I pulled the plastic box down from my son’s closet shelf and released the clips that held down the bulging lid. I found an assortment of items stuffed inside—tiny booties, his ID bracelet from the hospital, a deflated “It’s a Boy!” balloon, and his baby book. I didn’t realize it at the time I put it together, but I’d created a little time capsule.
I often think back and wish I’d written more down or been more intentional with coming up with time capsule ideas. You know, things you do either once or year after year to capture memories. If you have a baby or toddler now, you’re in the perfect position to pick one that feels meaningful to you. Here are 7 that I think are adorable and timeless. Don’t try to do them all. One is all you need for capturing memories that will last a lifetime.
1. Pen + Paper = Love
Each year on your child’s birthday or on New Year’s Day, give him a letter that recaps the year that just went by—all the growth you witnessed or your favorite moments and milestones. Be sure to write your hopes and prayers for the year to come, too.
A twist on this time capsule idea: Wait to give them to him until he graduates from high school. Ask everyone in the family to write him a letter to be given to him when he turns 18. Include grandparents, older siblings, and family friends. Some of the letters will probably come from people who have passed on or moved away by the time your child receives them, which will make them even more precious.
Want ideas for what to write? Here’s what we think should go in a letter to your son. And here are ideas for a letter to your daughter.
2. Same Question, Different Year
Pick a question that will reveal your child’s personality, and once per year, on her birthday perhaps, record her answering the question. Email the video to yourself for safekeeping. Need ideas for questions? How about one of these: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “What’s your superpower?” “Who’s your hero?”
3. From Me to You Journal
This is one I do with my kids, but I wish I’d started it earlier. You can get a From Me to You journal right here on iMOM. (We have one for boys and one for girls.) You and your child share one book and pass it back and forth, answering the prompt question on each page. (Dad might have to help until your kiddo can write.)
We made a “Your turn, Mama!” and “Your turn, kiddo!” bookmark that we flip when it’s time for the other person to fill in a page. It’s a fun idea for capturing memories that also keeps you and your child chatting about all sorts of topics!
4. Measuring Tape Tracker
Marking your child’s height on the door frame is classic and has a sweet way of making a house a home. But a fun twist on tracking growth is to use a measuring tape. Extend the tape out, and spray paint the side without the measurements in a bright, fun color. Be sure to let it dry completely before pushing it back in. Track your child’s growth by pulling it out every few months.
At the spot that marks how many inches she was when she was born, write her birthday. As she grows, mark her height, and write the date and a few words describing something she did recently. At 24 inches, “Peas today!” or 45 inches, “Ballet recital!” You can keep all your kids’ tape measures or give them as gifts when they have kids.
5. Intentional Inbox
Create an email address for your child. (Don’t forget to write down the password!) Send random emails whenever you think of something you want her to know. “You ate Cheerios for the first time today! You even drank the milk like I do!” When she turns 18, give her the email address and password as a gift.
6. First Day Firsthand
The things that come out of our kids’ mouths at the end of the first day of school reveal a lot about what’s to come over the next year. Record their answers to questions about the day. Ask about who they sat with, what the most interesting thing is about their classrooms, and what their favorite part of the day was. You could even throw in a question about lunch. Imagine 13 years of answers to the question “What part of your lunch was the tastiest?” You can also have your children fill out our bright and cheery First Day of School printable, and compare their answers year after year.
7. Stash a T
This is the easiest of all the time capsule ideas! Every kid has a favorite t-shirt they wear until their belly buttons show. Each year, instead of handing the shirt down to a sibling or tossing it, put it in a box labeled “T-Shirt of the Year.” Write the year on the tag.
What cute time capsule ideas have you seen and want to start doing with your child?
