Time capsules for babies are one of the best gifts you can make your new child. Time capsules are a glance into the past, a chance to see how much has changed and just what they have lived through. A baby time capsule can be given as a wonderful 18th birthday gift, a way for the new adult to look back on their life and reminisce on their childhood and a remember the things they may otherwise have forgotten.
Making a time capsule for your baby is simple and inexpensive. It is a revolving gift, one you can add to as time moves on, and it will have a meaning like no other. If you are about to have a child, or have recently had one, you can begin making this gift immediately.
Below is a method of constructing one – there are many ways you can do it, but this is one that has been proven to work.
Step 1: Make the time capsule – wood is a very good option here. Wood can be cut into any shape you would like, and can have the names of friends burnt into it. It can sanded and stained/painted, and then sealed to last a long time.
To make a time capsule out of wood, simply purchase some nice, non-warped oak, maple, or pine from a home improvement store and cut it into five 12″ (or however big) squares. Using sandpaper, sand it smooth and round the edges a little to make it splinter free and comfortable to carry.
Using either wood glue or screws, attach the bottom and four sides together. Now, using two hinges, attach the top as a lid.
Step 2: Now that the box is all assembled, you will need to seal it. Before sealing, you can stain it a darker color, a nice deep mahogany or similar. Use polyurethane to seal it. Allow it to sit for a week in a dry area before placing items in it.
Step 3: The final step is to decide what to place in it. This can be be anything you want, but some common and thoughtful ideas are listed below:
General things
Newspaper clippings
An electronics magazine, as technology changes fast
The newborn hat that was worn home from the hospital, as well as the little bracelet.
More specific items are the ones that will be most memorable to your kid, that jog memories of things they can remember but haven’t likely thought of in a while. The best memories are those from the ages of about 7 – 12, when they are distant enough that they aren’t readily thought of, but new enough that items can jog happy memories.
Pictures of where they lived and where they played. If they have a favorite part of the yard, a club house, or even a patch of tress they play around, snap pictures. They will jog many, many memories.
Pictures of friends. Friends, especially those from young childhood, disappear as time moves on. These will be greatly appreciated.
Favorite toys they stop playing with. Perhaps they had a favorite doll for many years, but you notice on day they just don’t care about it any more. Put it in the time capsule.
Scents – scents jog so many memories. Did they use the same bubble bath for a couple of years? If so, squirt some on a small towel.
This list is far from complete, but offers a good basis for a time capsule for your baby. The key is in picking things that will make them remember a lot about the past, as well as give them a glimpse into the world they can’t remember.
