Moving with kids doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle with a box of toys in one hand and a crying toddler in the other. With the right approach, you can turn the chaos of moving into a fun, family bonding experience. Here’s a guide to keeping the process light-hearted and enjoyable while getting everyone excited for the big change and family move ahead.
Ask the Kids to Choose the Movers
Turn your little ones into part of the decision-making crew! Kids love feeling grown-up and important, so why not let them help pick the moving company? A good place to start is comparing local removalists on FindAMover.
Ways to involve kids in choosing movers:
- Show them pictures of different moving trucks and let them pick their favorites
- Watch moving company videos together and ask what they think
- Let them help make a list of questions to ask the movers
- Have them draw their dream moving truck and compare it to real ones
- Create a fun checklist of things they’d like to see in “their” movers
- Let them help read reviews (with your guidance, of course!)
- Make a game of spotting moving trucks in your area and discussing which ones look the most fun
When the movers come for estimates:
- Let kids ask their prepared questions
- Have them show the movers their favorite toys that need special care
- Ask movers if they have experience moving families with children
- See if the moving company has any special programs or materials for kids
- Look for movers who take time to make your children feel included
Turn Packing into a Game
Make packing feel less like a chore and more like playtime for the whole family. Create your own “Packing Olympics” and watch the magic happen! The key is to break down big tasks into smaller, manageable chunks that feel more like play than work.
Fun packing challenges to try:
- Time how quickly everyone can pack a box (safely, of course!)
- Create friendly competitions like “Who can fit the most items neatly into their box?”
- Award silly medals for categories like “Most Organized Packer” or “Speed Champion”
- Have dance breaks between packing sessions to keep energy levels high
- Create a “packing points” system where kids earn rewards for completed boxes
Transform ordinary packing into an exciting treasure hunt:
- Hide small items around the house for kids to find and pack
- Create themed scavenger lists like “Find three blue toys” or “Collect all the books about animals”
- Offer small prizes or special treats for completing packing missions
- Make a checklist with pictures for younger children
- Turn it into a story where they’re “rescue heroes” saving toys from lonely boxes
Let the Kids Decorate Their Moving Boxes
Why settle for plain brown boxes when you can have a gallery of masterpieces? Turn cardboard boxes into canvases of creativity that’ll make even the professional house movers you booked smile. This personal touch helps kids feel more connected to their belongings during the transition.
Art supplies to have ready:
- Colorful markers and crayons
- Stickers and washi tape
- Labels for kids to draw pictures of what’s inside
- Glitter (if you’re feeling brave!)
- Construction paper for making box “windows” and “doors”
- Googly eyes to create box monsters
- Ribbon or yarn for decorative touches
Create a special “First Day” box:
- Let each child decorate their own box with their favorite colors
- Fill it with comfort items they’ll want right away
- Include a small surprise to discover in the new home
- Label it clearly so it’s easy to find on moving day
- Add a special “Open Me First!” sign they can design
Host a Goodbye Celebration
Help your little ones create lasting memories of your current home with some heart-warming farewell activities. This important step helps provide closure and turns potentially sad goodbyes into celebrations of happy memories.
Ideas for a fun farewell party:
- Set up a simple photo booth with props
- Create a memory jar where everyone writes down their favorite moments
- Make a neighborhood “goodbye map” marking favorite spots
- Share funny stories about living in the house
- Create a time capsule to leave for the next family
- Make handprint art on paper to remember this home
- Record a silly “house tour” video to keep as a memory
Take a special farewell tour:
- Visit the local park one last time
- Get ice cream at their favorite shop
- Take silly photos at memorable spots
- Create a digital album of your “goodbye adventure”
- Collect small souvenirs from favorite places
- Draw pictures of special neighborhood spots
- Write goodbye cards to close friends and neighbors
Create Moving-Day Magic
Transform moving day from potentially stressful to surprisingly fun with some simple preparation and creativity. The key is to keep kids feeling involved and important throughout the process.
Prepare special “moving kits” for each child:
- Pack backpacks with their favorite snacks
- Include new small toys or activities they haven’t seen before
- Add a special note about a surprise waiting at the new house
- Don’t forget comfort items like their favorite stuffed animal
- Include a disposable camera for documenting the day
- Pack special moving-day-only treats
- Add a new coloring book and crayons
Make it a family theme day:
- Create matching family “moving crew” t-shirts
- Assign special “important jobs” to each family member
- Make up silly team cheers for when you finish loading boxes
- Take lots of pictures of your moving day adventure
- Create special “job badges” for each family member
- Use walkie-talkies for added fun during the move
- Make up a family moving song or chant
Keep the Fun Going During Travel
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, make the journey part of the adventure. Think of it as a mini vacation within your move!
Travel entertainment ideas:
- Create a moving day playlist with everyone’s favorite songs
- Play classic car games like “I Spy” or “License Plate ABC”
- Download new audiobooks for the journey
- Pack special travel-only toys or activities
- Create simple travel journals for kids to document the journey
- Make a map where kids can track the moving journey
- Bring along a polaroid camera for instant memory-making
If you’re driving far:
- Plan stops at interesting roadside attractions
- Pack a picnic to enjoy at a park along the way
- Create a simple travel bingo game with things to spot
- Take funny photos at state lines or city welcome signs
- Research fun facts about places you’ll pass through
- Make special travel snack boxes for each child
- Create a “miles milestone” reward system
Welcome Them to the New Home with a Bang
Make arrival at your new home feel like opening a present on Christmas morning! Creating a kid-friendly home will set the tone for the entire experience.
Start with their spaces:
- Let kids help direct where their furniture should go
- Create a “decoration station” with their room accessories
- Make a paper chain countdown to when their room will be fully ready
- Celebrate each unpacked box with a mini dance party
- Set up their bed with new, special bedding
- Create a “room planning” drawing session
- Let them arrange their toys in creative ways
Plan an exciting house exploration:
- Create a treasure map leading to hidden treats throughout the house
- Play “Room Detective” to discover cool features of each space
- Set up a blanket fort in the living room for a first-night picnic
- Take silly “before” pictures in empty rooms
- Make up stories about what each room could become
- Create a scavenger hunt of house features to find
- Plant a small “welcome home” garden or window box
Wind Down with Moving-Day Stories
After a busy day of moving adventures, help your little ones settle into their new space with some comforting bedtime reading. There are wonderful children’s books that can help normalize the moving experience and spark conversations about change.
Recommended moving-day bedtime books:
- “The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day” – Stan Berenstain – A classic tale that helps kids relate to the experience
- “Big Dan’s Moving Van” – Leslie Mcguire – A fun rhyming story about the adventures of moving
- “Moving to the Neighborhood” – Alexandra Cassel – A sweet story about making new friends
Tips for story time in the new home:
- Set up a cozy reading nook with familiar blankets and pillows
- Let each child choose their favorite book from the “first day” box
- Use a special book light or lamp to create warm ambiance
- Make up stories about the adventures their toys had during the move
- Create a bedtime routine that mirrors their old one for comfort
Remember, moving is what you make of it. With a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of planning, you can transform what could be a stressful experience into a fun family adventure. Keep smiles on everyone’s faces by focusing on the exciting parts of change, and don’t forget to pat yourself on the back – you’re making memories that’ll last a lifetime!
