As an art enthusiast, I’m always looking for creative ways to celebrate milestones. This year, I wanted to send my graduating seniors off with a memorable keepsake – something that would capture the essence of their high school experience and spark joy years later. That’s when the idea of graduation time capsules, crafted from everyday water bottles, struck me.
This project was met with excitement from my students, and I’m sure yours will love it too. It’s a fun, engaging, and budget-friendly way to commemorate their journey and encourage reflection.
Gathering Supplies for Your Time Capsules
Before we dive into the creation process, let’s gather our materials. You’ll need:
For the Time Capsules:
- Empty water bottles (one per student)
- Printed labels (see downloadable templates below)
- Scissors
- Tape
- Curling ribbon (optional)
- Gold foil squares (optional)
For the Messages:
- White paper
- Colored paper (I used goldenrod to match our school colors)
- Pens and pencils
For the Graduation Caps (optional, but adds a special touch):
- Shrinkable plastic sheets
- Permanent markers
- Hole punch
- String or thin ribbon
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Graduation Time Capsules
1. Preparing the Bottles:
- Ask your students to bring in empty water bottles.
- Remove all labels and caps from the bottles. Let them dry completely.
2. Creating Personalized Labels:
- Download my Google Drawing template for the bottle labels [link to template].
- Customize the template with your school logo and colors.
- Print enough labels for each student.
- Cut out the labels and have students add their names and the date they want to open their time capsules.
- Tape the labels securely onto the water bottles.
3. Crafting the “White Sheet” Memories:
- Provide each student with a “white sheet” [link to template].
- Instruct them to write about themselves, their favorite things, memorable moments from high school, and predictions for their future. Encourage creativity!
4. Adding the “Gold Sheet” Messages:
- Prepare “gold sheets” [link to template] with six student names on each. Print enough sheets so that each student receives a sheet with their name on it.
- Instruct students to write short messages to the classmates listed on their “gold sheet.” They can also use the remaining blank spaces to write messages to other classmates.
5. Assembling the Time Capsules:
- Students cut their “white sheet” and “gold sheet” messages into strips and wrap them around pencils.
- They then drop the rolled-up messages into their designated bottles.
- Securely fasten the bottle caps. If caps are missing, use masking tape to seal the bottles.
6. Adding a Festive Touch (optional):
- To elevate the aesthetic appeal, cover each bottle cap with a gold foil square and tie a curling ribbon around the bottle neck.
7. Creating Miniature Graduation Caps (optional):
- Download the graduation cap icon template [link to template] and customize it.
- Print the design onto shrinkable plastic sheets.
- Cut out the caps, leaving about ¼ inch of space around the edges. Remember to round the corners!
- Let students decorate their caps with permanent markers.
- Punch a hole at the top of each cap for attaching to the ribbon.
- Bake the caps according to the shrink plastic instructions.
- Once cooled, thread a string or thin ribbon through the hole and tie it around the bottle neck.
A Memorable Keepsake for Your Students
This project was a resounding success. My students loved the process of creating their time capsules and reflecting on their high school journey. It sparked conversations about their aspirations, dreams, and the legacy they want to leave behind.
Remember, you can adapt this project to fit your classroom’s needs and preferences. Get creative with the materials, prompts, and decorations. Most importantly, have fun and cherish this special moment with your graduating class.
For more creative art project ideas and inspiration, visit Robert Kline Art.