Moving with kids can be a challenging process for families, especially when kids are involved. The emotions, the packing, and the upheaval of routines can feel overwhelming. But with the right approach, you can transform this transition into an opportunity for creativity, bonding, and fun.
This guide is packed with practical tips and engaging activities to involve your kids every step of the way—from getting ready for the move to settling into your new home. Whether it’s packing games, meeting new friends, or exploring your new neighborhood, these ideas will help your children embrace the adventure of moving with excitement and confidence.
Getting Ready for Moving with Kids
Preparing for a move with kids can feel daunting, but it’s also the perfect time to make memories and set the stage for a positive transition. By turning packing and planning into fun, interactive activities, you can reduce stress and get everyone involved. Here are creative ideas to make the lead-up to moving day exciting and manageable:
Get Creative and Hands-On
Box Decorating Contest: Give kids markers, stickers, and crayons to decorate their own moving boxes. This not only keeps them entertained but also helps them identify which boxes are theirs when unpacking.
Treasure Hunt Packing: Hide small prizes or treats among items to be packed and let your kids "hunt" for them as they help pack. This game keeps the energy up while getting work done.
Speedy Sorters: Set a timer and challenge kids to sort toys into “keep,” “donate,” and “trash” piles. Offer small rewards for completing the task quickly and neatly.
Packing Puzzle: Turn packing into a real-life Tetris game! Challenge kids to fit as many items as possible into a box without leaving gaps.
Incorporate Learning and Memory-Making
Memory Match Packing: Lay out a group of items for a short time, then challenge your child to remember and pack them all. It’s a fun way to improve focus while packing.
Storytime About Moving: Read books about moving together to help your kids process emotions and feel less alone in their experience. Stories like The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day offer comfort and perspective. Some additional books to look for at your local library or online:
"Big Ernie's New Home: A Story for Young Children Who Are Moving" by Teresa Martin
"Goodbye House" by Frank Asch
"The Good-Pie Party" by Liz Garton Scanlon
"Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move" by Judith Viorst
"I Like Where I Am" by Jessica Harper
"Moving Day" by Ralph Fletcher
Memory Walk: Walk through the house with your kids and reminisce about their favorite memories in each room. Capture these moments with photos or drawings, turning the farewell into a celebration.
Moving Jar: Let kids collect small trinkets or "special treasures" they find during packing and place them in a jar. This gives them a sense of ownership and ensures important keepsakes aren’t lost.
Build Excitement for the New Home
Countdown Calendar: Create a visual countdown to moving day with stickers or drawings to mark milestones like “Pack toys” or “Say goodbye to neighbors.”
Order First-Night Takeout: Let kids choose the restaurant or type of food they’d like to order for your first night in the new home. It gives them something fun to look forward to.
Visualize Their New Room: Sketch out their new room together and brainstorm ideas for arranging furniture and decorating. Let them pick out small items like bedding or posters to personalize their space.
Set the Tone with Music and Fun
Pack-a-palooza Playlist: Work together to create a family playlist for packing sessions. Let kids pick their favorite songs and challenge them to pack a certain number of items per song.
Guess the Weight: Have kids guess how much a packed box weighs, then weigh it to see who was closest. It’s a simple game that keeps packing fun and interactive.
Celebrate the Transition
Pre-Move Goodbye Party: Whether it’s a small family gathering or just for your kids, celebrate the move with a fun activity like cupcakes, a movie night, or one last play session in the house.
Packing Command Center: Let your kids organize packing supplies—bubble wrap, tape, markers—into a designated “command center.” This makes them feel like an important part of the moving team.
On Moving Day
The big day is finally here, and keeping kids entertained and engaged is key to a smoother experience. By giving them roles, setting up special zones, and incorporating fun activities like a scavenger hunt, you can turn what might be a hectic day into a family adventure they'll remember fondly.
Designate a Kid Zone
Set up a calm, kid-friendly space where children can retreat when they need a break from the hustle and bustle of moving day. This area can be equipped with pillows, blankets, and a few favorite toys or books, providing a cozy spot for relaxation. Include noise-canceling headphones and sensory toys like stress balls or kinetic sand for kids who may feel overwhelmed by the activity. The zone can also double as a quiet play area with coloring books, puzzles, or a tablet loaded with games and movies, giving them a safe space to decompress while staying entertained.
Introduce a Moving Day Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items kids are likely to see on moving day, such as a moving truck, bubble wrap, a dolly, or a cardboard box tower. Print out a checklist with fun illustrations (free printable scavenger hunt below) and let them check off or draw what they find. Offer small prizes for completed hunts to keep them motivated.
Assign Fun Roles
Younger kids: Let them be the “Box Patrol,” ensuring their favorite boxes are labeled or loaded last. Older kids: Give them the title of “Moving Supervisor,” where they can use a clipboard to check off tasks or take candid photos of the process.
Snack Time: Let Them Be Hosts
Allow kids to pick out snacks and drinks for the movers ahead of time. Options like Gatorade, granola bars, or fruit cups are simple but appreciated.
Looking for fun ways to keep your kids smiling and engaged on moving day? Download our free Moving Day Scavenger Hunt and creative activity guides! It’s packed with games and ideas to turn your move into a family adventure. Grab your free downloads here!
After You Move
Once you’re in your new home, the transition isn’t over—it’s just beginning. Helping kids adjust to their new surroundings and encouraging them to explore can make the new house feel like home. Creative projects and personal touches can transform unpacking into a bonding experience that marks the start of this new chapter.
Get Creative with Boxes
Turn leftover moving boxes into fun projects. Build a playhouse, a tunnel, or even a pirate ship. Let kids decorate these creations with paints, markers, and stickers, turning them into personalized play spaces. Once the moving boxes are empty, they can transform into endless opportunities for fun and creativity. Here are some ideas to spark your kids' imaginations:
Cardboard Playhouse or Castle: Build a miniature house or a grand castle with windows, doors, and even a drawbridge. Kids can decorate it with markers, stickers, and leftover packing tape.
Rocket Ship or Spaceship: Let your kids “blast off” by turning a tall box into a rocket ship. Add buttons, control panels, and a cone-shaped top for an out-of-this-world adventure.
Puppet Theater: Cut out a window in a large box to create a puppet stage. Kids can decorate it and put on shows with their stuffed animals or handmade puppets.
Box Tunnel or Maze: Use multiple boxes to create a crawl-through tunnel or a maze. Add twists, turns, and even obstacles for kids to navigate.
Cardboard Train or Car: Transform boxes into a train engine or car. Attach smaller boxes for cargo or passenger cars and let kids decorate their “vehicles.”
Mini Golf Course: Flatten some boxes to create a mini golf course with ramps and tunnels. Use small balls and plastic clubs to play.
Carnival Games: Set up games like ring toss, ball toss, or a beanbag target with stacked boxes. Turn unpacking into a fun family activity.
Life-Sized Board Game: Use flattened boxes to create a giant board game. Kids can design spaces with tasks or challenges and use themselves as the game pieces.
Explore the Neighborhood Together
Getting to know your new surroundings can be both exciting and comforting for kids. Turn this exploration into an adventure with these engaging activities:
Discovery Walk: Take a family walk to identify nearby parks, playgrounds, and other points of interest. Let kids bring along a notebook or camera to document their “discoveries.”
Play “What’s Nearby?” & Make a Neighborhood Map: Use Google Maps or a printed map to find kid-approved places, like a zoo, aquarium, or trampoline park. Let them pick a spot to visit on a family outing. Help your kids draw a personalized map of your new neighborhood, marking key spots like their school, park, or favorite stores. They can decorate it and hang it in their room.
Create a “Bucket List”: Brainstorm a list of places your family wants to visit in the area. Include fun ideas like festivals, seasonal events, or local landmarks, and check them off as you go.
Find Kid-Friendly Classes: Look into dance, art, or sports classes in your area. Enrolling your kids in activities can help them make friends and feel more at home.
Meet the Neighbors: Meeting new neighbors can be overwhelming for kids, especially when they’re unsure of what to say or how to join a group. To make things easier, help your child approach new friendships with confidence by giving them simple tools and strategies:
Start Small: Encourage your child to introduce themselves to one or two kids at a time instead of a big group. A simple “Hi, I’m [name]. We just moved here!” can go a long way.
Find Common Ground: Point out shared interests, like a cool bike, a pet, or a favorite sport, as an easy conversation starter.
Bring a Fun Activity: Something like a frisbee, bubbles, or sidewalk chalk can help break the ice and give kids a reason to play together.
Practice Together: Role-play introductions and questions at home to build confidence, like “What’s your favorite game?” or “Do you go to [local school]?”
Reward Bravery: Meeting new people takes courage, so celebrate small wins. Whether it’s an extra bedtime story, a favorite treat, or just high-fives, these little rewards can encourage your child to keep trying.
Normalize Feeling Nervous: Let your child know it’s okay to feel shy or uncertain—it’s a normal part of meeting new people. Share your own stories of overcoming nervousness and remind them that most kids feel the same way.
Personalize Their New Space
Helping your child feel at home in their new room is an important part of easing the transition to a new house. By letting them take the lead in personalizing their space, you’re giving them a sense of control and ownership. Here are some fun and meaningful ways to make their room feel uniquely theirs:
Choose a Theme or Colors: Let your child decide on a theme or color palette for their room. Whether it’s their favorite animal, superhero, or simply a collection of bright, cheerful colors, this choice can make the space feel like their own. Incorporate their preferences into bedding, curtains, or wall art to bring the theme to life.
Create a Personalized “Welcome Wall”: Work together to decorate a special area of their room, like a “welcome wall,” where they can showcase their favorite artwork, photos, or posters. You can even make custom artwork together—hand-painted canvases, framed drawings, or crafts like string art add a personal touch that celebrates their creativity.
Add Nighttime Comfort Lighting: The unfamiliarity of a new room can feel intimidating at night, so consider adding cozy lighting options. Glow-in-the-dark stars, fairy lights, or a nightlight with their favorite design can create a comforting, magical atmosphere. This small addition can make a big difference in helping them settle in.
Decorate Together: Turn decorating into a collaborative project. Let them choose where to place furniture, hang posters, or set up their toys. Add personal touches like their name on a door sign, pillow, or wall decal to make the space feel even more special. Involving them in these decisions helps their room feel like a reflection of who they are.
Create a Photo Collage: Help your child make a collage of family and friends to display in their room. Having familiar faces nearby can provide comfort and connection, reminding them of the support they have as they adjust to their new surroundings.
Incorporate Their Hobbies: Highlight what they love most by integrating their hobbies into the room’s decor. Create a dedicated space for their favorite activities—a shelf for sports trophies, a display for LEGO creations, or a rack for instruments. Showcasing their passions makes the room feel uniquely theirs while celebrating what makes them special.
Moving isn’t just about getting from one place to another—it’s about creating a new beginning for your family. By involving your kids in the process, you’re helping them navigate this big change with confidence, creativity, and a sense of ownership.
From packing games and scavenger hunts to personalizing their new space, these activities ensure your children feel included and empowered every step of the way. With a little planning and a lot of imagination, moving can become more than just a chore—it can be a shared adventure filled with meaningful memories.
Comments