Celebrating baby’s first birthday is a big milestone for both baby and parents. You have both survived that first year together, and a first birthday time capsule is a precious snapshot of that special time in your lives.
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Whether you are planning baby’s first birthday in the next few weeks or it’s months away, a first birthday time capsule is a great activity for guests to participate in at the party. Even though your little one won’t remember what their first birthday, the time capsule will be a special memento to how much love surrounded them from their very beginning!
Here we will cover all the basics of a first birthday time capsule including what is a first birthday time capsule, how to make a time capsule for a first birthday, what to include in a first birthday time capsule, and when to give a first birthday time capsule to your child.
What is a First Birthday Time Capsule?
A first birthday time capsule is a collection of precious memories and sentimental milestones from baby’s first year of life including hopeful messages for baby’s future to be opened on their 18th birthday.
How to Make a Time Capsule for a First Birthday
The best way to create a 1st birthday time capsule is by collecting items from baby’s first year that hold meaning to you and baby. A few ideas include a few of baby’s firsts like baby’s first photos, baby’s first pacifier, baby shoes, or baby’s coming home outfit. You can also include sentimental letters or notes from guests at the baby shower or birthday party.
Create a station at the first birthday party to display the collection of baby items you want to include in the time capsule along with a first birthday time capsule sign and printable cards that guests can sign their best wishes and messages for baby.
You can coordinate your time capsule instruction sign and message cards with these beautiful options or grab this free printable time capsule instruction sign and message cards to use at the first birthday party. (These will work for a baby shower time capsule as well!)
What Do You Put in a First Birthday Time Capsule?
So far we have covered a few basic things from baby’s first year of life to include in baby’s first birthday time capsule including baby items and messages from family and friends. Here is a complete list of things to put in a first birthday time capsule.
Things to Put in a First Birthday Time Capsule
- Baby’s first photo
- Ultrasound photos
- Baby’s going home outfit from the hospital
- Baby’s first shoes
- Baby’s and mom’s hospital wrist bands
- Baby shower photos
- Photos of baby’s first holidays: Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s, Easter, 4th of July
- Photos of baby’s first vacation
- Photos with important people in baby’s life (grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends)
- Family tree
- Copy of favorite book
- Baby’s favorite toy, pacifier, lovey, blanket, etc.
- Hand print or Foot print
- Family photo
- Baby bracelet or other jewelry given to baby
- Lock of hair from baby’s first hair cut
- Copy of baby’s birth certificate
- Hospital documents of baby’s weight/height/foot prints
- Drawings or letters from siblings
- Letters from significant people in baby’s life (grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc)
- Newspapers or Magazines from baby’s first year
- List of special US and World events that occurred during baby’s first year
- Grocery prices or grocery receipt
- Photo of the family home
- List of popular music, tv shows, sports teams, etc
- Coins/dollars made in the year your child was born
- Stamps
- Information about the President and politics happening at the time
- Ticket stubs from sporting events, concerts, etc
- Decor from the first birthday party
- Photos of favorite characters from movies, TV, or books
- Year they were born fact sheet (this is a great one!)
- Fact Sheet about baby: favorite foods, favorite things to do, what baby can do (examples: walking, blowing bubbles, loves to laugh), first words (says mama, dada, bye-bye)
- Photos of guests from first birthday party
- First birthday cards from guests
- Birthday invitation
- Cake topper or candle
- Photo from the smash cake
- First birthday outfit
- Birthday banner or decor
- Special messages from guests
- Letter from parents to baby
How Do You Write a Time Capsule Letter to a Child
You write a time capsule letter to your child by writing from your heart and sharing how special and unique your child is to you. Tell them how they have changed your life for the better and your hopes for them in the future.
- Talk directly to your child in the time capsule letter.
- Explain the reason you are writing a letter to them.
- Share how you are feeling about this special milestone.
- Explain the significance of the items you placed in the time capsule.
- Discuss special memories you have experienced during their first year of life.
- Tell them your hopes and dreams for their future.
There is no right or wrong way to write a time capsule letter. The most important thing to remember is that you are writing to share your love for your child that you’ve had from the very beginning. Check out these examples of time capsule letters if you need more ideas to get started!
What Kind of Container Should I Use for a First Birthday Time Capsule?
The best container for a time capsule is one that is large enough to hold the items collected for the first birthday time capsule, any shoe box, wooden box, large plastic storage box will work for a baby time capsule. I recommend using a personalized keepsake box if you are planning to use a first birthday time capsule as an activity at baby’s birthday party.
Here are a few of my favorite keepsake boxes that can be personalized and look great for either a boy or girl first birthday party!
This one is from SweetNCCollective on Etsy. It’s a large box with beautiful personalized decorations.
This one is smaller and works great for papers, cards, and photos. This time capsule box is from OurSweetHomeAlabama on Etsy.
Alternatively, you could shop around for a nice wooden box and DIY a personalized message or name with vinyl lettering.
When Should I Give the First Birthday Time Capsule to My Child
Traditionally most people give the first birthday time capsule to their child when they turn 18 because it’s a big milestone for your child as they embark on adulthood and the perfect time to look back over their childhood.
Another great time to give the first birthday time capsule would be when your child is about to become a parent for the first time. It’s a great way to share the memories of how much love was surrounding them their first year and a way to look forward to the love they will have for their own child.
Although your child won’t remember their first year, opening their first birthday time capsule will be a special memory for both you and your child. They will get to know the love that surrounded them before they could even remember!
Hopefully these first birthday time capsule ideas helped you get a plan together for creating a time capsule for your child.
