Last Updated on May 5, 2022

Moving can be incredibly stressful, and even more so for children if they’re leaving the home that they’ve lived in since birth.

I’m currently at the tail end of moving for the fourth time in five years, this time with two children under 6.

So I thought that whilst the experience was fresh in my mind (and my aching body!) I would share some tips for moving with kids that I found useful before undertaking this move.

I’ve included tips to help your children adjust to the move, as well as some practical tips on how to make the tasks associated with moving a little easier.

Here are 11 tips for moving with kids that I hope you find useful if you’re in the process of moving, or thinking about moving in the near future.

Discuss the move with your kids

As soon as you know you’re moving discuss the move with your kids, and let them know what the move means for them.

This could mean telling them that they need to change schools or nursery, or if staying at their current school or nursery that the drive may be longer, so their mornings will be different.

This tip also means asking them questions about how they feel about moving, and even getting them excited about the new places they can explore in the location of their new home.

Discussing the move with your kids helps to alleviate any stress that they may start to feel.

Get your kids involved in the move

One of the tips for moving with kids that I did as much as I could during this move was to get them involved in the moving process.

For me, this meant taking my kids to the new house whenever I moved smaller items into it, or whenever I cleaned it, so they could explore the house and get a feel for it.

Other things you can do to get your kids involved in a move include:

• Driving them around the area where the house is located so they can see what child friendly attractions are there.
• Getting them to help pack up the old house, and unpack the new house.
• Letting them decide where their bed and décor will go.
• If you’ll be doing some painting, letting them help choose colours.

Choose a moving date that works around your kids

If you’re able to choose your moving date, consider choosing a date when your kids are at school or nursery so you can get a lot done.

If your kids need to change schools, then you may decide to move during the summer holidays, so your kids can start their new school at the start of a new school year.

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Set up your kid’s bedrooms first

This is one of the tips for moving with kids that I always try to do, which is setting up your kid’s bedrooms in your new home before setting up other rooms.

Doing this gives your kids somewhere to play whilst you’re unpacking, and more importantly, provides them with a sense of comfort, as they’re surrounded by things they’re familiar with.

Stick to routines

Kids love consistency, and a great way to create consistency during the chaos of moving is to stick to as many routines that you had in your old house as possible.

This means keeping bedtimes the same, eating meals at the same time as you always have, and having as much family time as you can.

Related posts:
8 reasons why having a routine is important
5 reasons why a late toddler bedtime works for my family

Here are some practical tips to make the tasks associated with moving easier.

Declutter before you move

The best time to declutter is before you move, because you have to take everything out of your house.

You can declutter again once you move as some items won’t fit where they need to be stored in your new home, or some won’t go with the existing décor.

Start packing early

Start packing as soon as you know you’re moving, because it will save you much needed time closer to moving day.

Things that you can pack early include items you don’t use daily, out of season clothes, books, glassware, excess cutlery and crockery, and bulky kitchen accessories.

Also, you don’t have to use only cardboard boxes when packing, you can also use things you already have such as suitcases, containers, and toy boxes.

Pack overnight bags with essential items

This is one of my favourite tips for moving with kids, which I’ll definitely do next time I move.

Packing overnight bags with essential items like a few days worth of clothes, your kid’s favourite toys and books, pyjamas, toiletries, cleaning supplies, a box cutter, and toilet paper, means that you’ll be prepared for the first few days after your move.

Eat existing food

In the weeks leading up to your move, it may be worthwhile to make some meal plans so you use up any existing food and ingredients that you have, so you don’t have a lot of food wastage when it’s moving day.

Related post:
8 benefits of weekly meal planning to reduce meal time stress

Set up a mail redirection

Changing your address takes a lot of time.

One way to do it after you move, or to ensure that you don’t forget to change it somewhere, is to set up a mail redirection, which can be done at your post office, or online.

If you can get help, do so

If you can get help moving your large items by using a removalist company then do so, your walls and body will thank you for it.

I hope you’ve found some tips that will help make your next move with kids as smooth as possible.

Do you have any tips for moving with kids that have worked for you?