How to Make a Time Capsule

Create a snapshot of your life to review later or show tomorrow's adults and kids how we live today with this fun and educational project.

Step 1: Set a retrieval date
Set a retrieval date 10 to 50 years from the time of storage, when the capsule will be recovered. Or, you can leave it longer for future generations to open.

Step 2: Choose a container
Choose a container. For a time capsule to be retrieved after 25 years or less, use a metal lunchbox and seal the lid shut with epoxy glue. For a 50-year time capsule, use a small waterproof safe. For recovery after 100 years or more, find a professional quality capsule by searching online.

Step 3: Pick items
Pick items for storage that are representative of your everyday life, along with a few things that document current events like newspaper clippings and photos. For information stored on digital media, include a means to access it.

Tip
Enlist friends and family to contribute items.

Step 4: Secure items for storage
Secure items for storage by sealing them in individual polyethylene bags.

Step 5: Find a location
Find a location where the capsule won't be disturbed. Consider storing it in an attic or a basement for safekeeping or burying it by a well-known landmark.

Tip
You can mark the site with a plaque that gives instructions on when the capsule is to be retrieved.

Step 6: Have a sealing ceremony
Have a sealing ceremony. Invite friends and neighbors to examine the capsule and its contents and observe it being sealed and stored.

Step 7: Register your time capsule
Go online and register your project with the International Time Capsule Society to make sure it isn't forgotten. Now sit back and count the days until you see your time-traveling treasure again, or enjoy that knowledge that you've given the distant future a glimpse into the past.

Did You Know?
The city of Corona, California misplaced a series of 17 time capsules dating back to the 1930s, resulting in a botched attempt to find them under the city's civic center in 1985.

[ChiLl-zwew]

This whole comment section is a time capsule

[Aloysiusosnare]

Ya bury it under a tree and in 20 years its a parking lot

[SunnyPaulSamrat]

"Corona, California" at 1:59 is what was a highlight with 'open in 2020' plaques

[SevereIDAHO]

A quick search will turn up quite a few time capsule videos.  Can't count how many had water damage even when using zip lock bags.  Your battling against all types of moisture, rain, flooding, frost,   condensation.  There is a few things I would add to my time capsule to try to prevent damage.  That is save the packets you get from beef jerky bags, they help eliminate moisture.  Put a few in each ziplock bag and then put those bags in another bag with more packets.  Then put in a metal container and wrap that in plastic, try to seal it with duct tape.  Some time capsules used plastic buckets with lids, the big ones.  The items seemed to do fine in there, as long as you can prevent water from seeping into your capsule, you should be fine.  I am planning to make a capsule soon and I thought these ideas might help people that searched the same thing.  Good Luck. 

[freebot]

EVERYBODY! THIS IS A REMINDER IF U WATCHED THIS VID AND MAKE A TIME CAPSULE, GO DIG IT UP! ITS BEEN 13 YEARS

[floho]

Can't u just use your garden to bury it??
At least it will be safer

[IMaHARDhabitbreak]

This is a great idea! I want to do this with my children!

[PegmodeChiptune]

when you open it you will find that most of your items have degraded.

[notmeiko]

This is good to be depressed about when digging it back up

[TheAncientOne]

Where do I regular my Time Capsule and can I use a 40mm Ammo can

[MrAnnoyingFreak]

OMG lol the ending fact is where i live wtf, i didnt know that, well since they mention my home town might as well favorite and like this

[acspectator]

I have to admit it, there’s chances my family is planning to move and I’m actually planning to bury stuff that I never told my family about, especially my brother, in my backyard until it is safe enough to retrieve them and/or I live on my own, where I’ll dig them out where the new people living in my old house won’t be around.
Unless, it’s safe enough to just smuggle them instead.

[lilyking]

I decided to watch this 10 years later

[gardenchemistry]

What you think is the best digital data storage for 100 year time capsule

[legice]

@GamesCyclone waldo is harder to find than chuck norris

[TDU]

@sincityfire well no, it just functions as a monitor

[nicktheodore]

whats the 25 year box hes using called?

[sincityfire]

@TDU9 Well, do they have hundreds of apps to install?

[jamestropicals]

Time to open your time capsule in 2024

[soramembrino]

What container is good or burying for 10, 000 years?