This is brilliant for the whole family to do together. Time capsules can be very simple or very involved to make but if you just want to make a cheap, simple capsule for your family to look back on when you are much older, you might like to look at the one I have made below.

For advice on making capsules to bury for a very long time check out the British Library’s website where they have some information from the National Preservation Office.

Some new libraries in Devon made their own time capsules and buried them under the libraries when they were built. Ivybridge Library and Tiverton Library both have time capsules buried under them, wow, just think... in the future someone will dig those up and find out all about the library, what the tickets looked like, what items were being borrowed and even some photos of what the old library looked like.

First you need to decide if your time capsule will be buried outside or simply hidden somewhere in your house?

Then decide how long you want it to remain buried or hidden, 5 years? 10 years? Longer?

You then need to decide what container to use:

It should be airtight and waterproof.
If you are burying your capsule outside it needs to be strong and durable; Glass is easily broken and some plastics will shatter in cold conditions.
Some materials deteriorate over time, like rubber; so don’t use a container with a rubber seal.

I have chosen to make a capsule using a cake tin to hide in our attic until I'm much older.

You will need:

Time capsule container
Airtight resealable bags in assorted sizes
Aluminium foil

Capsule contents, here are some ideas...

Photos
Letters (each member of your family could write a letter to themselves in the future!)
Lists of your favourite books, DVDs, music and games, you could include your own reviews
Family artwork including hand or paw prints (don’t forget your pets!)
Tickets from travelling or going out
Newspapers or your favourite magazine (maybe just a page or two if your capsule is small)
Toys – be careful that they don’t contain any materials that will decay
An inventory of all the items in your capsule, who chose them, and why?

DO NOT INCLUDE any food, drink or any items that will decay.

Put each individual item into an airtight, sealed bag.

Items that you put in should be dry and in good, clean condition.

Put your contents into your capsule and put the lid on.

Wrap your capsule up in foil to protect it even further.

This also acts like a seal - if the foil has been ripped or broken you can tell that the capsule has been opened!

(If you plan to bury your capsule, remember, you need to make sure that it is completely waterproof. If any water gets in, your capsule will be ruined).

Where will you hide it?

My capsule is going in our attic...