Moving house with kids can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be.
Here is a quick guide with practical solutions to help you manage the emotional and practical challenges of moving house with kids:
- Talk Early: Discuss the move with your kids as soon as possible. Listen to their concerns and answer questions honestly.
- Focus on Positives: Turn the move into an adventure. Visit the new neighbourhood, let them pick room colours, or explore local attractions together.
- Stick to Routines: Keep daily schedules like mealtimes and bedtimes consistent to provide stability.
- Involve Them: Let kids pack their belongings or decorate their moving boxes to help them feel included.
- Prepare a Moving Day Kit: Pack a box with essentials like toys, snacks, and clothes for the first night.
- Safety First: Set up a safe zone or arrange childcare to keep kids secure on moving day.
- Settle Quickly: Prioritise setting up their room with familiar items like bedding and toys.
- Explore Together: Visit local parks, schools, and community spots to make the new area feel familiar.
- Maintain Friendships: Help kids stay in touch with old friends through calls, letters, or social media.
- Use Books: Reading age-appropriate moving-related books can help ease their worries.
Guide to Moving House with Kids | Moving Tips
Help Kids Cope with Moving
Helping children handle a house move means considering their individual needs, which can vary based on their personality and age.
Start Early Conversations
Talk about the move as soon as you can, giving your child time to adjust to the idea. Encourage them to share their thoughts, ask questions, and express any worries they may have. Pay attention to signs of stress or anxiety, as every child reacts differently.
Be honest and use language suited to their age. For younger kids, keep it simple and focus on tangible details, like their new bedroom or the garden. Older children might appreciate being included in discussions about why you're moving and the timeline. Once you have addressed their concerns, shift the focus to the positive aspects of the move.
Focus on Good Changes
Turn the move into an adventure by focusing on the good things. Here are some ideas:
- Create a Visual Preview: Visit the new neighbourhood with your children before the move. Explore local attractions like parks, leisure centres, or cinemas to familiarise them with the area.
- Involve Them in Planning: Let your child have a say in decorating their new space. They could pick paint colours, help plan furniture placement, or choose new decorations for their room.
- Plan Fun Activities: Engage your child in activities that make the move more exciting, like:
- Making a scrapbook about the new area
- Drawing how they would like to arrange their room
- Writing a list of places they would like to visit nearby
You can also use stories from moving-related books to help ease their worries.
Read Moving-Related Books
Books can help kids understand and work through their feelings about moving. Here are some great options for different age groups:
Age Group | Book Title | Key Theme |
|---|---|---|
Ages 2–4 | We're Moving by Heather Maisner | Introduction to moving basics |
Ages 4–6 | Managing change and keeping memories | |
Ages 6–8 | Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood | Turning negative feelings into positive ones |
Ages 8–10 | Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move | Handling resistance to change |
These books can spark conversations and help children express their emotions about the move.
Pack with Your Children
Getting children involved in packing can help them feel included and keep things organised.
Supervise Kids' Packing
Assign tasks based on your child's age. Younger kids can handle soft items like clothes, bedding, or toys, while older children can manage more involved tasks with some guidance. To avoid confusion, create designated packing areas for each room. Fragile or valuable items should always be packed by adults.
Use Simple Box Labels
Once tasks are assigned, streamline the process with an easy-to-follow labelling system. Use colours and symbols to make it clear where each box belongs:
Room | Colour Code | Picture Symbol | Items to Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
Bedroom | Blue | Bed/Moon | Toys, clothes, books |
Playroom | Green | Toy blocks | Games, craft supplies |
Study Area | Yellow | Desk/Pencil | School items, stationery |
Bathroom | Red | Bath/Toothbrush | Toiletries, towels |
To make unpacking easier, place matching coloured stickers or tape on the doors of your new home.
Make Packing Fun
Turn packing into an enjoyable activity:
- Packing Scavenger Hunt: Give kids fun lists to follow, like "find five blue toys" or "gather all your winter jumpers."
- Box Decorating Station: Let children personalise their moving boxes with markers, stickers, or drawings. This keeps them engaged and helps identify box contents.
The Moving Miracles programme in Chicago found that decorating their own boxes reduced lost or misplaced children's items by 95% and lowered anxiety levels by 40% during moves (Source: Moving Miracles Annual Report, 2023).
Finally, pack a special box for each child with their favourite items to keep them comfortable during the move. Include:
- A favourite toy or blanket for comfort
- Entertainment for moving day
- Clothes for the first night
- School essentials if moving during term time
These fun and organised methods can make the moving process smoother and less stressful for children.
Moving Day Child Safety
Keep your kids safe and comfortable during moving day by planning ahead and creating a secure, engaging environment.
Prepare a Moving Day Box
A dedicated moving day box can help keep children calm and entertained. Make sure it is clearly labelled and easy to access.
Category | Essential Items | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Comfort | Favourite toys, blankets, bedtime items | Provide a sense of familiarity |
Entertainment | Books, magazines, headphones, tablet | Keep children entertained |
Necessities | Change of clothes, toiletries, nappies | Cover basic needs |
Refreshments | Drinks, healthy snacks, small treats | Maintain energy and hydration |
Having a well-stocked moving day box ensures your child’s comfort, so you can focus on other priorities.
Set Up a Safe Zone
As the move progresses, create a safe, designated area for your children, away from the hustle of moving activity. Add comfortable seating, clear pathways, and assign someone to supervise. Once you arrive at your new home, prioritise setting up their bedrooms. A familiar space can help them settle in more easily.
Arrange Child Care
If possible, hire a babysitter or ensure clear boundaries are in place to keep your kids secure and out of harm’s way during the move.
Set Up the New Home
After ensuring safety on moving day, the next step is creating a welcoming and comfortable new home.
Start with Kids' Rooms
Begin with setting up your children's bedrooms to help them settle in quickly. Focus on the essentials:
Item | Why It Matters | Quick Tips |
|---|---|---|
Familiar Bedding | Provides comfort | Use their usual duvet covers and pillowcases |
Night Light | Adds a sense of security | Set it up before bedtime |
Favourite Toys | Brings familiarity | Keep them within easy reach |
Window Coverings | Controls light | Hang their usual curtains right away |
Storage | Keeps things organised | Prioritise toy boxes and wardrobes |
Keep extension cables handy for powering night lights and other devices.
Stick to Daily Routines
Once their rooms are ready, stick to regular mealtimes and bedtimes. Avoid making big changes, like transitioning from a cot to a bed, during this adjustment period. Familiar routines can make the move feel less overwhelming.
Explore the Neighbourhood
After settling in, help your children feel at home by exploring the local area together. Start with places that will be part of their daily life:
- Local Parks: Visit nearby playgrounds for some outdoor fun.
- School Route: Walk the route to their new school a few times before their first day.
- Community Spots: Check out libraries, leisure centres, and family-friendly cafés.
These small outings make the new surroundings feel less intimidating and help your children see the neighbourhood as an exciting and friendly place.
After settling into a new home, staying connected with familiar faces can make the adjustment smoother.
Keep Old Friendships
Moving does not mean leaving friendships behind. Help children maintain their connections as they adapt to their new environment.
Share Contact Details
Before the move, compile a contact list suited to your child's age. For younger kids, hosting a farewell party can be a good opportunity for parents to exchange contact information. Older kids might prefer creating their own digital list with friends' details
Plan Regular Catch-ups
Once contact details are sorted, set up regular ways for your child to stay in touch. Weekly video calls, monthly letters, or even holiday visits can help maintain friendships.
For long-distance moves, teach your child about time zones to make scheduling calls easier and more convenient.
Make a Memory Book
You might include:
- Photos of favourite spots and friends
- Farewell notes from classmates
- Friends' contact information
- Keepsakes from special moments
- Pictures of their old home and room
Older children could also create a digital farewell page to complement their memory book.
Conclusion for Moving House with Kids
Relocating with children requires attention to both their emotional well-being and the logistical details of the move. Starting preparations early and involving children in the process can make the experience less stressful and more manageable.
Open communication and maintaining routines are key to a smoother transition. Talking with children about the move, keeping daily activities predictable, and addressing their questions clearly can help them feel more secure. A positive mindset also encourages children to adjust and build confidence during this period of change.
Practical actions during moving house with kids, such as setting up their rooms first and keeping familiar habits intact, provide a sense of stability. Allowing time to acknowledge feelings about leaving the old home while fostering excitement for the new one can help children face the change with confidence. Following these steps can make the move a more seamless experience for the entire family.