Free Printable New Year’s Time Capsule Sheet (+ fun ideas)
Creating a New Years time capsule is a fun way to start step into the next year and makes a great new tradition!
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The New Year is the ultimate fresh start. It’s a time to dream big, set goals, and reflect on everything that’s made the past year unforgettable. But what if you could bottle up all those memories, dreams, and goals and revisit them in the future? Enter: the New Year’s time capsule!
Creating a time capsule is a magical activity for kids and the whole family to enjoy, and we’ve got free printables to make it easier (and way more fun than just writing out New Year’s resolutions). So grab a box, a jar, or even a shoebox—let’s create a little piece of history together!
This is such a fun kid-friendly activity to incorporate into your NYE party! Even older kids will want to participate and you will find yourself and family members looking forward to it the following year!
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⏰Why Create a Time Capsule?
A time capsule isn’t just a fun craft; it’s a chance to:
- Reflect: Think back on the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
- Dream: Write down hopes and goals for the year ahead.
- Celebrate: Capture the little things that make life special right now, and not to mention a fun family activity.
- Reconnect: Future You will love looking back on what mattered most this year.
🌟What’s Included
Free printable time capsule sheets for kids and adults! They have simple questions and make the perfect activity while you wait on the ball drop.
📌What You’ll Need
A container (jar, box, or anything sturdy enough to last a year or more!) They have actual time capsules that are perfect if you are going to actually bury it outside.
Pens, markers, or crayons for colorful creativity
Our free printable templates for kids and adults
Memorabilia like photos, ticket stubs, or small keepsakes
A safe place to stash your time capsule
✨What to Include in Your Time Capsule
Here are some time capsule items you may want to include:
For Kids:
- Favorite Things Page: Let them list their favorite TV shows, books, songs, and foods. (Because who knows—mac and cheese might not always reign supreme.)
- Handprint Template: Capture those tiny hands while they’re still tiny.
- Goals and Wishes: What do they want to learn, do, or achieve next year?
- A Letter to Future Me: Encourage them to write about their current self and their dreams for their future self.
- Doodles: Because every kid’s time capsule needs some original artwork.
For Adults:
- Year in Review: Reflect on highlights, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Goals for the Year Ahead: Jot down aspirations big and small.
- Gratitude List: Note the people, places, and moments that brought joy.
- Letters to Future Me: Write a heartfelt note to the You of next year.
- Memorabilia: Include small items that represent the year, like photos, receipts from special meals, or travel mementos.
❓Time Capsule Question Ideas
Not sure where to start? Here’s a list of fun and meaningful time capsule questions if you wanted to add a little extra.
For Kids:
- What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
- Who are your best friends right now?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What’s your favorite food?
- What’s one thing you’re really good at?
- What’s your favorite memory from this year?
- What do you hope to learn next year?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
- What’s your favorite toy or game right now?
For Adults:
- What was the highlight of your year?
- What is one thing you accomplished this year that you’re proud of?
- What’s a challenge you overcame this year?
- What are your top three goals for next year?
- What’s something new you tried this year?
- Who had the biggest impact on your life this year?
- What are you most grateful for right now?
- What’s one thing you’d like to improve or change next year?
- Where would you like to travel in the future?
🔓When to Open Your Time Capsule
Choosing when to open your time capsule is half the fun! Here are some ideas for when to set the big reveal:
- Next New Year’s Eve: Celebrate the end of the year by looking back on everything that’s changed since you sealed the capsule last year.
- A Special Occasion: Mark a milestone like a birthday, anniversary, or the start of a new school year.
- 5 or 10 Years Later: Give your future self a bigger surprise by waiting a little longer to open it.
- Family Reunion: If you’re creating a family time capsule, open it during a gathering for a walk down memory lane.
Whatever date you choose, make sure to label your capsule clearly so no one sneaks a peek early!
📦Fun Ideas for Storing Your Time Capsule
- Bury It: Go full treasure-hunt style by burying your capsule in the backyard. (Just make sure it’s waterproof!)
- Hide It in Plain Sight: Tuck it in a closet or on a shelf.
- Pass It Along: If creating one as a family, let each person take a turn hiding it.
🎊Tips for Making It Extra Special
- Make It a Party: Turn time capsule creation into a New Year’s Eve tradition with snacks, music, and lots of laughs.
- Add a Prediction Game: Have everyone write predictions for the coming year and see who’s the most psychic when you reopen it.
- Get Creative with Decor: Decorate your capsule with stickers, washi tape, or paint.
👇How to Download and Print
We’ve created custom time capsule printables for both kids and adults. Here’s how to get started:
Download the Printables: Click the link below to grab your free sheets.
Print and Fill Out: Use markers, crayons, or your favorite pens to make it colorful and personal.
Add Memorabilia: Gather those keepsakes and place them in your capsule along with your completed sheets.
Seal It Up: Tape it shut, tie it with ribbon, or pop a lid on your time capsule jar.
Set a Date to Reopen: Label your capsule with a “Do Not Open Until [Date]” note to build the anticipation.
💡Helpful Tips
- We love laminating our printables to make them last longer.
- For the highest quality feel use a nice heavy card stock.
- Check ink levels before printing. No printer? Local print shops can help, and they are usually reasonably priced or you can check an online print shop.
- While you could use construction paper, some of the colors may not show up as well depending on color.
- If you need another size other than US Letter, check your printer settings.
🎯Favorite Printable Supplies
Here are some of our favorite materials and supplies we use so we get the best quality out of our printables!
Creating a family time capsule is a great way to reflect, dream, and capture what makes this moment special. It’s a great family activity for bonding, laughing, and reminiscing while getting ready to ring in the New Year. Whether you make it part of your New Year’s Eve party before the ball drops or save it for a quiet moment on New Year’s Day, it’s a gift to your future selves—and so many memories waiting to be rediscovered in the coming years.
