The JumpStart Blog

Does your child remember what he or she was like a year ago? Chances are that, other than a few easy facts (“I was shorter!”) and a handful of special occasions, 2008 is little more than a distant memory. This year, help your kids understand how much they really grow and change in a year with the time capsule craft! It’s a great way to remember 2009 and say goodbye for good to a year past and hello to the new year.

The JumpStart Team's Time Capsule

What you’ll need:

• 1 strong, medium-sized capsule, such as a mason jar, coffee can, or wooden box
• 1 zip-lock bag
• Construction paper
• Markers, stickers, and other favorite decorations
• Optional: Shovel / trowel
• Materials to capture the year 2009
  • Newspaper clippings from town
  • School pictures
  • Small toys
  • List of activities from the year, etc.

Directions:

1. Have your child write their first name and the year in big letters on the construction paper or directly on the capsule. Decide together how long the time capsule should remain sealed, and include this date as well.
2. Place the memorabilia into the capsule.  Include things that reference the year past. Newspaper clippings or a wallet-sized school photograph will help your kid think about the way the town he or she lives in may have changed or how much he or she has grown.  You can write down what your child’s world – school, interests, hobbies, favorites – was like in 2009 and guess what it will be in the years ahead.


Memories of 2009 Battles, Crafts, and Releases

3. Seal the capsule up, and enclose it in the zip-lock bag if you intend to bury it (an exciting treasure hunting-like activity), to spare it from insects and the elements.


Ready for Dirt Exposure

4. Hide the capsule away, in a closet, in an attic, next to the willow tree in the backyard, or wherever! Don’t retrieve it for a year, or more.
5. Come back to it after the set waiting period, or whenever you happen to remember it!  Dig the capsule up and think back to 2009.

Your child will probably be surprised by the change that happened since the year 2009.  We certainly have seen a lot transform here at JumpStart in a year’s time, but we’re excited at the arrival of a new year.  Enjoy 2010!

Get Everybody to Dig Up Their Backyards!