It’s almost that time of year again! As the first day of school rolls around, gathering fun and meaningful resources and activities is always part of getting ready. Whether you’re looking for a project for home, the classroom or somewhere else with kids, this Free Back to School Time Capsule is a great addition to any back to school plans.

I love creating time capsule projects with my students and my own kids at home. I love reading their responses to their favorite things, knowing that years from now they’ll look back at their answers and projects and smile, or laugh.

Time capsules are a great way to record a moment in time. Especially when kids are young this is a great time to keep track of milestones and fun information about them. This free back to school time capsule is created so that kids can fill out the pages and then secure them in the capsule package (which is also part of the printable.)

In preparation for school to begin, or a project in class on the first few days, children fill out the all about me cards and share information about themselves as they start the year. You can choose to open the cards together at the end of the year, or even years down the road when children finish school.

For another time capsule idea, check out All About Me Time Capsule Project and 15+ Time Capsule Ideas, full of fun activities to try any time of year!

Back to School Time Capsule Materials

Everything you need to create your time capsule is included in the printable. The first page folds in half to create a pocket to put the rest of the pages in. You can either simply fold the edges, tape or staple them to seal the capsule.

There are lots of options for your back to school time capsule. You can print and use all of the pages, or choose ones that are best for your child(ren). You can open the time capsule at the end of the school year and spend time reminiscing, or open the package and add more to it and reseal it to open at a later date.

This project can also be ongoing by filling out the same set of cards each year. Once filled out, add them to the pocket and reseal. This is a great way to notice changes over the years.

Free Time Capsule Printable Set Up

The first page in the time capsule is a page that creates the pocket/envelope for the other pages children fill out. It is slightly bigger then the rest of the pages. Once printed, fold the page in half to create a pocket.

Once the pages are filled out, then put them inside this pocket and seal the sides, ideally with tape all the way around. Fill out the name and date section of the page so that you know which child it belongs to.

The pages in the resource include:

• My Back to School Time Capsule Information Page
• My Favorite Things
• This is Me
• My Handprint
• My Footprint
• This is My Family
• My Goals
• All About Me

The pages in the resource can each be cut in half to each create two pages for kids to fill out. There are eight pages to complete in total.

There is a page for the child to trace their hand, and another one to trace their foot. In younger grades this should be easier, but as the child gets older their foot may not fit on the page.

You can either fit as much on the page as possible, or trace on a full sheet of paper and fold it in half and cut so that it can fit into the time capsule pocket.

All About Me Pages

Some of the pages will be quick and easy for kids to fill out. Others will take some thought and time. Pages such as, “My Goals” are perfect to encourage children to think about the year ahead and what they hope it brings.

Make sure pages are filled out in as much detail as possible. For younger children, an adult may have to print the answers children want to record.

Sealing Your Back to School Time Capsule

Once all of the pages are done, add them to the pocket/envelope and seal all the way around the outside. The time capsules are fairly small and easy to store. Put it in a safe place and set aside until you want children to open their projects.

The end of the year is a great time to look back on everything they have accomplished. It also makes for some special time together as you reminisce about the year.

Extension Ideas for Your Time Capsule

The pages included in the resource will give you lots of great memories and are fun for kids to fill out. If you want to include even more things in your time capsule, I’ve listed a few below.

• Ribbon cut to the child’s height
• Photographs (From school, family photos etc.)
• Small art projects
• Signatures from friends
• Notes from friends to the child
• Small tokens (movie theatre tickets, tickets from special memories/events)

The more you include in your time capsule, the more fun they are to open and look through.

Once you open the back to school time capsule, make sure to hang onto the pages to look at in the future. I love to put them in bins along with special work from school and baby items. Kids love to look back on things they created in the past.

Download the Printable Pages

Download the free printable back to school time capsule pages described above. All of them can be downloaded today! Click the yellow circle below to subscribe and then download the resource.

Once you subscribe you will also gain access to the Free Resource Library, filled with over 100 free resources from Hands-On Teaching Ideas. From math, science and language to escape room games and scavenger hunts, there are lots of activities to keep kids busy and learning all year long.