Kids Seal a Time Capsule Until 2076
Philadelphia children sealed their voices, artwork, and hopes for the future in a time capsule on Saturday, and the capsule will not be opened again until 2076.
The project, called Hear Us! The Children’s Time Capsule, is run by Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse in East Fairmount Park as part of Philadelphia’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Children across the city spent the year writing letters, drawing pictures, and recording messages about life in 2026, and what they hope the future holds.
The capsule was sealed at a ceremony on Saturday, November 7, at Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse. It will be opened in 2076, when America turns 300 years old.
Inside are drawings, letters, messages, and other paper submissions capturing children’s thoughts, hopes, dreams, and experiences from 2026, according to Smith Playground. Hundreds of children contributed, 6abc reported, and recordings were among the submissions.
The playground aimed to collect 5,000 submissions before the sealing, executive director Frances Hoover told PhillyVoice earlier this year. “It feels like a really important time to mark how people are feeling,” Hoover said. “And in particular, we think it’s a really great time to ask kids what they think life is like, think of their life to today and what they hope for in the future.”
Anyone could take part, children, parents, teachers, families, and adults, along with schools, camps, and community groups. Each child who contributed receives a certificate marking their participation.
After the ceremony, the capsule will be stored in the Temple Archives until it is opened in 2076, according to Smith Playground.
Families who missed the sealing can still add to the project. Submissions are accepted through November 30, 6abc and CBS Philadelphia reported, for inclusion in the final archive. Time capsule papers can be downloaded from the playground’s website, completed, and emailed to timecapsule@smithplayground.org. More than one item can be submitted.
Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse is at 3500 Reservoir Drive in East Fairmount Park. The playground has entertained Philadelphia children for more than a century, and the capsule is its contribution to the city’s 250th anniversary year, a record of what was on children’s minds in 2026 for the generation that opens it 50 years from now.
