Writing
A letter to my future self
Write a private letter to open in a year, with a few guesses about what time will tell.
- 25 minutes
- On your own
- Ages 9–12, Ages 12+
- At home or classroom
- Printable: letter page
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning: time will tell.
- Think about things you are not sure about yet. A new skill, a friendship, a goal, a worry.
- Write a letter to yourself one year from now. Say what is going on in your life today.
- Make three guesses about how things will turn out. Write each one as: I think time will tell that ...
- Seal the letter in an envelope, write the date to open it on the front, and keep it somewhere safe.
- The letter is yours. Nobody else reads it unless you choose to share it.
Questions to talk about
- What is something you were unsure about last year that time has already answered?
- Is it easier to wait when you have written your guesses down?
You will need
- The printed letter page
- A pen
- An envelope
Make it fit
Simpler: Write one guess only, and draw a picture of how you look today.
More of a stretch: Add a short paragraph of advice to your future self, and one question you hope you will know the answer to.
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The letter page
A letter to my future self
Written on
Open on
Tell your future self what is going on in your life today.
Dear me,
I think time will tell that ...
I think time will tell that ...
I think time will tell that ...
From me, today
For me, one year from now
Do not open until
Time will tell.Cut out this label and stick it on the envelope.
The instructions card
How to run it · Writing
A letter to my future self
Write a private letter to open in a year, with a few guesses about what time will tell.
25 minutesOn your ownAges 9–12, Ages 12+
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning: time will tell.
- Think about things you are not sure about yet. A new skill, a friendship, a goal, a worry.
- Write a letter to yourself one year from now. Say what is going on in your life today.
- Make three guesses about how things will turn out. Write each one as: I think time will tell that ...
- Seal the letter in an envelope, write the date to open it on the front, and keep it somewhere safe.
- The letter is yours. Nobody else reads it unless you choose to share it.
You will need
- The printed letter page
- A pen
- An envelope
Talk about
- What is something you were unsure about last year that time has already answered?
- Is it easier to wait when you have written your guesses down?
Make it fit
Simpler: Write one guess only, and draw a picture of how you look today.
Stretch: Add a short paragraph of advice to your future self, and one question you hope you will know the answer to.
Goes with the printable letter page.