memories of the year and other information about himself. Ideas include favorite movie of the year, best friend’s name, favorite book, something new learned this year, and a goal for the new year. There are lots of printables available online as well. Simply search for “time capsule printables.”
Step Six:
Place souvenirs, trinkets, newspaper clippings, charms, or anything else that commemorates the passing year into the box and seal it.
Step Seven:
Store or bury your time capsule until next New Year’s Eve.
Each year on New Year’s Eve, after you make your new time capsule, get last year’s capsule and open it. See how much bigger your child’s hands and feet are. How much have they grown in a year? Have their favorites changed? I bet you and your child will be amazed at how much difference a year makes.