Make Your own Time Capsule

It’s that time of the year! BYJU’S Summer Camp is here again!

Your summer holidays are here. You might not be able to venture out and play (we hope you’re staying safe and following all Covid protocols)  but that doesn’t have to stop you from having some fun, right? 

Let’s kick off this summer camp with the first fun activity – your very own time capsule! Wait, is time travel possible? A time capsule has nothing to do with traveling back in actual time.

If you are wondering what a time capsule is, it is NOT a fancy futuristic tech product that the next big sci-fi film will feature! Actually, it is an interesting box of things that you can put together with items you have at home. 

A time capsule is like a souvenir that you make with everyday things that would be interesting for you, your juniors or whoever opens it several years later.

It would give a glimpse into the time you currently live in. And what better time than now to try it out, right?

A time capsule is pretty easy to make as well.  The whole process would not take more than two days, including collecting the material that you need and putting them together. 

So, what are you waiting for? Here is how you can make a DIY time capsule:

How to get started?

You need to keep in mind that the time capsule and the things inside it must withstand weather changes and also wear and tear over the years. Also, it needs to be in good shape for a long period of, say, ten, fifteen or twenty years (or however long you plan to keep it unopened). So, it goes without saying that storing your favourite cake is a bad idea! A photo of that cake instead, will perhaps make for a valuable addition.

This is why you need to arrange for a big metallic or plastic box. Aluminium, for instance, can stay underground for 20 years. You might also want to have plastic covers handy to store the items within.

Have a list of things handy!

A list would come in handy. Here is a sample: 

• A metallic or plastic box ( big one to keep several things)
• A lot of plastic, ziplock storage bags to keep your items safe.
• Things like a newspaper cutting, an old phone, etc that would remind you of the year 2021 
• A permanent marker to write a message for yourself on the time capsule.
• A checklist of the items inside ( It would not be easy to remember ALL the items after decades)
• A cosy place  to store your time capsule for a long time

If you have access to a garden or a backyard, you can bury the time capsule at least three feet under the ground. Please take help from adults at home for this. For those who don’t have access to such a place, you can choose a portion in the house that is rarely used. You could also use old coffee tins that are smaller and won’t really occupy a lot of space.

Who is this for?

This time capsule is for anyone with whom you want to share a slice of your past. It could be your future self, your niece or nephew, or even your own kids or grandkids! 

You could even open the time capsule with your grandkids!

Who knows? They may have more advanced cell phones or consume news exclusively from digital devices. So, looking at something like a newspaper clipping will be a fascinating experience for them. What’s more? Getting to know their grandparent’s fashion statement might also be fun for them!

How do you make it interesting?

It sure is fun to write notes to spice up the unravelling process. Image courtesy: Highlights.com

There are several ways to make an interesting time capsule. You can include thoughtful items like a copy of your favourite book, a t-shirt you would like to pass on as your legacy or even an old cell phone or a watch that you don’t use. You could also add some newspaper clips from the present day. 

You could also leave instructions as clues that will help your kids or grandkids open the box and unravel its contents. They would understand how cool their grandparent was while getting to know how the world was during their times! 

You can write a big message on the time capsule that says  – ‘Open in 2030!’ or ‘This treasure must be opened only after 2040’ – to make it all the more exciting.

When do you want to open it?

We would suggest a minimum of 10 years! However, it’s really up to you and you could even choose 30 years, 50 years or even a 100! The world would be drastically different then from what it is now. Imagine how exciting it would be for someone to get a first-hand peek into the world a whole century ago!

Your grandkids may also be learning about Covid-19 in their history or biology lessons. Getting to see a news article written from those times would be enriching, wouldn’t it?

So have you decided how your time capsule is going to be? Share your ideas with us in the comments.